3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Several state parks and private campgrounds within driving distance of Orinda, California provide rustic cabins with varying amenities. Samuel P. Taylor State Park offers secluded cabins equipped with electricity, outlets, and heating systems, requiring guests to bring only bedding and personal items. Steep Ravine Campground in Mount Tamalpais State Park features oceanfront cabins with separate bedrooms that can accommodate multiple couples, though these lack electricity and rely on wood-burning stoves for heat and light. According to one visitor, "These cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families." Most cabins include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to shared bathroom facilities with showers.
Reservations for cabin camping rentals often need to be made well in advance, particularly for popular locations like Steep Ravine where bookings open six months ahead and fill within minutes. Pet policies vary significantly between locations, with Samuel P. Taylor welcoming dogs while Steep Ravine prohibits pets entirely. The San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA offers tent cabins with convenient amenities for families, including a dedicated dog park. Brannan Island State Recreation Area provides a single cabin with electricity, featuring a bunk bed and queen bed, though visitors note the frames are wooden and recommend bringing air mattresses for comfort. Winter visitors should prepare for potentially cold nights, especially in cabins that rely solely on wood stoves for heat.
Most cabin facilities provide only basic amenities, requiring campers to bring their own linens, pillows, cooking equipment, and food storage containers. Wood-burning stoves are common in forest cabins but require guests to manage their own fires and sometimes purchase additional firewood. Cabins at Samuel P. Taylor include convenient access to dish washing stations and drinkable water, with stores just 15 minutes away for forgotten supplies. Steep Ravine cabins have more limited facilities with no running water inside, making meal preparation and cleanup more challenging. Wildlife-proof food storage is essential at most locations, with raccoons and small animals frequently mentioned in visitor reviews. Flashlights, lanterns, and warm clothing are recommended even during summer months when coastal fog can create chilly evenings.
"Site had a fire ring, picnic table, and a stone grill. The grounds had running water, flush toilets and quarter showers. Camped here at night and explored point reyes during the day."
"This campground is beautiful, set in the redwoods, with a creek and nature trails. It has all the amenities: flush toilets, showers, fire pits, running water, and grills."
from $35 - $225 / night
"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."
"Super easy access and safe, in the city so close to wineries, restaurants and shops. We were here as a stop in our road trip so it was a perfect stay. They provide WiFi and hot shower."
"These cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families."
"There are dish washing spigots scattered among the cabins. There are wheelbarrows for schlepping your stuff to the cabins and campsites; more on that later. And charcoal grills outside each cabin."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $100 / night
"My site had plenty of shade, fire pit, picnic table, and water nearby."
"Small store, full hookups in places (will bring our trailer back), tables, fire rings. Not much privacy but at least this weekend it was quiet (except for our group 🤣)"
"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."
"A nice KOA close to Petaluma with great facilities. We took advantage of doing some laundry and having a hot shower."
"It’s a cozy place with boat rentals! Plenty of shade and bathrooms available. Only reason got 4 star is the constant blue-green algae, making the water unavailable for swimming."
"Our campsite (#139) could have used some shade, but we had plenty of space and the views were awesome. Almost every site was occupied, but luckily everyone respected the quiet hours."
from $15 - $200 / night
"Bathrooms are clean. laundry room very large and has many washers and dryers. Subway close walk, MUNI is at the park entrance. A gas station and Grocery store are both across the street."
"They have one cabin with electricity. It has a bunk bed And a queen. Bring air mattresses cause they are just wooden frames. Very close to the Sacramento River for a nice cruise."
"Brennan Island State Park is an absolute gem nestled in the heart of the California Delta. From the moment you arrive, you're greeted by friendly staff who make you feel right at home."
"We got one of the tent cabins, which are just adorable and so cozy. The sites are nice and distanced from each other, bathrooms were in great shape and it was pet friendly."
"We stayed in a tent cabin at the Huckleberry campground which was nicer than we thought it would be. It had just the right amount of space for my wife and I, our two daughters and all our gear."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $35 / night
"Water fountains/spigots relatively easy to find near most campsites. Bathhouse is next to site 10, operates with quarters."
"We set up our tent towards the back of the site closest to the creek because it was more private. The only concern was that there was a slight downward slope."
Available next weekend
from $43 / night
TravelerHenry in the office is amazing. Bathrooms are clean. laundry room very large and has many washers and dryers. Subway close walk, MUNI is at the park entrance. A gas station and Grocery store are both across the street.
ScoutThis campground needs a lot of work including docks, boat births and sites need pads and less weeds, stickers, burs.
