Fort Ross State Historic Park RV & Campground Guide
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Located near Bodega Bay, CA, Fort Ross State Historic Park offers visitors a glimpse into life at this Russian-American Company location in the early 1800s. Visitors to this park, which is also located near Guerneville and Stewart’s Point, CA, can learn how Russian scientists worked on recording cultural life in the area. Visitors can also learn about how these settlers who were of different cultural backgrounds worked together to grow food to feed Alaskans. Whenever you're at the park, you'll enjoy relatively mild temps year-round:
Spring 47-57 F
Summer 51–62 F
Fall 51-62 F
Winter 45–56 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Fort Ross State Historic Park
With moderate temperatures year-round and lots to see in the park and surrounding areas, Fort Ross is a terrific place to go RVing. If you do not own an RV, then you can easily find one to rent on RVshare.com.
Bodega Bay RV Park
If you are looking for a quiet place to unwind, then Bodega Bay RV Park may be for you. Play ball on the bocce court, practice your golf game on the putting green, leave the cooking to them by dining in the restaurant, and watch DVDs from the library at bedtime at this campground where rates start at $45 per night.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Laundry, putting green, store, restaurant
Doran Campground
There are four campgrounds at Doran Regional Park, with all being located very near Bodega Harbor. This park, where camping rates start at $35 per night, contains hiking trails and a boat dock.
• Water hookup: No
• Electrical hookup: No
• Sewer hookup: No
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Hiking trails, boat dock
Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park
This combination campground and marina offers waterfront camping spots starting at $50 a night for campers. You can enjoy views of the harbor and use their boat-launch facility.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Boat dock, two restaurants
Westside Regional Park
This campground offers waterfront camping spots starting at $35 per night. The park features fishing piers, the only handicapped-accessible kayak launching facility in Sonoma County, and birding opportunities.
• Water hookup: No
• Electrical hookup: No
• Sewer hookup: No
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Hiking trails, boat dock
What to Do at
Fort Ross State Historic Park
Inside Fort Ross State Historic Park
Located behind stockade walls, this park offers one of the few opportunities to see a home constructed by Russian settlers when they occupied this area. Alexander Rotchev, who was the last manager of Fort Ross, lived in the home that visitors can see. Visitors can also see a reconstructed Russian Orthodox chapel, the home of the community’s first administrator, barracks, a fur warehouse, two corner blockhouses, and a Russian windmill. The Russian occupants left the park in 1848, and the land was used from then until 1972 as a ranch. Visitors can also see a ranch home and several farming implements. While no food is served at the park, visitors can enjoy a picnic at the tables in the orchard.
Outside Fort Ross State Historic Park
There are many things to do around this park in Sonoma County, California. The park’s location makes it convenient to take a scenic drive, visit wineries, and see wildlife. Visitors can also play on the water, eat great food, and go shopping.
Restaurants
Terrapin Creek Café Restaurant
Since 2008, Liya Lin and Andrew Truong have been delighting guests with locally grown seasonal produce and farm-grown meat at this American-style restaurant.
Type: American
Location: 1580 Eastshore Rd., Bodega Bay, California 94923
Spud Point Crab Company
Since 2004, Tony and Carol Anello have been welcoming guests to their American-style restaurant, which they created to resemble Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.
Type: American
Location: 1910 Westshore Rd, Bodega Bay, CA
Ginochio’s Kitchen
Owners Patty, Paul, and Alicia Ginochio serve Italian food prepared from traditional recipes. They also serve barbecue.
Type: Italian
Location: 1410 Bay Flat Road in Bodega Bay
Gourmet Au Bay
Since 1995, hungry diners have been dining on seafood and wood-fired creations at this restaurant with a deck overlooking the water.
Type: Seafood
Location: 1412 Bay Flat Rd. in Bodega Bay
Fishetarian Fish Market
This restaurant inside a fish market owned by Shane and Dana Lucas serves seafood that is often caught locally and prepared using recipes taught to Shane by his grandmother, who operated a restaurant next door to the current location for more than 20 years.
