Where There's a Willow, There's a Way

First come, first served camping at Willow Creek on the Sonoma Coast

woman looking at Russian River willow camp

Finding a last-minute campground in the Bay Area can be like finding a parking spot in San Francisco—possible, but painful. Which makes it all the more special when you snag a sweet spot! Set in a narrow grassy meadow among the rolling spring-green hills of the Sonoma Coast, Willow Creek Environmental Campground has 11 walk-in campsites that are first-come, first-served. And the setting ain’t too shabby: it’s the only state park campground on the Russian River! The campground is primitive, meaning you’ve got to bring in your own water, but there are toilets (though no showers), and sites have picnic tables, fire rings, and storage lockers.

willow camp on Russian River

woman walking willow camp Sonoma Coast

russian river willow camp

A major highlight here is the spacing between sites, set far enough apart for a good measure of privacy. The farther you walk in, the more seclusion you’ll enjoy, with sites 9 and 11 totally shrouded in privacy—and bonus views of the river, plus small footpaths leading to the shoreline (just watch for poison oak!). Site 8 is also tucked off by itself, and has a trail down to the river. Aside from breezes blowing through the valley and causing trees to creak, Willow Creek is pretty peaceful wherever you decide to pitch your tent.

TIP: Access to the Russian River’s shoreline can be found from a trail leaving directly from the parking area, or campsites 8, 9, or 11.

BONUS HIKE: If you don’t get a site (or even if you do!), opt for a nearby hike!

Willow Creek Environmental Campground is part of Sonoma Coast State Park and is first come, first served. There is no running water and all campsites are walk-in and tent-only. To reach it from Hwy. 1 going northbound: just before crossing the Russian River, make a right onto Willow Creek Rd. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Serene Las Gallinas

    A serene stroll alongside marshland, passing ponds and grasses frilled in seasonal wildflowers, with Mount Tam a beacon in the background … how nice. As part of the esteemed Bay Trail, San Rafael’s Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop and Wildlife Ponds comprises about 3.5 miles of wide-open trail.

    View
  2. Paint Brushy

    This time of year you’ll have good reason to head for the hills—the electric-green rolling hills of Brushy Peak Regional Preserve in Livermore. This 4.5-mile loop hike is like stepping into a plein air painting.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    2025 POST Wildflower Walks

    Get flower empowered! POST’s complimentary 2025 Wildflower Walks guide blooms with the best places to see a variety of florals across the Peninsula and South Bay this spring.

    View
  4. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

    View
  2. Hiker walking along the North Bluff Trail on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

    Purely Wild

    Channel Islands National Park lives up to its nickname as “North America’s Galapagos.” This less-traveled national park is an undeveloped and isolated series of five dramatic and distinct islands reached by boat. Hike the largest of the islands, Santa Cruz.

    View
  3. Woman hiking the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon

    Truly Grand Day Hike

    One of the best spring day hikes in the Grand Canyon? See layer upon layer of the park’s grandeur—including the river—on this 3-mile (one-way) journey to Skeleton Point via the South Kaibab Trail.

    View
  4. A woman stands amid an array of yellow and purple flowers at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles

    Petal Paradise

    Tulips, lilacs, and daffodils—flower power is in full bloom at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Sprawling across 150 acres surrounded by mountains, the gardens are putting on their best show right now.

    View