Boating to Your Campsite at Lake Sonoma

To really get away from it all, there’s nothing like hopping into a speedboat, canoe, or kayak with your camping gear and taking off for a boat-in campsite. You can do just that in Sonoma County, California, where life by the lake is not only perfect for boat-in camping, but also full of outdoor recreation.

Here’s where you can boat to an extra special campsite in Sonoma Wine Country.

Lake Sonoma Recreation Area, Geyserville

Surrounded by steep hills and vineyards, Lake Sonoma offers 106 boat-in camping sites, plus hike-in and drive-in camping, too. Scenic campsites are scattered along both the lake’s arms. The Warm Springs Arm is a popular area for water skiing on the lake, while the Dry Creek Arm offers secluded campsites and excellent fishing.

Bring plenty of drinkable water with you, and even a dependable purifying filter for lake water. Pets on a six-foot leash are welcome. Each site has its own fire ring, picnic table, and lantern holder. Restrooms are chemical vaults, reservations are required, and campsite fees are nominal.

You can launch your boat at the Yorty Creek Recreation Area off Hot Springs Road (no trailers) or near the dam at the Public Boat Ramp, where trailers are allowed.

Enjoy Lake Sonoma Marina, where you can rent a variety of watercraft, from double-decker patio boats to fishing boats and kayaks.

For an adventure, The Ranch at Lake Sonoma offers guided horseback rides with stunning views overlooking the lake, valley, and the rugged Rockpile wine region. Experience the pristine wilderness on horseback through Sonoma County’s largest 17,000-acre park. A variety of rides are available for timid or first-time riders, to more challenging treks.

The Lake Sonoma Visitors Center is located at the park entrance and is well worth a visit to check out fascinating exhibits about the Warm Springs Dam and the region’s early history, plus audiovisual tours and ranger-led programs. Visit the adjacent fish hatchery, which works to support native fish spawning grounds, and check out displays like the life cycles of coho salmon, steelhead, and Chinook. 

Lake Sonoma was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1983 during the construction of Warm Springs Dam for flood control and irrigation. This beautiful lake offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, horseback riding, archery, hunting, and camping.

Lake Sonoma Recreation Area, 3333 Skaggs Springs Road, Geyserville, California (707) 431-4590

Reserve Lake Sonoma campsites by calling the National Recreation Reservation Service at (877) 444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov.

Learn more about primitive boat-in and hike-in campsites at Lake Sonoma. View campground diagrams and find descriptions of individual sites.

See Sonoma County’s water safety tips. Together, we can protect and preserve the beauty and natural resources of Sonoma County for generations to come. Check out our page on Sustainable Travel, and look over the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.

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Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez