The Covelo area sits in Mendocino County, approximately 55 miles from the Pacific Coast at an elevation of around 1,400 feet. Summer temperatures in this region can exceed 90°F while winter brings cooler weather with occasional frost. Access roads to camping areas around Covelo often require careful navigation during winter months when storms can affect travel conditions.
What to do
Beach exploration: Usal Beach Campground offers six miles of sandy shoreline for beachcombing and wildlife watching. "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," reports Braxton C. The beach access requires vehicles with good clearance as "the sand is soft and the trail is tough," according to Jake S.
Tide pooling: Shelter Cove Campground provides excellent opportunities to observe marine life. "We stayed 10 nights all up the west coast and this was the best tide pooling we had. We went to sleep and woke up to sea lions and Harbor Seals barking," writes Travis H. The coastal location offers direct access to rocky tide pools teeming with sea creatures.
Forest hiking: Richardson Grove RV and Campground features trails through impressive oak trees. "The huge oaks are worth it alone," notes Laura U. During summer months, campers can cool off in the nearby Eel River, which is accessible by crossing Highway 101.
What campers like
Ocean proximity: Westport Beach RV Park and Campground offers sites right on the beach. "This is a great family campground. Camping with hotel amenities," mentions Aldy Y. The campground provides fire pits at ocean-view sites, with Rebecca A. noting it's "by far one of the best places to camp on the California coast."
Private beach access: Westport Beach RV Park features a beach exclusive to campers. "Beautiful Beach campground. Space are decent size. The beach private so it's just you and the other campers," states Steven T. The secluded setting allows for campfires directly on the beach, with Outdoordude D. sharing that "fires on the beach are great."
Cell service limitations: Harbor RV Park offers oceanfront camping with spotty connectivity. "Wifi very spotty but we use ATT and Verizon cell services which worked fine," reports one camper. Many visitors appreciate this digital detachment, with Rob F. noting at another coastal campground that "the waves are loud, the cell service sucks and the Wi-Fi is very spotty…which makes it a perfect spot to get away."
What you should know
Road conditions: Usal Beach Campground requires careful vehicle selection. "6 miles of potholes, rough dirt road and some deep puddles and you'll find a beautiful sandy beach with camping spots above the tide," advises Jake S. Connor M. adds: "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."
Vehicle clearance requirements: Shelter Cove Campground involves challenging access roads. "Road down is a bit challenging, especially the last 7 miles. Windy and steep so take your time," warns Christy S. Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for certain routes.
Seasonal crowd variations: Shelter Cove experiences fluctuations in visitor numbers. Michael R. observes, "Typically this has not been a full campground anytime I've been here, but it picks up on summer holidays." Spring and fall typically offer more seclusion at coastal sites.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort caters specifically to families with children. "Designed for families, this KOA a lot. A petting zoo, water play, pool, arcade and events. We were there for movie night," shares Donna D. The resort organizes regular activities like outdoor movies on a big screen.
Water features: Giant Redwoods RV & Cabin Destination provides river access that children enjoy. "Our site backed up to the Eel river with Giants redwoods everywhere. Just hung out at the beach the whole time," notes Randy J. The combination of water play and forest exploration creates engaging environments for young campers.
Educational opportunities: Westport Union Landing State Beach offers natural discovery options. "The camp spots are right on the water and it is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset," reports Rebecca A. Children can observe marine life, search for shells, and learn about coastal ecosystems.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground offers varied site options. "Its a super cramped campground for big rigs. Much nicer and more privacy if tenting," advises Marcus K. RV campers seeking more space should request specific site numbers when booking.
Hookup reliability: Giant Redwoods RV & Cabin Destination provides dependable services. "Hookup was smooth and WiFi had no issues during our stay," reports Georgina E. The park includes full and partial RV hookups with generators prohibited.
Pull-through availability: Harbor RV Park sits on bluffs overlooking the ocean with specific site layouts. "What you get is a space to park, water, electric and sewage," explains Harry S. RV travelers with larger rigs should request pull-through sites rather than back-in options to minimize maneuvering challenges in this coastal rv park near Covelo, California.
