Best Campgrounds near Occidental, CA

The coastal region surrounding Occidental, California features a diverse range of camping environments within a short drive. State parks and county facilities dominate the landscape, with Sonoma Coast State Park offering multiple campgrounds including Bodega Dunes and Wright's Beach, both providing beach access and coastal views. Inland options include Casini Ranch Family Campground along the Russian River near Duncans Mills, which accommodates tents, RVs, and offers cabin rentals. The area's campgrounds span from basic sites with minimal amenities to fully-developed facilities with hookups, showers, and camp stores. Most locations within 20 miles of Occidental provide fire rings and picnic tables, with varying levels of privacy between sites.

Reservations are essential for most established campgrounds, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when coastal sites fill months in advance. The region's microclimate creates distinct camping conditions, with coastal areas experiencing cool, foggy mornings even during summer months. As one camper noted of Westside Regional Park, "Just know the weather, even in the summer, is generally cool and foggy mornings are the norm." Highway 1 provides the main access route to coastal campgrounds, with winding roads that can be challenging for larger RVs. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with stronger signals near Bodega Bay and more limited coverage in forested areas inland. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours from 10 PM to 6 AM and have specific regulations regarding pets.

Campers frequently highlight the dramatic landscape transitions as a defining feature of the region. At Salt Point State Park, visitors appreciate how quickly the environment changes: "Not too many other areas that you can be deep into a wooded forest type area, then pop out on the cliffs overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean." Beach access ranks highly in visitor reviews, with Bodega Dunes receiving praise for its proximity to "several roadside dog-friendly beaches within minutes." Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds and even within the same facility. Coastal campgrounds tend to have more exposed sites with limited shade, while inland options like Schoolhouse Canyon Campground offer more tree cover. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the area, from seabirds and marine mammals along the coast to deer and small mammals in wooded campgrounds.

Best Camping Sites Near Occidental, California (130)

    1. Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

    38 Reviews
    Bodega Bay, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 875-3483

    $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."

    2. Doran Regional Park

    25 Reviews
    Bodega Bay, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 875-3540

    "We stayed here for a night at the tail end of a December California adventure before flying out of SFO the next day."

    "General: Located between Bodega Bay and Bodega Harbor, this county park has over 140 sites in four campgrounds: Shell, Gull, Cove, and Jetty."

    3. Casini Ranch Family Campground

    23 Reviews
    Duncans Mills, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 865-2255

    "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."

    4. Lawson's Landing

    25 Reviews
    Dillon Beach, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 878-2443

    "Walking distance to the beach. Quiet place on non holiday weekends. Fun place to fish and the Beach is also pretty clean."

    "There are a variety of campsites, and they are many - we camp as close to the ocean as possible in the meadow area."

    5. Wright's Beach Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

    18 Reviews
    Bridgehaven, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 875-3483

    $45 / night

    "This campground is in the perfect location. The beach is amazing and you feel like you have it all to yourself and your fellow campers."

    "This campground is located on mile-long stretch of beach within the Sonoma Coast State Park. I lived in Sonoma County for 15 years and this is my favorite beach."

    6. Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park

    17 Reviews
    Bodega Bay, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 875-2354

    "If you wanna rv and craving crab,chowder, and oysters this is the spot for you, full hook up,fire pit , and picnic table walking distance to a restaurant and shops great views very relaxing...the down"

    "There is a coffee/breakfast place, and a wine/beer/restaurant at the edge of the property. Very good and convenient!

    Lots of nice walking opportunities!"

    7. Bodega Bay RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Bodega Bay, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 875-3701

    "With a good location you can take some walks to the Salmon River. The pull thru was long but is very narrow. Time you are setup, the camp side of the site is very small."

    "On the outskirts of Bodega Bay."

    8. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    30 Reviews
    Penngrove, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 763-1492

    "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!"

    9. Westside Regional Park

    11 Reviews
    Bodega Bay, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 875-3540

    $35 / night

    "Situated by the Bodega Bay yacht harbor, this is a dry camp facility managed by Sonoma County Regional Parks, and is a great alternative to the more popular and always crowded Doran State Beach campground"

    "And a short drive to Doran beach. As well your fees here also get you access to Doran beach."

    10. Schoolhouse Canyon Campground

    8 Reviews
    Rio Nido, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 869-2311

    $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."

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Showing results 1-10 of 130 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Occidental, CA

868 Reviews of 130 Occidental Campgrounds



Guide to Occidental

Camping near Occidental, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs.

What to do

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the beautiful surroundings. A review for Hendy Woods State Park Campground said, "This is a beautiful campground! Cozy campsites with plenty of privacy."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, like Gualala Point Regional Park, are praised for their cleanliness. A camper remarked, "Bathrooms were clean, park ranger was super nice."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families enjoy the amenities at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA. One review highlighted, "Great playground, jumping pillow, petting farm and mining fun."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Lawson's Landing, lack showers and toilets. A visitor mentioned, "Porta pottys were very dirty and TP less."
  • Wildlife Precautions: Be cautious of wildlife, especially at Gualala Point Regional Park. One camper warned, "Several other campers experienced over-eager raccoons while eating dinner."
  • Poison Oak: Many areas, including Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, have poison oak. A reviewer advised, "It's full of poison oak!!!! But you can get around it."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA. One parent noted, "This place is busy and expensive... but great for kids."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A camper at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground mentioned, "There’s great hiking, an observatory, and often nature events throughout the summer."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes. A visitor at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground shared, "I think Sam T should have a big sign that says, 'This is not Spring Break.'"

Tips from RVers

Camping near Occidental, California, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Occidental, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Occidental, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 130 campgrounds and RV parks near Occidental, CA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Occidental, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Occidental, CA is Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 38 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Occidental, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Occidental, CA.

What parks are near Occidental, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Occidental, CA that allow camping, notably Lake Sonoma and Point Reyes National Seashore.