The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Santa Rosa, CA

889 Reviews

Camping options near Santa Rosa, California span from state parks to private campgrounds, offering diverse accommodation types within a short drive of the city. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, located just outside Kenwood, provides 48 established campsites with access to numerous hiking trails and an on-site observatory. Spring Lake Regional Park offers tent and RV sites close to the city limits, with cabins and glamping accommodations also available. The San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA features full hookups for RVs, tent sites, and cabin rentals, making it a popular base for exploring both the Sonoma Coast and wine country. Several campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent camping and larger RVs, with varying levels of amenities and privacy.

Seasonal conditions significantly impact camping experiences in the Santa Rosa area, with facilities operating year-round but offering distinctly different experiences by season. Sugarloaf Ridge and other state parks may have trail closures following winter storms, while summer brings warmer temperatures ideal for lake activities at Spring Lake. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during peak summer and fall wine harvest seasons. The Sonoma Coast State Park campgrounds such as Bodega Dunes offer beach access but often experience morning fog and cooler temperatures even in summer. According to one visitor, "The campground at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park offers a range of decent sites... Sonoma Creek runs along the campground and there is a waterfall a short hike away."

Proximity to outdoor recreation represents a common highlight in camper reviews of Santa Rosa area campgrounds. Spring Lake Regional Park receives praise for its water-based activities, hiking trails, and connection to Trione-Annadel State Park's mountain biking network. As one camper noted, "Great access to Spring Lake's water-based activities and hiking trails, plus easy access to Trione-Annadel State Park for hiking and mountain biking." The coastal campgrounds west of Santa Rosa provide dramatically different experiences, with sites at Bodega Bay offering ocean views and wildlife viewing opportunities including seals and migrating whales. Campgrounds in the eastern foothills tend to provide more shade and privacy, while those closer to town offer convenience but less seclusion. Fire restrictions are common during summer and fall months, with several campgrounds providing fire rings and selling firewood when conditions permit.

Map showing campgrounds near Santa Rosa, CaliforniaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Santa Rosa, California (145)

    1. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground

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

    $35 - $45 / night

    "There are certainly some that are better situated than others regarding size, shade, and other amenities--but the entire campground is nice."

    "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."

    2. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

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

    "My family checked in from just a 30 minute drive from our home due to evacuations taking place in Santa Rosa due to fires."

    "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"

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

    26 Reviews
    Deer Park, CA
    12 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."

    4. Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

    38 Reviews
    Bodega Bay, CA
    20 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."

    5. Spring Lake Regional Park

    8 Reviews
    Santa Rosa, CA
    3 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."

    6. Casini Ranch Family Campground

    24 Reviews
    Duncans Mills, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 865-2255

    "A few friends and I recently spent 4 days camping at this beautiful ranch right outside of Duncan Mills and absolutely loved our stay."

    "Fire puts when allowed by California. Russian River gets surprisingly warm during the summer."

    7. Sonoma County Fairgrounds RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Santa Rosa, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (707) 293-8410

    $33 - $70 / night

    "A little close to others for my liking, but everyone was friendly and helpful."

    "Full hookup sites, reasonably close to shopping & restaurants, and good value with Passport America savings."

    8. Doran Regional Park

    25 Reviews
    Bodega Bay, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 875-3540

    "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."

    9. Lawson's Landing

    25 Reviews
    Dillon Beach, CA
    20 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."

    10. Mirabel RV Park & Campground

    6 Reviews
    Forestville, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 887-2383

    "The campsite is near plenty of amenities that you may need during your stay. Bathrooms have been clean and the showers 🚿 are nice and toasty!

    This will definitely be a regular spot in the future."

    "No glass around campsites. Lots of campers but they did make attemps to keep people quiet after 10.Great canoe rentals to take down the river and a shuttle back is right next door."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 145 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Santa Rosa Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Santa Rosa, CA

265 Photos of 145 Santa Rosa Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Santa Rosa, CA

889 Reviews of 145 Santa Rosa Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Thousand Trails Russian River

    Tough sites

    I am reasonably ok at backing in my travel trailer but this place is a mess. I parked in wrong spot, moved to the right one, the power pedestal did not work. Had to walk to office because phone number on check-in sheet did not work. Camp worker in golf cart picked me up and checked pedestal. No good. Drove me around looking for another site but the camp side on most is terrible. My wife has mobility issues so I would not stay here again. Staff was great, area looks nice, but the sites I saw leave something to be desired.

