152 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Santa Rosa, California range from state parks to private campgrounds, with tent camping, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping available within a short drive of the city. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, located just outside Kenwood, provides 48 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 near Santa Rosa accommodate both tent camping and larger RVs, with varying levels of amenities and privacy.
Seasonal conditions significantly impact camping near Santa Rosa, 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.
"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."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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"
"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."
from $43 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"Great spot to camp and explore the Santa Rosa area. No hook ups but there is a spot to fill fresh water tank and a dump station. Sites are well spaced and very clean."
"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."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Very quiet and there's lots of trails to walk. Easy walking around the lake."
"The park itself is like a little slice of heaven and surrounded by the town so nothing is that far away. It is 5 min away from the Planet fitness and it is quiet and has a night security guard too."
from $33 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
ScoutWe had a very romantic couples retreat to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The yurt was very beautifully decorated, clean and elegant with sisal carpets, candles, fairy lights and beautiful decorations. We had a table with tea and coffee in our tent, and the heated mattress pad was very cozy. Even though it rained we were snug and dry and the sound of rain on the canvas was soothing.
ScoutWe had a deeply restful night at the Hidden Knoll and I wish we could’ve stayed longer.
I slept so soundly to the sound of crickets. The view is absolutely breathtaking from this spot. It looks all the way across the valley towards the entire Mayacamas mountain range with steam coming up from the Geysers directly facing our dome. We had a picnic table and a campfire ring made of stone. There were deer grazing below us in the oak forest. We were close to a small splash pool for floating on in pool rings and pool noodles that the host provided and there is also a galvanized soaking tub for two with an amazing view and we enjoyed it underneath the stars and got to fill it ourselves with hot water from an on demand hot water heater next to it.
They also have a camp kitchen under a shade pergola next to their house that is fully equipped with a dishwashing sink, refrigerator, and everything you need to make coffee or breakfast (we bought eggs from the chicken ms.) The host Bertrand even made us a fresh cappuccino.
RangerHands down the cleanest and most well-kept campsite I have ever been to. The pride the owners take in the property is clear from the moment you enter the campground.
Bathrooms are immaculate and coin-operated showers are nice. A dedicated dish washing station, complete with soap and sponges when we stayed, was also a nice touch.
As other reviewers have said, privacy is minimal and this isn't the place for you if you don't want to camp around a lot of families.
This campground is perfect for families who want to take a short walk down to the beach (bring a wagon or something to carry your gear/children), and spend the day enjoying the water.
RangerNo tents, no rest room, no dump, must arrive after 4pm and leave by 9 am, MUST have your own bathroom…. But it’s like $12, and if you need to be in Benecia it’s great.
ScoutA place that does something to you. The view from the bathtub at night was the closest I've felt to actually being inside the sky. We extended by two days. It was so romantic and peaceful. I never slept so deeply.
ScoutWe don't have kids, but this is a great place with a petting zoo, pool and hayride.
GuideThis campground is okay (3.5/5 stars) - the sites are close together and it seems to be very popular spot with a lot of families. Our section was fairly quiet but other areas were quite loud.
The campground is dog friendly and dogs are allowed on the paved roads. The bathrooms were pretty nice and the showers had hot water. You need to purchase a token for $1 from the park ranger when checking in and that will get you 5 minutes of hot water.
We stayed at site 49 and couldn't figure out where other folks put their tents. There was a slightly elevated area in the back left site of the campsite but it didn't look used, was on a slight hill, and looked directly into the campsite next to us so we opted to put our tent on the flat area right by the driveway.
ScoutRolled up to the site around 12am. I called ahead of time because I saw they closed at 5pm, but you can show up at anytime. It is first come first serve, but we had no troubles on finding a spot! The views are very beautiful. Plenty of porter potties. The ones I went in were decently clean and had toilet paper. Would come back.
ScoutThe employees are great, great attitudes.No problems whatsoever!
The Santa Rosa area sits within Sonoma County, surrounded by hills that rise to elevations between 300 and 2,000 feet. This geography creates microclimates throughout the region, with temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler along the coastal campgrounds compared to inland sites. Summer evening temperatures at most campgrounds near Santa Rosa drop into the 50s, even when daytime highs reach the 90s.
Hiking to Lake Ilsanjo: Spring Lake Regional Park connects to more technical trails leading to Lake Ilsanjo in neighboring Trione-Annadel State Park. "We did a very tough hike in almost 100 degree weather up to Lake Ilsanjo and the cold plunge into that lake was exactly what was needed," notes one camper at Spring Lake Regional Park.
