Camping near Fort Bragg, California provides access to diverse coastal habitats that transition from windswept bluffs to sheltered redwood groves. The northern California coast maintains relatively stable temperatures year-round, rarely exceeding 75°F in summer or dropping below 40°F in winter. Fall camping offers the clearest weather conditions with reduced fog compared to summer months when marine layer can persist until midday.
What to do
Beach exploration and tidepooling: Van Damme State Park Campground offers exceptional access to protected coves. "The campground is adjacent to the beach. You can hear the ocean and sometimes catch peeks of the ocean from the campground," notes one camper at Mackerricher State Park Campground. The area features "black sand with some of the best tide pools" according to another visitor.
Coastal hiking: Trails range from easy bluff walks to more challenging forest routes. At Russian Gulch State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the "Great Fern Canyon trail and waterfall trail back in the gorge," with one camper noting it has "wonderful hiking trails" that connect directly from campsites.
Whale watching: Winter and spring months offer prime whale migration viewing. "From the small beach you can play in the waves and launch protected kayaks into the small bay... explore all the Mendocino Coast from here," mentions one Russian Gulch visitor. Another camper at Westport Beach reported "we were able to view whale migration, sea lions swimming" from their campsite.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The vegetation at Pomo RV Park & Campground creates natural barriers. "Very private sites, many nestled between thick brush (blackberries!) and many back far enough from the road that it seems like you're boondocking," writes one reviewer. Another mentions that "Each site has shrubbery around it. It feels like you are in a world by itself."
Coastal climate relief: Temperature differences between inland areas and the coast can exceed 30°F in summer months. "Our primary reason for choosing a coastal site was for comfort. It was still over 95 degrees inland, but a very comfortable 65 along the coast," reported one Pomo camper. Another notes it's "lush and moist" with "large banana slugs."
Clean facilities: Most established campgrounds maintain good standards year-round. At Mackerricher, campers report "The campground is clean, enjoyable and has the camping vibe," while another mentioned "Bathrooms were completely adequate with flushing toilets and showers." A Van Damme visitor noted "Comfortable but not much privacy. Decent base camp for exploring the area."
What you should know
Seasonal shower operations: Token-operated showers are common at state parks. "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," explained a Mackerricher camper. Similarly at Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground, "Showers coin operated" was noted by multiple reviewers.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location and carrier. At Pomo, visitors report "Definitely expect to be off the grid as Service and WiFi are pretty intermittent," though one Mackerricher camper measured "Verizon via iPhone 12: 5 mbps down and 0.16 mbps up with 56 ms ping. T-Mobile via Nighthawk MR-1100 - 3 mbps down and 0.05 up with 106 ms ping."
Campground density fluctuations: Occupancy varies drastically by season. "We were only at 50% capacity so it was super quiet," noted one camper at Westport Beach RV Park during shoulder season. Conversely, peak summer months can feel crowded, with one Caspar Beach visitor describing it as "a tight and wet park" where "the spaces are very narrow."
Tips for camping with families
Protected swimming areas: Look for coves sheltered from strong currents. At Westport Beach RV Park and Campground, "The beach is right there. You can see and or hear the waves crashing," and another camper noted the "beach was vast and a stone's throw from my campsite." The beach is "pretty private since there's no public access."
Evening entertainment options: Pack games for foggy evenings when outdoor activities may be limited. Pomo campers appreciate that "they have a good supply of books/games that you can borrow from the main office," while Westport Beach RV Park visitors note that "fires on the beach are great."
Educational opportunities: Nature programs operate seasonally at state parks. A Van Damme camper shared, "There's an amphitheater where we were able to see a ranger/scientist presentation on sea birds of California," and another mentioned the nearby "Pygmy Tree Forest as a point of interest it was pretty cool and definitely worth checking out."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Campgrounds often have distinct camping areas with different characteristics. At Harbor RV Park, "Located next to Pomo Bluffs Park and overlooking the ocean and the Noyo River/Bay," sites have "a road base pad and real green grass all around it." One visitor noted, "Tight sites but beautiful views."
Hook-up availability: Water and electric connections are standard at most established sites, but sewer options vary. "It appears the sewer system doesn't cover all the sites, so the further back in the campground you go, there won't be any," observed one Pomo camper, while Harbor RV Park provides "Full hook ups with cable."
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven coastal terrain. One Russian Gulch camper advised, "The sites are on the small side, and most don't have two trees large enough to string a hammock or a run line for a dog," while another at Pomo mentioned that "Almost all the RV sites are gravel, with the exception of a couple smaller ones."
