Northern Mendocino County camping options range from coastal sites with cool marine air to inland forest settings with warmer temperatures. The terrain varies from sea level beaches to redwood groves at 1,000+ feet elevation. Weather patterns shift dramatically based on distance from the Pacific Ocean, with coastal areas experiencing summer fog while inland sites remain sunny and up to 30 degrees warmer.
What to do
Beach exploration at Van Damme State Park: The park features a protected cove that's popular for ocean kayaking. Located minutes from Mendocino, the beach area provides a good launch point for water activities. "Only a few minutes away from Mendocino. Inner sites on a meadow have lots of space! Outer sites are in a more wooded landscape," writes Maureen C.
Hiking to waterfalls: Trails at Russian Gulch State Park Campground lead to scenic overlooks and a waterfall through lush forest terrain. The campground serves as an ideal starting point for these adventures. A camper explains, "Great Fern Canyon trail and waterfall trail back in the gorge. You can explore all the Mendociono Coast from here."
Tidepooling at low tide: MacKerricher State Park offers extensive tidepools where visitors can observe marine life during low tide periods. The black sand beach creates a distinctive coastal experience. "The beach is gorgeous and all black sand with some of the best tide pools! Every year we come here, and it never gets old," notes Chani K.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Pomo RV Park & Campground uses vegetation to create seclusion at each campsite. "Very private sites divided by hedges. Sites are fairly large and very well maintained," reports Scott P. The natural barriers allow for a more isolated camping experience despite the campground's popularity.
Coastal temperature advantage: Summer campers appreciate the significant temperature differences between coastal and inland sites. "It was still over 95 degrees inland, but a very comfortable 65 along the coast," shares Michael C. This makes coastal campgrounds particularly desirable during hot summer months.
Access to small towns: The proximity to Fort Bragg, Mendocino, and smaller communities provides campers with dining and shopping options. "The state park is an hour away from Highway 1, so you can easily get to the beach from there," explains Sophia B. about Hendy Woods State Park Campground, allowing visitors to enjoy both forest and coastal experiences.
What you should know
Shower token systems: Several state parks require tokens or quarters for showers. "Showers require tokens. One token gives 4 minutes of showering. Each token is $1," explains Mea H. about MacKerricher, a common practice across coastal campgrounds.
Dump station fees: Some state parks charge separately for dump station use. "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," notes a MacKerricher visitor.
Road noise impacts: Dunlap Campground and several other locations experience significant highway noise. "Decent sized sites well spaced apart. Self-pay station $15 when I went. Expect a LOT of road noise," warns Carter B. This affects the wilderness experience at certain sites.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused amenities: Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort offers extensive facilities for children. "The petting zoo, was also super cute and the animals seemed like they were well taken care of. The mini golf course was a blast, as well as the RC track," reports Erika L.
Junior Ranger programs: State parks offer educational activities for children. "The junior ranger program and nightly events for families helped keep the kids engaged in the camping experience. Park rangers hosted guided hikes, nighttime stargazing (with telescopes), and nightly campfires," shares a visitor at Hendy Woods.
Swimming options: River and ocean swimming locations provide relief on warmer days. "If you want to go swimming you have to either ride your bike or drive to the entrance and park at the day use area by the bridge. The swimming hole is nice but can get packed at times," notes David G.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose RV sites based on length limitations and hookup needs. "The front half is narrow RV slots, but further back, it's lush, shaded and pretty quiet for tent or car camping," advises a Caspar Beach visitor about campground layout differences.
Sewer connections: Some campgrounds have challenging sewer hookups. "Full hookups but sewer line has to go uphill," warns a visitor to Sleepy Hollow RV Park, highlighting a common infrastructure issue at older campgrounds.
Loop navigation challenges: Larger rigs may struggle with campground roads. "The loops are well laid out but would be tight for a longer RV to come into," notes Hayley K., emphasizing the importance of checking site access before booking.
