Join the fun near Strawberry. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Strawberry, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$35 - $225 / night
"This campground is less than an hours drive from San Francisco. It is along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard which takes you through a bunch of very cute tiny towns."
"Beautiful trees and wonderful California charm. The campsites were decently located. Above the Mendocino coast the mornings are wet and Cold. Loved this place"
$40 - $75 / night
"The walk to the beach was 60 seconds and the ocean can be seen from the site. Cool ww2 structures. You get a code to open the gate uptop and drive down to park for your stay."
"If you plan to leave your cooler outside of the bear box make sure it has a lock or secure latch. 3- you get a gate code and parking pass to drive down, but have to walk your gear the last 500-1,000 ft"
$25 - $100 / night
"1 to get to the entrance, and then another steep, curvy ride down to the campground."
"The entire Mount Tamalpais watershed is within 30 minutes drive from this location."
$7 - $25 / night
"Pantoll is a pretty campground located adjacent to the entrance to Mount Tamalpais. You can hike to, bike to, take the bus to, or even drive to this campground. "
"This is an ada compliant walkup campground situated near the top of Mount Tamalpais. Featuring 13 sites ranging from standard campground style to a few more secluded areas."
"I decided to stay here, because it was the right location for my road trip, it was free, and I thought the view of the city would be excellent."
"Reasonably quiet on the side away from the road. Very safe, police patrols throughout the day/night. Good hiking areas nearby. Bathrooms and trash cans. Highly recommend as it is also completely free."
$30 / night
"Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island!"
"Campsites are walk in throughout the island. Remember there will be fog and there will be wind.
We try to get what they call the "group" kayak site. "
$99 - $115 / night
"30 mins away from the City. A bit pricy but that is to be expected in SF."
"Great location to the city and Muir woods. Good stores near by. Narrow sites. No room for awning. Close to gather. Sites are gravel and level. Nice area for pets with view."
$25 / night
"All three sites here are next to each other and have no seperation, but if you’re okay with that it’s a wonderful place to camp Site 3 is closest to the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the trails connected"
"It has great hiking nearby and an incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city, and is a short drive into the city. you definitely want to reserve a space well in advance, especially during peak"
"Nice place to eat within walking distance but make reservations on a weekend. WiFi. Showers. Spots are close together but the drive here is amazing. Openings on a Saturday night."
"Near Pt. Reyes National Seashore. One complaint was they weed whipped the sites next to us rather then mow. Very loud."
$25 - $75 / night
"The tent pads (a flat sandy area surrounded by wood beams) were fairly small - maybe 10' x 10'. Each site had a picnic table and a large metal food locker. "
"This campground is about a 0.75 mile hike from the Tennessee Valley trail head. Very limited number of sites, so you’ll definitely need a reservation. No fires."
TravelerI 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.
ScoutRussian 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
ScoutI 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.
TravelerGreat 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.
GuideOn visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet
ScoutIf you are here for fishing or boating it’s perfect
TravelerThis sweet little spot is a paddle boarding and fishing dream. Primitive site where Smittle Creek flows into Lake Berryessa.
GuideI just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights.
I did a recon ride previously on my mountain bike, so knew which spots I'd prefer and booked site 35 for a Thursday and Friday night.
Arrived at about 5PM and found my spot. The ranger booth was closed, but I didn't feel the need to chat with them anyway. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken.
The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting. I believe it was 88 in Castro Valley, but felt about 78 at the campground. I don't have AC for the van, but didn't feel I needed any.
I got setup and then headed out for a short ride, followed by a warm shower, cold beer and dinner. It was quiet that evening and I slept well.
I worked through the morning Friday, though the Starlink suffered some interruptions due to the tree cover. Early afternoon more people started to show up, as I expected. I went for a long ride and when I returned the place was much more occupied and people were setting up tents, starting their bbq's, etc. Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious.
My advice would be to know the spot you're selecting and know that in the summer months the grass isn't green :)
I'd score the individual aspects as follows (1-5):
Bathrooms: 4
Location: 5
Activities: 5
Privacy: 3
Cleanliness: 4
GuideWe 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.
Camping near Strawberry, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Strawberry, California, can be a fantastic experience with the right preparation and knowledge. Enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Strawberry Campground located in California?
Strawberry Campground is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, in Tuolumne County. It's situated along Highway 108, approximately 4.5 miles east of Pinecrest Lake and about 30 minutes east of Sonora. The campground sits at an elevation of around 5,700 feet, nestled among pine trees and near the South Fork of the Stanislaus River. For comparison, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground in Sonoma County is at a lower elevation of around 1,200 feet, while Anthony Chabot Regional Park in the Bay Area sits at about 1,000 feet elevation.
When is the best season to go camping in Strawberry, California?
The prime camping season in Strawberry runs from late May through early October, with July and August offering the warmest temperatures and most reliable weather. Due to its 5,700-foot elevation, the area experiences significant seasonal changes. Snow typically closes the campground from November through April. Late spring brings wildflowers but can still have cool nights. Early fall offers beautiful colors with fewer crowds but cooler temperatures. This seasonal pattern differs from coastal locations like Westside Regional Park, which remains milder year-round. For those seeking year-round camping options, Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa offers accessibility during winter months when Strawberry is typically closed due to snow.
What amenities are available at Strawberry Campground in California?
Strawberry Campground offers basic but functional amenities for a comfortable camping experience. The campground features vault toilets, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. There are no electric hookups or shower facilities available. Sites are spacious enough for tents and some can accommodate smaller RVs and trailers. Similar to Bodega Dunes Campground, the sites offer some privacy with natural vegetation between them. For campers seeking more amenities, Half Moon Bay RV Park offers full hookups, showers, and other conveniences, though with less of the natural forest setting that Strawberry Campground provides.
What recreational activities can you do near Strawberry, CA camping areas?
The Strawberry area offers abundant outdoor recreation options. Fishing is excellent in the nearby Stanislaus River and at Pinecrest Lake, which also allows swimming and boating. Hikers can explore numerous trails including the Strawberry Loop Trail and connections to the Pacific Crest Trail. Mountain biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing opportunities abound in the surrounding Stanislaus National Forest. In winter, nearby Dodge Ridge offers skiing. Similar to activities at Spring Lake Regional Park, water recreation is popular during summer months. For coastal alternatives, Wright's Beach Campground offers beachcombing and tide pooling rather than the mountain activities found near Strawberry.
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