Spending a week or two in wine country doesn’t need to cost a fortune, especially if you’re the kind of outdoors-lover that’s up for camping. If so, you’ll delight in the range of options available. From roughin’ it in an undeveloped back-country site to relaxing in your own all-the-home-comforts RV—with stops along the way for tents and simple camping cabins—Sonoma County’s got what campers want.
And camping is not only budget-friendly and fun, it’s also a great way to hang out with friends and family while adventuring in the outdoors. You’re already there anyway, so it’s easy to take off fishing, hiking, bird-watching, photographing wildflowers, exploring tide pools, paddling a canoe—and that’s just for starters.
Or throw the lunch sandwiches in a hamper, head for the beach, and voila! You’ve got an instant picnic with the best scenery in the world. At night you can sit around the campfire and gab until the wee hours, effortlessly producing the kind of memories that will last a lifetime. Or take a walk on the beach where, away from city lights, you’ll be struck anew by just how bright stars can be.
Here in Sonoma County, camping also provides an extra-special plus: campgrounds tend to be located at extremely beautiful and activity-laden locations. While sleeping in that tent or RV, those beautiful spots are your home.
To illustrate how diverse camping can be in the county, a few local camping spots are listed below. To learn about our many other wonderful campgrounds, go to our complete Sonoma County campground listings.
- Cloverdale Wine Country KOA Camping Resort. Located in the hills overlooking Alexander Valley, you’ll find comfortable cabins in three varieties (from basic to deluxe) as well as tent and RV sites. Wireless internet, a small store, swimming pool and spa are available. Activities such as outdoor movies, local winery wine tastings, and paddle boat races add to the fun.
- San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA. This beautiful family camping resort is rated one of the top RV campgrounds in California and the premier campground & RV Park resort in the San Francisco Bay area. With 312 spacious sites on 70 Acres, this KOA offers the best in family, group and big-rig RV camping in a rural atmosphere.
- Doran Regional Park: Just south of Bodega Bay, Doran is situated on a stunning 2-mile stretch of beach. It’s open year-round for camping, with 112 reservable, 20 first-come campsites, and one hiker/bicyclist group site. Download a campsite map of Doran Regional Park.
- Liberty Glen Camping at Lake Sonoma has 97 drive-in campsites for RVs and tent campers (no electrical or water hookups available). During the summer there are many campfire programs and special events. Primitive boat-in or hike-in camping is also available. Visit this page for more information. Download an informational guide and map.
- Schoolhouse Canyon Park, nestled near Guerneville in an ancient redwood grove on the Russian River, is family-owned and operated (the same family has owned the land since the 1850s). Geared to tent camping, but small RVs are also allowed. Visit the website for more information.
- Spring Lake Regional Park: North of Sonoma Valley and located in but on the bucolic outskirts of Santa Rosa, Spring Lake’s individual campsites are available from May 1-September 30 (the rest of the year it’s only open on weekends and holidays). A group campground is available, by reservation only, throughout the year. Download a map of Spring Lake Regional Park.
- Stillwater Regional Cove Park: In Jenner, near Fort Ross State Historic Park, Stillwater has more than 20 campsites available, as well as a hiker/bicyclist group site. Two sites provide disabled access. A beach launch can be used for kayaks and other small boats. The cove is popular with skin and scuba divers. Download a Stillwater Cove campsite map.
- Westside Regional Park: On the north side of Bodega Bay and away from crowds, this campground has a beautiful setting with nearly 47 trailer/camper sites available, with two configured for disabled access. Download a Westside campsite map.
Get a peek at some prime camp spots, meet some of the owners/managers, and have a few laughs in the process when you view our video about Sonoma County camping.
Get a free Sonoma County Visitors Guide and Map, and find things to do and restaurants here.
Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez
