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Best Dispersed Camping near Covelo, CA

16 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Covelo, California includes several primitive sites on public lands, with notable options such as Grizzly Flat Dispersed Campground, Usal Beach Campground, and Usal Beach Overlook. Grizzly Flat features hike-in access and toilet facilities but has experienced significant wildfire damage in recent years. Usal Beach areas provide more accessible coastal camping options where campers can choose between beach sites and wooded areas. Mayacmas Campground near Ukiah offers another option on BLM land with picnic tables and toilets. These sites generally lack amenities such as drinking water, hookups, or trash service.

Access roads to these dispersed camping areas vary significantly in quality and difficulty. The road to Usal Beach is particularly challenging, requiring approximately 30-45 minutes of driving on rough, unpaved terrain that becomes more difficult in wet conditions. High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended, and four-wheel drive is necessary during wet seasons. Vehicles without adequate clearance risk becoming stuck or damaged. Most dispersed sites in the region are free, though some may have nominal fees. Fires are permitted at Usal Beach and Mayacmas but prohibited at Grizzly Flat. Camping is generally allowed for up to 14 days in accordance with standard public land regulations.

Campers report these areas provide a true wilderness experience with significant wildlife viewing opportunities. The Usal Beach area combines forest and coastal environments, with several visitors noting wildlife encounters. Many campers specifically mention seeing bears, coyotes, and various animal tracks during their stays. Road conditions consistently appear as a major consideration in reviews. "The road in is a long and windy road but the site is worth the drive," wrote one visitor about Usal Beach. Another cautioned, "You will need at least a quarter of a foot of clearance to make it up the road, it is IMPASSABLE if the road is wet." Cell phone service is limited or nonexistent in most locations.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Covelo, California (5)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Covelo, CA

16 Reviews of 5 Covelo Campgrounds

  • Chris N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Usal Beach Campground

    The Marriage Of Land & Sea

    It was easy to find the access road by the mile marker on Hwy. 1.

    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. For the most part, the road is easy, but challenging in some spots and skinny. You may have to make way or room for oncoming vehicles.

    The area has plenty of campsites and fires are allowed. You can choose to shelter in the wooded areas or setup right on the beach. Beware of the deep sand. Lots of folks get stuck here, so drive carefully.

    I loved this place, but so many people know about it. Prepare for neighbors sharing the area. Still it was secluded enough to really enjoy.

    What do I have to say about it further? Dude! It's Northern CA. It's the Pacific Ocean. It's a dream combo you can only experience by being there. Love this place and keep it clean!

  • SpentBrassOffroad B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2025

    Usal Beach Overlook

    Best Beach Site To Date

    The trail in is basically an old mountain pass logging road that isn't maintained the best. It's narrow in spots and steep grade. I towed my offroad camper up without issue but its only 13ft long. I wouldn't advise anything much larger then 18ft. I did have to use 4x4 on some of the grades due to the trailer but if just in a vehicle it would be pretty easy. It would definitely present a challenge if it has just rained or was raining. It's true dispersed camping of pack in and pack it out. There's no facilities or trash. Plenty of space to spread out. Don't forget to air down those tires when going out on the beach. I would definitely come back to this one. Also the internet test was based on my Starlink not cell service. I have Verizion and had no service here.

  • Seth M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 7, 2024

    Usal Beach Overlook

    Amazing Views

    Great views — and often less soggy than down below on the water and beach. Only drawback is proximity to the access road and a bit exposed.

  • 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

  • Monique F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2024

    Usal Beach Campground

    Worth the long drive

    It was our first time dispersed camping. We fell in LOVE!! The 45 min dirt road was filled with amazing views early morning. Will definitely be coming back here more often.

  • Ryan T.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2023

    Usal Beach Campground

    Great Campground, Hellish Drive if not Prepared

    Picked this campsite on a whim during a trip up the coast. I was looking for an out of the way coastal campground that was still drivable, and boy, this campground did not disappoint. The road coming into Usal is a pretty messed up mountain road thanks to the fact that it's also used by logging trucks. I would really only recommend this road if you have AWD or 4WD, but we did see a Scion TC come into the campground at one point, so do whatever you feel comfortable with. Once you're down in the campground you'll be rewarded with a fairly secluded beach view and have your choice of either camping on the beach itself or camping in the wooded area a bit further back from the shore. We chose the latter, and even with the number of other parties near us, we were still able to find a fairly secluded spot. The only facility on-site is a single pit toilet that's sort of hidden by the entrance road. As far the fee is concerned, I've seen elsewhere that the camping fee is $25 but if there was a place to even pay that we couldn't find it. All in all, a wonderful campsite with some killer views, just be cautious and prepared for the drive in

