Best Campgrounds near Pope Valley, CA

The Pope Valley area provides camping access to the heart of California's wine country, with established campgrounds like Ritchey Creek Campground in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and nearby sites around Lake Berryessa. Accommodation options range from basic tent sites to cabins, yurts, and RV-compatible campgrounds. Several campgrounds in the area feature a mix of walk-in, drive-in, and boat-in access, making the region suitable for various camping styles. The proximity to wineries and tourist destinations like Calistoga and St. Helena creates a unique camping landscape where outdoor recreation meets wine country exploration.

Road conditions and seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences near Pope Valley. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though summer represents peak visitation when advanced reservations become essential. "Be careful of the poison oak, it is prevalent there as it is so anywhere in Northern California," notes one camper who visited Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. Cell reception varies throughout the area, with spotty service reported in many campgrounds. The terrain includes volcanic rock that can make tent staking difficult in dry weather. Showers at some locations require quarters, and campfire restrictions are common during dry seasons due to fire danger in this wildfire-prone region.

Campers consistently mention the balance between natural settings and proximity to wine country amenities as a key benefit of Pope Valley area campgrounds. The developed sites typically include picnic tables, fire rings where permitted, and access to potable water. According to reviews on The Dyrt, camping in this region offers "a great way to travel" to wineries and attractions like the Calistoga geyser, particularly for those bringing electric bikes. While some visitors note issues with poison oak throughout certain campgrounds, most appreciate the relative tranquility compared to staying in expensive wine country accommodations. Weekend stays generally see higher occupancy rates, with midweek periods offering more solitude and availability at popular campgrounds like those in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park.

Best Camping Sites Near Pope Valley, California (151)

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

    27 Reviews
    Deer Park, CA
    7 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."

    2. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Kenwood, CA
    13 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."

    3. Putah Canyon - Lake Berryessa USBR

    2 Reviews
    Witter Springs, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 966-9051

    "Loads of space, security driving around, noise limit is 10pm. Toilets are clean and trash cans are provided. They sell ice and propane on-site ."

    "Lake Berryessa is a large lake that has many turnouts to fish or even stop for a quick stretching of the legs , even saw a few turnouts with picnic tables and clean bathrooms."

    4. Skyline Wilderness Park

    29 Reviews
    Napa, CA
    25 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."

    5. Steele Canyon (formerly Lupine Shores)

    6 Reviews
    Yountville, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 966-9192

    $5 - $55 / night

    "Our favorite spot to take the kids to the lake. If your looking for something calm this is the spot at Lake Berryessa."

    "Lake water level is pretty low. Overall nice experience."

    6. Napa County Fairgrounds

    3 Reviews
    Calistoga, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 942-5111

    "Close to Oxbow public market, great spot for lunch or dinner."

    7. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    31 Reviews
    Penngrove, CA
    27 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!"

    8. Spring Lake Regional Park

    8 Reviews
    Santa Rosa, CA
    17 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."

    9. Manzanita Canyon - Lake Berryessa - USBR

    2 Reviews
    Witter Springs, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 966-9088

    $5 - $37 / night

    "There’s a pretty awesome cliff jump nearby as well. Dogs are allowed. The lake is a very popular day use area as well. Does get very hot make sure you bring your bathing suit."

    10. Putah Canyon Campground

    2 Reviews
    Witter Springs, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 966-9051
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Recent Reviews near Pope Valley, CA

834 Reviews of 151 Pope Valley Campgrounds


  • Vinny A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Doran Regional Park

    Doran Jetty Campground

    Cool spot. We stayed in a site on the Jetty. Only this I wish was a little better were the showers… they were in the bathroom even though they have a separate door and are coin operated

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Cache Creek Regional Park Campground

    Nature solace

    I pulled in here for the night and found I was completely alone. Except I kept hearing splashing in the creek. I wasn't alone - there was a herd of Elk. Super cool. This is a great spot for a short stay. No real 'sites' but a pleasant spot in the middle of the Cache Creek Natural Area.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Thousand Trails Russian River

    A little piece of paradise

    This is a rustic park with no sewer hookups, so you need to bring a sewer caddy, and also, they have laundry onsite. They are remodeling and repairing and it is coming along very nicely.

  • Fighter J.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Thousand Trails Russian River

    Russian River

    Place is quiet at night, but seems run down. They are going to assign sights which is what I don’t like in most camp grounds. I like the A section and it not being a choice anymore is my last time here.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

    Loved Bodega Dunes

    We spent two nights at Bodega Dunes in the middle of September. The campground was clean with sites that were easy to back into. The sites were separated by trees and shrubbery, give the feeling of a more privacy. We were in site 60 and thought it was very nice.

    The folks manning the checkin hut were friendly and helpful. We had a grand time exploring Bodega Bay and enjoying the seafood available. This is the second campground we’ve visited in Bodega Bay and enjoyed the more private campsite found here.

    We’ll definitely go back!

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    Very quite/ beautiful sites

    We’re hoping to get a spot with less of a hill to climb but on the top it’s a nice flat terrain. Nice view some campsites are closer to watch other than others.

