Best Campgrounds near Covelo, CA
Covelo, California provides campers with access to secluded forest sites and riverside camping areas throughout Mendocino National Forest and surrounding lands. The Eel River Campground offers established tent and RV sites near swimming areas, while Grizzly Flat Dispersed Campground provides free primitive camping options for those seeking solitude. Camping opportunities range from developed sites with picnic tables and fire rings to more remote locations requiring high-clearance vehicles. Several private establishments like Mendocino Magic and The Hideaway at The Hole In The Wall offer alternative lodging with cabin and glamping accommodations.
Access to many campgrounds requires navigation of challenging forest roads, particularly when traveling to Howard Meadows Campground or higher elevation sites. One camper noted, "Take Forrest Route N17 off of Spouts Spring Rd. What a sweet surprise after spending an hour on an unimproved wash board road." Most established campgrounds operate seasonally from spring through fall, with Eel River Campground typically open March through December. Howard Meadows Campground generally operates April to November. Winter conditions can make forest roads impassable due to snow at higher elevations and mud at lower elevations. Cell service remains limited or nonexistent at most camping areas, requiring advance preparation.
Natural features represent the primary draw for campers in the Covelo region, with swimming holes and flowing creeks frequently mentioned in visitor reviews. Riverside camping at Eel River provides easy access to swimming spots, with a visitor describing "a 5 min walk to swimming hole under overpass on main road." Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer sightings at several campgrounds, though bears are present in the area. A review for Grizzly Flat mentioned, "My wife and I were going to camp here but she was a little spooked by the amount of bears we saw on the trail to the campsite." Public lands surrounding Covelo offer significant solitude compared to more popular coastal campgrounds, with minimal light pollution for stargazing. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans possible during dry summer and fall months.