Crab fishing: At campgrounds near Bodega Bay, crabbing is a popular activity with equipment often available for rent. "Go to the wharf near by to pick up some live crab to boil over the fire. Overall a great campground for adults and kids," recommends a visitor to Bodega Dunes Campground.
Observatory visit: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park offers access to the Robert Ferguson Observatory with special astronomy programs. "You can walk to the Robert Ferguson Observatory as well! We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time!" reports a camper who enjoyed the unique nighttime activity.
Paddling opportunities: Russian River access points allow for kayaking with convenient return options. "Great canoe rentals to take down the river and a shuttle back is right next door," notes a visitor to Mirabel RV Park & Campground in Forestville, highlighting the easy logistics for water recreation.
Weather variations: The climate diversity means you can choose your preferred camping weather. "The weather was nice mid-April. Good amount of shade. Flat ground for tent. Picnic table, fire pit, bear box, nearby bathrooms & dumpsters," reports a spring visitor to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to spot local animals. "We saw a rabbit, turkeys, lizards, deer, & quails! Seems they have lots of hikes available," notes a Sugarloaf Ridge camper who enjoyed the nature trail through the campground.
Beach access: Coastal campgrounds provide direct routes to uncrowded beaches. "Great spot, very clean bathrooms and friendly staff. Everything went very smoothly, beautiful spot by the river," reports a camper at Casini Ranch, which offers both river and ocean proximity.
Wine country proximity: Several campgrounds serve as affordable bases for wine tasting. "This place was wonderful! We stumbled upon this place after wine tasting in Sonoma. This place had many sites and super family friendly," shares a camper who found Bothe-Napa Valley State Park to be a convenient option.
Seasonal wildlife presence: Prepare for local fauna depending on the season. "The flying bugs/mosquitoes were out so come prepared. Only left with 1-2 bites = victory!" advises a mid-April camper at Sugarloaf Ridge.
Coastal wind conditions: Beaches and dunes campgrounds often experience significant wind. "I have to confess that I feel pretty silly for not being as prepared for the sand as I should have been from the name of the campground. Who would have thought!? We walked around sites 22-55 and all seem to be entirely on the sand," shares a visitor to Bodega Dunes.
Poison oak awareness: Some parks have significant poison oak growth. "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 visitor to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "Verizon has decent coverage, T-Mobile - not reliable," reports a camper at Lawson's Landing, providing specific carrier information that could be valuable for planning.
Activity options: Multiple recreation possibilities keep children engaged. "A lot of different areas for the kids. Swimming, giant bounce area, and mild weather. Coffee bar, large play grounds and near shopping for any needs," shares a camper at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA.
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Several sites offer safe cycling areas for children. "This is a great campground, right off the river. You can kayak down the river and the campgrounds have a big variety of sizes, some on and off the river," notes a visitor to Casini Ranch where many families bring bikes and scooters.
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs enhance family camping experiences. "The first Saturday of the month the rangers do a tide pool talk. They bring sea creatures (like sea stars, sea slugs etc) to share and let the kids hold them," reports a visitor to Doran Regional Park.
Backup plans: Weather can change quickly at coastal sites. "We stayed in the spur of the campground, the views to the front of us were amazing! Then right behind us there was an incredible never ending hill covered in ferns and tall trees... It was cooler this time of year then we expected. Bring layers!" advises a family who camped at Sugarloaf Ridge.
Site selection: RV spots vary significantly in privacy levels. "We had a pull through FHU site. Pretty narrow. Seems like a common theme," reports an RV camper at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA, noting the spatial limitations.
Utility access: Water connection points aren't universal at all campgrounds. "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," advises an RV camper at Spring Lake Regional Park who found limited hookup options.
Dump station availability: Some campgrounds provide this service while others don't. "Paid a premium price for a Saturday one nighter, but it certainly is a great VIP campsite. The host says they will come around in the morning and empty our tanks! No need to hook up our sewer hose!" shares an impressed visitor to San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA.
Levelness challenges: Terrain varies significantly at natural sites. "The campground itself is pretty nice. Walkable to the Pacific Coast, very walkable to Bodega Harbor, and direct access to the trails of Bodega Head," reports a visitor to Bodega Dunes who noted the varying site conditions.
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
