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Magical Forbes Island Large Groups!

Hosted by Forbes · Knightsen, California
5 sites · RV, Tent, Lodging · 1 acre
100%
·
4 reviews
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Private pitches
100% of recent Hipcampers say pitches are private.
Book our floating Forbes Island for your OffBeat, Off-Grid Experience! This private, historic event venue accommodates 2 to 125 people with a few special on-board bedrooms, and plenty of camping at adjoining Willow Grove Ranch. *This property appeals to the adventurous - guests must pay attention to transportation instructions and prepare to be off-grid during their stay.* *DISCLAIMER* Forbes Island is a ferry and boat-accessible destination! To drive, you must catch the Car Ferry in Oakley to transport you to the Island. A Midday Car-Ferry Boat or Pre-Booked Passenger Boat is Required! - Please Call Before Booking - *This property has unique logistics. Please send a message to call and iron out all your details, before booking!* --- The Forbes Island off-grid event venue and campground are at Bradford Island in the Sacramento River Delta. The floating barge is moored next to our private ranch, utilized for tent and RV camping for larger groups. We limit rentals to single groups for ultimate privacy in a natural setting. You and your guests enjoy the remote Sacramento River Delta wetlands while being only a short drive from the Bay Area. Guests have direct access to water sports and private docks. *Note: Forbes Island requires passage via the Bradford Island car ferry (see schedule below), a personal watercraft, or a captained passenger ferry boat that must be booked in advance. Boat dock space is included. History: Forbes Thor Kiddoo came to San Francisco in 1959 after a stint in the Coast Guard. A carpenter and engineer, he developed a business constructing houseboats in Sausalito. Then, inspired by Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo and the movie version of “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea”, Forbes Kiddoo built himself an underwater home, complete with portholes for watching the fish swim past, a diving hatch and a grand bedroom suite fit for a captain of his private world. In the ’90s, Forbes added a 40-foot lighthouse and a white picket fence. Today, a small group of committed friends has preserved and kept Forbes Island afloat for community events, opening it for all to experience and enjoy. Your rental helps us to maintain this totally unique, fabulous find into the future. FAQ Are day campers included in the total guest count, or does it only apply to overnight guests? All campers, whether they are staying overnight or not, must be included in the reservation. Can additional guests be added after the initial booking? Yes, you can modify your trip to add more guests through the Hipcamp app, but you cannot exceed the maximum capacity. --- Forbes Island is a historic architectural folly built on a floating barge, with indoor spaces above and below its deck. The venue is adjacent to private land available to add-on to your booking, for camping and RV parking. Guests may sleep in any of the following places on the property: 1. Top Deck: Open-Air Camping 2. Top Deck Tiki Room: Indoor room, no furnishings 3. Below Deck Bedroom 1: Full Bed with attached bathroom 4. Below Deck Bedroom 2: Queen Bed 5. Below Deck "Living Room" and Bar: Indoor room, no furnishings 6. Adjacent field available for tent and RV camping. *Note: the barge has two functional bathrooms with toilet and sink that uses non-potable water, no showers onboard. Provided Aboard: Refrigerator Grill on Deck Electrical Power Starlink Wifi BYO: Drinking Water Provisions Musical Instruments Sunscreen --- BRADFORD ISLAND FERRY: https://bradfordisland.com/wp-... Round-Trip (car) Ferry Ticket $15.50: Purchase ferry tickets at this Oakley Valero Station https://goo.gl/maps/FHpr8VUvj8... Ferry Schedule: MONDAY – FRIDAY RUNS: 9 am to 5 pm (RUNS ON THE HOUR EXCEPT AT 12 NOON) SATURDAY RUNS: 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am & 12 NOON SUNDAY RUNS: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm Be sure to be there at least 5 minutes early because Delta Time has its own way of doing things! *NOTE: if you miss the last ferry of the day, you are staying for another night!
from
$350
/ night
5 sites

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RV/tent sites

2 sites
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  • Picture of the site

#2: Weekend Overflow (125 people)

