Are you planning a tent camping trip to Pope Valley? We've got you covered. Find the best information on tent camping near Pope Valley, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Known by various names over the years (including Lupine Shores and Steele Park), Steele Canyon campground has always been known as the campground to vacation at if you're looking for some fun and relaxation. Along with tent and RV campsites, the campground features easy access to Lake Berryessa and a launch ramp.
Discover an amazing outdoor playground when you visit us at Steele Canyon on the gorgeous waters of Lake Berryessa. You can also experience the world-famous wine region of Napa Valley, situated less than an hour from our California RV resort.
We offer spacious tent camping and RV sites so you can connect with the stunning natural beauty that surrounds Napa County. When you visit Steele Canyon, your outdoor vacation adventure in California goes from ordinary to extraordinary.
$5 - $55 / night
$48 / night
$5 - $37 / night
Austin Creek State Recreation Area is currently under a complete closure at this time and will remain so until further notice.
There have been major impacts to the unit due to the 2020 Walbridge Fire. Due to significant hazards there is NO ACCESS ALLOWED by foot, bike, vehicle or any other means in Austin Creek SRA. If unauthorized vehicles and or people are found in Austin Creek SRA they will be subject to contact and citation. We need this time for clearing hazards and debris so that we can get Austin Creek SRA open at some point down the road. Thank you for your patience.
Bullfrog Pond Campground offers Twenty-three campsites. Campsites #1 through #8 (minus #4 our camp host site) are first-come, first-served campsites. Campsites #9 through #24 are on reservations through Hipcamp. Reserve a campsite by visiting www.hipcamp.com Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. There are two sets of bathrooms each with a flush toilet and sink. Unfortunately there are no shower facilities available.
Bullfrog Pond does not offer any group camping. The nearest State Park that offers group camping can be found at Salt Point State Park. None of the campsites at Bullfrog Pond will accommodate vehicles over 20 feet in length. We do not offer any hike and bike sites (reduced fees). The campground is subject to seasonal closure due to extreme weather or conditions. The pond itself almost always goes dry by mid-summer and when there IS water in the pond there may be mosquitos in the area. Ticks are also prevalent in the area so bring a good bug/tick repellant.
In warmer weather it is advisable to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes as they are in the area. If you would like a first-come first-served campsite you will need to register with staff at the Armstrong kiosk. If staff is not available at the kiosk, you can self-register at the entrance to Bullfrog Pond. Official check-in time is 2 o'clock pm. Pay the $35.00 camping fee and any extra vehicle fees ($8.00/vehicle) prior to occupying a campsite. Max occupancy per campsite is 8 people. You are allowed to bring two vehicles, but we do not guarantee both vehicles will fit on your parking spur. If any of your vehicles don't fit on your designated parking spur, please take it up to overflow parking area at Vista Point parking lot. Please ensure the day use parking areas are free from camper vehicles.
Please note that the campground is likely to go into a fire ban in the summer and autumn season. We will keep you up to date.
When available, a camp host will be occupying the camp host spot at campsite #4. Remember that quiet hours begin at 10 o'clock pm and noise significantly carries to other campsites in the campground. We are always looking for a good camp host. If interested check in with staff at the entrance station.
Camp fires, BBQ's, candles, tiki torches, etc. will be prohibited during periods of extreme fire danger. During fire bans, propane camp stoves may be used for cooking.
Dogs are permitted in your paid for campsite, picnic areas and on paved roads ONLY. Dogs are not allowed on dirt roads or on any trails. Dogs must remain leashed at all times.
Bicycles are allowed on paved roads and fire roads. Bicycles are not allowed on any trails.
Pine Grove is a majestic forest retreat of timeless natural beauty, blessed with abundant mountain spring water. In this oasis, bordered by spring fed year-round Kelsey Creek and overlooked by Cobb Mountain, you will discover a vast and personal connection with the natural world in any season. We invite you for a workshop, personal retreat, family reunion or just the day. Serene year-round cabins, all with inviting redwood decks overlooking Kelsey Creek, and camping give many options for your stay.
$40 - $210 / night
Closed for the 2023 season to repair storm damage. State Forest staff will be focused on repairing winter storm damage to roads and facilities throughout the State Forests in the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit.
Day use will continue to be permitted from sunrise to sunset.
