Clam Beach County Park, near Trinidad, California, is a cozy campground that offers a laid-back atmosphere right by the ocean. With sites for both tents and RVs, it’s a straightforward place to set up camp and enjoy the beautiful beach just a short walk away.

The campground features picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for evening gatherings and roasting marshmallows. Visitors have enjoyed the nearby beach, often spotting sand dollars and taking in stunning sunsets. One camper shared, “We watched the gorgeous sunset and made sand castles,” highlighting the fun to be had right at your doorstep.

While the facilities are basic, with pit toilets and no hookups, many appreciate the simplicity and the chance to disconnect. Some reviews mention the proximity to the highway and an airport, which can bring some noise, but the trade-off is easy access to the beach and the chance to explore the surrounding area. If you’re looking for a no-frills camping experience with a focus on nature and relaxation, Clam Beach County Park is worth considering.

Beach access
Parking at North Lot, South Lot, and along Clam Beach Drive
Beach access mat located at the North Lot allows individuals with disabilities to travel from the parking lot to the high tide line of the beach
Access to Hammond Trail at South Parking Lot
Restrooms
Campground (13 sites, 2 ADA Accessible sites, first-come/first-serve, three-night maximum, no showers)
$30 camping fee
No day-use fee
Accessible beach wheelchairs: available by reservation.
Popular for beachcombing, clamming, horseback riding, wildlife viewing
Adjacent to Little River State Beach (managed by California State Parks)

Clam Beach County Park

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, McKinleyville, CA has a lot to offer. McKinleyville is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near McKinleyville, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

McKinleyville

The Best Camping Near McKinleyville, California

you jusy kinda pick a spot there are some designated  but its was pretty full when we  arrived there. bathrooms  

comfy

In this area one thing is certain, you can always be certain that rain is just around the bend.   With coastal air pushing inland each night fog rolls in each day and with it comes the rain.  

We visited late in the year, around October and each day was overcast but one during the two weeks we were in the area.   We visited the campground and other locations and found that despite the chill of the water, the views were spectacular.   

The campsites we were near were just over the bluffs from the actual waterline providing a bit of shelter from the winds.   each site was bordered by logs to not only separate them but also provide a bit of relief in the case of water flowing inland.

Campsites included small tables and parking.  It Is IndIcated there Is no on beach campIng allowed.

SItes are first come fIrst serve and reasonably prIced at $25 a nIght.  

There is a restroom facIlIty however when we vIsIted It wasn’t in the best of shape.  It needed to be servIced.  

TIps:

*Weekends get busy during warmer months so arrIve early.  There are only 15 sItes avaIlable.

*BrIng your own toIlet paper- When we visIted there were no supplIes whatsoever.

* Pack a raIncoat and lIght jacket.  The coastal weather In unpredictable and temperatures vary throughout the day.


Opt for camping but prepare for rain

Camp on the edge of the earth. The beach is usually foggy and the sand dark. It has a sort of Edgar Allen Poe Raven feel to it but you can burn fires on the beach. The scenery is amazing with beach and farmland scenes on your way in. Definitely worth a stop if you want an alternative to the state parks.

Best beach sites

We've camped here at least 4 times now. It's small but there's only ever been a couple other campers while we were there. There's no showers. But you are on the beach. So your tent will be all moist especially in winter. It's beautiful and if you keep heading north there's trails and stuff to do all the way up!! 

Chill camping spot. 

convenient beach camping. the health hazards of clam beach and moonstone beach due to contaminated streams is a bummer. the beach is often cold, windy and foggy but its pretty nice when the sun is shining. 

its ok

There are 9 sandy campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. There are two permanent vault toilets and a one clean portable are available. There is running water. Large pull through parking spots are convenient for campers/RVs. 

Campsites are divided by logs and offer no privacy from each other. There is beach access from the campground. The beach is large with sand dunes, marsh, beach grass, and drift wood. Wooded hills and shrubs surround the campground. 

3 stars due to proximity to freeway, you can see and hear vehicles; as well as lack of privacy. Also near a local airport, the campground directly under takeoff path. 

Located near many great attractions and not far outside of town. 25 dollars a night makes this a cheap alternative to the Private and State Parks in the area that are often booked up. 

Please leave the campsites cleaner than you found them. 

Happy camping! 

Sand Beds

There is no place closer than Clam Beach to pitch a tent and watch the sunset from the ocean. We loved the ability to camp right on the beach with a beautiful wooden path walkway from camp we were more than pleased with this stop on our adventure.

Camping on the edge.

I was not going to review this location for a second time following my fun stay here the first time, however I found that when I visited this time things were a bit different and warranted an update.

