Fort Bragg sits on California's rugged North Coast, where coastal bluffs meet the Pacific Ocean approximately 170 feet above sea level. Fog frequently blankets the area from late spring through early fall, creating temperature variations between inland and coastal campgrounds. Average summer temperatures range from 50-65°F, making coastal sites cooler than inland options, which can reach into the 90s during summer months.
What to do
Beach exploration: Westport Beach RV Park and Campground offers direct beach access from most campsites. "The beach is right there. You can see and or hear the waves crashing. Beautiful...will go again for sure," notes Randy J. This stretch of shoreline is relatively private since there's no public access point nearby.
Tidepooling: Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground sits steps from excellent tidepooling opportunities. "Caspar Beach RV Park was a beautiful place to stay. A forest of trees right across the street from the crashing surf," writes Rosemary A. The location provides both forest and ocean access within walking distance.
Wilderness hiking: Usal Beach Campground serves as a starting point for Lost Coast Trail exploration. "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," explains John L. The 6-mile beach offers remote camping opportunities for those seeking wilderness solitude.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Pomo RV Park & Campground features natural vegetation barriers between campsites. "Very private sites, Each site has shrubbery around it. It feels like you are in a world by itself," explains Loren P. This separation creates a secluded feeling despite being close to town.
Waterfront views: At Dolphin Isle Marina & RV Park, many sites overlook the Noyo River. "The site we are on is located between a marina and the Noyo River. It allows for easy access for paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming and seals, sea lions and other wildlife. Last night a 6 point deer walked past our site," shares one camper who appreciates the wildlife viewing opportunities.
Oceanfront camping: Westport-Union Landing State Beach offers primitive camping on coastal bluffs. "You are perched out in the open on a bluff above the ocean. So the view and sunsets are epic," notes one reviewer. Sites cost approximately $20 per night for basic accommodations with vault toilets and ocean views.
What you should know
Road conditions: Accessing Usal Beach Campground requires driving a rough dirt road. "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," advises Connor M. Four-wheel drive or high-clearance vehicles are recommended, especially after rain.
Limited cell coverage: Mobile service varies significantly throughout the area. At Westport Beach RV Park, "The waves are loud, the cell service sucks and the Wi-Fi is very spotty…which makes it a perfect spot to get away!" notes Rob F. Some campgrounds offer Wi-Fi, though connection quality varies widely.
Seasonal considerations: Many coastal campgrounds experience limited visibility due to fog. "I stayed the end of December through New Years... Not a bad place to hang out. But damp," reports JMark H. about camping at Caspar Beach. Summer brings more crowds while winter offers solitude with cooler, wetter conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort offers numerous amenities for children. "We stayed in one of the premium hot tub sites, where you get your very own hot tub. Highly recommend, my kids absolutely loved it and so did I! We were just a few steps from the pool, which was clean, but pretty cold," shares Erika L. The resort also includes a splash pad, petting zoo, mini-golf course, and playground.
Tent camping with children: Pomo RV Park provides secluded tent sites under tree cover. "There is a loop at the back of the campground that has at least 10 grassy tent sites under a thick cover of pine trees. It's isolated by a path from the other RV sites," notes a reviewer. These sites offer better protection from coastal winds.
Budget considerations: Campsite rates vary significantly across the Fort Bragg area. Tent sites at Pomo Campground cost "$35 per night for 2 people, and extra adult is $17.50. And $1 per pet per night," explains one camper. State beach camping typically costs $20-25 per night for more primitive accommodations.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When RV camping near Fort Bragg, carefully research site dimensions before booking. "Very narrow spaces, especially if you have slide outs which means that your neighbor's sewer hose is next to your door. A lot of very short spaces also which makes it worse," warns Theo A. about Caspar Beach RV Park.
Hookup availability: Full hookups are available at several campgrounds but with limitations. At Woodside RV Park, "RV sites are decent. Manager is super sweet so she earned this rating an extra star! Campground is showing up wrong on map, it is on the south side of the river, closer to Pomo campground," notes Christy S. Many parks provide water and electric but not all offer sewer connections at each site.
Navigation challenges: Large RVs may struggle with narrow campground roads. "It's a super cramped campground for big rigs. Much nicer and more privacy if tenting," shares Marcus K. about Caspar Beach RV Park. Inland campgrounds like Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort typically offer more spacious sites for larger vehicles.
