Best Campgrounds near Petaluma, CA

Petaluma, California camping options include several worthwhile spots within a short drive. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground draws many campers with its cool, shady sites among the redwoods. The grounds are quiet and come with good hiking trails and a creek nearby. You'll want to book ahead, particularly in summer when spots fill quickly. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA works well for RVs and families, with full hookups, a pool, and play areas for kids. Bodega Dunes Campground in Sonoma Coast State Park gives you more private sites and quick beach access. The campground has showers and restrooms, but pack for changing coastal weather. You'll likely see deer and lots of birds around these campgrounds, so store food properly. During dry spells, fire rules might limit campfires, so check current rules before you go. The Petaluma area campgrounds blend good natural surroundings with practical facilities. Tent campers and RV owners both have good choices here. Book well in advance, as weekend spots go fast. The area around Petaluma gives you many different landscapes and things to do while camping.

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Best Camping Sites Near Petaluma, California (132)

    1. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    31 Reviews
    Penngrove, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 763-1492

    "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

    52 Reviews
    Lagunitas, CA
    17 miles

    $35 - $225 / night

    "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."

    "Beautiful trees and wonderful California charm. The campsites were decently located. Above the Mendocino coast the mornings are wet and Cold. Loved this place"

    3. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Kenwood, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 833-5712

    $35 - $45 / night

    "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."

    4. Olema Campground

    24 Reviews
    Olema, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 663-8106

    "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."

    5. Lawson's Landing

    25 Reviews
    Dillon Beach, CA
    19 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."

    6. Skyline Wilderness Park

    29 Reviews
    Napa, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 252-0481

    "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."

    7. Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

    38 Reviews
    Bodega Bay, CA
    24 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."

    8. Ritchey Creek Campground — Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

    26 Reviews
    Deer Park, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 942-4575

    $43 / night

    "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."

    9. Sky Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    13 Reviews
    Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 663-8054

    "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."

    10. Spring Lake Regional Park

    8 Reviews
    Santa Rosa, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 539-8092

    $35 / night

    "It’s close to the entrance but the driveway only had a slight grade. Mostly folks with trailers. The sites are not too close together but it is easy to see into the surrounding neighbors."

    "Spring Lake has been that for us. We have been here for 2 weekends in the last few months."

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Recent Reviews near Petaluma, CA

863 Reviews of 132 Petaluma Campgrounds


  • yThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    Great area, safe, kid friendly

    I planned to stay here just one night and stayed like 4. Great spot, I loved downtown Petaluma and enjoyed the safe feeling and convenience of this location. Great amenities for children too.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground

    Feels much more remote than it is

    Great campsite, awesome staff. Tucked away off highway 12 in wine country it feels much more remote than it actually is. It's a great fast getaway from the northbay, but it can be hard to reserve a site ahead of time but they do have first-come first serve sites too. Excellent hiking with both fairly flat trails, to challenging trails with lots of elevation change. It's often very hot in the summer, and there can be lots of rattle snakes sunning themselves on the rocks. This is one of my favorite camping spots.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!

    On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Westside Regional Park

    Decent landing spot

    If you are here for fishing or boating it’s perfect

  • S
    Aug. 28, 2025

    smittle creek

    Hidden Gem

    This sweet little spot is a paddle boarding and fishing dream. Primitive site where Smittle Creek flows into Lake Berryessa.

  • T
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Nice location and activities, but a bit cramped

    I just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights. 

    I did a recon ride previously on my mountain bike, so knew which spots I'd prefer and booked site 35 for a Thursday and Friday night. 

    Arrived at about 5PM and found my spot. The ranger booth was closed, but I didn't feel the need to chat with them anyway. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken. 

    The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting. I believe it was 88 in Castro Valley, but felt about 78 at the campground. I don't have AC for the van, but didn't feel I needed any. 

    I got setup and then headed out for a short ride, followed by a warm shower, cold beer and dinner. It was quiet that evening and I slept well. 

    I worked through the morning Friday, though the Starlink suffered some interruptions due to the tree cover. Early afternoon more people started to show up, as I expected. I went for a long ride and when I returned the place was much more occupied and people were setting up tents, starting their bbq's, etc. Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious. 

