A fellow I know sat in a local eatery when a couple of his table
mates started describing in rapturous fashion the Sierra Nevada
camping trip upon which they were about to embark.
The listener, an immigrant from Zimbabwe and an engineering
degree from Cal Poly, nearly snorted into his beer.
“Camping,” he said shaking his head. “My wife is always talking
about camping. What’s with these Americans and camping? I grew up
camping. My family lived in huts and we ate around a cook fire. Why
do you think I came to America? Not to go camping.”
Be that as it may, recreational camping has long been a
traditional American thing, one of the touchstones of our innate
cultural connection with the natural beauty and power of the
continent.
Although modern camping with its flood of vehicles, gear,
gadgets, and even loud boors, might at first appear to present a
barrier to touching the earth in some thoughtful way, just the fact
of trying to live outdoors for a brief time follows in the
footsteps of those who came before.
Both the First Peoples and all the rest of the non-Native
immigrants who have filled up much of the continent since their
uninvited arrival.
Even those who have traditionally lived close to the earth here
for countless generations, and in many cases still do in their
modern lives, like to go camping.
A number of Yurok, for example, many of whom have modern homes
on tribal land, often maintain remote summer camps in the mountains
bordering their reservation on the Klamath.
A recent article in The Science and Health section in the July
5th issue of the New York Times by staff writer Anahad O’Connor,
meanwhile, describes the growth of “forest bathing” or
“Shinrinyoku” in Japan.
“Forest bathing,” officially encouraged by the country’s
forestry officials, basically consists of walking through the woods
in order to benefit from the volatile wood oils, such as a-pinene
and limonene, given off by the surrounding trees.
This, after a Japanese scientist discovered the natural
chemicals help boost the immune system.
Immune system or not, being out in nature is a good way for many
urban people to access an alternate, and for most people,
stress-relieving universe.
And one good way to do that, even in a giant RV, is to go
camping.
HOW TO CAMP
In Sonoma County most of the public camping areas feature a lot
of natural beauty, even though they lack the freedom of choice
found in real wilderness camping, like that found in the public
forests of the Sierra Nevada, for example.
Even though much of the camping here is vehicular, there are
walk in campsites where a tent can be pitched on the ground. There
look for friendly terrain to pitch a tent. Avoid areas with holes,
large rocks, and other things to trip over.
Trees can shelter you from the wind, provide shade and serve as
laundry line poles. On the other hand, they also harbor insects,
bugs and ticks.
Just like in regular life, however, one takes the good with the
bad, or is it you can’t win for losing.
For both RV and traditional tent camping, it’s always good to
make a checklist, both for beverages, vittles and gear, including
clothing, sleeping bags, hiking boots, tools and toys like fishing
rods, flashlights, binocs and fire stuff for grilling or just
sitting around chewing the fat and having a few, to quote the
Bard.
If you’re thinking about pets, and a lot of people bring them,
think about it.
Not all campgrounds accept them and if you do find one, there
are things to think about, like is your dog friendly? Does he bark
all night?
Animals that are well behaved are a boon to any camp. In
addition, many outdoor dogs like those used in bird hunting or as
hiking companions, will follow commands, stay close and will come
when asked.
Personally, to me, taking a cat real camping, like in the woods,
is like offering a snack to the wild critters. If you can keep cats
in an RV or camper, fine, but even in relatively tame Sonoma County
there are coyotes, and even mountain lions, lurking out there
somewhere, waiting for a tabby treat.
In addition, cats like to hunt on their own and just might stalk
their way over to the next county before you realize little kitty
has just up and vanished.
WHERE TO CAMP
(Remember to check state parks for potential closures.)
SONOMA COUNTY REGIONAL PARKS
Reservations (707) 565-CAMP (2267) or Reserve Online.
Campsites: $22 per night, ($19 per night for Sonoma County
residents)
Extra vehicles: $6 per vehicle per night.
Dogs: $2 per night per dog. (max. 4 dogs per campsite).
Day Use: $6 per vehicle for day use year round. Special rates
apply to buses or trucks carrying more than 9 people.
Firewood (when available): $7 per bundle.
No hook-ups
Coin operated showers
8 person maximum
Restrooms: disabled access, coin operated showers
Dogs are permitted so long as they are physically controlled on
a leash no longer than 6 feet, at all times. Proof of rabies
vaccination is required.
Dump stations are free for campers.
Doran County Regional Park
(707) 875-3540.
201 Doran Beach Rd, Bodega Bay. Off Hwy 1 in Bodega Bay.
128 RV/Tent sites. 10 tent only sites. 20 sites are First Come
First Served sites. One group tent site. Boat ramp, fish cleaning
station, boat rinsing station, shore fishing and family picnic
areas.
Westside County Park
(707) 875-3540.
2400 Westshore Road Bodega Bay CA 94923. At Bodega Head in
Bodega Bay, on East Shore Road off Hwy 1, right on Bay Flat
Road.
47 RV/Tent sites, 1 of which is the host (non reservable), 7
sites are First Come First Served. Boat ramp, fish cleaning
station and boat rinsing station.
Stillwater Cove County Park
(707) 847-3245
Twenty-four miles north of Bodega Bay on Highway 1.
22 RV/Tent sites, 3 sites are First Come First Served.
Gualala Point Regional Park
(707) 785-2377
Forty-eight miles north of Bodega Bay on Highway 1.
