Nimby2020

We stayed here 2 nights/3 days in July 2020. I paid the senior rate of $33. Of the two campgrounds at Salt Point, to me, the Gerstle Campground by far the better choice if you want to hike to and not have to drive to the ocean bluffs. Not all sites have trees for shade, but those at the north end of the loop are shadiest. Fewer sites and closely situated to walk through the forest to the ocean bluffs. There is some traffic noise from Highyway 1, but traffic dies down after dark. It is just 1.5 miles to hike to Stump Beach. It's a lovely quiet campground! We had spotty ATT cell service near the Visitor Center which is a 15 minute walk from the campground.

Some reviewers are saying area is fenced off and inaccessible…. Not true. The official RV overnight parking area is on east side of restaurant building and next to hotel. Area is signed. Safe spot to stay and enjoy a fabulous dinner at one of the several restaurants.

We enjoyed our stay at site 87, in the Jetty campsite area, midweek in January. It's an easy drive from Highway 101. Our perfectly level site backs to Bodega Harbor with front row seats to kick back and watch the commercial fishing boats coming back in with their hauls of fish and crab and watch fabulous sunsets! A one minute walk from the campground is the miles long beach along Bodega Bay. A great spot to stay for a single night in transit or to settle in for several days. We had perfect reception to zoom in to meetings via the free wifi. After sunset, the campground was quiet during January. The bathrooms in the campground were adequately clean, but the day use area restrooms could use more frequent cleaning. It can be very windy here, so don't count on a campfire if winds are forecast. We are regular campers at Bodega Dunes (a State Park across the harbor from Doran Campground); Doran Campground is a very different but equally enjoyable experience and we will return.

This first-come first-serve campground is no frills and in my opinion a superior choice over the private cramped RV campground that we passed 3 miles south. Self registration payment is by cash or check only. No credit cards. $35 a night, or $33 for seniors age 62+.There are 5 distinct loops/areas to camp, each with separate access from Hwy 1. The most southerly loop at Abalone Point was closed for the season as of Oct 2 on our visit. Campfires are allowed here, but if it's a clear night, skip the fire and stargaze. The most northerly loop is smaller (sites 87-100) is most desirable in my opinion as size-wise they are set up for smaller campervans like us and none us had a need to use a generator. On an October Saturday at 6 PM there were still available sites. There are water spigots and a couple of bathrooms (that we did not use). Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. No privacy between sites but the tradeoff is a gorgeous unobstructed ocean view from your campsite. There is a small sandy cove with a creek that is accessible via n easy hike from the campground. There is traffic on adjacent Hyy 1, that dissipates in the evening and we did not hear it over the pounding surf.

The state park ranger came by a couple of times each day to check that campers were registered - this fellow clearly loves his job and provided us tips on where to hike down to the sandy cove.

On your way to or from, treat yourself to oceanfront wine tasting at Pacific Star winery about ten miles south.

We stayed 3 nights in July. Sites are a bit closer to each other than I was expecting, but in the A loop there seems to be more privacy between sites. A nice and quiet vibe. Attentive hosts and staff. Clean and free showers. Wonderful evening ranger programs. Strenuous and rewarding 3/4 mile hike through the dunes to a vacant beach or a 6 mile r/t bike ride to the lighthouse. Great seafood in town. It’s a winner! As a non-Oregon resident I paid more for an RV site but it was worth it.

We stayed here in late August 2020. Our campsite #21 was very spacious with room for our campervan and a tent. No leveling required. The sites do not have much privacy but the sites are generously sized and the campground as a whole is awesome. Under the new Covid protocol, the pools are by online reservation only, $10 for a 1 1/2 hour session which is plenty long and with a max of 25 persons per session. The pools are amazing and a short half mile walk from the campground. There is a great 3 mile round-trip hike from the campground to a waterfall that has a nice swimming hole. We had some noisy campers next to us but otherwise had a splendid stay.

What a sweet discovery. Spacious lakefront or water view sites. Bald eagles nested across the lake and diving for fish in the lake. Quiet and small, just 19 sites, all waterfront or with water views, most with dappled shade. Swimming, fishing, non-motorized boats. A disc golf course. A 1.25 mile hiking path around the lake. And Frank’s Diner, whose namesake owner is an affable iron skillet chef.

My site A 15 had a gravel RV pad that required no leveling, was waterfront, had plenty of sun for to recharge my rooftop solar, and had lots of afternoon shade. And a spot perfect for lakeshore fishing. I would return to this spot again.

Let’s talk about the road. There are two ways to get there. If you have an RV, the website states clearly to not take Mosquito Road, though that’s what Google will insist you do. Take Hwy 193 to Rock Creek Road, following the directions you get with your reservation. Even though an “easier” route, Rock Creek Road is narrow and winding with lots of sharp turns as it follows the canyon above the south fork of the American River. There are no guardrails between the road and the steep canyon below. We encountered two big and wide gravel trucks on our way in, fast driving locals, and campers towing RV trailers who veered on our “side” of the unmarked road. Just take it slow. Toot your horn approaching the hairpin turns. Avoid the morning and evening commute time. Even in my 21 foot campervan, the road was challenging and an E ticket ride for my passenger, but the awesome campground made the drive worth it.

This is a great spot that is a about a 20 minute hike through the dunes to a beautiful beach, or a short walk the other direction brings you to the bay. Campsites are very open and not very private, but they are fairly large and most seem to have at least dappled shade. Camspite 45, where we camped, had a spot to park our campervan though we did need to level it a bit, and no campsites behind or on one side. And a good spot from which to hike over the dunes. Plenty of shade and room for tents. Friendly and helpful staff. We've camped at many California State Parks this summer, and this one was the quietest. No noisy or rowdy groups. Raccoons stand by ready to dig in your trash so don't leave any food out. Take the time to walk on the trail to the Children's Bell Tower, a memorial of a local 7-year old murdered in Italy several years ago. The one ding I have, is that this campground has a lot of trash... mostly small bits all over, c'mon folks, leave your campsite cleaner than you found it. I only had enough service for texting via ATT.

This is a great spot that is a about a 20 minute hike through the dunes to a beautiful beach, or a short walk the other direction brings you to the bay. Campsites are very open and not very private, but they are fairly large and most seem to have at least dappled shade. Campsite 45, where we camped, had a spot to park our campervan though we did need to level it a bit, and no campsites behind or on one side. And a good spot from which to hike over the dunes. Plenty of shade and room for tents. Friendly and helpful staff. We've camped at many California State Parks this summer, and this one was the quietest. No noisy or rowdy groups. Raccoons stand by ready to dig in your trash so don't leave any food out. Take the time to walk on the trail to the Children's Bell Tower, a memorial of a local 7-year old murdered in Italy several years ago. The one ding I have, is that this campground has a lot of trash compared to other state parks... mostly small bits all over, c'mon folks, leave your campsite cleaner than you found it. I only had enough service for texting via ATT.

I'm a frequent camper at this lovely state park and have previously posted a review. Adding a new review to simply alert RV-ers that the Dump Station is closed as of 4-30-2021 and has been closed or many months. Per the on-site ranger, there is not a reopening date.