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Salt Point State Park Campground

    Very secluded excellent trail to the ocean with scenic rock views

    Very clean and unkept campground low price for tents($35) . Site 30 was my favorite pick. Lots of nice lots and far spacing!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Lake Solano County Park

    Great campsite, loud road

    I loved staying here for one night and wish I could’ve been there for longer. The bathrooms are accessible, I had a beautiful spot by the water, my neighbors were friendly, the staff were welcoming. The only catch was that the road parallel to the lake is super loud and for me bothersome at night. I did not get good sleep because of this, i recommend bringing ear plugs if you are sensitive to noise and sleeping outside (i was in a tent). I don’t know how noisy it is for other spots farther away, but I would guess the sound still travels but is not as bad as having a spot along the water. Normal site are $30 per night, sites along the water are $40.


Guide to Pope Valley

Pope Valley camping spots offer a unique base for exploring the Napa region beyond its famous wineries. Located east of the main Napa Valley, this area sits at approximately 600-800 feet elevation with a Mediterranean climate that includes hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The volcanic soil around Lake Berryessa campgrounds creates challenging tent staking conditions during dry months when the ground becomes extremely hard.

What to Do

Waterfront activities at Lake Berryessa: Steele Canyon (formerly Lupine Shores) offers direct lake access for paddleboarding and swimming. "I came to check out the more calm waters in the canyon for my paddleboard. The site was great layout and I had a really enjoyable time out on the water. Other boaters where very respectful of the no wake zones," notes a camper at Steele Canyon.

Explore astronomical features: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park has an observatory and offers night sky programs. "There is an observatory and nice hiking here. We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time!" according to a visitor at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.

Mountain biking trails: Spring Lake Regional Park connects to Trione-Annadel State Park with extensive mountain bike trails. A reviewer notes, "Connected to the west of Spring Lake is Trione-Annadel State Park, a wildly popular spot for local mountain bikers...there are miles upon miles of trails to explore."

What Campers Like

Budget-friendly base for wine country: Camping costs significantly less than local hotels. "We have rented at this campground many times. Never had any trouble getting a reservation in spring or fall. Camping here leaves lots of money for food and wine splurges!" explains a camper at Ritchey Creek Campground.

Diverse accommodation options: Beyond tent camping, several areas offer alternative lodging. "This was a great campground to come on a winter weekend. Only 90 minutes from home to site... The campground is next to a very popular lake. Lots of trails. A great place to bring a bike too," states a visitor to Spring Lake Regional Park.

Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds provide water access during hot months. "Nice crystal clear water. There's a pretty awesome cliff jump nearby as well. Dogs are allowed. The lake is a very popular day use area as well. Does get very hot make sure you bring your bathing suit," notes a camper at Manzanita Canyon.

What You Should Know

Poison oak management: Bring identification guides and preventive measures. "Beautiful and close to downtown Calistoga however the campgrounds were infested with poison oak. Maybe just the time of year and because of so much rain this year? Not sure but it was thick and lush everywhere," warns a camper.

Wildlife encounters: Local fauna includes deer, turkeys, and other creatures. "I was awoken (as is the norm in NorCal) to gobbling turkeys at dawn. Easy access to hiking trails," shares a visitor at Ritchey Creek Campground.

Challenging ground conditions: The volcanic soil becomes extremely hard in dry weather. "The ground is volcanic rock and super hard in the dry weather. I broke a couple tent poles and couldn't pull the rest out of the ground, so they're now donations," advises a camper.

Tips for Camping with Families

Kid-friendly facilities: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families. "This place was wonderful! We stumbled upon this place after wine tasting in Sonoma. This place had many sites and super family friendly. Very easy to find. There was lots of deer/wildlife which was cool to see up close," reports a visitor to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.

Swimming areas for children: Several locations have designated swimming spots. "Walked to the water park on spring lake that featured an inflatable, floating obstacle course/bouncy house thing. The kids LOVED that," mentions a Spring Lake Regional Park camper.

Educational opportunities: Look for ranger programs and nature activities. "Take a walk to check out the Pioneer Cemetery and nearby mill. St. Clement Vineyards is a fun stop on the way out of town and is kid-friendly," suggests a visitor.

Tips from RVers

Leveling challenges: Bring extra blocks for uneven sites. "Sites are level with minimal need for blocks. Staff are friendly," notes an RV camper at Skyline Wilderness Park.

Limited hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer full RV services. "Clean showers and bathrooms, some trees, close to Raley's Grocery store. Easy drive to the wineries of Napa Valley, a little further to Sonoma but a nice drive. Picnic table, some full hook-ups and some partial," advises an RVer at Skyline Wilderness Park.

Water access planning: Fill tanks before arrival at some locations. "Arrive at this park full of water. There was only one spigot with threads (for attaching hose to fill tanks); it was at spot 29," cautions a Spring Lake Regional Park visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Pope Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Pope Valley, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 151 campgrounds and RV parks near Pope Valley, CA and 10 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Pope Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pope Valley, CA is Ritchey Creek Campground — Bothe-Napa Valley State Park with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pope Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Pope Valley, CA.

What parks are near Pope Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Pope Valley, CA that allow camping, notably Lake Sonoma and Point Reyes National Seashore.