  

On my first trip I enjoyed the beachside camping while visiting and because of the late season experienced rains and dense fog throughout much of my stay, however amazing ocean views, sea foam rolling in and great ocean life.    It was a great way to enjoy the location even during some of the crazy weather.

  

Visiting this trip I was there during a similar time of year and expected to experience similar conditions as I would walk down to my site and carry in my goods, only the parking lot was half blocked off and the spaces available were not as pristine as they had been on my previous visit.  

  

Instead it looked as through they were working on the area and working to improve pull ins for larger units to possibly offer some form of RV parking which previously didn't exist.  It also looked as though they were attempting to make the location a bit more accessible with large pads and concrete ramps being poured near some of the campsites.

  

It was a bit discouraging to say the least as the access was limited a the camp and the views were obstructed by the ugly appearance of yellow tape and tall fences.  

  

Additionally the toilets which previously had been available, all be it they weren't that great, were not functional at all and instead port a potty units had been brought in for what I hope is only a temporary fix.   These toilets seemed to need some maintenance and were very discouraging to use.  

  

My hopes for this campground are that they will be able to return it to the enjoyable setting I had experienced the first time I visited sooner rather than later.    If they are indeed expanding it I feel like it would be worth it because it was a very unique location and along this stretch of road there are not a lot of locations which boast similar views at the price point of $25 for regular single vehicles or $10 for those biking or hiking in.

  

**TIPS:**

*   If you are not wanting to stay in construction have a back up plan for this location in mind.     While this is a maintained facility maintained by the County I found it very hard to reach someone in regard to the status of the park when I tried to call.
*   If you need supplies you have only a short drive to Arcata or Eureka where you can find just about everything you might need.
*   Pack for a day at the beach, but also rain possibilities.   Make sure you are bringing your rain fly and additional tent anchors if you are a tent camper.

Currently Under Construction

This is a site, very small, right off the highway (noisy) but right on the beach (sunset).  I have stayed here before - driving through - but this time things are in flux.  They are redoing the sites - some are open - some roped off.  So there were folks in sites and folks camping in the parking lot.  Seemed like no one was in charge.

But the roped off sites show they have upped their game.  There are site improvements with new tables, fire pits and better delineation of sites. New parking lot.

The sites are right next to each other with no privacy.  That coupled with the location near the road, you will not be hanging in your site.  But you are directly on a large expansive beach.

Things Are in Flux...

Spent the day here and it was awesome. It was pretty gloomy but it added to the scene. It’s a little Erie, it was amazing. 

Beautiful views

Great spot in the area. Cleanish bathroom that I’m told are cleaned regularly. 

Great spot

We just needed a place to set up camp for a night and while this place is right off the Highway, it is simple, quiet, and right on the beach. We watched the gorgeous sunset, and made sand castles. When we first pulled up we weren’t impressed, but by the time we left, we realized it was very nice. All sights have fire rings, picnic tables, and enough space for our two tents. I would stay here again. 

Simple but nice

A short trail to the actual beach. Open, close campsites. Vault toilets - not stinky. City water behind brown building at corner of parking lot. Airport close by - last flight midnight, first flight 4:30 AM. Highway noise. Some fireworks after dark from the Day Use side. 

Noisy

Stayed with 20ft A frame camper. Walked to beach and found lots of sand dollars 

Close to great beach

Looked like a bunch of strange people. Host site looked like a shanty town. My husband said it reeked of urine coming from the bathrooms 

Left

Quite, out of the way parking lot, swampy area before you get to the beach.

Hard to find

Small campground for rvs and tents. 2 handicapped spots. Pit toilets, no hookups. 2minutes from highway. Nearby airport with a few passenger flights during our 18hr stay. Great beach walking.

Easy access from 101

pretty basic good after a long night of driving 


pretty good 

We stopped here intending to stay the night on our way north but just couldn’t justify spending $30 for a literal parking spot (for RVs). I’m not even sure if there would have been room for our slides without going over into the next spot, and if we’d wanted the awning out there definitely wouldn’t have been room. There were no other RVs there and so I’m sure it would have been fine, but still. 

  

The tent spots weren’t as bad, they were off the parking lot in a sandy area. You’re right off the highway too, so there’s a lot of noise. I could see this place being fine for an overnight spot, maybe for $10 or something, but to market it as a campground is just crazy. 

  

There are pit toilets here and trash bins, host across the street. We thought about staying here just for the dog friendly beach access but the trail to the beach was narrow, overgrown, muddy, and overall unpleasant. About 10 miles north there is a lovely rest stop where you can stay for 8 hours for free if you just need a place to sleep (and there’s a free dump station there too!) We didn’t stay. Don’t recommend.

Photos of Clam Beach County Park

Real photos from real campers