  • Patricia Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2023

    Mayacmas Campground

    Very steep

    The ride up was rough. The views made it all worth it. The camp site was not an option for me. I need something semi level to navigate.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2024

    Usal Beach Campground

    Lost Coast Trail

    I’ve heard that this place can get crowded during the summer months I’m glad we waited until fall Definitely off the beaten path We were here on a Thursday night on our way to shelter cove via Usal rd

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2023

    Usal Beach Campground

    Not an easy road - but so worth it

    We drove our awe small hatchback car - almost didn’t make it over one of the first huge road breakups - but we pushed through & found the beach at the end - I would fo back if I felt more confident in my car/ was driving a vehicle with better tires and higher clearance - it was glorious

Guide to Covelo

Primitive camping near Covelo, California offers secluded backcountry sites amid the Mendocino National Forest, with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 feet. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing, while summer brings dry conditions with high fire danger. Most dispersed sites lack developed facilities and require self-sufficiency for water and waste management.

What to do

**Wildlife observation: Scout for tracks and sightings early morning or dusk. Usal Beach Campground visitors often encounter diverse wildlife. "Saw mama and baby bear prints on the sand," reports Matthew S., who camped on the beach with woods behind.

**Sunrise viewing: Position yourself on beach-accessible sites before dawn. "Most beautiful sunrise in the morning," notes a visitor to Usal Beach Campground, making early rising worthwhile despite the challenging drive.

**Explore logging roads: Navigate the network of forest service roads with proper maps. One camper at Usal Beach Overlook notes, "The trail in is basically an old mountain pass logging road that isn't maintained the best," suggesting preparation for rough conditions.

What campers like

**Beach-forest combination: Appreciate multiple ecosystems in one location. "You can choose to shelter in the wooded areas or setup right on the beach," writes Chris N. about the diverse camping options at Usal Beach Campground.

**Seclusion: Enjoy privacy despite occasional fellow campers. "We were here on a Thursday night on our way to shelter cove via Usal rd," shares John L., suggesting weekday visits for more solitude during fall months.

**Off-season advantages: Consider camping outside peak summer months. "I started coming around the end of March," explains Robert S., though noting, "I recommend 4x4 during the wet seasons and some recovery gear just in case."

What you should know

**Vehicle clearance requirements: Many roads demand high-clearance vehicles. Daniel B. from Usal Beach Overlook warns emphatically, "You will need at least a quarter of a foot of clearance to make it up the road, it is IMPASSABLE if the road is wet. We saw people getting rescued by firefighters."

**Time budgeting: Allow significant travel time on unpaved roads. "The 45 min dirt road was filled with amazing views early morning," notes Monique F., highlighting that access challenges come with scenic rewards.

**Sand hazards: Beware driving directly on beaches. "Don't get stuck in sand," cautions Braxton C., while another camper advises, "Don't forget to air down those tires when going out on the beach."

Tips for camping with families

**Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for potential wildlife encounters. At Grizzly Flat Dispersed Campground, Joe V. reports, "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."

**Consider terrain difficulty: Assess site accessibility for young children. "The camp site was not an option for me. I need something semi level to navigate," explains Patricia Y. about her experience at Mayacmas Campground.

**Communication preparation: No cell service exists in most areas. "T-Mobile had 0 service," confirms Connor M., emphasizing the need for alternate communication plans when camping with children.

Tips from RVers

**Trailer size limitations: Restrict trailers to under 18 feet on forest roads. A camper with off-road experience states, "I towed my offroad camper up without issue but its only 13ft long. I wouldn't advise anything much larger then 18ft."

**Leveling challenges: Bring substantial leveling blocks for uneven terrain. "The ride up was rough. The views made it all worth it," shares a visitor who struggled with the steep terrain despite the scenic rewards.

**Weather contingency: Plan escape routes if conditions deteriorate. Seth M. notes that camping at Usal Beach Overlook provides "Great views — and often less soggy than down below on the water and beach," though cautions it's "a bit exposed" to elements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Covelo, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Covelo, CA is Grizzly Flat Dispersed Campground with a 2-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Covelo, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Covelo, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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