Kenwood, California provides camping opportunities in the heart of Sonoma wine country with several established campgrounds nestled among rolling hills and oak woodlands. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground offers tent, RV, and glamping sites with 48 mixed-use campsites arranged around an open meadow. The Ritchey Creek Campground at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park features tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and yurts. Both developed campgrounds provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails while maintaining proximity to nearby wineries and small towns.
Many campgrounds in the Kenwood area require reservations, particularly during summer and fall wine season when tourism peaks. Access to Sugarloaf Ridge requires navigating narrow, winding roads that can be challenging for large RVs or trailers. Most campgrounds operate year-round with temperatures ranging from cool winters to hot summers, often with significant temperature drops at night. Water sources are typically available at established sites, though primitive backcountry camping options are limited in this region. Cell service can be spotty throughout the area, especially in canyon areas. "The campground survived the fires of 2017 intact, though quite a bit of the park is burned. Most of the trails are open, and you can access them right from the campground," noted one visitor regarding Sugarloaf Ridge.
Campers consistently highlight the dual appeal of natural settings combined with proximity to wine country attractions. Several developed campgrounds feature creekside sites that provide shade and water access, though these premium spots tend to fill quickly. The Robert Ferguson Observatory at Sugarloaf Ridge offers unique stargazing opportunities, with visitors mentioning special "Star Parties" held monthly. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, fox, and various bird species. Families appreciate the kid-friendly atmosphere at most established campgrounds, with easy access to hiking trails of varying difficulty. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers value the "rural feeling to the area" with "no cell phone service," creating a true disconnect despite being relatively close to towns like Santa Rosa and Sonoma.
$35 - $45 / night
"The campsite is only a few minutes from Kenwood and many many wineries, but feels more remote than it is."
"Very close to all wine country has to offer and a well stocked deli/store and post office just down the road."
$43 / night
"We just stayed here for 2 nights, great location very close to Calistoga and not to far from Saint Helena! Next time i would love to try out a cabin or yurt."
"Good access to wineries close by. Only real downside was that because of the dry conditions we could not have a campfire."
"showers were always clean. there was some construction going on, since it was the off season. it looked like they were renovating some of the bathrooms and aisle end sites to add grass and decks. the location"
"For us, this is a great spot to shoot down the highway and pull in for a few days to get away from the hustle and bustle of normal life!"
"A ton of great hiking and horseback riding trails. Literally 5 mins outside of the town of Napa. Ate at an amazing Brazilian Steakhouse and came to camp in just a short drive."
"Nice, clean place with beautiful hiking trails. The garden is very cute, perfect for a quiet walk or meditation. Sites are close to each other. This place is a good getaway into nature."
$35 / night
"It’s close to the entrance but the driveway only had a slight grade. Mostly folks with trailers. The sites are not too close together but it is easy to see into the surrounding neighbors."
"Spring Lake has been that for us. We have been here for 2 weekends in the last few months."
$33 - $70 / night
"The park itself is like a little slice of heaven and surrounded by the town so nothing is that far away. It is 5 min away from the Planet fitness and it is quiet and has a night security guard too."
"A little close to others for my liking, but everyone was friendly and helpful."
$35 - $225 / night
"Beautiful trees and wonderful California charm. The campsites were decently located. Above the Mendocino coast the mornings are wet and Cold. Loved this place"
"This campground is less than an hours drive from San Francisco. It is along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard which takes you through a bunch of very cute tiny towns."
$35 - $165 / night
"Close to Santa Rosa up a long windy road sites Sugarloaf Ridge park. A pretty popular place, even in November. Lots to do here. Hiking, biking trails. Many families camping."
$45 / night
"This campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground."
"The California coast is hard to beat. This campground is in the sand dunes, with a short walk to the beach. This is absolutely one of the best places to see the sunset."
ScoutWe came with a big group of 11 families and we have had a blast. Floated the river each day, movie night at the theatre, the kids loved the arcade, and the staff was awesome. We will return!
GuideSites are jammed together and lots of families with screaming kids. If you’re old and cranky, it probably isn't the vibe you’re after. If you have kids, maybe this would work for you. Bathrooms are old and dirty—a park service employee came by at one point on a Saturday but the women's bathroom was still out of soap and paper towels when she left.
ScoutAgree with the other poster. Road is in bad condition and cars won't make it through.
ScoutThere's a lots of variety of the sites including grassy areas and then also kind of parking lot areas. There's lots of amenities at one end of the RV camping area with a store. Lots of water and nice toilets and showers! Lots of water and nice toilets and showers!
The sites that are closer to the entrance of the RV park are a little bit more rustic in that they only have porta potty that is easy to access.
All the spots had good firings and well-kept picnic tables.
There's tons of wildlife here.
GuidePros: Campground is on the beach (although only a few sites are literally on the beach—the others are set back). It’s on the small side, which I consider a big plus. You really can’t beat the location (just north of Jenner). Staff is helpful and friendly. Bathrooms (with flush toilets) are very clean. Beach is huge and beautiful—lots of pelicans and cool rock formations just offshore in the surf.
Cons: Sites are very close together, although privacy is somewhat maintained with thick, tall bushes between campsites. Gets windy, especially if you get one of the sites right on the beach.
ScoutLike to end trips at an RV park and this was what I was looking for. Easy to check in, to park, hookups worked. Near spectacular natural beauty.
I didn’t use any other amenities on site or go to the restaraunt, which seemed lively.
No privacy.
TravelerExceptional campground, clean, well kept, and very clean bathrooms/showers. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Grounds green, mowed lawns and nicely trimmer hedges. Campsites have ample room between neighbors. Well done Travis outdoor recreation team.
