Best Campgrounds near Branscomb, CA

Camping opportunities near Branscomb, California include a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed options along the scenic Mendocino coast. Westport Beach RV Park and Campground offers full hookup sites for RVs, tent camping areas, and cabin rentals with immediate beach access. Other options include Mendocino Magic, which features tent sites, glamping accommodations, and cabin rentals on a forested property with reservoir access. Usal Beach Campground provides more primitive camping experiences for those seeking a more natural setting along the coastline.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with some campgrounds accessible via paved roads while others require navigating unpaved forest roads. Most campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though winter storms can affect accessibility, particularly at more remote locations like Usal Beach. Facilities range from full-service RV parks with hookups, showers, and camp stores to primitive sites with vault toilets. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many locations, especially in more remote areas. As one camper noted, "The waves are loud, the cell service sucks and the Wi-Fi is very spotty…which makes it a perfect spot to get away!"

Coastal views represent a primary draw for campers in this region. Westport Beach RV Park receives consistently positive reviews for its oceanfront setting and direct beach access, with campers highlighting the private beach with opportunities to observe wildlife. Several visitors mentioned seeing seals and other marine life directly from their campsites. Inland options like Mendocino Magic offer different experiences centered around a reservoir for swimming and boating, though some reviews indicate variability in maintenance and amenities. The area provides a mix of social and solitary camping experiences—busy RV parks with organized activities contrast with more isolated tent sites at places like Usal Beach Campground where primitive facilities and natural settings appeal to those seeking quiet. Campgrounds closer to Fort Bragg offer more amenities and supplies, while those further north provide increased solitude.

Best Camping Sites Near Branscomb, California (123)

    1. Mackerricher State Park Campground

    1463 Reviews
    Fort Bragg, CA
    14 miles

    $45 - $260 / night

    "There are many sites next to the ocean."

    "PROS Campground is adjacent to the beach. You can hear the ocean and sometimes catch peeks of the ocean from the campground.

    → Campsites have bear lockers."

    2. Westport Union Landing State Beach — Westport-Union Landing State Beach

    23 Reviews
    Westport, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 937-5804

    "The sites are very close to each other and the camp is very busy In The summer. There is a trail down to a wonderful beach for tide pooling and sunrise/sunset walks."

    "This is by far one of the best places to camp on the California coast! The camp spots are right on the water and it is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset! Gets chilly @ night so be prepared!"

    3. Westport Beach RV Park and Campground

    16 Reviews
    Westport, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 964-2964

    $55 - $155 / night

    "We were lucky to get a site right next to the beach for our class B RV. This is a beautiful site along Highway 1. PS if this site is full, there is a dry camp about a mile north on Highway one."

    "We stayed in our van in the tent area which was secluded, with a stream meandering through, and it was nearly deserted in April."

    4. Usal Beach Campsites — Sinkyone Wilderness State Park

    18 Reviews
    Leggett, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 677-3570

    "But make sure you only go during the week, because of the rowdiness, hell raising, dune driving doing donuts, drunken idiots that are there on the weekends."

    "Some nice hikes close by."

    5. Usal Beach Campground

    11 Reviews
    Leggett, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 247-3318

    "The road itself is rough and could be very unsettling for anyone trying to do this trip in a vehicle without good off-road clearance. The ruts can be big and cause bottoming out of street cars."

    "We chose the latter, and even with the number of other parties near us, we were still able to find a fairly secluded spot."

    6. Mendocino Magic

    3 Reviews
    Branscomb, CA
    6 miles
    Website

    $60 - $350 / night

    "No people around to spoil the serenity and beautiful forests. Pitched a tent and it was just us! Love this place! Went to town for provisions, the folks were very friendly. Great area!"

    7. Pomo RV Park & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Fort Bragg, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 964-3373

    $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."

    8. Redwood Campground — Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Leggett, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 925-6482

    $35 / night

    "Big redwoods surround each site. Flushing toilets, hot showers, water available. Next to the South Fork Eel River. Diner with walk up window and General store across the Highway."

