94% (117)
Top-rated campgrounds near Novato
94% (117)
Top-rated campgrounds near Novato
Public campgrounds near Novato
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
Tianna
3 weeks ago
22 ft campervan
A beautiful spot to land just a short drive from the Bay Area. The views of the lake were mostly obstructed by low lying fog save for a few moments of sun during our stay. But all good...love the fog too. And during a holiday weekend in November, it was sparse with visitors. Just perfect.
This site is one of the more private and larger, level sites. Clean porta potties. Few short hikes right from the site. And a short walk/drive to the marina. We decided not to kayak this time but it was so peaceful on the lake. Probably a rare moment.
Not sure I would stay here in the prime camping season as the sites seem very close with little privacy and imagine the lake gets busy with boats and jet skis. But we'll surely be back again for late November through winter camping.
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Margaret
November 2025
17 ft campervan
With pets
Gorgeous spot! You go to sleep on top of the world and wake up in the clouds. I’ve switched from the site I reserved, 23, to site 9 as all of them were available, lol. The host was very attentive and checked on me a couple of times. Accommodated a late checkout, too. Would return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for neat places to stay.
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Craig
November 2025
19 ft travel trailer
The Ranch is amazing! We had a spectacular view of the lake. Nikki was so kind in stopping by to check on us. Location is perfect!
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Donna
November 2025
Tent
With pets
Camping at The Ranch was a great experience! The area is surrounded by several wineries, and there’s a nice 40-minute hiking loop if you want to get out and explore. You can also go horseback riding or head down to the marina for more outdoor fun.
We stayed at Campsite 9, which had a beautiful view of the lake and plenty of space — enough to comfortably fit two cars, 3-4 smaller tents. There’s no potable water on-site, so be sure to bring your own. The portable restrooms were impressively clean, and the host was incredibly kind and welcoming.
Overall, it was a relaxing and enjoyable stay, and I’m looking forward to coming back with my family next year!
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John
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
Great camp with great views all around especially at Sonoma Lake. Everything was convenient and the host was very attentive.
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Stuart
October 2025
Tent
Beautiful views of the lake and great shady trees!
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Virginia
October 2025
19 ft campervan
Beautiful views and I felt safe. Lots of families.
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Ajia
October 2025
Tent
I enjoyed myself camping at site 20! It was my first solo trip and everything went incredibly smoothly. The portopotties were exceptionally clean! Almost as if they had never been used (a very rare site in most places lol). There were a couple trails nearby to hike and seeing the horses giving ride tours was a real treat. I just wish I had time to hang at the bar! That barn was so cool! In all, it was a pleasant experience
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Brittany
October 2025
Tent
Belated review, but this place is such a find. I needed a spot not too far from San Francisco along my drive from LA to Seattle, and most campgrounds were already booked. I snagged a site here, and I'm so glad I did. The campground is small and privately owned, and each site was spacious. Check the map to see the ones with the best views. The port-a-potties are pretty generously dispersed, so you don't have a long trek to a bathroom in the dark. The views are the best part. If you're going for that classic camping feel, like those scenes from old family movie nights, this is it. Quiet, no crowds, and plenty of nature. Bugs are often a part of the camping deal, but I didn't notice any when I visited mid-October. The hosts are, arguably, just as lovely as the views. They've clearly put their heart and soul into this place. They offer trail rides which are well worth the cost, and the horses are all very well cared for. 10/10, will definitely go back again.
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Tim
October 2025
Tent
The views were awesome.The camp hosts were awesome. We went early in the weekday, had the whole place.For ourselves.
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Jason
September 2025
Tent
Great views, access to hiking and lovely hosts! Fire pits and firewood available to enjoy. Great stargazing!!
Clean porto-potty's on site.
The Marina is a very short drive (or simple downhill walk) for boat rentals. We enjoyed a few hours on a patio boat, some swimming and sight seeing on the lake. Best to reserved your preferred boat in advance for the best selection.
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shannon
September 2025
Tent
We loved tent camping by the lake. The area was really lovely, 40 min to the Russian river, we enjoyed playing in lake Sonoma on the book ends of our trip. Would love to come back and hang with some horses, or enjoy a lake rental. Host was very accommodating and helpful.
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Brandon
August 2025
Tent
Awesome place to camp! Would definitely go back, lake was beautiful.
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Lucy
August 2025
Tent
Group trip
We loved camping here! There is great access to the lake (~1 min drive) with boat rentals, beautiful sunsets, and even though we couldn't use the fire pits, Nikki provided propane fire pits for rent. There is also great access to great vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley! Our campsite (21) was large, and we managed to fit three cars and had plenty of space.
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Justin
August 2025
Tent
Group trip
Great view. Friendliest hosts. Worth every penny.
The winds was too intense for a campfire so the hosts offered an alternative for us. A propane fire pit. Trip saved!
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Annette
August 2025
19 ft travel trailer
Pros: Beautiful views, quiet and nice trails.
Cons: Sites not level and a lot of flys.
Overall nice spot and I would stay here again.
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Naomi
August 2025
Tent
The location is great - 1 minute away from the Lake Sonoma marina where you can take a dip. There's also a nice hiking trail right out of the campgrounds. There's not a ton of privacy or shade at site 23 but I couldn't hear any road noise which is good. For tent sleepers just FYI there is a slight slope to this site. David and Nikki were so friendly and accommodating. I unfortunately ended up not staying the night due to some extremely high winds but hope I can come back for the full experience sometime.
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Erika
August 2025
Tent
With pets
We stayed at Site 1. It was a beautiful view and gave us a good amount of privacy with a large camp space. It was also relatively quiet and we even got to see a wedding happen! There were a few things that would benefit this space and experience: 1) The ground was very hard at this particular site and it was difficult to put our metal stakes in for our Springbar tent with several of the stakes bending. Next time I would bring different stakes. 2) There was one porta potty being shared across three or four camps sites with ours being the furthest away. It would've been great to have one at/or closer to the site. 3) With the winds kicking up, we felt uncomfortable having a fire as there's brush and twigs in very close proximity to the fire ring. The host assured us it was fine, but we were overly cautious as we use open fire cooking often and used our own judgement.
Ultimately, I would come back here again and book the same site. The host was very accommodating and even directly brought us our firewood and grate. We felt very safe and we loved being so close to the lake!
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Kevin
August 2025
Tent
Great spot - site was fairly private - great views. It’s a very healthy walk to the lake downhill - I drove it and there was easy parking (day use fee). Nicky and Dave were great hosts!
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Ilay
July 2025
Tent
Top recommendation to a have portable shower of some sort , pack shower water as of no running water. Lake was beautiful and was nice and quiet with a knowledgeable host that was also helpful. Had a amazing time star gazing and having had great communication with host.
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