    My advice would be to know the spot you're selecting and know that in the summer months the grass isn't green :) 

    I'd score the individual aspects as follows (1-5):

    Bathrooms: 4

    Location: 5

    Activities: 5

    Privacy: 3

    Cleanliness: 4

  • Michi P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Casini Ranch Family Campground

    Nice Clean Quiet Campground

    We had a big site, it was quiet. The bathrooms are clean, showers are $1.00, they have something for every type of camper here, from tents, covered wagons to rv sites. This is a large campground located on the Russian River. They have a well stocked store, laundry facilities.

    Edit: Tuesday and Wednesday were as described above. Thursday a very loud rambunctious crowd showed up. Casini Campground has a ton of rules, one of which is you shouldn’t play your music loud enough for your neighbors to hear, we were able to hear the music and the people who were trying to talk over their music. If you going to have rules, please enforce them. Edited to change from 5 stars to 4.

  • g
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Salt Point State Park Campground

    Lovely wild site

    I stayed in the Gerstle cove campground midweek in August. id say it was about 3/4 full, but the sites are so widely spaced it feels very private. Compared to other CA campgrounds in summer, it was desolate (in a good way)

    The ocean is a ways off, but you can hear it. Short drive down to the beach for stunning bluff trails. Very few people around.

    My site wasn’t perfectly level, but good enough. Just keep a hand on that pot of boiling water.

    I was tempted to move to the overflow lot for its panoramic views of the ocean but opted for my forest-side spot. There were only two campers in the lot when I was there.

    The whole site felt strangely apart from other more crowded coastal sites - felt like northern Mendocino. Although apparently it can fill up so maybe I just got lucky.

    Either way, seems like a bit of a hidden gem.

  • g
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Olema Campground

    Nice spot, little privacy

    Lovely large meadow with scattered trees. RC/van spots are arranged in cul de sacs, tent spots on the edges of fields.

    Somewhat noisy - kids, dogs, radios - but settled down by 9. Friendly vibe. Expensive at $83/nt but good showers. Wifi was slow when I stayed.

    Decent backup option for the area if Samuel Taylor is booked.


Guide to Petaluma

Camping near Petaluma, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The local trails and creeks were breathtaking," making it a great spot for both novice and experienced hikers.
  • Beach Activities: Head to Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park for some beach fun. A reviewer noted, "The trail to the beach was a nice walk and easy to follow," perfect for a day of sunbathing or beachcombing.
  • Wine Tasting: Enjoy the nearby wineries while camping at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground. One camper shared, "It’s a lovely campsite with most sites being under tree canopies...great hiking, an observatory, and often nature events."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A visitor at Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground said, "Campsites are right by the beach," highlighting the stunning coastal views.
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peaceful environment. One camper at Lawson's Landing mentioned, "Quite, grassy site on the dunes. Cool and beautiful," making it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle.
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and showers are a big plus. A reviewer at Anthony Chabot Regional Park noted, "Beautifully maintained campgrounds. Lots of trees for shade from the sun/rain."

What you should know:

  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. One camper at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground shared, "We were harassed by cute little chipmunks and birds that didn’t seem too intimidated by humans."
  • Site Sizes Vary: Campsite sizes can differ significantly. A visitor at Bodega Dunes Campground mentioned, "Not all campsites at Sammy P. are the same size," so check the specifics before booking.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A reviewer at Ritchey Creek Campground — Bothe-Napa Valley State Park pointed out, "There are no hookups," so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. One parent at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA said, "This KOA offers a variety of activities that cater to children," making it a great choice for families.
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on little ones, especially around wildlife. A camper at Lawson's Landing advised, "Make sure you have the map oriented the correct way or you will drive around forever looking for your site."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep kids happy. A visitor at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground mentioned, "The campsite is clean and well maintained," making it a comfortable spot to relax after a day of activities.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure to confirm if your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A reviewer at Skyline Wilderness Park noted, "It’s good for an RV park type setting," which is helpful for those traveling in RVs.
  • Plan for Waste Disposal: Some campgrounds may not have dump stations. A camper at Woodside Campground — Salt Point State Park mentioned, "No dump station," so plan your trip accordingly.
  • Stay Connected: If you need internet access, check for Wi-Fi availability. A visitor at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground mentioned, "Free (slow) Wi-Fi covers half the camp," which can be useful for staying in touch.

Camping around Petaluma offers a variety of experiences, from beach days to hiking adventures. Whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking comfort, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

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?

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?

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?

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.