The coastal redwoods and shoreline cliffs of Mendocino draw campers looking for both forest and ocean experiences. Hendy Woods State Park Campground sits in Anderson Valley with good trails and the Navarro River nearby, giving campers a quiet forest spot that's still close enough to towns for supplies. Salt Point State Park lets you camp near rough coastal areas where you can hike and check out tide pools when the ocean pulls back. Watch for wildlife throughout the area and keep food stored properly so animals don't come visiting your campsite. You should make reservations ahead of time, particularly in summer, since these campgrounds fill up fast. Most camping areas have bathrooms and drinking water, but what's available changes from place to place, so check before you go. Some spots have shower buildings too, which helps on longer trips. Mendocino weather stays mild enough for camping all year, though you'll often wake up to coastal fog and cooler temps than you might expect. Booking early helps secure spots, and coming during spring or fall means fewer people around you. The campgrounds here let you choose between redwood groves or oceanside spots depending on what you prefer. Plan carefully and follow good camping practices to keep these natural areas in good shape for future visitors. Following Leave No Trace principles helps protect Mendocino's natural beauty that makes camping here so worthwhile.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$45 - $260 / night
"This campground is only a couple miles north from fort Bragg and then just a bit further south is the cute coastal town of Mendocino."
"There are many sites next to the ocean."
$45 - $160 / night
"Campground can be foggy in summer months, but is very close to the beach where ocean kayaking is common. Only a few minutes away from Mendocino. Bathrooms have flush toilets and showers are available!"
"Simple campground just outside of Mendocino/Ft Bragg. Steps from a beautiful sandy beach."
$50 - $73 / night
"The convenience of being so close to town, yet feeling like you’re in the forest is hard to beat. There are showers & restrooms, although the showers operate on quarters."
"Even though you are so close to town this is off the beaten path and you can’t even get into this campground unless you have a reservation."
$47 - $72 / night
"Conveniently located between Ft. Bragg 6 miles to the north and Mendocino 3 miles south. Points of interest include Caspar Beach right here in the cove, Pt."
"The walk in sites are secluded and this park has all the amenities including free showers. Dog friendly. I hear it gets very busy in the summertime."
$45 - $140 / night
"We stayed one night here in early October, after exploring the Mendocino area on a campervan road trip. Campsite was quiet and secluded, lots of trees so was pretty quiet and private."
"This is a lovely, peaceful campsite with so many positives. Great hiking trails, a small protected beach, helpful camp host, and well-maintained showers and flush toilets."
$59 - $99 / night
"It's not much to look at when you drive up on highway 1 but behind that facade is a great Campground. There are different sections and the upper loop is definitely the best."
"The entrance to this campground is behind a store so it technically is hidden. What it lacks in privacy of sites it definitely makes up for in amenities."
"It is right off of the highway, yet it feels so secluded. The beach is beautiful and the campsites are roomy."
"We got there at around 2pm and there were only 2 other campers. By the end of the night most of the spots had filled up. The beach was very quiet with few other visitors."
$58 - $63 / night
"Located next to Pomo Bluffs Park and over looking the ocean and the Noyo River/Bay. Stayed 6 days in November paid $250. Full hook ups with cable."
"Nice place to camp with a lots of hiking trails, very well managed. The one that stand more, is the wonderful ocean view."
"Actual RV sites are not special but the campground sits underneath the wooden bridge and at the mouth of the river, so beautiful location. Fog horns at night make it quite mystical."
"The drive to Albion, Ca was beautiful. We arrived at the Campground and the nice fact was being able to reserve and choose our campsite."
"There was a small creek behind the campground which was nice. It was about a 30 minute drive to fort Bragg made for an easy day trip. The campground is maintained by cal fire $20 a night."
"Jackson State Demonstration forest is about 6 miles from fort Bragg on hwy.20 Campground is about 3 miles down a dirt road down into the forest from the highway. Beautiful, clean and peaceful."
ScoutVery bad experience. Place was a mess.
