If you’ve spent a summer day floating the Russian River or roasting marshmallows under the redwoods near Duncans Mills, chances are you’ve heard of Casini Ranch.

Now the longtime Sonoma County campground has picked up a national nod.

Casini Ranch Family Campground was named one of the “Top Unique Campgrounds” in the 2026 Campspot Awards, a North America–wide ranking that highlights standout places to pitch a tent, park an RV or settle into a cabin for the weekend.

For a place that has been welcoming campers since 1965, the recognition feels like a natural fit.

Casini Ranch sits on more than 100 acres along a mile-long stretch of the Russian River just outside the tiny town of Duncans Mills. For generations of Sonoma County families — and plenty of Bay Area visitors — it has served as a classic river camping experience: shady campsites, slow-moving water and plenty of ways to keep kids busy.

The river is the main attraction.

Campers can kayak, paddle or float along the calm water that borders the property. Others try their luck fishing, while families spread out on the riverbank for a long afternoon of swimming and sun.

But Casini Ranch has always been more than just a place to park a tent.

The campground offers RV hookups, tent sites and rental cabins, plus a steady lineup of recreation options. Think paddle boats, sports courts, playgrounds and organized activities that turn a simple camping trip into a full weekend getaway.

That combination — part classic campground, part family resort — helped land the property in the Campspot spotlight.

Campspot, a campground reservation platform used by parks across North America, created the awards to recognize top-performing campgrounds based on millions of data points. The rankings factor in guest ratings, booking data and campground amenities.

The “Top Unique Campgrounds” category highlights destinations that offer something a little different from the typical campsite.

Casini Ranch’s setting certainly helps.

The campground sits in the heart of the Russian River corridor, one of Sonoma County’s most popular summer recreation areas. Visitors can paddle the river in the morning, explore the quirky shops of Duncans Mills in the afternoon and reach the Sonoma Coast in about 20 minutes.

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, with its towering old-growth trees, is also a short drive away.

In other words, it’s an ideal base camp for exploring one of Northern California’s most scenic corners.

Camping itself has surged in popularity in recent years, especially after the pandemic pushed travelers toward outdoor getaways. Across California, state park campgrounds now routinely book months in advance during peak season.

Private campgrounds like Casini Ranch have filled the gap, offering easier reservations along with extra amenities that appeal to families and first-time campers.

That shift has helped put places like the Russian River back on the radar for a new generation of travelers.

For locals, though, Casini Ranch’s appeal has never really faded.

It remains one of those Sonoma County spots where summer traditions repeat themselves year after year: kids splashing in the river, bikes cruising through shady campground roads and evenings spent around a crackling fire.

Now, with a national award to its name, the campground has a little extra bragging rights.

Not that longtime campers probably needed the reminder. For plenty of Sonoma County families, Casini Ranch has been a favorite river escape for decades — award or not.