Free Camping near Sonoma/Napa or surrounding area

[Cleric40]

Hi All,

I am trying to plan a 1 night camping trip with a friend (and anyone on here who would like to join) up towards the sonoma/napa area. I've heard its beautiful around this time of year so I would like to get up there, hit some twisties and good roads during the day and then camp the night somewhere near by.

I'm looking for a free camping spot anywhere in that area, (or NorCal for that matter) not cause i don't want to pay but because free camp spots are usually not as crowded and more enjoyable.

I ride a Ninja 650 so very light dirt to a camp area would be acceptable.

Please let me know if anyone has any ideas or if you would like to join. Looking to do a saturday morning departure from Sunnyvale area and camp one night up there.

Thanks in advance!

[lhendrik]

I can tell you that I camped in a state park that was nice and cheap in 1992 just North or Healdsberg, Napa area. Enjoy.

[meatwitheyes]

http://freecampsites.net/usa/
California state parks are nice but cheap they are not!

[lvscrvs]

if you're stealthy you can probably find a spot in western sonoma county off one of the rural roads.... mostly private property everywhere though... you might want to check out mendo natl forest


http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mendocino/home

[meatwitheyes]

One more thing..... If you head north from Clear Lake or the towns of Nice and Lucerne that will take you up into the mountains and National Forest or BLM land where you can camp anyplace you like. Plus there are a number of small Forest Service campground up in that area. They are free or pretty cheap.
That's all......

[Blacknblue]

www.blackbutteriverranch.com is at the end of some of the best twisties on 162 through Covelo.

$10.00 for tent sites and coin operated showers next to the river.

[Trayvessio]

When I was in NorCal last spring, I camped at Cache Creek Park off of Highway 16, which is an awesome motorcycling road. There was a free campsite that I checked out but it seemed sort of sketchy - tinted cars idling in the parking lot and whatnot. I thought about stealth camping it, and then decided to move down to the pay site, which was lovely. Highway 16 was awesome on the bike, as was 253 from Ukiah towards the coast. Looking at the map, this looks a bit further north than you want to head, but if you ride either of these roads, you won't be disappointed.

[bilborides]

All state park tent camping now is $35.00 per night.There is a free campground below Albion because it is in legal limbo,but has individuals living there that i wouldn't leave my bike and stuff unattended.You can stealth camp but be careful,Poison oak is everywhere on the coast.I use to like to go to the coast and camp but because of the state fees i don't go anymore unless for a day ride.