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Map showing campground location near Manchester, California
Camper submitted image from Manchester State Park CampgroundView 23 Photos
CampingMap showing campground location near Manchester, California

Manchester State Park Campground

8 ReviewsAdd Review

Fishing enthusiasts and hikers will find Manchester State Park Campground positioned on open terrain above the Mendocino Coast, with ocean sounds carrying across the grounds from waves below. The campground operates year-round with 46 drive-in sites spread across two loops, offering first-come, first-served availability that sets it apart from reservation-heavy coastal parks.

Most sites sit in open grassland with limited tree cover, though the northern loop provides some wind protection from scattered cypress trees. Kyle H. notes the grounds feature "mostly open sites, all were fairly secluded" with "big spaces, clean area and ocean sounds abound." Site spacing allows for privacy despite the exposed setting, and vault toilets remain clean with adequate supplies.

A mile-long trail connects the campground to Manchester Beach, though campers can also drive to a day-use parking area near the dunes. The surrounding area includes working cattle pastures and views toward Point Arena Lighthouse. Firewood requires a trip to the nearby Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA, as on-site sales vary with staffing.

Payment operates on an honor system using cash envelopes at the entrance. The combination of walk-up availability and coastal access makes this a practical option for spontaneous coast trips, particularly for those comfortable with basic amenities and open-sky camping.

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Location

Public Campground

Manchester State Park Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

The park surrounds the town of Manchester; the beach entrance is ½ mile north of town on Highway One.

Address

44500 Kinney Lane
Manchester, CA 95459

Coordinates

38.98100042 N
123.69900067 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 28 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 6 users
    Last on 4/3/26

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 28 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 6 users
    Last on 4/3/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

63%
25%
13%
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0%

4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the clean, spacious sites and excellent last-minute availability for coastal camping. Guests commonly noted the peaceful ocean sounds and family-friendly atmosphere, though facilities are basic with vault toilets only.

K
Reviewed Jun. 21, 2024

Clean and spacious

Went up the coast in June knowing it would be hard to find a spot. Just as I thought our chances were running thin we stumbled across this place. Mostly open sites, all were fairly secluded. Big spaces, clean area and ocean sounds abound. Kids loved it to ride their bikes around and I stressed less knowing there were few, if any, cars passing by. Site 6 had lots of Cypress trees for the kids to climb, too. We will be back!

Site6
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Manchester State Park Campground by Kyle H., June 21, 2024
  • Review photo of Manchester State Park Campground by Kyle H., June 21, 2024
Tamika I.
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2022

Nice & Secluded

This was nice for our family. This was our kids first camping trip and it was indeed a low stress environment. Bathrooms were not usable in my opinion but I have a bathroom tent with potty so it didn’t bother us. Upon arrival you are responsible for having cash to place in a envelope with your vehicle info and it’s to be left in a box at the entrance. If your burning a wood fire stop prior at the KOA to get it as well as your cash if needed. Don’t expect to camp on the beach as the pictures will fool you as it did us! You will need a vehicle or bikes to get you to the beach. We went August 30th prior to Labor Day and the weather was ok, no stars expect cooling temps in the AM.

Site37
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Manchester State Park Campground by Tamika I., August 31, 2022
  • Review photo of Manchester State Park Campground by Tamika I., August 31, 2022
  • Review photo of Manchester State Park Campground by Tamika I., August 31, 2022
  • (4) View All
K
Reviewed Jun. 22, 2022

Excellent underrated campground

Plenty of sites to pick from on a Tuesday in June, about 5% occupancy. I would recommend the sites in the high 30's as they are more secluded.

Site40
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Manchester State Park Campground by Kenneth L., June 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Manchester State Park Campground by Kenneth L., June 22, 2022
Alex M.
Reviewed Jun. 9, 2022

Hidden gem

This is a rustic but charming campground in a beautiful location. I visited on a weeknight in June and almost all of the campsites were vacant. The grounds were impeccably clean and freshly mown, and the camp host, Bob, was very friendly and helpful.

All bathrooms are vault toilets, and there are no sinks available. Water spigots are located throughout the campground, though, and the bathrooms were clean and almost odorless.

Incidentally, the larger bathrooms also have unbelievable acoustics. A better venue for singing the Halo theme would be difficult to find.

Site36
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Manchester State Park Campground by Alex M., June 9, 2022
  • Review photo of Manchester State Park Campground by Alex M., June 9, 2022
  • Review photo of Manchester State Park Campground by Alex M., June 9, 2022
  • (4) View All
E
Reviewed Sep. 1, 2021

Quiet, great views, lovely people.

