Joshcfi 
Guide
GuideDoran Regional Park
Close to nice beach
Hard to get reservations but worth it. Super close to beach. Some spots have trees with shade.
Camping near Petaluma, CA
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Petaluma, California provides access to several established campgrounds offering diverse accommodation options for outdoor enthusiasts. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA, located just minutes from downtown, features tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping facilities with full amenities. Other nearby options include Olema Campground about 25 miles west near Point Reyes and Spring Lake Regional Park approximately 15 miles north in Santa Rosa. Most campgrounds in the region support mixed-use camping with varying levels of amenities from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks with hookups.
The camping season extends year-round in many Petaluma area campgrounds, though spring and summer months experience higher visitation rates and often require advance reservations. Several campgrounds offer water and electrical hookups for RVs, while tent campers can find both drive-in and walk-in sites throughout the region. Campgrounds like Samuel P. Taylor State Park and Sugarloaf Ridge State Park maintain shower facilities and drinking water access even during drier months. Pet policies vary by location, with most allowing dogs in designated areas but some restricting pets entirely. A visitor commented, "A wide variety of experiences are available in this campground. Some sites are definitely better than others. But if you just want to pack up the kids and go, this is a good option."
Families with children frequently mention the recreational amenities as standout features at campgrounds near Petaluma. The San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA receives consistent praise for its family-friendly environment including swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. A camper noted, "There is so much to do here. There is a store, big playground, jumping pillow, pool, petting zoo, and more." Sites range from relatively private spots nestled among trees to more open communal settings with less separation between neighbors. Proximity to wine country destinations makes the Petaluma area particularly appealing as a base camp for exploring Sonoma and Napa counties, with several reviewers highlighting the convenient location for day trips to regional attractions while maintaining comfortable overnight accommodations.
Best Campgrounds near Petaluma (144)
1. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA
"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!"
"Great spot, I loved downtown Petaluma and enjoyed the safe feeling and convenience of this location. Great amenities for children too."
2. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground
"Beautiful trees and wonderful California charm. The campsites were decently located. Above the Mendocino coast the mornings are wet and Cold. Loved this place"
"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."
from $35 - $225 / night
Check Availability3. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground
"Easy access to a lot of trails. The view from the campground is nice and relaxing. Some sites are very tight and close to each other. Some are spacious enough."
"There are certainly some that are better situated than others regarding size, shade, and other amenities--but the entire campground is nice."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability4. Olema Campground
"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."
"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"
5. Skyline Wilderness Park
"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."
6. Lawson's Landing
"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."
7. Ritchey Creek Campground — Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
"We just stayed here for 2 nights, great location very close to Calistoga and not to far from Saint Helena! Next time i would love to try out a cabin or yurt."
"Good access to wineries close by. Only real downside was that because of the dry conditions we could not have a campfire."
from $43 / night
Check Availability8. Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park
"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."
from $45 / night
Check Availability9. Sonoma County Fairgrounds RV Park
"Very quiet and there's lots of trails to walk. Easy walking around the lake."
"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."
from $33 - $70 / night
Check Availability10. Doran Regional Park
"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."
Drive Time
- 12 min from Santa Rosa, CA
- 27 min from Vallejo, CA
- 31 min from Napa, CA
- 40 min from San Francisco, CA
Recent Camping Photos near Petaluma, CA
257 Photos of 144 Petaluma Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
San Francisco North-Petaluma KOAR
Spring Lake Regional Park
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park CampgroundJ
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Miss Daisy’s Magical WonderlandC
Tomales Bay Boat-In Camping — Point Reyes National Seashore
Olema Campground
Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground
Sky Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore
Lawson's LandingT
Coast Campground — Point Reyes National SeashoreC
Glen Campground — Point Reyes National SeashoreL
Recent Reviews near Petaluma, CA
967 Reviews of 144 Petaluma Campgrounds
- EEdgar V.
TravelerDoran Regional Park
Cool spot but low privacy and constant horn
I stayed here for one night and overall had a good experience. The location is beautiful and very convenient, with the beach right across the road and the water nearby. It was calm, scenic, and there were lots of birds around. The bathrooms and showers were clean, and the shower had warm water.
