Best Campgrounds near Rutherford, CA

Just got back from a 2 night stay at Johnson's Beach campsite. We found the camp grounds to be so-so and not the most maintained. While we were there, we saw more than a few families come for a night and leave earlier than expected because of complaints of their sites. 

If you are interested in Johnson's Beach, I'd rather do one of their glamping tents or bungalow instead.

Pros:

• Good location to the beach; 2 minute walk from camp site to the beach.

• Nice clean and well maintained bathrooms and showers.

• 5 minute walk to downtown / Safeway

• Host (Chris) was nice and did his best.

• Outlets at each site.

• Well shaded by trees (although is also a con).

Cons:

• Camp sites too cramped/small, especially from 20 - 25. Hardly any breathing room.
• Camp sites are right behind a bar (?) and homes so we heard a lot of partying, singing, dog barking well into the night
• Road next to the camp sites used by cars to reach the beach. Cars would stir up dust. 
• A lot of trees but frequented by crows. The crows can be very noisy and loved to poop all around the camp grounds.

Pantoll would be one of my favorite campgrounds of all time if not for the noise levels. One would think that quiet time would be respected in a backpackers campground, but not here. This is a major party campground, especially in summer. Don't let the fact that it's behind a ranger station fool you-- they clock out by 10pm, and if you have an issue after that, good luck. Last time I camped here the dude on the site next to me would not stop pointing his light into my tent. I was in my 1 person backpacking tent with the rainfly off. So irritating. But the campground itself is so beautiful. It's just a few miles uphill from Muir Woods, and you don't need additional reservations to hike in from the campground. Like Bootjack this is a first come first serve tent only campground. Pantoll is closer to Cardiac Point and more trails. You could hike pretty much anywhere in Mt. Tam from here. No camp hosts but the Rangers are available from about 9-5, some of my favorite rangers outside Yosemite. Wifi is available at the ranger station.

This is one of my favorite campgrounds I've ever camped at. Bootjack is a tent only, walk in campground. You park your car in the parking lot, and then carry your stuff uphill to your site. The site closest to the bottom is reserved for disabled. Many of the sites feature beautiful historic stone grills. Some of the sites are two levels. Many are next to the creek. It's usually quiet and peaceful. Pantoll Ranger Station is only .4 miles away and there are endless hiking opportunities from there. This campground is first come first serve only. Maximum stay 14 nights per year. The only major downside is there is no camp host. Rangers come through once per morning to power wash the restrooms.

First time camping and going somewhat off road.

If you’re worried about your vehicle making it up we saw a tesla and a nissan altima up there. My subaru made it up perfectly. I would however recommend AWD or a little higher clearance.

South road is somewhat rough and the north road seems to be the smoother but longer road.

Clean area, but dusty. Can be busy 2 other campers showed up quietly while I was asleep but kept their distance. Where I set up there were some log chairs and a previously built fire pit.

Very beautiful and quiet, can be extremely cold at night and morning so be prepared!

We did not got many bugs which was great.

Stayed here for a long weekend with friends in Napa Valley.

Location itself is GREAT. 5 mins from everything in town. Had good cell service and park was clean. Was quiet busy during the day as it is also a day use park with lots of activities.

Sites were cramped in tight. $65/night for water and electricity. They have a dog run area that is nice and large! Bath houses were also nice. Good hot showers.

Knocking it down a star for the tight sites and the check in staff were rude almost every time I talked to her. Also lots of little bitty rules of being picky. Overall would stay here again.