Manchester is a delightful spot to stay for the night or the whole week. The campground is clean, has a nice layout, and has very friendly hosts. Some spots are more exposed to the wind so if you have a tent or tent trailer you may want to check in with the host to find a spot that is more sheltered. There is a nice mile long trail that leads down to the beach. If you would rather drive and park there is a nice lot right by the dunes and the day use fee is included with your camping pass. There are some great beaches north of the campground as well. We recommend jughandle for a nice secluded beach without the large crowds. There is a KOA campground just up the road with a small store that has some essentials. If you are looking for a nice quiet place to post up and chill this is it. The roads leading to Manchester are a bit winding so make sure to prepare for that!

Site3
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Manchester State Park Campground by Erik M., September 1, 2021
Cindi B.
Reviewed May. 16, 2018

Best beautiful getaway

It is so wonderful. The campground is just above the driftwood beach offering walks in solitude with the breaking waves in the background.

Month of VisitApril
A
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2016

Stars!

Second time I've been here. Five years ago, I thought it was pretty bare-bones but just what I wanted: first-come, first-serve tent spot within 3 hours of San Francisco and within a walk of the ocean. No city lights to speak of = incredible stargazing. Oceanside = fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves. Did I mention first-come, first-serve? Nearly all the other campgrounds on the CA coast require a reservation 6 months in advance for weekends, with weekday availability not much better. This small campground had a number of empty spots available at 8pm on a Saturday.

This year, it was nearly the same story. Park funding cut back, so no host = no firewood (KOA up the road sells bundles for $8). And it's only open on weekends until further notice. The vault toilets had plenty of TP, and the sites were well maintained so clearly someone is looking after the place. In fact, the overgrown grass and coastal scrub that previously lent some extra privacy to sites was cut down, a bit of a bummer. Go for the spots on the northern loop. The trees there offer some wind protection and the views over the valley toward Alder Creek are worthwhile. I wanted to set up my hammock, but tree-less sites closer to the road render that a non-option. For site variety, spaciousness, privacy, and amenities, I'd say Manchester is more like 2-2.5 stars. But last-minute availability bumps it up to 3.

There is still a pasture full of cows across the street and the Pt. Arena lighthouse just beyond to greet you in the morning, and the ocean still crashes within earshot. Salt Point and Gualala campgrounds are warmer and woodsier. Mackerricher and Russian Gulch offer much more to do. But in a pinch, Manchester will continue to be my impromptu coastal road trip stopover.

  • Review photo of Manchester State Park Campground by Adam , August 1, 2016
Showing results 1-8 of 8 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Manchester State Beach from the campground?

Manchester State Beach is accessible by foot from the campground via a walking path. The beach is located just below the campground, featuring beautiful driftwood-covered shores. To reach it, you'll need to take a longer walk past a power plant that sits between the campground and the ocean. The walk allows you to experience breaking waves and potential solitude. The beach offers a peaceful setting with the soothing sounds of waves that can be heard from the campground, especially at night.

How far is Manchester State Park from San Francisco?

Manchester State Park is approximately 3 hours driving distance from San Francisco. This makes it an accessible weekend getaway option for Bay Area residents looking for coastal camping without extensive travel time. The relatively short distance allows visitors to escape city lights for exceptional stargazing opportunities while still being within reasonable driving range. The route takes you up the scenic California coast, with the campground providing a peaceful retreat from urban life.

Is there a campground map available for Manchester State Park?

Yes, campground maps for Manchester State Park are typically available from the camp host upon arrival. The campground has a straightforward layout with numbered sites (including sites in the high 30s that offer more seclusion). For planning purposes, it's advisable to check the official California State Parks website for Manchester State Park where maps may be downloadable. The campground features a mix of exposed and sheltered sites, so a map can help you select the best location based on your camping setup and weather conditions.

What amenities are available at Manchester State Park Campground?

Manchester State Park Campground offers basic, rustic amenities in a beautiful natural setting. The campground features clean, well-maintained campsites with varying levels of privacy (sites in the high 30s tend to be more secluded). Facilities include vault toilets throughout the grounds, but no showers or hookups. There are no electrical connections or running water at individual sites. The campground is well-kept with freshly mown grounds and friendly camp hosts who can assist visitors. Each site provides plenty of space, making it suitable for families with children who want to ride bikes around the grounds.

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