Join the fun near Novato. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that California camping has to offer. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your California camping adventure.
$35 - $225 / night
"Because of the holiday and the proximity to Oakland/San Fran, the campground was in FULL EFFECT with a gang of variant families camp site hopping. "
"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."
"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!"
"Nice place to eat within walking distance but make reservations on a weekend. WiFi. Showers. Spots are close together but the drive here is amazing. Openings on a Saturday night."
"Near Pt. Reyes National Seashore. One complaint was they weed whipped the sites next to us rather then mow. Very loud."
$7 - $25 / night
"Pantoll is a pretty campground located adjacent to the entrance to Mount Tamalpais. You can hike to, bike to, take the bus to, or even drive to this campground. "
"Don't let the fact that it's behind a ranger station fool you-- they clock out by 10pm, and if you have an issue after that, good luck."
$25 - $100 / night
"1 to get to the entrance, and then another steep, curvy ride down to the campground."
"The entire Mount Tamalpais watershed is within 30 minutes drive from this location."
$99 - $115 / night
"30 mins away from the City. A bit pricy but that is to be expected in SF."
"Great location to the city and Muir woods. Good stores near by. Narrow sites. No room for awning. Close to gather. Sites are gravel and level. Nice area for pets with view."
"Really great site right next to the water and beach. The hike in is pretty easy and beautiful. We had fun making a fire on the beach at night. It's pretty windy, so be prepared."
"I used to live in the area and wish I had spent more time camping in and around the Point Reyes National Seashore."
"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."
"Point Reyes in California has to be my all time favorite camping site. There are miles and miles of beaches surrounded by dunes, hills, and cliffs."
"Hike in (and around!) this gorgeous area. We chose to stay two nights and had a great time exploring the surrounding hiking trails - a personal favourite was Alamere Falls."
$40 - $75 / night
"The walk to the beach was 60 seconds and the ocean can be seen from the site. Cool ww2 structures. You get a code to open the gate uptop and drive down to park for your stay."
"If you plan to leave your cooler outside of the bear box make sure it has a lock or secure latch. 3- you get a gate code and parking pass to drive down, but have to walk your gear the last 500-1,000 ft"
GuideRight on Bodega Bay’s bay. Just down the road from several exceptional chowder or fish n chips locals. No hookups but you have restrooms and a dump station.
GuidePantoll would be one of my favorite campgrounds of all time if not for the noise levels. One would think that quiet time would be respected in a backpackers campground, but not here. This is a major party campground, especially in summer. Don't let the fact that it's behind a ranger station fool you-- they clock out by 10pm, and if you have an issue after that, good luck. Last time I camped here the dude on the site next to me would not stop pointing his light into my tent. I was in my 1 person backpacking tent with the rainfly off. So irritating. But the campground itself is so beautiful. It's just a few miles uphill from Muir Woods, and you don't need additional reservations to hike in from the campground. Like Bootjack this is a first come first serve tent only campground. Pantoll is closer to Cardiac Point and more trails. You could hike pretty much anywhere in Mt. Tam from here. No camp hosts but the Rangers are available from about 9-5, some of my favorite rangers outside Yosemite. Wifi is available at the ranger station.
GuideThis is one of my favorite campgrounds I've ever camped at. Bootjack is a tent only, walk in campground. You park your car in the parking lot, and then carry your stuff uphill to your site. The site closest to the bottom is reserved for disabled. Many of the sites feature beautiful historic stone grills. Some of the sites are two levels. Many are next to the creek. It's usually quiet and peaceful. Pantoll Ranger Station is only .4 miles away and there are endless hiking opportunities from there. This campground is first come first serve only. Maximum stay 14 nights per year. The only major downside is there is no camp host. Rangers come through once per morning to power wash the restrooms.
TravelerI wrote a whole review but exited to take photos & lost all typing. Don’t want to do it again. See photos. Be prepared for very windy weather, otherwise great park.
GuideNice clean decent cell service. Lots of birds singing. The views of the lake are very nice. Would stay again
GuideThis place is nice. RV location is basically a gravel parking area pretty close to one another. Sites are level with minimal need for blocks. Staff are friendly. Native garden is very nice. Hiking is nice too especially in winter when everything is green. It’s like a fairy wonderland on the Manzanita trail. Cell phone coverage is good. Have both Verizon and Att with at least 2-3 bars. 10-12 Mbps down 4-5 Mbps up. Wild turkey, deer, wood peckers regularly seen!
GuideThis is an interesting rv park on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It has a ca beach town feel, but is just 20 minutes from San Francisco. Walgreens, Safeway, and a couple coffee shops, local bakery and restaurants all walking distance. Spectacular sunsets over the pacific if the fog permits. Saw a couple whales too. When it’s clear you can see the farralon islands 30 miles offshore. On the downside the “campsites” are close together… it’s more like a parking lot than a campground, but everyone is friendly and the overall vibe is good.
RangerStayed here for a long weekend with friends in Napa Valley.
Location itself is GREAT. 5 mins from everything in town. Had good cell service and park was clean. Was quiet busy during the day as it is also a day use park with lots of activities.
Sites were cramped in tight. $65/night for water and electricity. They have a dog run area that is nice and large! Bath houses were also nice. Good hot showers.
Knocking it down a star for the tight sites and the check in staff were rude almost every time I talked to her. Also lots of little bitty rules of being picky. Overall would stay here again.
ScoutBooked a site at this park with a rental trailer to try out the camping concept. Beautiful place right on Bodega Bay. Very cool at night, even in June. Friendly neighbors and pull through sites. But be aware, not all sites have water hookups. All in all a nice experience and we will be going back when we take delivery of our own trailer.
Camping near Novato, CA, offers a fantastic mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.
Camping near Novato, CA, offers a variety of experiences, from serene nature walks to family-friendly activities. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground, and you're sure to have a great time!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Novato, CA is Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 51 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Novato, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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