    "This campground is an excellent stopping point along the 101 Highway and the South for of the Eel River."

    9. Hidden Pines RV Park & Campground

    10 Reviews
    Fort Bragg, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 961-5451

    $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."

    10. Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Caspar, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 964-3306

    $47 - $72 / night

    "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."

    "Our spot was nice and clean and next to the creek. Large enough for our three cars three tents and extra table and plenty of room to set up chairs around the fire for us."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 123 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Branscomb, CA

607 Reviews of 123 Branscomb Campgrounds


  • D
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Benbow State Recreation Area Campground

    Closed for the season

    Tried to stay here,only to find out it was closed either for the season or due to toxic bloom. Also, beware the road is somewhat washed out for quite a distance at the top of the hill ,and we have a small 21’ trailer and we barely made it across it was so narrow and it was quite steep. Again only to find out the park was closed!

  • M
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Usal Beach Campsites — Sinkyone Wilderness State Park

    Nice spot on the Lost Coast

    Nice camping on the Lost Coast! I came out here to get away from the crowds but it seems the people have heard about this out of the way spot. It was still pretty quiet with a few folks playing there music kinda loud. The beach was amazing and don't miss out on the Candelabra Trees!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Usal Beach Campground

    Usal Beach

    Pretty remote but great if that’s what you’re looking for. 30 minute drive up rocky dirt road in forest to get down there. Not many rules. Don’t get stuck in sand. Pick up trash please lots of firework junk and stuff

  • Ross F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Richardson Grove State Park Campground

    Clean

    Pros: Clean campsites spaced apart reasonably with picnic tables and fire pits. Clean bathrooms. Beautiful redwoods.

    Cons: no dogs allowed on the walking trails. $35 for a tent site is a lot but I’m coming to realize that’s pretty much what it costs in California. Firewood is $10.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Kyen Campground

    A convenient and good campground

    I liked this tree shaded campground. Some Lakeside campsites for RVs and tents with many other campsites, stretching up a gentle hill. Potable water is available. Bathrooms were clean but showers not so much but plenty of hot water and does not require quarters. Campground can be very crowded prior to Labor Day, especially weekends. When I was there on 9/10/25 there were very few campers. Register on recreation.gov. Use your federal discount pass to get half price on the $35 or $65 electrical sites.

  • Nathan P.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Richardson Grove State Park Campground

    Redwood Camping at its Finest!

    The Madrone Campground in Richardson Grove State Park does not disappoint. Nestled in the redwoods along Hwy 101, this campground had everything I could want with lots of beautiful surroundings to explore. It's the perfect getaway and easy to access. Park staff are friendly, and helpful.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Oak Flat Campground

    Beautiful and peaceful *on weekdays*

    Quiet and peaceful, watch elk, birds, lizards, toads/frogs on weekdays. All but the hardiest of wildlife and people should avoid the weekends. We finally learned our lesson after every Friday and/or Saturday over the years has been disrupted by people yelling and/or blasting music, running dogs off leash, and then (last trip) racing dirt bikes through the campground until 1 am.


Guide to Branscomb

Camping sites near Branscomb, California offer diverse experiences across forest and coastal environments within the rugged terrain of Mendocino County. Situated at elevations ranging from sea level to 1,000 feet, the area experiences moderate coastal temperatures year-round with summer highs rarely exceeding 75°F. Road access varies significantly with several campgrounds requiring travel on unpaved roads that become challenging during winter rains.

What to do

Beach exploration: Westport Beach RV Park and Campground offers a private beach where campers can collect driftwood and watch marine wildlife. As one visitor noted, "Beautiful Beach campground. Space are decent size. The beach private so it's just you and the other campers" (Steven T.).

Whale watching: Roadside viewpoints near Westport Union Landing State Beach provide excellent marine wildlife spotting from late December through April. "We saw a few people surfing right out in front. Wish is was a little cheaper we would have spent more time here" (Daniel S.).

