94% (275)
Top-rated campgrounds
94% (275)
Top-rated campgrounds
Stories from the community
C
Corey
2 weeks ago
Weekend Trip to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Glamping
We loved our glamping experience at Sugarloaf SP! The tent was spacious and cozy with comfortable beds and plenty of places to sit and hang out. We rented the heater which was much appreciated when the temp dropped and some rained moved in. We appreciated our first bundle of firewood. All of the staff was very friendly and quick to help out if we needed something. They also keep the bathrooms super clean and well stocked and a short walk from any site. The center of the campground being a beautiful meadow with lots of wildlife at night and clear skies show a perfect view of the starry night. We would definitely stay again.
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M
Michon
3 weeks ago
With kids
We had a wonderful stay at Sugarloaf and would return.
On the positive, the campsite and surrounding area were stunning, with plenty of space for our group and easy access to great hiking trails (both kid friendly and more strenuous). The staff was friendly and easily accessible. We came with two other families, each with two kids under six, and the little ones loved biking around, exploring, and playing hide-and-seek. Other campers were friendly and the vibe was laid back and easy.
A couple of things to watch out for: two of the three glamp tents could have been drier (site 29 & 30). The floor stayed a bit damp and there was a noticeable mildew smell; and the showers are coin operated, but worth it as they had good pressure, hot water, and consistently clean bathrooms. You can get coins from the visitor center so this wasn't a dealbreaker for us.
We’d definitely come back, maybe with a few extra socks, soled house slippers, and something like coffee grounds to deal with the mildew tent smell.
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April
October 2025
With kids
I loved our glamping spot. The free complimentary firewood on the first night and free complimentary extra mattresses were nice for my family and I. the mountain views 360 all around were so pretty! It was also very shaded. We saw many deer, quail, and squirrel by our tent was a treat for my children. The restrooms were not horrible. There is also an observatory nearby so we got to view the stars at night. It was a pleasant trip. The glamp itself was nice and furnished, perfect for my family who usually have a very hard time camping in nature.
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david
October 2025
With kids
I loved everything! The glamping is perfect and the price was perfect.
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J
Joyce
October 2025
2 nights at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Glamping
Great scenery from virtually every site, with shade, spacious level sites and parking, very clean and nice-smelling bathrooms and showers, easily accessible trails, lots of wildlife (deer, turkey, birds), and all in all a great first glamping experience for me! It will be hard to go back to a regular tent site again…JK. Friendly staff, and a bit ununusal ans a state park being operated as a collaborative of Sonoma Ecology Center and Team Sugarloaf. Great base for exploring by bicycle — we drove our bikes down to Kenwood and enjoyed riding around the area, all the way to Sonoma. Vineyards, small towns, both gentle and challenging bike route options. Or just relax and hike around the park trails. Thank you for a great getaway!
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Beatrice
September 2025
2 nights at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Glamping
Comfortable tents. Not too warm, not too cold. Great bed.
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Jennifer
September 2025
With kids
Wow, what a place!!! We glamped to the fullest! Beds were made for us in our bell tent upon arrival, and park staff made sure that we had everything we needed. Others camping were very respectful of the quiet hours, so we slept great! The views were awesome, hiking was right on site, and we saw turkeys and deer every morning and evening. Highly recommend!!!
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A
Angie
September 2025
Group trip
We loved this site and campground. We hadn't been up in years and still experienced the same far away but close feel. I love that you can only get wifi by the rangers station so we are tech free at the campsite.
I do wish there was water in the creek. In the past we would put our chairs down there and hangout.
I will say there are a lot of wasps so bring some wasp catchers. The campground had some up but it wasn't nearly enough. We made it work!!
Glamping Tent made for an easy set up and take down and was way more comfortable than a tent! I thought it was staged from the photos but it had everything you see. Even a fan and a light!
Overall 10/10 and would highly recommend this campground and site!
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M
Marcielle
August 2025
Weekend Trip to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Glamping
The location is unbeatable. There are many activities to do here including hiking, star gazing at the observatory, and wine tasting just 10 minutes of a drive away. Bathrooms and showers are clean. The visitor’s center is equipped with all the camp essentials, which was very beginner friendly for newbies like us!
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Michell
August 2025
With kids
The Glampsite 16 was an awesome shady spot.
The park has lots of trails. Clean bathrooms and showers. Staff members were really helpful, fun and friendly.
Unfortunately, the park was having trouble with yellow jackets. The “meat bees” would swarm in around food at the campsites. We got a couple traps, not very effective. Staff reported the bees being unusually bad. Friends I camped with had been at Sugarloaf three times this year and bees were not an issue.
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Peter
August 2025
2 nights at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Glamping
The campsites are nice and shady, the tents are spacious and comfortable, and the hosts are super welcoming. There's a good diversity of wildlife (we saw turkeys, deer, and jays near the campsite, and a king snake while hiking). The hiking trails range from easy, kid friendly to much more challenging stuff. Many of the trails are a bit exposed, but the park maps do a good job of describing how exposed each trail is.
We'll be back!
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Courtney
July 2025
With kids
What a great time! First time camping with my 2YO and Sugarloaf was perfect. The bathrooms are clean, there is plenty of activities for kids, including campfire singalong, and wonderful hikes that are accessible for the whole family. The camp volunteers and hosts were lovely and helpful, happy to educate my daughter on the local history, and flora & fauna. We will be coming back!