20 RV/Tent sites, 6 are walk to tent-only sites, 3 sites are
First Come First Served.
SONOMA COAST STATE BEACH CAMPGROUNDS
No hookups in any Sonoma Coast Campgrounds.
(707) 875-3483 $3–$6 day use fee. For reservations – call
Reserve America at 1-800-444-7275 or reserve online at www.parks.ca.gov
Bodega Dunes State Beach
A half-mile north of Bodega Bay on Hwy 1. Ninety-eight
campsites, no hookups $20 per night, hike/bike camp $3–$5 per
person. Showers, dump station. Restroom facilities, disabled
access.
Wrights Beach State Beach
A little over a half mile north of Bodega Bay on Hwy 1.
Has 30 beach campsites, no showers, no hookups $20 per
night.
Willow Creek Environmental Campground
Lies nine miles north of Bodega Bay on Hwy 1 (south of Russian
River Bridge), a half-mile east on Willow Creek Rd. Has 11 walk-in
sites, $15 per night. Chemical toilets. Pack in water and firewood,
self-registration. Closed in bad weather or fire. No dogs. Open
April through November.
Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground
Nine miles north of Bodega Bay on Hwy 1, and two miles east on
Willow Creek Road. 20 sites, $15 per night. Chemical toilets. Pack
in water and firewood. Closed in bad weather or fire. No dogs. This
campground is not on the reservations system.
Armstrong Redwoods/Austin Creek State Recreation
Area
(707) 869-2015, Reservations (800) 444-7275 – 10 mi. N of Bodega
Bay, 13 miles east on Hwy 116 to downtown Guerneville to Armstrong
Woods Road. 24 sites – $15 per night, water – No showers, $15 per
night backpack sites. First come, first served. Trailers & RV’s
limited to 20 ft in length. Disabled access to restroom facilities
and some campsites.
Fort Ross Reef Campground
Twenty miles north of Bodega Bay on Highway 1- (707) 847-3286,
20 sites, $20 per night, $6 day use fee. Coastal access. Chemical
toilets, water. First come, first served. Open April through
November.
Salt Point State Park
(707) 847-3221 – 27 miles north of Bodega Bay on Highway 1.
Reservations call DESTINET (800) 444-7275. Coastal access – Day use
$6 – $15 Walk-in.
Woodside Campground
Has 109 campsites, no hookups, no showers, $25 per night, $15
per night for 20 walk-in sites, $6 day use fee, $5 per person
hiker/biker, $6 extra vehicle, Dogs $1.
Gerstle Cove Campground
Seventy-nine Campsites, $25 per night. 31’ max. trailer. No
showers, No dump station, $6 day use fee, dogs $1. Group sites
available.
LAKE SONOMA
3333 Skaggs Springs Road Geyserville. (707) 433-9483
Drive-In Camping
Liberty Glen Campground has 97 campsites for RV’s and tent
campers; however, no electrical or water hook-ups are available.
Campsite amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern
holders and firewood is available for sale during summer months.
Kids will enjoy the campfire programs and other special events
frequently done on summer weekends.
Trail users have easy access to the Lake’s trail system.
Universally accessible campsites are available for the disabled.
Sorry, at this time no water is available at Liberty Glen. In
addition, our dump station, showers and restrooms are closed.
Chemical vault toilets are available for your convenience. Campers
should check in at the entrance station to Liberty Glen.
Primitive Boat-In or Hike-In Camping
Lake Sonoma has 109 primitive campsites and two group-use
campsites that are accessible by boat and/or trail only (no car
access). These sites have a fire ring, picnic table and lantern
holder. Restroom facilities are chemical vaults.
Potable water is not available. Campers must pack in their own
water or have a high quality water-filtering device to use lake
water for their needs. All campers, with or without reservations,
MUST check in at the visitor center.
Those arriving after the visitor center closes should submit a
self-deposit envelope according to the instructions outside the
visitor center.
Caution should be exercised around campgrounds and on trails,
as much of Lake Sonoma’s terrain is steep.
PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS
Ocean Cove Campground
Privately owned, 25 miles north of Bodega Bay – (707) 847-3422,
first come, first serve. $17 per vehicle/night, $7 Day use fee, $2
for dogs. Coin-op showers, water stations, fires in pits, portable
toilets. Boat ramp, firewood available $6 per bundle. 120 RV &
tent sites available April thru December. Register at the
store.
Bodega Bay RV Park
Privately owned. Information (707) 875-3701. Reservations (800)
201-6864. 2001 Highway 1, in Bodega Bay. Full hookups, showers,
laundry, pull-thru, Dump station; Hook up $41, Dry $28.
Port O Bodega RV Park
Privately owned (707) 875-2354. Reservations recommended. $23-48
Full Hook-ups, $25 Dry, Showers, Bait shop, restaurant – nearby,
Marina. From Hwy 1 take Eastshore Rd to stop sign cross street,
once in trailer park turn right to the office.
Casini Ranch Family Campground
This family ranch and campground has 110 acres along the Russian
River and is aimed at families. 22855 Moscow Road
PO Box 22
Duncans
Mills, CA 95430. Reservations: 1 (800) 451-8400
or E-mail: re**********@ca*********.com.
For information call: 1 (800) 451-8400
or E-mail: in**@ca*********.com.