ScoutEnjoying this campground a lot. It’s a 10-15 minute walk down to Salt Point Trail head and it is STUN-Ning.
Could hear the sea lions barking from the campsite.
I moved from site 4 to 1.
4 had trees over it which was messing with the starlink.
1 is much better for starlink.
Another commenter mentioned the overflow parking lot and I agree that would be a nice option, I wasn’t able to find a staff member to ask to move there. It would be very cold and windy at night and no fire pits.
What I ended up doing was driving down to the Salt Point trailhead lot for the day to work and look at the view of the ocean then I’d come back up to the campsite for the night.
A very peaceful location!
There is pretty much nothing around here so need to come prepared.
ScoutNot much camping in the but Skyline fit the bill. Typically RV style campsites but showers were good, and the grounds were beautiful. Good hiking trails as well.
Camping near Kenwood offers options beyond the popular wine country state parks. The area sits at elevations ranging from 400-1,200 feet with oak-studded hills transitioning to mixed conifer forests at higher elevations. Summer temperatures regularly reach 90°F during day but drop 30-40 degrees at night, creating significant temperature variations that require layered clothing even in summer months.
Stargazing sessions: At Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground, visitors can participate in guided astronomy programs. "We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time!" reports Syd D., who visited with family.
Wildlife spotting: The diverse terrain supports various animals easily spotted from campsites. "We saw a rabbit, turkeys, lizards, deer, & quails! Seems they have lots of hikes available," notes Brittney L. about her Sugarloaf Ridge visit.
Horseback riding excursions: The region offers equestrian opportunities for campers seeking alternative ways to explore. At Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground, one visitor recommends "Five Brooks Ranch in Olema for horseback riding," making it an excellent day trip option from Kenwood-area camps.
Biking on dedicated paths: Multiple campgrounds connect to cycling routes. "Bike trail right out of the campsite, through the vineyards into Calistoga," mentions Bonnie C. about her stay at Ritchey Creek Campground.
Creek access: Water features enhance camping experiences throughout the region. At Ritchey Creek Campground — Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, the stream setting provides natural cooling. "There are nice hiking trails in the park though they are closed currently (Dec 2020) due to the fire in the area. There was no damage to the campground even though the fire burned into the grounds," reports Robert S.
Camping without crowds: Weekday visits offer significantly quieter experiences. "The weekends usually are full, it clears out Sunday evening so during the weekdays it is really nice," notes Robert S. about Ritchey Creek Campground.
Easy resupply options: The proximity to towns provides convenience without sacrificing natural settings. At Skyline Wilderness Park, Jamie G. appreciated the "short drive to Downtown Napa" and called it "a safe, beautiful, affordable property to spend outdoors time on."
Diverse activity options: Many campgrounds offer multiple recreation types in one location. "The 800+ acres of hills, woods and fields offers archery, disc golf, hiking, horseback riding and more," shares Jamie G. about Skyline Wilderness Park.
Seasonal closures and conditions: Trail access varies throughout the year due to weather and maintenance. At Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park, Michael I. found "many of the sites in the lower areas had standing water and torn up asphalt pads from the heavy rains the last couple of years."
Wildlife precautions: Some areas have significant wildlife presence requiring careful food storage. "We did see a few foxes, or the same fox a few times, so make sure to keep camp sites clean," advises Michael I. about Bodega Dunes Campground.
Poison oak awareness: This irritating plant grows throughout the region's campgrounds. "Be careful of the poison oak, it is prevalent there as it is anywhere in Northern California," warns Robert S. about his Ritchey Creek Campground experience.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies dramatically between campgrounds. "Cell service is good. Have both Verizon and Att with at least 2-3 bars. 10-12 Mbps down 4-5 Mbps up," reports Adam B. about Skyline Wilderness Park, making it an exception to the typically spotty coverage.
Kid-friendly trails: Easier hiking options accommodate young campers. "There's a pool for warm summer days and some awesome trails," shares Peter M. about San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA, noting its family appeal.
Entertainment amenities: Some campgrounds provide dedicated facilities for children. "Great things for kids to be entertained by and enjoy for sure," notes Patrick J. about San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA, which offers various recreational options.
Education opportunities: Nature programs enhance children's outdoor experiences. At Sugarloaf Ridge, Syd D. recommends asking "about the free quest hike. They send you on an adventure hike and there is treasure at the end of it."
Safety considerations: Temperature variations require extra preparation with children. "It was cooler this time of year then we expected. Bring layers!" advises Syd D. about their family camping experience.
Site selection strategies: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles equally. At Spring Lake Regional Park, Tammy B. notes "Spot (3) was great and accommodated both our truck and 32" fifth wheel, as well as having plenty of space for all 3 slides."
Utility limitations: Water access can be restricted at some locations. "Arrive at this park full of water. There was only one spigot with threads (for attaching hose to fill tanks); it was at spot 29," advises Tammy B. about Spring Lake Regional Park.
Leveling challenges: Terrain varies significantly between sites. At Bodega Dunes Campground, Leonard H. recommends selecting a "non-reserved level paved site in 54-89 loop (close to bay)" for easier setup.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping facilities. Spring Lake Regional Park provides dumping services, but Tammy B. notes many smaller campgrounds in the area require using off-site facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Kenwood, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Kenwood, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 159 campgrounds and RV parks near Kenwood, CA and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Kenwood, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kenwood, CA is Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 32 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kenwood, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Kenwood, CA.
What parks are near Kenwood, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Kenwood, CA that allow camping, notably Point Reyes National Seashore and Lake Sonoma.
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