GuideLike most/all east bay parks, this is well appointed for the masses. It’s also surrounded by rolling hills and close to suburbia. For many, these are positives. As an east bay resident they are for me as well. Del Valle is a bit more removed than many east bay parks. From my location in Fremont, it’s a one hour drive. A pleasant drive for the most part. I camp to get away for a bit and almost always to mountain bike. As such, I seek parks that have trails. Del Valle has a map of many trails. They also appear on many of the mapping services used by mountain bikers. Review those and digest them if this is also your intention - these are east bay parka style trails. In other words, mostly steep and loose fire roads, with many “social trails” sprinkled between. If you are compelled to stay legit/legal trails, bring an ebike. Now on to the camping. I picked a spot as far removed from any booked spot on the map. I triple checked this up until the day before I arrived. I want solitude! When I arrived Thursday afternoon, I was surprised to see the sites just 3 spaces away, on both sides, occupied. This is a fairly compact area. And while I’m sure they’re lovely folks, this isn’t what I expected on a Thursday. Saturday? Sure. Anyway… be aware that these reservation services aren’t completely reliable in that regard. The bathrooms and showers are amazing! Clean, smell good, cared for. Noteworthy is the hot showers in the camp grounds are free and your one push of the button provides water for two minutes I'd guess. Very nice! The space, 135 for me, is okay. A couple trees for shade, a nice table and fire pit. It’s now dark and the noise is minimal - mostly from the group campsite just down the hill. I’ll update this with more details in the coming days since it’s a 4 day visit.
Update 1: it’s my first morning here. Using starlink as there is no cell signal to be found. What I noticed last night was that this park is directly below the flight path to the local airports. Every couple minutes last night, a plane would fly overhead. According to flight aware, they’re at about 10,000 feet. If this will ruin your getaway, you’ve been warned.
Update 2: On Friday night, the majority of the spots were filled. Many large groups of people with varying degrees of consideration, but to their credit almost all (except the barking German Shepard) were quiet by 10PM. It was a bit more crowded come Saturday morning. Some friends came to visit for a mountain bike ride, and we set off at about noon. I had been complimentary of the facilities and bragged that I'd be taking a nice shower after our ride. Unfortunately, upon our return, there was no hot water and no lighting in the showers. And, sadly, someone decided to remove the tags and hangers from their TJ Maxx haul and leave them all over the floor of two of the showers.
Verdict: I'd only come back here in the springtime when it's likely to be green and have some water in the arroyo and only during the week. The density and composition of the people here was akin to being at Costco on a Saturday, and I only did that once.
TravelerHad a late check in after scheduling in the same day, but the staff were so welcoming and helpful over the phone! The campsite is so clean you could walk around barefoot. the scenery is so beautiful with sheep, cattle, mountains and a stream surrounding/on the property. Would definitely recommend
GuideWe have stayed here a few times. I have a sister that lives here and this place is only about 3 miles from us! $80 for a back in space.
ScoutWe stayed 2 nigths, 10$ per night. The staff was very kind. The place has showers and bathrooms clean enough for being it the middle of towns. Each space has a fire ring and a table. There's a little bit of noise in the morning and afternoon because of the cars that avoid the highway and pass nearby. It's first come first served. Overall, it's a very safe and good place to camp
ScoutShowers are clean, lots of play area, for kids.boating
GuidePopped in and only a few campers there. A bridge away from towns. Hot showers. Squirrels galore. Ill be back.
ScoutWe had been looking forward to this camping trip, but unfortunately our experience at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Lodi was very disappointing. Before our trip, I paid the Lock Fee($40) specifically to guarantee the campsite we had selected. However, when we arrived, we were assigned to a completely different site. After setting up our trailer, we went back to the office to ask about it. Instead of correcting the mistake, another employee told us that we didn’t even have a reservation and that we needed to leave the campground. We had to search through our emails, show our reservation confirmation, and even provide proof of payment from our bank before they finally found our reservation. Only then were we moved to the campsite we had originally reserved and paid extra to secure. Unfortunately, the worst part happened on our last night. We were camping with friends, and between us we had two electric bikes—one worth nearly$5,000 and another worth over$1,000. We went to bed around 2:30 a.m., and everything was still there. When we came out of our trailers around 8:30 a.m., both bikes had been stolen. We immediately called the police. The responding officer told us that just two weeks earlier, another camper had all of the sound equipment stolen from their vehicle at the same campground. What disappointed us most is that the campground doesn’t appear to have adequate security measures, such as surveillance cameras, and there was no warning at check-in that thefts had recently occurred. Had we known there was an increased risk, we would have taken additional precautions with our valuables. When families choose a campground like this, they expect a safe, relaxing environment where they can enjoy nature without worrying that expensive belongings will disappear overnight. The campground has great amenities and is a fun place for families, but our experience with the reservation issues and the lack of security left us extremely disappointed. I hope management takes these concerns seriously, improves security, and is more transparent with guests so other families don’t have the same experience we did.
Cabin camping near Orinda, California offers rustic lodging options with varying levels of comfort just 30-45 minutes from the city. Located in the hills east of Berkeley at around 1,200 feet elevation, this area experiences coastal fog and temperature swings that can create surprisingly chilly evenings even during summer months. Campground cabins in the region frequently maintain waiting lists during peak season from May through September.
Hiking and trail running: At Del Valle Campground, visitors can access numerous trails ranging from beginner to advanced. "Wonderful place to go hiking & trail running. The hills are pretty intense, but they're beautiful! The lake is also very picturesque," notes Emmy. The cabin lodging puts you minutes from trailheads.
Horseback riding: Five Brooks Ranch in Olema provides guided trail rides near Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground. "The win on this campground is how close it is to Point Reyes National Seashore, San Rafael, Olema, Novato and Marshall. I would highly recommend Five Brooks Ranch in Olema for horseback riding," suggests Kathleen C.
Wine tasting: Cabin guests at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park can easily explore nearby vineyards. "Nice campground halfway between St. Helena and Calistoga giving you access to the Napa Valley at a very reasonable price," notes Robert S. The park's location allows for daytime wine tours while maintaining affordable lodging costs.
Ocean proximity: The oceanfront cabins at Steep Ravine Campground offer unmatched coastal views. "For that, you get your own seaside cabin with million dollar views just 30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sleeping platforms for about 6 people split among 3 semi-private rooms," writes Adam. These cabins require advance planning as they book quickly.
Wildlife viewing: Many campers appreciate natural encounters near their cabins. At Samuel P. Taylor State Park, Joseph F. notes "Wild turkey, deer, wood peckers regularly seen!" Similarly, cabin guests at Steep Ravine report diverse wildlife: "I've seen deer in the seaside vernal pools, wild miniature ocean bunnies boxing in the morning sunshine, and a great white shark off the cliffs one fine day."
Woodstoves for winter comfort: Cabins with wood-burning heating systems provide cold-weather options. According to Adam at Steep Ravine: "If you're staying in winter, or staying for more than a couple days, or have kids and really want to set up house, then go for a cabin... the wood burning stove provides some light." Bringing extra blankets remains advisable despite heating options.
Cabin reservations timing: Securing cabin accommodations requires planning. For Olema Campground, Maria M. advises "Lucky to reserve one night here for Thanksgiving. Some non reserved available when we arrived." At Steep Ravine, Adam explains: "You need to be ready to click 'reserve' on the website at no less than 5 minutes before the window opens for your dates of interest, which was 6 months ahead of time."
Pest management: Wildlife encounters sometimes extend to unwanted cabin visitors. Adam warns Steep Ravine visitors: "Mice. There were several brand new mouse traps provided at the entrance to my cabin. You'll need them... In two days, I caught three and actually had to buy more traps."
Temperature considerations: Night temperatures drop significantly, particularly in cabins without electrical heating. At Samuel P. Taylor, Kathleen C. advises: "One thing to note, the night is COLD up this way, and mere miles will cover several different weather systems. Bring layers." Similarly, Robert S. notes at Bothe-Napa Valley: "Make sure you are prepared for the temperature swing. 89 in the day and down to 51 at night."
Kid-friendly activities: San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA offers extensive recreational options. "Great place for families. Playgrounds, swimming pool, lots of space to run and scream. We stay when visiting the area and endure the screaming kids," notes Linda A. Their cabin accommodations include tent cabins suitable for families.
Learning opportunities: Many area cabins provide educational experiences. Joseph F. notes Samuel P. Taylor has "informational signs all over the place providing historical or ecological information." Several cabin locations feature nature programs during summer months.
Cabin selection considerations: When booking family cabin stays, think beyond location. Adam explains for Steep Ravine: "I'd recommend choosing a cabin close to the parking lot. They're actually more private and you can use the wheelbarrows to move your stuff from car to cabin. The cabins further away from the parking lot are further down the hill; wheelbarrows are not an option."
Cabin alternatives: For those considering RV sites instead of cabins, Skyline Wilderness Park offers both options. "RV Campsites are nothing fancy and close together. But the park itself is nice...hiking trails, views, nature, and close to Napa," notes Rich J. The park's cabins and RV sites provide similar amenities.
Cell service considerations: Mobile connectivity varies significantly between cabin locations. At Skyline Wilderness, Moriah M. reports: "My fiancée and I both work remotely using hotspots on Verizon, and found no trouble at all. Data speeds wavered between 10-25 mbps depending on where we were on the property, but we could video conference and stream with no issues."
Combined cabin-RV trips: Some groups book both cabins and RV sites. At Olema Campground, Maureen F. explains: "We nestled our Sprinter between two large pine trees and took the dog for a walk. Then headed down the road for our first dinner indoors since February!" This approach allows groups with different preferences to camp together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Orinda, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Orinda, CA is Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 57 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Orinda, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 cabin camping locations near Orinda, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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