ScoutThe bathroom are filthy. Random cars coming in to use them. Muddy and toilet backed up. Would not use them
TravelerMy family goes to needle rock just about every year! All of my photos are from April of 2022 because I didn't have this app till now. It's a beautiful location and a really nice escape from "the grid". Definitely pack light enough to carry your stuff in because the best spots are away from the parking lot.
TravelerI was here 2/12/26 both Nadelos and Wailaki campgrounds are closed until 3/15/26 as the signs say - hiking trails are still open - very low lying campsites next to rivers and plenty more rain coming - probably flood issues / just a heads up -
LegendAfter finding the local state parks closed for a few days due to having no water, we headed out to take a chance on this dispersed site. It was simply a pull off as all the designated campgrounds in the area were closed for the season. The sign posted at the day use noted they close campgrounds in wet weather to save wear and tear on them since they are maintained by the forestry service. It does make sense as the road was quite muddy.
LegendNice small park. Clean facilities and friendly staff. The only complaint was the showers were expensive ($2-3 min).
RangerI’m rating the site four stars because of all the cons. That said, this was a lush campsite with comfortable amenities that turned out to be very family friendly.
PROS: • Beach is right across the street • Multiple bathrooms with outlets (I charged my EcoFlow battery in there) • Paid showers • Free WiFi • Gift/info shop on-site • Bear boxes, fire rings, and picnic table at seemingly every site • Lush foliage with walk/bike access to Fern Canyon • Family friendly with designated spots for both tents and large RVs. • Open field to run the dog
CONS: • Bathrooms weren’t confidence-inspiringly clean • The coolest sites with closer access to Fern Canyon were all closed for some reason • 1 vehicle per site reservation means $10/day for an additional car
GuideAlways a favorite. Easy access to the beach. Right on the Coast Trail which is great for a run. Showers were clean but not super warm and you need to buy tokens from the CG host
ScoutThe bunkhouse is nice. The WiFi connection is great, perfect for remote work. Bathroom is separate from your room, it’s possible but you must go outside. You leave the bunkhouse and the WiFi connect/cell service is dead
Camping in Mendocino spans diverse ecosystems where coastal bluffs meet inland redwood groves at elevations ranging from sea level to 300 feet. Morning fog frequently blankets the coastline until midday, creating temperature differentials of 10-15°F between beach and inland sites. Most Mendocino campgrounds require advanced booking 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends, though fall and winter offer more availability with temperatures rarely dropping below 40°F.
Tide pooling at low tide: MacKerricher State Park Campground offers excellent tide pool exploration opportunities. "Short walk to the beach. Beautiful camp sites. Trees are beautiful all around the sites," notes Jeanette C., who frequents the park to observe marine life. The park's Laguna Point area provides designated tide pool access points.
Kayaking river mouths: Navarro Beach Campground sits at the confluence of river and ocean. "The Navarro River flows into the Pacific here, and this is a great site to watch seals in the ocean and otters in the river," shares Norma Y. Campers can launch kayaks directly from the beach when conditions permit.
Pygmy forest hikes: Van Damme State Park Campground provides access to unique botanical areas. "The next morning the Ranger suggested we check out a nearby Pygmy Tree Forest as a point of interest it was pretty cool and definitely worth checking out," reports Jessica R. The stunted cypress and pine trees grow in nutrient-poor soil conditions.
Private campsites with natural dividers: Pomo RV Park & Campground features sites separated by vegetation. "Very private sites divided by hedges. Sites are fairly large and very well maintained," says Scott P. Another camper mentions that "each site has shrubbery around it. It feels like you are in a world by itself."
Off-season solitude: Russian Gulch State Park Campground offers a different experience in quieter months. "We stayed one night here in early October, after exploring the Mendocino area on a campervan road trip. Campsite was quiet and secluded, lots of trees so was pretty quiet and private," shares Carly E. Weekday visits during spring and fall often mean half-empty campgrounds.
Ocean sounds without exposure: Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground protects campers from harsh coastal elements while providing ocean proximity. "A forest of trees right across the street from the crashing surf. Lovely! It has a wonderful tent camping area back away from RVs in the Redwoods and many other trees," notes Rosemary A.