This recreation area is part of Eastman Lake
Traveler
One of my favorite places to camp! The tent camp sites are kind of small, but very close to the beach. Beautiful sunsets. Campground is near bodega bay and shops. Fishing is allow but it’s pretty shallow. Rangers frequent the campground. Clean bathrooms and showers.
Legend
This is a haven for RV's and some sites are clearly meant for them. They can be sparse and open and right next to each other. But I am a tent camper so I look for those that have trees and coverage to get a sense of privacy. The virtue of Casini's is that it has some of the best direct access to the Russian River. That can be for fishing. canoeing, kayaking, or swimming - you name it. And if you pick your site right you have a great tent camping site.
ALso they have some great group tent sites if you want to go with friends.
With the store there if you forgot anything you are good.
Legend
If you want to explore the Point Reyes National Seashore you do not have many options. This facility has been there a long time, and while not the best, it gives you great access. It is mostly used for RV's some appear to be year round residents. I am a tent camper and there are tent camping sites. They are on a grassy area and not well defined. Not a lot of shade for tent sites.
That being said you are at the gateway to a large fabulous national seashore.
They have great ameneities - a store, post office, hot showers. Everything you need is there. There is a great restuarant down the road and a church next door!
Guide
The Upper Campground is a gem of a place to camp, nestled among the redwoods on the eastern facing side of a ridge (complete with hiking trails) and a creek. The Madrone group campground is across Sir Francis Drake Blvd (I personally think it's less scenic but more open). The only reason I took off a star is the campground's proximity to the road, which is not extremely busy but can be noisy if you are camping in a tent. Were it not for the noise, we'd go back again and again and again.
Traveler
In the coastal town of Bodega Bay California is a state/regional beach called Doran Beach. It is a beautiful place to go for a day trip or for overnight camping trips. Doran's campground is right on the beach with the bay on both sides of the road. There are several areas for RV's and also for tent camping. (This review is for the tent camping.)
As with many sites in California there is a parking lot to park cars in and you walk in to the sites. There are restrooms, water and drinking fountains.
The sites themselves have tables, campfire pits and a lockable wooden storage box. There is a bird sanctuary nearby which is great for birdwatching.
The sunrise and sunsets are the most beautiful times of day and the beaches have emptied out. There is nothing like sleeping to the sound of rolling waves.
The only downside to this as a tent camping spot is the incredible wind that blasts in from the ocean.
I love this campground.
Scout
I stayed one night in one of the 2-3 tent sites, which was on the water. -It was quite expensive ($55/night) for a tent site. I didn’t request, want, or use them, but I did have a faucet and two 110-V outlets available; perhaps I was paying for that. -Office staff told me I had to sleep in a tent, not my car (I’m testing out a cot in my car; can’t do a tent any more). My thinking is, if I pay and take good care of the tent site, why insist on controlling how I sleep? I found this intrusive - and I set up a tent, but slept in my car. -The sites for RVs were very small. The campground was pretty much full and I felt bad for the RVers, who were almost on top of each other. -Additional notes: good, free showers (but $15 returnable cash deposit to get a restroom/shower key); tent site was on water and had privacy of bush on one side (unlike RVs); friendly office staff; not near town or residential areas, despite being so near an urban area.
Guide
Wasn't very private, but is good for tent camping in a safe family environment.
Guide
Brought my trailer her for the first time as an adult after many times tent camping at nearby Gerstle Cove as a child. Had a FANTASTIC time. Woodside campground is BY FAR the more beautiful of the two Salt Point campgrounds. Plenty of flat parking pads for rv campers, yet sites are thickly wooded and appropriately spaced to have an awesome tent camping experience as well. Take note that many of the nearby beaches have dangerous rip currents and aren’t exactly great for swimming or water play.
Traveler
Tent camp here every year. It's small but great for families! Has a creek and many hiking trails!
GuideLove this campground ... a great basecamp for easy access to everything that West Marin has to offer. It has wonderful campsites nestled among mature trees with a stream that runs through it. It's a bit too tight for large trailer or RV camping (unless you are an expert at maneuvering through tight spaces). Also, if you're tent camping, the vehicle noise from the nearby Sir Francis Drake Blvd can be distracting if you are a light sleeper (and you are tent camping). But all in all a great locale!
Traveler
Not much privacy for tent camping. Fog horn goes continuously. Good hwy 1 access. Affordable. Walking distance to awesome beach.
ScoutThis management informed me they do not have tent sites, contrary to the information the Dyrt app provided.
