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."
TravelerA great camping spot in Bodega Bay. We stayed in the shell loop and it was a short walk to the bathroom. Bathrooms were very clean, I was impressed, with coin operated showers (we did not use). There are lots of RVs but we pitched a tent. We went in October and one day it was completely sunny and the next morning it was pretty wet. Nothing too bad though. Only downside is how close together the campsites are, otherwise great site with fire ring and picnic table provided. We were at site 44 which had a great tree, but sites 42, 41, and 40 looked spacious and had great views. The town is a short drive away too with good seafood spots.
TravelerGreat campground, not so great in the summer. There is barely any airflow. Once in a while a breeze will manage to pass through, but when its 100ºF outside...you'd wish it were breezy all day.
Campsite #99 is literally right next to the restroom, as well as a few other campsites at the Lower Bay View campsite(93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 100, & 110) with a bit more walking. The other campsites are a bit of a walk the further you get away.
If you are expecting it to be quiet during the evening nearby the restrooms, these sites will not help. Not everyone is respectful of their camping neighbors and will either stand there and chitchat...for some odd reason...but also, you can really hear the toilet flush as it was amplified.
I do highly recommend to bring a rake and rake out where you are going to put your tent. Soo many twigs and rocks on the ground, ain't fun. Also, be sure to bring a canopy with a mosquito screen...tons of flies, yellow jackets, moths, gnats, just all around flying bugs. Remember when I mentioned the breeze coming once in a while...yeah, this is another reason why.
Thankfully no trash pandas(racoons) were seen the entire trip. But we have seen tons of lizards, crows, and bluejay's. I did see however on our last night at the camp, a California Kingsnake. I was going to the restroom before going to bed and 3 women were by the men's side of the bathrooms. Once I was done, I came out and saw the snake with my headlamp. I stepped aside and told the women to be careful, there is a snake.
They told me its just lizards...apparently a few ran across their feet. I told them "No, its a snake...look". They looked down where my light was spotted and saw the snake. 2 of the 3 women ran while the 3rd stood by me til it moved away. The 3rd ran once the snake continued to where it was going. I went to my tent and zipped it up tightly and went to bed. While laying down, I can hear the ladies talking to the men at their campsite about the snake and couldn't help but laugh a bit silently.
The swimming lagoon was not worth even trying to get in. The water level is low, boat launch nearby was closed due to waterline being low. There is soo much algae, the water stinks if you break the surface. Wasn't even worth trying to swim.
Oh and one last thing, call before you arrive the day you plan on visiting. No Charcoal Grills, No Campfires, Only gas or propane grills. Due to an extreme risk of fire, there has been a ban. I asked the ranger about using the fire pit rings at the campsite, and seeing on the website reservation system that we are allowed to use it. That is not true and whoever is responsible on maintaining the system hasn't updated it to reflect the fire ban according to what the ranger at the station stated.
TravelerWe love this park, we are full timers with a severely autistic son and this park has plenty of spots so we usually dont have neighbors. They have an amazing Laundry room that gets cleaned practically everyday and a little dog park that is the only dog park my Mufasa can go to. 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.
GuideThis site served its purpose; spot to sleep after a long day of driving. The disbursed camping area was down a gravel road to the left next to the day use vault toilet through a cattle gate.
There were several campers already there but plenty of room for more. There were also several vault toilets on the property as well.
GuideCool spot. We stayed in a site on the Jetty. Only this I wish was a little better were the showers… they were in the bathroom even though they have a separate door and are coin operated
RangerI pulled in here for the night and found I was completely alone. Except I kept hearing splashing in the creek. I wasn't alone - there was a herd of Elk. Super cool. This is a great spot for a short stay. No real 'sites' but a pleasant spot in the middle of the Cache Creek Natural Area.
TravelerThis is a beautiful and quiet spot to stop at. Although a smaller campsite with just 19 spots, it is beautiful with fishing in the river that runs next to it. The spots are beautiful,each he's a fire pit and picnic table. Coastal access in near by . I highly recommend it as a most see
TravelerThis is a rustic park with no sewer hookups, so you need to bring a sewer caddy, and also, they have laundry onsite. They are remodeling and repairing and it is coming along very nicely.
ScoutPlace is quiet at night, but seems run down. They are going to assign sights which is what I don’t like in most camp grounds. I like the A section and it not being a choice anymore is my last time here.
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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