Booked 1 time
RV/tent site · Sleeps 125 · Vehicles under 50 ft
This campsite is available when Forbes Island is booked up to 125 guests. Tents and RVs can set up in the adjacent field. This site is only available as an add-on, when also booking the Forbes Island floating campsite.
No campfires
No toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
from
$950
/ night
for NaN guests
  • Picture of the site
  • Picture of the site

#5 Weekday Overflow Camping (field)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 125 · Vehicles under 50 ft
Booking option for Sun, Mon, Tues, Weds, or Thursday nights! This campsite is available when Forbes Island is booked up to 125 guests. Tents and RVs can set up in the adjacent field. This site is only available as an add-on, when also booking the Forbes Island floating campsite.
No campfires
No toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
from
$350
/ night
for NaN guests

Lodging

3 sites
  • Picture of the site
  • Picture of the site

#1: Weekend Overnight (25 people)

100%
(5)
Quirky · Sleeps 25
The floating "houseboat" Forbes Island is a 700-ton concrete barge with indoor rooms and open-air decks. Guests typically use the venue in one of two different ways: 1) Guests "slumber party" on Forbes Island with self-provided air mattresses on the floor or tents pitched on its wooden decks. This option is best for up to 25 people. 2) Guests may utilize Forbes Island as the "event venue" or gathering space and use the adjacent peat-moss field for tents, vans, and RVs. The adjoining field is available for an additional cost (booked as another campsite).
No campfires
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table
from
$1450
/ night
for NaN guests
  • Picture of the site
  • Picture of the site

#4 Weekday Overnight (10 Guests)

100%
(1)
Quirky · Sleeps 25
Option for Sun, Mon, Tues, Weds, or Thurs nights! The floating "houseboat" Forbes Island is a 700-ton concrete barge with indoor rooms and open-air decks. Guests typically use the venue in one of two different ways: 1) Guests "slumber party" on Forbes Island with self-provided air mattresses on the floor or tents pitched on its wooden decks. This option is best for up to 25 people. 2) Guests may utilize Forbes Island as the "event venue" or gathering space and use the adjacent peat-moss field for tents, vans, and RVs. The adjoining field is available for an additional cost (booked as another campsite).
No campfires
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table
from
$675
/ night
for NaN guests

#3 Sunday Daytime-Only (25 people)

Booked 1 time
Quirky · Sleeps 25
NOT - AN - OVERNIGHT Daytime Use Only! The floating "houseboat" Forbes Island is a 700-ton concrete barge with indoor rooms and open-air decks. Book Forbes Island for your group's midday boating adventure, birthday, or Sunday brunch!
No campfires
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table
from
$450
/ night
for NaN guests
from
$350
/ night
5 sites

Reviews

100% Recommend6 ratings · 4 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
Group trip ·
#1: Weekend Overnight (25 people)
Very unique and special stay, we had a great time. Would recommend!
B
Bryn G.
4 reviews
Recommends
· June 2025
Amazing Private Venue on Water!
Group trip ·
#4 Weekday Overnight (10 Guests)
Looking for a unique spot to host an event? Look no further! From the historic lighthouse to tiki bar to literal pirates (!) onboard, your guests will love the friendly hospitality and beautiful sparsely populated island
A
Audrey C.
2 reviews
Recommends
· May 2024
A Truly Magical Place
Group trip ·
#1: Weekend Overnight (25 people)
WHAT and INCREDIBLE 40th birthday weekend. This place is beyond expectations. It is a magical wonderland, and immediately when you walk in you are transported. We swam, partied, danced, karaoked, cooked, camped, boated, and had amazing dinners with my 30 friends on the deck. I will definitely be booking more events here and will encourage all of my friends to do the same. Heidi who owns the land that it is on is amazing and Brandon who was there all weekend, helping us out was also incredible. Can't recommend enough. It was a true adventure. There really is no place like it.
B
Brittany B.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2023
Group trip ·
#1: Weekend Overnight (25 people)
Forbes Island is such a special place. A floating lighthouse I was able to turn into a theater. Very very happy this place exists. Go visit (:
N
Nikki B.
2 years on Hipcamp

Location

Knightsen, Contra Costa, California, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Forbes I.

Joined in April 2022
Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 9 hours

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        1. United States
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