Legend
Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're happy to welcome this property to our platform. This property is offering 2 lodging options, a Caboose & Tent camping under the Walnut trees. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love.
ScoutVery large, clean, well maintained campground. Sites range from tent camping to RV water and electric only to full hookups. It's centrally located halfway between Gurneville and Bodega Bay. Great place as a base for days at the beach, hiking at Armstrong Woods, or fishing.
Guide
Always windy. Great scenery, and many of the tent sites are tucked away in little nooks and crannies for privacy if you don’t want the more open outer ring sites.
GuideNice little campground right on the beach. Nice long beach that's great for walking, surfing (if there's swell), and just relaxing in general. Tends to have a bit of a breeze at night with not a whole lot of natural protection for tent camping in my experience.
Guide
I tent camped here and really liked it. There is also an RV section. It has flush toilets, showers and WiFi. For recreation you have the park behind the camp with great hiking trails and the whole Napa region. The people who work there are nice and do a great job keeping it up.
Scout
Nice state park north of Napa, the few car tent sites are nicely situated near a creek. Good space between sites. Easy and fun camping.
Yurts and cabins available. Close to road so a little noisy. Great for a less expensive stay. Saves money for wine tastings...
TravelerI tent camped here on a September weeknight. The campground is very spacious on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Very few other campers so I had plenty of options for sites. It was cool, sunny, and no wind-perfect weather! Stunning views all around, with a trailhead to Stillwater Cove. Very quiet and relaxing stay here!
Traveler
Right off the freeway - easy access to the city. We didn’t book ahead much and ended up with a site that just had rocks and a picnic table. No grass except at tent sites. Not wide enough to fully put out slider. The bathroom were great in the tent area. Nice pool and dog area.
GuideClose to the ocean at Jenner. Campground is next to the Russian River. Family activities and games for kids (playground, volleyball). Some shaded site, a mix of sunny locations and partial shade. Full RV hook ups and tent sites. River access for swimming & boating. No sandy beach.
ScoutPros: Has numerous amenities including hot (free) showers (cleaned daily), flush toilets, full hookup RV spots, laundromat, US Post office, fenced playground, dog park, drive in tent sites, and firewood for sale. Cons: expensive, sites are close and poorly defined and the after hours check in procedure doesn’t prevent overlapping.
TravelerCamp site is clean. You can order food and they will deliver. Wonderful ada bathroom/showers with a fold down bench. Friendly staff. Near freeway (lots of traffic noise. Quiet morning. Stayed for a quick night. The cabins and rv section are top notch. Tent sites are ok. If we come back will choose site 10 of 12. River was dry in july
ScoutWhile driving through Sonoma Valley, I found this hidden campground that was one of the most amazing campgrounds that I have stayed at. I was tent camping and easily found the perfect spot. Until this trip, I had never seen a banana slug which was HUGE! I stayed for just one night while continuing on my way up to the Redwoods. The hills were covering in the yellowing grass of the summer and combined with the tranquility of the rolling hills, I experienced one of the most calming sunsets of my life. Not far from this campground is the Jack London Historical State Park, which i highly recommend going to see. Overall, this was a fun little hidden gem in California.
GuideTent camped here several times before I got my trailer. Fantastically close to many great wineries, and minutes from Calistoga. The park has a great swimming pool that my kids enjoyed, and I heard there was a fun hike to the mill located elsewhere in the park. Heads up for RV campers- the park is hilly, and some of the parking spots aren’t flat, so make sure you check sites like campsitephotos first to make sure you get a spot that works for you.
Guide
This KOA is pretty big with plenty of options for RV sites. Wide variety of full hook-ups or partial hook-ups. 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. 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! Close to downtown Petaluma with plenty of premium shops and restaurants.
ScoutThe tent camping is good. It’s spread out now because of social distancing. There are only 3 other campers besides me. Dogs are allowed but not on the trails so that’s a real bummer because this is a great place for hiking and horseback riding. Campsite is nothing special but the restroom gets 4 stars and the shower does as well only because the shower pressure is fantastic. Take yer skin clear off . I’m happy that I’m here and really that’s all you can ask for
Nestled in the heart of California, Pope Valley offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. With stunning landscapes and a range of amenities, these campgrounds provide the perfect backdrop for a memorable camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pope Valley, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pope Valley, CA is Steele Canyon (formerly Lupine Shores) with a 4.2-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Pope Valley, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 33 tent camping locations near Pope Valley, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