Type: Seafood
Location: 599 CA-1 in Bodega Bay
Shopping
Bodega Bay Surf Shack
Get a new surfboard or accessories at this shop that also provides surfing lessons.
Location: 1400 CA-1 in Bodega Bay
Second Wind
For more than 15 years, people have been finding unique toys and kites, along with sweet treats at this shop.
Location: 1805 N CA-1 in Bodega Bay
Candy & Kites
Since 1983, shoppers have been finding kites, garden décor, and more at this gift store that also sells sweet treats.
Location: 1415 Hwy. 1 in Bodega Bay
High Tide Books, Gifts and Games
Find books ranging from comic books to the New York Times bestsellers at this bookstore that also sells gifts and games.
Location: 2001 CA-1 in Bodega Bay
Eclectic Amanda
Find beach décor, vintage items, and more at this gift shop where the owner is a certified antique and numismatic appraiser.
Location: 1580 Eastshore Rd in Bodega Bay
Sightseeing
Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail
This walking path located just north of Dorian Park loops around two freshwater ponds where you can often see a variety of birds. The trail can be accessed at 355 CA-1 in Bodega Bay.
Location: Bodega Bay
Children’s Bell Memorial
This 18-foot–tall memorial containing more than 140 bells can often be heard when the wind blows. The memorial is in Bodega Bay at 2255 CA-1.
Location: Bodega Bay
Sonoma Coast State Park
This state park located approximately 4 miles north of Jenner, California, offers several beaches and large boulders. The address is 7095 CA-1 in Bodega Bay.
Location: Bodega Bay
Mammoth Rocks
Believed to be used by extinct Ice Age megafauna for grooming, these rubbing rocks located on Sonoma Coast State Beach are often climbed. Get access to them at 7095 CA-1 in Bodega Bay.
Location: Bodega Bay
Bodega Head Ride
This 4-mile bike path ends at Bodega Head State Park. The one-way path can be accessed from 1580 Eastshore Rd. Suite J in Bodega Bay.
Location: Bodega Bay
How to Get to
Fort Ross State Historic Park
To get to Fort Ross State Historic Park from Bodega Bay, take CA-1 North about 4 miles until you reach Fort Ross Road. Turn left on Fort Ross Road. The park will be on your left.
By Car
Entering Fort Ross State Historic Park
The park is open from sunrise to sunset. The fort complex, however, is only open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fort Ross State Historic Park Per vehicle : $8.0
Step back in history with a visit to Fort Ross State Historic Park. This park contains a house built when Russian residents lived in the area during the early 1800s. It also features reconstructed buildings from the same time. In addition, the park contains farm relics dating back to when Ross Ranch was located here. Since the weather can change very quickly at this state park near the coast, it is best to dress in layers. If you plan to visit Fort Ross, be sure to tag RVshare on social media. We would also love to have you share your memories and photos with us at [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Ross State Historic Park
The best time to visit Fort Ross State Historic Park is in late July when the Fort Ross Festival happens. You can hear live entertainment, enjoy a beer, garden, and watch historical militia demonstrations.
You will find a temperate climate at Fort Ross State Historic Park throughout the year. The coldest month is usually January, with an average daytime high of 53, while the warmest is July, with an average daytime high of 84 degrees.
When visiting Fort Ross State Historic Park, you may see harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and California sea lions as you walk along the bluffs. This park is also home to the endangered Behren's silverspot butterfly.
Reef Campground at Fort Ross State Historic Park has 21 primitive campsites. This campground is scheduled to reopen after a significant culvert issue closed it. There are no hookups, but potable water is available.
Pets on a leash are allowed at Fort Ross State Historic Park, except in buildings, on the trails, or at the beach. If you want to take your pet for a walk, ensure you stay on a service road.