Searching for a tent campsite near Napa? Find the best tent camping sites near Napa. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
S Rav Camp Area (sites E1-E7)
$25 - $100 / night
Located half way up Mount Tamalpais' forested southern slopes, Pantoll Campground is one of two first-come, first-served walk-in campgrounds within Mount Tamalpais State Park (Bootjack being the other). With 16 historic campsites lying beneath a quiet Douglas fir forest, time spent next to the campfire here will quickly expunge thoughts of the big city that lies just a few miles to the south.
The campground has an assortment of sites that are distributed on the hill that extends from the Pantoll Day Use Area; sites located further uphill offer greater privacy and more room. All 16 sites are within a short, 100-yard walk from the car park. Each comes equipped with campfire pits and historic, stone-built campfire grills to accommodate all of your cooking and warming needs. Since advance reservations cannot be made for Pantoll, arriver earlier on weekend days to ensure you’ll have a site. You’ll likely have the campground to yourself if you are there mid-week.
$7 - $25 / night
Known by various names over the years (including Lupine Shores and Steele Park), Steele Canyon campground has always been known as the campground to vacation at if you're looking for some fun and relaxation. Along with tent and RV campsites, the campground features easy access to Lake Berryessa and a launch ramp.
Discover an amazing outdoor playground when you visit us at Steele Canyon on the gorgeous waters of Lake Berryessa. You can also experience the world-famous wine region of Napa Valley, situated less than an hour from our California RV resort.
We offer spacious tent camping and RV sites so you can connect with the stunning natural beauty that surrounds Napa County. When you visit Steele Canyon, your outdoor vacation adventure in California goes from ordinary to extraordinary.
$5 - $55 / night
This recreation area is part of Eastman Lake
$30 / night
In the middle of San Francisco Bay sits Angel Island State Park, offering spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais. The island is also alive with history. Three thousand years ago the island was a fishing and hunting site for Coastal Miwok Indians. It was later a haven for Spanish explorer Juan de Ayala, a cattle ranch, and a U.S. Army post. From 1910 to 1940, the island processed thousands of immigrants. During World War II, Japanese and German POWs were held on the island, which was also used as a jumping-off point for American soldiers returning from the Pacific. In the '50s and '60s, the island was home to a Nike missile base. Today, there are two active Coast Guard stations - at Point Blunt and Point Stuart - on the island. Angel Island became a State Park in 1958.
CAMPSITES
11 environmental, including an ADA site (each site accommodating up to 8 people) and a kayak-accessible site (holds up to 20 people).
For more information contact the rangers office: 415-435-5390
Please check in with the park staff upon arrival on the island.
Be prepared to carry and/or transport your equipment up to 2.5 miles. Some sections are uphill, total elevation gain may be over 300 feet. Tables, food-lockers, running water, pit-toilets, and a barbecue are located at each site.
Bring charcoal or a stove as no wood fires are allowed. Raccoons are active making food-locker storage very important. Travel on the island after sunset is prohibited in some areas for park security and public safety.
$30 / night
One- to six-person sites: 12 Seven- to 25-person sites: 2 Coast Campground is nestled within a small coastal valley with easy access to the beach and tidepools. The beach is within 220 yards of the campground and tidepools are located ~720 yards to the southeast. One may access Coast Campground by foot, bicycle, or horse; not by boat, auto, or RV. The shortest approach on solid ground is via the 1.8-mile slightly uphill hike on the Laguna and Fire Lane Trails, starting at the Laguna Trailhead just east of the hostel. There are 12 regular sites and two group sites.
$30 - $90 / night
Traveler
One of my favorite places to camp! The tent camp sites are kind of small, but very close to the beach. Beautiful sunsets. Campground is near bodega bay and shops. Fishing is allow but it’s pretty shallow. Rangers frequent the campground. Clean bathrooms and showers.
Legend
If you want to explore the Point Reyes National Seashore you do not have many options. This facility has been there a long time, and while not the best, it gives you great access. It is mostly used for RV's some appear to be year round residents. I am a tent camper and there are tent camping sites. They are on a grassy area and not well defined. Not a lot of shade for tent sites.
That being said you are at the gateway to a large fabulous national seashore.
They have great ameneities - a store, post office, hot showers. Everything you need is there. There is a great restuarant down the road and a church next door!
Legend
This is a haven for RV's and some sites are clearly meant for them. They can be sparse and open and right next to each other. But I am a tent camper so I look for those that have trees and coverage to get a sense of privacy. The virtue of Casini's is that it has some of the best direct access to the Russian River. That can be for fishing. canoeing, kayaking, or swimming - you name it. And if you pick your site right you have a great tent camping site.