Token-operated showers: Many state parks charge for shower usage. At MacKerricher, "Showers require tokens. This seems pretty standard in California State Parks but it's successful at deterring us from showering every night. One token gives 4 minutes of showering. Each token is $1," reports Mea H.
First-come sites fill early: Navarro Beach operates without reservations. "This campground doesn't take reservations, it's on a first come basis but I like that about it," explains Allison. Sites typically fill by noon on summer weekends and holiday periods.
Property security concerns: Take standard precautions with valuables. "Our site and tent were burglarized while we were gone for part of a day. They stole all cooking equipment since it was closest to the car then they started on the tent," warns Nancy M. from Van Damme State Park.
Stream access for children: Hidden Pines RV Park & Campground provides water features for kids. "My spot (13) had a babbling stream next to it, and empty spots on all sides," notes Jessi P. These shallow water areas allow for safer water play than ocean beaches.
Driftwood exploration: Beach campsites offer natural building materials. "The beach has lots of character, tons of driftwood that people have moved around and made crude huts out of," explains Jack R. about Navarro Beach. These structures provide ready-made play areas for children.
Ranger programs: Several parks offer educational programming. Hannah S. mentions that at Pomo Campground, "they have a good supply of books/games that you can borrow from the main office," while others report evening amphitheater presentations on local wildlife.
Limited full hookup availability: Albion River Campground offers varied site types. "Most sites are water and electric, but there are some with full hookups," notes James N. Reservations for sewer hookups should be made 3-4 months in advance.
Dump station fees: Plan for additional charges at some parks. "The dump station has a mandatory fee of $10. You pay with a credit card. When payment is approved, the cap to the dump hole unlocks," explains Mea H. about MacKerricher State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Coastal terrain creates uneven parking surfaces. At Hidden Pines, one reviewer noted "The lot was so bad our auto leveling trailer couldn't level." Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended for most coastal campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp on Mendocino beaches, and do you need permits?
Direct beach camping is limited in Mendocino County, but there are designated beach-adjacent campgrounds. Navarro Beach Campground in Navarro River Redwoods State Park offers one of the few opportunities to camp near the beach, with drive-in and walk-in access. Gualala Point Regional Park is another option with campsites about a mile's hike from a beautiful beach with scenic views. Most beach camping requires permits obtained through reservation systems for specific campgrounds. Overnight camping directly on beaches outside designated areas is generally not permitted in Mendocino County due to conservation efforts and safety concerns.
Are there private camping options in Mendocino with more amenities?
Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA offers a full-service private camping experience with amenities beyond what state parks provide. This KOA is ideal for those seeking convenience and organized activities, making it perfect for RV's maiden voyages or families wanting extra comforts. Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort is another private option located just outside Willits on CA-20 to Fort Bragg. While showing some signs of wear from the pandemic, it remains in good condition and provides RV-specific amenities. Private campgrounds in the area typically offer electrical hookups, WiFi, shower facilities, and sometimes community areas with planned activities.
What camping facilities are available at Mendocino State Park?
While there isn't a specific "Mendocino State Park," the Mendocino area has several state parks with camping facilities. Van Damme State Park Campground offers inner meadow sites with ample space and wooded outer sites. The facilities include flush toilets, showers, and drinking water. The campground is steps from a sandy beach perfect for ocean kayaking and just minutes from downtown Mendocino. Mackerricher State Park Campground is another option located just north of Fort Bragg with beautiful coastal views and beach access, though some sites lack privacy and tree cover.
What are the best campgrounds in Mendocino for tent camping?
Mendocino offers excellent tent camping options in serene natural settings. Hendy Woods State Park Campground is a top choice, nestled under majestic redwoods with beautiful hiking trails. It's particularly pleasant in early fall and provides easy access to Anderson Valley's wineries. Russian Gulch State Park Campground is another excellent option with quiet, secluded sites surrounded by trees for privacy. The campground features clean bathrooms, convenient drinking water stations, and nearby hiking trails. Both parks offer an authentic Mendocino forest experience while still being close to coastal attractions and towns.
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