Explore tide pools: The northern Mendocino coast features accessible tide pools during low tide. "We were lucky to get a site right next to the beach for our class B RV. This is a beautiful site along Highway 1" (Stephen R.).

Forest hiking: Lost Coast trails near Usal Beach Campground offer hiking through old-growth forests. "The secluded beach, elk roaming free and the enchanted forest always were a major incentive to go" (Robyn D.).

What campers like

Natural seclusion: Many camping areas around Branscomb feature natural barriers between sites. At Pomo RV Park & Campground, "Sites are a bit tight together but have adequate privacy utilizing trees and shrubs" (Hayley K.).

Reservoir swimming: Inland camping options provide water recreation away from the ocean. At Mendocino Magic, campers enjoy "Hiking, canoeing, swimming! Friendly staff with magnificent host!" (Frederick S.).

Coastal sounds: Falling asleep to ocean waves ranks high for coastal campers. "Great spot for my first solo trip in my 23' motorhome. Cell service only on the beach and no working Wi-Fi which worked for me cuz I needed a break" (Brenda M.).

Fresh seafood access: Proximity to fishing harbors means access to fresh catches. At Mackerricher State Park Campground, "Another plus is how close it is to 'downtown'. Lots of fresh seafood places so it was nice to go out for a hot meal and good food" (Melissa W.).

What you should know

Road challenges: Access to several remote campgrounds requires careful planning. For Usal Beach Campground, "The road was a bit rougher than expected (took us roughly 45 min from the paved road to camp). People made it down in mini vans but I personally wouldn't try it" (Connor M.).

Seasonal crowds: Weekend traffic at free and dispersed sites can affect the experience. "At least in Dec, very muddy. Would not advise without 4x4 and some experience" (Seth M.).

Shower costs: Many campgrounds charge for showers. At Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area, "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" (Mea H.).

Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by location and provider. "The waves are loud, cell service only on the beach and no working Wi-Fi which worked for me cuz I needed a break" (Brenda M.).

Tips for camping with families

Reserve early for coastal sites: During summer, oceanside campgrounds fill months ahead. At Mackerricher State Park Campground, "I've been visiting this campground since I was young, and every year discover something new! In some sites, you can even watch the sun set" (Chani K.).

Bring blackout tents: Coastal fog often burns off by mid-morning, making campgrounds suddenly bright. "The campground is adjacent to the beach. You can hear the ocean and sometimes catch peeks of the ocean from the campground" (Mea H.).

Pack for temperature swings: Daily temperature fluctuations of 30°F are common, especially at inland sites. "This state park was so much fun, very dog friendly! Campgrounds were nice and well kept, and just a short walk to the beach!" (Jessica N.).

Prioritize sites with bear lockers: Many coastal campgrounds provide food storage boxes. "Campsites have bear lockers. Campground is pretty in the glow of sunlight. There's a trail to the beach and Laguna Point isn't far" (Mea H.).

Tips from RVers

Limited dump stations: Plan tank usage carefully as dump stations are scarce. "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" (Mea H.).

Site dimensions matter: Many coastal RV parks have tight spaces that limit slide-out usage. At Hidden Pines RV Park & Campground, "We checked out some other campgrounds in the area, but they were pretty crowded and cramped" (David B.).

Upper loops preferred: When booking, request higher elevation sites for better views and drainage. "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" (Theo A.).

Wind protection: Position RVs with door side away from prevailing ocean winds. "This campground is protected by a buffer of coastal trees. It's not nearly as windy at the campground as it is on the beach" (Mea H.).

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Branscomb, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Branscomb, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 123 campgrounds and RV parks near Branscomb, CA and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Branscomb, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Branscomb, CA is Mackerricher State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 1463 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Branscomb, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Branscomb, CA.

What parks are near Branscomb, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Branscomb, CA that allow camping, notably King Range National Conservation Area and Mendocino Lake.