ALso they have some great group tent sites if you want to go with friends.
With the store there if you forgot anything you are good.
Guide
The Upper Campground is a gem of a place to camp, nestled among the redwoods on the eastern facing side of a ridge (complete with hiking trails) and a creek. The Madrone group campground is across Sir Francis Drake Blvd (I personally think it's less scenic but more open). The only reason I took off a star is the campground's proximity to the road, which is not extremely busy but can be noisy if you are camping in a tent. Were it not for the noise, we'd go back again and again and again.
Guide
I tent camped here and really liked it. There is also an RV section. It has flush toilets, showers and WiFi. For recreation you have the park behind the camp with great hiking trails and the whole Napa region. The people who work there are nice and do a great job keeping it up.
Scout
Nice state park north of Napa, the few car tent sites are nicely situated near a creek. Good space between sites. Easy and fun camping.
Yurts and cabins available. Close to road so a little noisy. Great for a less expensive stay. Saves money for wine tastings...
Traveler
In the coastal town of Bodega Bay California is a state/regional beach called Doran Beach. It is a beautiful place to go for a day trip or for overnight camping trips. Doran's campground is right on the beach with the bay on both sides of the road. There are several areas for RV's and also for tent camping. (This review is for the tent camping.)
As with many sites in California there is a parking lot to park cars in and you walk in to the sites. There are restrooms, water and drinking fountains.
The sites themselves have tables, campfire pits and a lockable wooden storage box. There is a bird sanctuary nearby which is great for birdwatching.
The sunrise and sunsets are the most beautiful times of day and the beaches have emptied out. There is nothing like sleeping to the sound of rolling waves.
The only downside to this as a tent camping spot is the incredible wind that blasts in from the ocean.
I love this campground.
ScoutBasic outdoor setting near downtown Napa. Clean and well appointed bathrooms and showers. RV as well as tent camping in different sections. Recommend bicycles, if you have them, to ride into town, or on nearby backroads to view acres upon acres of vineyards. Park allows daytime use for mountain bikes, hikers and horseback riders. During current COVID times (eg 6/2020), wineries require appointments for visiting, as compared to many with “drop in” ability in the past, so plan ahead. Open 7am-7pm, with gate code given for late entrants. Recommend earlier check in (starts at 1pm).
Scout
I stayed one night in one of the 2-3 tent sites, which was on the water. -It was quite expensive ($55/night) for a tent site. I didn’t request, want, or use them, but I did have a faucet and two 110-V outlets available; perhaps I was paying for that. -Office staff told me I had to sleep in a tent, not my car (I’m testing out a cot in my car; can’t do a tent any more). My thinking is, if I pay and take good care of the tent site, why insist on controlling how I sleep? I found this intrusive - and I set up a tent, but slept in my car. -The sites for RVs were very small. The campground was pretty much full and I felt bad for the RVers, who were almost on top of each other. -Additional notes: good, free showers (but $15 returnable cash deposit to get a restroom/shower key); tent site was on water and had privacy of bush on one side (unlike RVs); friendly office staff; not near town or residential areas, despite being so near an urban area.
GuideLove this campground ... a great basecamp for easy access to everything that West Marin has to offer. It has wonderful campsites nestled among mature trees with a stream that runs through it. It's a bit too tight for large trailer or RV camping (unless you are an expert at maneuvering through tight spaces). Also, if you're tent camping, the vehicle noise from the nearby Sir Francis Drake Blvd can be distracting if you are a light sleeper (and you are tent camping). But all in all a great locale!
Traveler
Tent camp here every year. It's small but great for families! Has a creek and many hiking trails!
Traveler
Not much privacy for tent camping. Fog horn goes continuously. Good hwy 1 access. Affordable. Walking distance to awesome beach.
ScoutThis management informed me they do not have tent sites, contrary to the information the Dyrt app provided.
ScoutVery large, clean, well maintained campground. Sites range from tent camping to RV water and electric only to full hookups. It's centrally located halfway between Gurneville and Bodega Bay. Great place as a base for days at the beach, hiking at Armstrong Woods, or fishing.
Traveler
Do this. “Hike in” means a paved lot with wheelbarrows to help you get your gear to your site which is less than a mile.
Yes these can be hard to get but the new “rolling reservation “ means dates are released 6months to the day not a whole month at a time. Be flexible and you can get a site. We have also stayed in the cabins which are a fantasy experience but the tent sites are cheaper and easier to get.
Tent sites have raccoons and are $25/night Cabins have mice and are $100/night
Site 2 is on the edge of the world. Several trees had been chopped down and there was little shelter but an unbelievable view! We camped for two nights in November and it was sunny and chilly.
