The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Lake Sonoma. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Lake Sonoma, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Lake Sonoma, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
$89 - $109 / night
"Love this spot for glamping it has a fishing pond, swimming pool, and a hiking trail! Very beautiful scenery! Very close to the town of Cloverdale about a 5-10 min drive!"
"Off the beaten path so if you plan to visit cities or wineries you need a tow vehicle."
"Location to the river/ creek is great."
"A few friends and I recently spent 4 days camping at this beautiful ranch right outside of Duncan Mills and absolutely loved our stay."
"Fire puts when allowed by California. Russian River gets surprisingly warm during the summer."
"I've taken my 3 kids a couple of times now, and it's such a great location along the Sonoma Coast."
"The sites are tucked on the hillside amongst mixed evergreen forests, redwoods, ferns, and oaks. The sites all have picnics tables with food lockers, large fire pits, and privacy."
$28 - $280 / night
"Great scenery, and many of the tent sites are tucked away in little nooks and crannies for privacy if you don’t want the more open outer ring sites."
"Ocean Cove is a private campground right off Highway one. The owners are very friendly and helpful and they also own the grocery store across from the campsites."
"Bullfrog campground is located in Armstrong woods (Guerneville, CA). It's on top of a rugged drive up the woods and they are first come first serve basis."
"The entrance to the campground is located at the back of the park and you drive up a very winding, bumpy one lane road for about 10 minutes before you reach the campgrounds."
$25 - $100 / night
"If you talk to the the ranger at the gate, most of the time they will let you drive around the grounds and pick any open site."
"The walk down to swim in the lake was a significant downhill but the dip was worth it! Funny dead trees sticking out of the lake were fun to climb on."
"Love this spot for glamping it has a fishing pond, swimming pool, and a hiking trail! Very beautiful scenery! Very close to the town of Cloverdale about a 5-10 min drive!"
$30 / night
"The other campground near the lake is quite a bit further drive from the actual lake. This one is closest and parking at the marina is included with the camp slip."
$48 / night
"Location location location…. The Schoolhouse Canyon Campground is located about 400 yards off the Russian River / 1/2 mile down the road from the Korbel Winery (amazing deli!!!)"
"He put us in a very level spot that was great for my rooftop tent situation. Can’t say enough good things about him and his staff. Everyone was very friendly."
RangerI am reasonably ok at backing in my travel trailer but this place is a mess. I parked in wrong spot, moved to the right one, the power pedestal did not work. Had to walk to office because phone number on check-in sheet did not work. Camp worker in golf cart picked me up and checked pedestal. No good. Drove me around looking for another site but the camp side on most is terrible. My wife has mobility issues so I would not stay here again. Staff was great, area looks nice, but the sites I saw leave something to be desired.
TravelerI liked this tree shaded campground. Some Lakeside campsites for RVs and tents with many other campsites, stretching up a gentle hill. Potable water is available. Bathrooms were clean but showers not so much but plenty of hot water and does not require quarters. Campground can be very crowded prior to Labor Day, especially weekends. When I was there on 9/10/25 there were very few campers. Register on recreation.gov. Use your federal discount pass to get half price on the $35 or $65 electrical sites.
TravelerI arrived 9/10/25 but did not camp here because the camp is closed for some flood damage repair.
ScoutRussian River is right out front of the campground. They offer kayaks canoes, and whatever else you want to rent however, if you have a dog, they don’t allow the dog on the beach or in the boat with you and they’re not allowed to stay behind in the tent, so you’re kind of stuck if you have a dog
ScoutI planned to stay here just one night and stayed like 4. Great spot, I loved downtown Petaluma and enjoyed the safe feeling and convenience of this location. Great amenities for children too.
TravelerGreat campsite, awesome staff. Tucked away off highway 12 in wine country it feels much more remote than it actually is. It's a great fast getaway from the northbay, but it can be hard to reserve a site ahead of time but they do have first-come first serve sites too. Excellent hiking with both fairly flat trails, to challenging trails with lots of elevation change. It's often very hot in the summer, and there can be lots of rattle snakes sunning themselves on the rocks. This is one of my favorite camping spots.
ScoutIf you are here for fishing or boating it’s perfect
TravelerThis sweet little spot is a paddle boarding and fishing dream. Primitive site where Smittle Creek flows into Lake Berryessa.
GuideWe had a big site, it was quiet. The bathrooms are clean, showers are $1.00, they have something for every type of camper here, from tents, covered wagons to rv sites. This is a large campground located on the Russian River. They have a well stocked store, laundry facilities.
Edit: Tuesday and Wednesday were as described above. Thursday a very loud rambunctious crowd showed up. Casini Campground has a ton of rules, one of which is you shouldn’t play your music loud enough for your neighbors to hear, we were able to hear the music and the people who were trying to talk over their music. If you going to have rules, please enforce them. Edited to change from 5 stars to 4.
Camping near Lake Sonoma, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Lake Sonoma, California, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make reservations for camping at Lake Sonoma?
For Lake Sonoma camping, reservations can be made for Liberty Glen Campground through recreation.gov or by calling the reservation line. Even during peak season, Liberty Glen often has availability, and rangers sometimes allow visitors to drive around and select open sites upon arrival. For boat-in camping at Lake Sonoma Marina Campground, contact the marina directly to reserve your spot. It's advisable to book well in advance during summer months and holidays, though mid-week reservations are typically easier to secure. Be aware that Liberty Glen is currently closed for maintenance, so check reopening dates before planning your trip. Reservation fees are required and must be paid at the time of booking.
What camping options are available at Lake Sonoma?
Lake Sonoma offers several distinct camping experiences. Liberty Glen Campground provides traditional drive-in camping with family-friendly sites, though it's temporarily closed for maintenance. The Lake Sonoma Marina Campground offers a unique experience near the water, but be aware that campers report no potable water is available at these sites, so bring your own supply. Beyond these main options, Lake Sonoma features boat-in campsites accessible only by water, which provide more secluded experiences. There are also numerous primitive camping areas around the lake's perimeter. Facilities vary by location, with some offering vault toilets while others are more rustic. Most sites include fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities are generally basic.
Are there camping areas near Lake Sonoma but outside the main campgrounds?
Yes, several excellent camping options exist near Lake Sonoma beyond its main campgrounds. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA serves as an ideal base camp for exploring both Lake Sonoma and wine country, located just a short drive away in Petaluma. For coastal camping within driving distance of Lake Sonoma, Bodega Dunes Campground offers clean facilities and semi-private sites with easy access to dog-friendly beaches. Other nearby options include Cloverdale/Healdsburg Campground, which provides amenities like water and toilets with big-rig-friendly sites, and Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground, a quiet family-friendly option with hiking trails and scenic views.
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