Cabin camping near Gualala, California offers diverse options along the Mendocino coastline where summer temperatures typically range from 55-75°F. Winter months bring cooler temperatures and increased rainfall averaging 55 inches annually, with mornings often shrouded in coastal fog that burns off by midday. Russian River access points provide opportunities for water recreation during summer months when water levels are suitable for swimming and paddling.
What to do
Swimming at Clear Lake: Clear Lake State Park's Kelsey Creek Campground provides access to swimming areas during summer months. "The swimming hole is nice but can get packed at times. There is a rope under the bridge. The water hole is also deep enough in where you could jump from the bridge!" notes David G. about Kelsey Creek Campground.
Wine tasting tours: Explore Anderson Valley wineries near Hendy Woods State Park. "Anderson Valley is a Pinot Noir region so wineries surround the campground. Booneville is a cute nearby town with kid friendly Anderson Valley Brewery and Pennyroyal Cheese Farm," shares Beth K. about Hendy Woods State Park Campground.
Nature trails and birdwatching: Clear Lake State Park offers extensive hiking opportunities. "Very peaceful, good birdwatching, and abundant deer life," notes Suzanne S. The park maintains "extensive nature trail systems throughout" according to Lena M.
What campers like
Redwood forests: Hendy Woods provides two accessible old-growth redwood groves. "The old growth redwoods and rich diversity of plants and fungi really make this place stand out. I have stayed at this campground 5+ times and each time I am glad to come back," writes Sophia B.
River access: Johnson's Beach offers immediate access to the Russian River. "Good location to the beach; 2 minute walk from camp site to the beach," says Henry M. about Johnson's Beach. The campground includes rentals for water recreation and easy beach access.
Community kitchens: Manchester Beach KOA provides full kitchen facilities for campers. "This KOA has large tent sites and a HUGE kitchen with 3 electric stoves and several sinks and microwaves for camper use," explains Kristen M. about Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary: Some campgrounds maintain better facilities than others. At Clear Lake, "The showers are token operated. Outside the bathrooms is a machine for token exchange. It takes $1 and $5 bills... one token gets you 2 minutes," explains Mea H.
Weather considerations: Coastal fog and temperature fluctuations are common. "Being so close to the beach though, it gets COLD at night," notes a reviewer about coastal accommodations.
Poison oak awareness: Multiple campgrounds report poison oak concerns. "There's quite a bit of poison oak, be aware of where you are walking," warns a camper at Casini Ranch Family Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Cloverdale KOA offers numerous recreation options. "Lots for kids to do. Pool, fishing pond, playground, hiking trails. We were there for one night during the week but it looks like they have additional activities on the weekend," reports Jeanne D. about Cloverdale/Healdsburg Campground.
Junior ranger programs: State parks often provide educational programming. At Hendy Woods, "The junior ranger program and nightly events for families helped keep the kids engaged in the camping experience. Park rangers hosted guided hikes, nighttime stargazing (with telescopes), and nightly campfires."
Beach access consideration: Not all beaches permit dogs. At Johnson's Beach, "if you have a dog, they don't allow the dog on the beach or in the boat with you and they're not allowed to stay behind in the tent, so you're kind of stuck if you have a dog," notes Leafe Z.
Tips from RVers
Steep site entrances: Some campgrounds have challenging access points. At Russian River RV Campground, "Some spots are inclined in a way that your hind end may really scrape the ground/asphalt. There are grooves in the road everywhere it is common," warns Derek & Alex W. about Thousand Trails Russian River.
Limited hookups: Russian River campgrounds often lack full hookups. "Spaces are all 30 amp with no sewer hookups... There's really nothing to do in the area either," notes a reviewer about Russian River RV Campground.
Reservations essential: Most cabin accommodations require advance booking, especially during summer. Campgrounds with cabins fill quickly during peak season (May-September) when water recreation is most popular along the Russian River and coastal areas.