Raccoons are abundant and brazen. They got into my lock top storage container but didn’t even try the flimsy food locker. Our bandit made off with a loaf of bread and the marshmallows.
Other tips: Site 1 is very exposed. Site 2 is ample for two tents if needed Site 3 ample for two tents with just a cedar fence between site 2 and 3 Site 4 is tucked down on the hillside with a great view south.
Beach access is via larger boulders. Have good shoes.
Firewood is available onsite for $7. Clean outhouse near tent sites. Clean bathrooms near parking lot- no soap or showers.
Traveler
Only 3 tent sites available, You have to reserve ahead of time, No drive in access, unloading our staff was very big work, Very nice views and a lot of hiking trails are available
GuideNice little campground right on the beach. Nice long beach that's great for walking, surfing (if there's swell), and just relaxing in general. Tends to have a bit of a breeze at night with not a whole lot of natural protection for tent camping in my experience.
Legend
I am a tent camper and there are some good tent sites here. A bit open so can be windy but pick your site.
Access to the Delta with a boat ramp. Access to fishing all around you. Beyond water sports not a lot to do here but relax. Or go fly a kite.
Traveler
Right off the freeway - easy access to the city. We didn’t book ahead much and ended up with a site that just had rocks and a picnic table. No grass except at tent sites. Not wide enough to fully put out slider. The bathroom were great in the tent area. Nice pool and dog area.
Guide
Snug harbour sits on Steamboat Slough of the California delta. It is a small island that has pretty calm water around it. It is under new management (2022). They were gracious and helpful. Bathroom were clean. (I am a bathroom snob). Extremely dog friendly. Tent camping is allowed. Back in RV SITES back right up to the river, with their own dock. There are also cabins and two manufactured homes. A cute beach sits at the end of the island. There was plenty to do if you enjoy boating or fishing. Looking forward to going back.
GuideClose to the ocean at Jenner. Campground is next to the Russian River. Family activities and games for kids (playground, volleyball). Some shaded site, a mix of sunny locations and partial shade. Full RV hook ups and tent sites. River access for swimming & boating. No sandy beach.
ScoutPros: Has numerous amenities including hot (free) showers (cleaned daily), flush toilets, full hookup RV spots, laundromat, US Post office, fenced playground, dog park, drive in tent sites, and firewood for sale. Cons: expensive, sites are close and poorly defined and the after hours check in procedure doesn’t prevent overlapping.
TravelerCamp site is clean. You can order food and they will deliver. Wonderful ada bathroom/showers with a fold down bench. Friendly staff. Near freeway (lots of traffic noise. Quiet morning. Stayed for a quick night. The cabins and rv section are top notch. Tent sites are ok. If we come back will choose site 10 of 12. River was dry in july
ScoutWhile driving through Sonoma Valley, I found this hidden campground that was one of the most amazing campgrounds that I have stayed at. I was tent camping and easily found the perfect spot. Until this trip, I had never seen a banana slug which was HUGE! I stayed for just one night while continuing on my way up to the Redwoods. The hills were covering in the yellowing grass of the summer and combined with the tranquility of the rolling hills, I experienced one of the most calming sunsets of my life. Not far from this campground is the Jack London Historical State Park, which i highly recommend going to see. Overall, this was a fun little hidden gem in California.
ScoutThe tent camping is good. It’s spread out now because of social distancing. There are only 3 other campers besides me. Dogs are allowed but not on the trails so that’s a real bummer because this is a great place for hiking and horseback riding. Campsite is nothing special but the restroom gets 4 stars and the shower does as well only because the shower pressure is fantastic. Take yer skin clear off . I’m happy that I’m here and really that’s all you can ask for
Guide
This KOA is pretty big with plenty of options for RV sites. Wide variety of full hook-ups or partial hook-ups. Like most (if not all) KOAs, you can also tent camp or tent cabins. Good size dog park for the pets to run and be free, as well as plenty of fun activities to entertain the kiddos. 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! Close to downtown Petaluma with plenty of premium shops and restaurants.
GuideTent camped here several times before I got my trailer. Fantastically close to many great wineries, and minutes from Calistoga. The park has a great swimming pool that my kids enjoyed, and I heard there was a fun hike to the mill located elsewhere in the park. Heads up for RV campers- the park is hilly, and some of the parking spots aren’t flat, so make sure you check sites like campsitephotos first to make sure you get a spot that works for you.
Napa, California, offers a variety of tent camping options that allow you to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several well-reviewed spots to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Napa, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Napa, CA is Steep Ravine Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Napa, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 42 tent camping locations near Napa, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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