  • Leafe Z.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Johnson's Beach

    Perfext location for river

    Russian River is right out front of the campground. They offer kayaks canoes, and whatever else you want to rent however, if you have a dog, they don’t allow the dog on the beach or in the boat with you and they’re not allowed to stay behind in the tent, so you’re kind of stuck if you have a dog

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Guide to Santa Rosa

Camping near Santa Rosa, CA, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're a family looking for a weekend getaway or an experienced camper seeking adventure, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the stunning scenery at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground. A review stated, "It’s a lovely campsite with most sites being under tree canopies."
  • Clean Facilities: Many enjoy the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A reviewer at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA mentioned, "The bathrooms were clean compared to other places."
  • Wildlife: Campers often spot wildlife, adding to the experience. One visitor at Anthony Chabot Regional Park noted, "A couple of wild turkeys came to pick up the dropped food on the ground."

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids, like San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA, which has a playground and petting farm. A parent shared, "Great playground, jumping pillow, petting farm and mining fun."
  • Quiet Spots: Choose campgrounds that offer some privacy. A reviewer at Hendy Woods State Park Campground said, "Cozy campsites with plenty of privacy."
  • Plan for Weather: Be prepared for changing weather conditions, especially near the coast. One camper at Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park noted, "It rained during our trip which we knew about beforehand."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of RV sites before booking. A reviewer at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground mentioned, "Most sites being under tree canopies, with a large meadow in the center."
  • Bring Your Own Firewood: Some campgrounds, like Woodside Campground — Salt Point State Park, do not provide firewood. A camper advised, "Bring firewood there’s none available on site."
  • Be Mindful of Slopes: Some sites may be on a slope, which can be tricky for leveling RVs. A visitor at Anthony Chabot Regional Park noted, "A lot of the sites are on a slant."

Camping near Santa Rosa, CA, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to go camping in Santa Rosa?

Spring and fall offer the most pleasant camping weather in Santa Rosa with mild temperatures and less crowding. Late spring (April-May) brings wildflowers at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground, while September-October provides warm days and cool nights. Summer (June-August) can be hot but ideal for water activities at Spring Lake Regional Park, which serves as a popular local cooling-off spot. Winter camping (November-March) is possible but prepare for cooler temperatures and potential rain. Fire season (typically August-October) can affect camping conditions, so check for advisories before your trip. Many campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, but facilities may be limited in winter months.

What are the best tent camping options near Santa Rosa?

For tent camping near Santa Rosa, Salt Point State Park Campground offers a spectacular coastal experience with sites nestled among trees and easy access to hiking trails. While some sites were impacted by winter storms in 2023-24, many remain available. For beach lovers, Wright's Beach Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park provides tent sites just steps from the sand with the peaceful sound of waves throughout your stay. Both campgrounds feature basic amenities including restrooms and fire rings. For a more inland experience, consider Casini Ranch Family Campground along the Russian River. Most tent sites in the region are drive-in, though some walk-in options exist for a more secluded experience.

Where are the best campgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA?

The Santa Rosa area offers diverse camping experiences within a short drive of the city. For wine country exploration, Ritchey Creek Campground — Bothe-Napa Valley State Park provides a serene forest setting near numerous wineries. RV travelers appreciate Sonoma County Fairgrounds RV Park for its convenient in-town location and full hookups, though it's more utilitarian than scenic. For lakeside camping, Clear Lake Campground offers a quaint, nostalgic setting with water access. While technically not in Santa Rosa proper, these nearby options provide excellent home bases for exploring the entire region, with most being within a 30-60 minute drive of downtown Santa Rosa.

How much does camping in Santa Rosa, California cost?

Camping costs around Santa Rosa vary by type and amenities. State parks like Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park typically charge $35-45 per night for standard sites with clean bathrooms and coin-operated showers. Private campgrounds such as San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA range from $50-90 for tent sites and $65-120 for RV sites with hookups, depending on season and amenities. County parks generally offer more affordable options, with some basic sites available for $25-35 per night. Many campgrounds charge additional fees for extra vehicles, pets, or premium sites. Reservation fees typically add $7.99-10 per booking. Most campgrounds offer discounts for extended stays, and some provide special rates for seniors, military, or disabled visitors. Always check for potential holiday or peak season surcharges.

Keep Exploring