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alyssa
July 2025
Group trip
We loved site 18 (G4). It was a bit damp bc it never gets sun (even in summer on hot days), but was nice to not have to bring a tent or mattress pads. The extra mattresses were comfortable. Thank you for the starter set of firewood also! We hiked Bald Mtn (2-3hrs) and also the Pony Gate-Waterfall trail. The Visitors Center has general camping stuff, ice, & swag. Wonderful folks who run/volunteer there. So close to Kenwood if you prefer to go out to eat and multiple wineries. We also loved Glen Ellen Market for picnic supplies, Jack London State Park and Benziger Winery (biodynamic farming) for day outings. Thanks Sugarloaf!
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Ramiro
July 2025
With kids
We had a great time at Sugarloaf ridge. The scenery was great! The amenities were great as well. Just what our family needed. The restroom were also very clean and staff was very friendly!
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Jennifer
July 2025
With kids
We appreciated the cleanliness, atmosphere, and host-helps. Sugarloaf is a hidden gem.
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Holly
July 2025
With kids
What a beautiful campground. At night as the sun starts setting, the surrounding mountains make it all seem so surreal. It is so well managed, loved and cared for. The glamping tent and availability to rent another tent to be already set up for us is a game changer! They offered free bed pads for the kids and the glamping tent has an actual bed, chairs and side tables with little lanterns and a fan. The free firewood on the first night was wonderful. They really have thought of it all for the glamping sites, and other sites. Only downside was our canvas tent was the only one with no zipper screen at the doors, so air flow was not possible-BUT the fan helped and there are small vent windows at the bottom. The bathrooms and showers are meticulously maintained. The waterfall hikes were both beautiful, one is long and a bit challenging for those who might not be as "active", the other small hike was perfect to get to the waterfall, short and manageable. Deer, jackrabbits, lots of birds and squirrels become your neighbors during you stay. There are also a lot of hiking trails, and creeks to play in surrounding the campground. Great for kids and adults. We will definitely be back, what a hidden gem in Sonoma County!
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Sarah
July 2025
With kids
Love this spot! My kiddos adore playing in the creek, lots of tadpoles and frogs. We got to see a lot of deer too. Extra fun to have friends at the site next door so we could really spread out and let the kids enjoy the natural boundaries of the space.
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Katie
July 2025
With kids
We had a fun stay at Sugarloaf. The tent was nice - but no screen on the door flap. The fans were a great addition inside to keep air circulating. The view of the meadow and stars was phenomenal. Quail, deer and jackrabbits spotted on our evening walks.
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Jenny
June 2025
With kids
This campsite is a great option to transition into real camping. Comes with great amenities and the volunteers at the visitor center are wonderful. I would like to note that the glamping sites feel pretty close to others so it doesn’t feel as private as I’d like.
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Lee
June 2025
Group trip
Staff was kind and helpful. The bathrooms were clean and well looked after to the extent that is possible for any human to keep up with so many people who appear to not have had parents.😳
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The best bell tents near Novato guide
Where to go
North Bay
Head to the coast to camp at Point Reyes National Seashore, where options include a boat-in campground and several hike-in sites. Just inland, camp along the Russian River at Austin Creek State Recreation Area. Camp among the redwoods at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Explore Muir Woods, or choose from walk-in tent sites and rustic bluffside cabins at Mount Tamalpais State Park. There are four campgrounds on the Marin Headlands in Marin county, including three free, primitive backpacking campgrounds. China Camp State Park offers a scenic campground in the woodlands.
Wine Country
Head to wine country for tastings and scenic camping, often with access to cabins and full hookups. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Sonoma County offers a family-friendly campground, while the Skyline Wilderness Park near Napa offers tent, RV, and equestrian sites. Enjoy lakeside campsites with mountain views at Spring Lake Regional Park near Santa Rosa. Further north, you can camp near redwoods and a pretty stream at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, or choose from tent, RV, walk-in, and boat-in sites at Lake Sonoma. Near Lake Berryessa, options include campsites around the lake, Lake Solano Park and Lower Hunting Creek on BLM land.
San Francisco and South Bay
In San Francisco, groups can stay at walk-in campsites at the Presidio. Further south, camp near the beach at pretty Half Moon Bay State Beach. For solitude and hike-in campsites, head to Pescadero Creek County Park. There are also plenty of options for camping among the redwoods, including at Butano Redwoods State Park, Memorial County Park, Portola Redwoods State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
East Bay
In the East Bay, head to Mount Diablo State Park to enjoy sweeping views and three different campgrounds. At Del Valle Regional Park, enjoy water play, a variety of outdoor recreation. Overnight options include both cabins and campsites, including some RV sites with full hookups. Camp on the hillside at Anthony Chabot Regional Park with lake views or backpack into the Sunol Regional Wilderness for solitude, hikes, and wildflowers.
When to go
Spring to fall offers the most pleasant weather in Novato. From May to September, a popular farmer’s market is held weekly. Summer also sees a series of outdoor concerts and several car races. In the fall, outdoor movies are popular. Visit in the winter to forage for mushrooms. Special family-friendly events are held near the Christmas holidays.
Know before you go
- There is some public transportation in and around Novato, but a car will make it easier to visit other areas in the region.
- Reservations are required for certain campgrounds, and it’s best to book ahead, especially over the summer.
- Permits may be required for mushroom foraging and some parks do not permit it.
- Many parts of the northern California coast are not safe for swimming and there are very few lifeguards on duty.