The sites are very close together, though, so there is essentially no privacy between campsites. The shower was also a little expensive at around $2 for only a few minutes of water.
The biggest issue for me was the foghorn. I actually timed it, and it went off roughly every 10 seconds, apparently 24/7. It was extremely loud and continued day and night, whether there was fog or not. Some people may find it soothing, but I found it impossible to ignore, especially at night. Honestly, this is the main reason I wouldn't stay here again.
Overall, it's a nice campground in a great location, but the lack of privacy and especially the constant foghorn are significant drawbacks.
- GGabriel A.Traveler
Camp Russian River
Riverfront on the Russian River
Great campground on the Russian River. Big grassy area for single or group camping. Friendly staff. Walking distance to downtown Guerneville.
Stuart K.
LegendLas Trampas Regional Wilderness
Come for the Solitude & Stay for Those Ridgeline Views
Las Trampas is one of those wonderfully odd camping experiences that almost feels like you’ve discovered something you weren’t supposed to know about. Despite sitting on the doorstep of Danville and San Ramon, this 6,050-acre preserve quickly trades suburbia for steep ridges, oak woodland, grasslands and some terrific views across the East Bay. And camping here is decidedly primitive: the Corral Area is a single reservable group campsite for 17–50 people, rather than a conventional campground with individual sites. That means lots of privacy, lots of space and very little resembling a traditional developed campground.
While my earlier review goes into considerably more detail, I thought I’d revisit this campground with a quick topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS - along with a fresh batch of photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Remarkable feeling of seclusion considering you’re only minutes from the suburban East Bay, with Oakland lying just beyond; (2) Having essentially one primitive group camping area makes this feel more like your own private campground than a conventional campsite; (3) Picnic tables, BBQs, food-storage box and a drinking-water spigot provide just enough infrastructure without spoiling the primitive experience; (4) Direct access to a huge trail network with Rocky Ridge reaching 2,024 feet and panoramic views toward Mt. Diablo and the surrounding valleys; and (5) Abundant wildlife, seasonal wildflowers, grazing cattle and those beautiful rolling East Bay hills make the setting the real amenity here.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) This is group camping only, with a 17-person minimum, so it simply doesn’t work for a couple or small family looking for an ordinary campsite; (2) No hookups, showers or flush toilets - here, primitive means primitive; (3) Water at the campsite should be considered unreliable, so bring your own rather than betting the weekend on the spigot; and (4) Many of the best trails are steep, exposed and short on shade, which can make hot-weather hiking considerably more strenuous than the beautiful scenery initially suggests.
Insider’s Tip: Bring more water than you think you’ll need and make time for a ridge hike. Las Trampas is one of those places where climbing a few hundred feet completely changes your perspective especially when the suburban Bay Area seemingly disappears beneath you, which is precisely what makes camping here so unexpectedly special.
Happy Camping!
- Stuart K.Legend
Salt Point State Park Campground
The First Campground I Ever Shared With My Daughters
Some campgrounds stay with you because of the scenery, while others become part of your family history ... and Salt Point will forever be both for me. Perched along one of the wildest stretches of the Sonoma Coast, this coastal park combines six miles of rugged Pacific shoreline with grasslands and forest, and its two primary campgrounds offer very different experiences: Gerstle Cove sits on the ocean side of Highway 1, while Woodside is tucked into the trees inland. Together they have 109 developed campsites, most with level paved pads, picnic tables, food lockers and fire rings, but no hookups or showers.
What makes Salt Point truly special is everything waiting beyond the campsite. Trails lead along rocky bluffs, through forests and down toward Gerstle Cove, while tide pools, extraordinary sandstone formations and the pounding Pacific make this feel wonderfully removed from civilization. There are more than 20 miles of trails and Stump Beach provides the park's only sandy beach.
But none of that is why I remember this place so vividly. Salt Point was the very first place I ever took my daughters camping. I can still remember that wonderful mixture of excitement and uncertainty that comes with introducing your children to something you love: setting up camp together, watching them explore this enormous new outdoor world and realizing that what felt like a simple weekend away was quietly becoming one of those family memories you carry forever. At least for me, that is true.
This is real camping rather than resort camping: no electricity, no showers and no dump station, while the nearest gas stations are roughly 18 miles away. Tent campers should feel particularly at home here and I’d favor Woodside, which is where we stayed, for its more sheltered, forested camping experience; however, choose Gerstle Cove if quicker access to the rugged coastline is what brought you here. Either way, come prepared for changing coastal weather and embrace the simplicity as that's part of Salt Point's magic.
Insider’s Tip: If this is your first visit, don't spend the entire trip at the campsite. Walk the Salt Point Trail around Gerstle Cove and give the kids time simply to explore the shoreline. Years later, they probably won't remember whether the campsite was perfectly level, but you may be surprised by what they do remember.
Happy Camping!
- EEmma B.Traveler
Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park
Nice RV Park
I enjoyed my two night stay here, the location is great right on the water.
Campsites are very close together and the Bodega Bay foghorn goes off every 10 seconds 24/7 and that got annoying.
Great for Starlink
Sidney C.TravelerOlema Campground
Loved it!
Had 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
Chris C.TravelerH. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound
Overnight Rest Stop
Great place to stop overnight. I spent one night. Great views (obviously). Plenty of parking away from the crowd, quiet and secure.
Clean restrooms and trash cans everywhere.- CChristopher K.
ScoutMineral Springs Trailhead
False advertising
This is not a dispersed campsite , the locals are yuppies that think they run shit, we are supposed to be able to camp here 2 weeks at a time , I’m being ran off after 12 hours . I’m indigenous to north , ga being ran off public land in California
Guide to Petaluma
Camping near Petaluma, California offers a diverse natural landscape with elevations ranging from sea level at coastal sites to over 2,000 feet at inland parks like Sugarloaf Ridge. The region experiences moderate temperatures with summer highs averaging 82°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 40°F, creating favorable year-round camping conditions. Coastal sites often experience morning fog that burns off by midday, while inland locations maintain drier conditions.
What to Do
Hiking diverse terrain: At Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground, trails wind through redwood groves with convenient access to longer routes. "From the campground you can easily hike 20 miles around the park. There are a handful of great loop options and a few great out and backs too," notes Michael I. The park offers multiple trail difficulties for various experience levels.
Beach activities: At Doran Regional Park, the protected cove provides calm waters suitable for families. "Doran Beach is great, especially during the summer for kids because it's a well protected cove and the waves don't usually get very high," shares Justin W. The wide, flat beach extends for over a mile, perfect for walking, surfing, and fishing.
Astronomy and stargazing: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park hosts the Robert Ferguson Observatory with scheduled night programs. "We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time!" reports Syd D. The observatory offers regular public viewing nights and educational programs about celestial objects visible from Sonoma County.
What Campers Like
Proximity to wine country: Bothe-Napa Valley State Park provides affordable camping with easy access to renowned vineyards and tasting rooms. "Camping here leaves lots of money for food and wine splurges!" says Susan H. A shuttle service stops at the park to transport visitors into town for dinner without driving concerns.
Crabbing opportunities: Lawson's Landing offers direct access to Tomales Bay's abundant crabbing spots. "There is a day-area beach, a really cool pier where folks crab, and loads of fishing," states Carly D. Many campers bring crab pots and cook their catch over campfires.
Wildlife viewing: The region's diverse habitats support extensive wildlife viewing opportunities. "We saw a rabbit, turkeys, lizards, deer, & quails!" writes Brittney L. about Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife spotting opportunities, with deer commonly seen throughout campgrounds at dawn.
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season (May-September). "It can be hard to reserve a site ahead of time but they do have first-come first-serve sites too," explains Scott J. about Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
Coastal weather patterns: Coastal sites experience significant temperature fluctuations and wind. "The weather is GREAT, and you can usually count on some light wind daily. It's amazing kite weather," shares Carly D. about Lawson's Landing. Morning fog frequently covers coastal areas until midday, requiring layered clothing.
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations vary seasonally based on conditions. "They have charcoal grills and food lockers but we set up a camp stove and prepared some meals for the night," reports Garrett M. about Sky Campground. During high fire danger periods, open flames may be prohibited even in established fire rings.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playgrounds and kid-specific amenities: San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA offers multiple child-friendly facilities. "There is a store, big playground, jumping pillow, pool, petting zoo, and more," notes yolunde S. The campground also features organized weekend activities during summer months.
Less crowded weekdays: For families seeking quieter experiences, weekday camping offers advantages. "The weekends usually are full, it clears out Sunday evening so during the weekdays it is really nice," advises robert S. about Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. Mid-week stays typically offer more space between campers and less competition for amenities.
Educational programs: Several parks offer junior ranger programs and nature walks. "They have informational signs all over the place providing historical or ecological information," notes Joseph F. about Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Rangers frequently lead interpretive programs on weekends covering local wildlife, plant identification, and regional history.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Skyline Wilderness Park offers varying site types with different advantages. "Clean showers and bathrooms, some trees, close to Raley's Grocery store. Easy drive to the wineries of Napa Valley," reports Lori H. RVers should request full hookup sites when available for easier departure procedures.
Cell service and connectivity: Signal strength varies significantly across the region. "I definitely recommend getting there well before the gates close because there were issues getting a hold of the camp host," cautions Moriah M. about Skyline Wilderness Park. Most campgrounds near highways maintain reasonable cell coverage, while those in valleys or heavily wooded areas experience reduced connectivity.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds provide dump stations, requiring planning. "RV Campsites are nothing fancy and semi-level. Bathrooms could use some TLC," notes Rich J. about Skyline Wilderness Park. RVers should confirm dump station availability before arrival, as some smaller campgrounds lack this facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Petaluma, CA?
Where are the best campgrounds near Petaluma, CA?
Petaluma offers excellent camping options for various preferences. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA is a popular choice with amenities including playgrounds, swimming pool, petting zoo, and serves as an ideal base camp for exploring Sonoma and Napa wine country. For those seeking coastal experiences, Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park offers flat, semi-private sites with access to dog-friendly beaches within minutes. The campground is centrally located on the peninsula with the bay and beach within walking distance. Other notable options include Samuel P. Taylor State Park for redwood camping, Spring Lake Regional Park for water activities, and Lawson's Landing for beachfront camping.
Are there RV parks or campgrounds in Petaluma with full hookups?
Are there RV parks or campgrounds in Petaluma with full hookups?
Petaluma Lake Area Camps offers full hookups specifically for active duty and former military personnel. This Coast Guard training center campground features large pull-in spaces, and is situated near a playground, volleyball court, cookout shelter, and stocked lake. For civilian options, Clear Lake Campground provides a quaint RV park experience with helpful management. The San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA also offers a wide variety of both full and partial hookup options for RVs, with sites that can accommodate different sizes though they tend to be close together with limited privacy.
What camping options are available at Petaluma Lake area?
What camping options are available at Petaluma Lake area?
Petaluma Lake Area Camps is a military-exclusive campground located on a Coast Guard training center. This facility offers full-hookup RV sites with large pull-in spaces, ideal for service members. The campground is situated next to a stocked lake, playground, volleyball court, and cookout shelter, providing numerous recreational opportunities. Access is restricted to active duty and former military personnel only. For civilian alternatives near water, Spring Lake Regional Park offers camping with newer bathroom and shower facilities plus excellent access to water-based activities. The park connects to Trione-Annadel State Park's hiking and mountain biking trails, and borders Howarth Park, giving campers multiple recreation options.
Is tent camping available near Petaluma year-round?
Is tent camping available near Petaluma year-round?
Tent camping is available near Petaluma throughout most of the year, with some seasonal considerations. Wright's Beach Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park offers tent camping with stunning beachfront sites just steps from the sand, though coastal weather can be variable in winter. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground provides year-round tent camping options with more inland protection from coastal weather patterns. The San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA also accommodates tent campers year-round with tent sites and tent cabins available. Winter camping is generally possible but expect cooler, potentially rainy conditions from November through March, so proper gear is essential.
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