Best Equestrian Camping near Gualala, CA

Recent Equestrian Reviews in Gualala

56 Reviews of 6 Gualala Campgrounds

• 

  Justin W.

  Guide

  

  Jan. 12, 2025

  Middle Creek Campground

  Dry but clean

  This campground is dry and built primarily for HOV people cuz the Elk mountain area is very much a dirt bike and four-wheel Haven.

  It's got dropped toilets and it has potable water. Problem is that the spigots don't have any hose fittings, so you can't hook up, which I think is a good thing to keep people from taking over water for an extended period of time.

  There's no other water anywhere else, no showers, no sinks or anything like that so prepare to come fully dry.

  If you come with that in mind I would say this place is really really nice. It's very clean. If it's in a beautiful location and if you're into four-wheeling or dirt bikes, you're going to have a blast.

  There there's a small town not far, 15 minutes or so, that has gas, a market, pizza places, and a few other stores. So there's plenty of access to food and gas when necessary.

  This has nothing to do with the campground. Just keep in mind that Elk mountain road, especially the part leading up to the top of the mountain right as you leave the campground is an absolutely terrible road, it needs a lot of maintenance..

• 

  Shari G.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 8, 2024

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Quiet Spot Along the Spectacular Sonoma Coast

  Have you been over to Bodega Bay?  I think you'd like it there.  Our friends sure know us well!  While the town doesn’t look much different than when it appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds”, the cafes in the village have definitely upped their game. 

  Bodega Dunes State Park is a great way to experience the area without the same activity and noise in the camp grounds down closer to the water. The campsite loops wind through the coastal Live Oak and Bishop Pine trees and provide some privacy in between sites in some areas, though some sites are right on top of each other.

  They are generally smaller pull-in sites geared more toward tents, vans, and small travel trailers. There are just a handful of sites that can accommodate bigger RVs.  Many of the sites have decent open sky resources for solar power and satellite internet, though many in the lower areas had standing water and torn up asphalt pads from the heavy rains the last couple of years.

  The bathrooms were clean and comfortable with flush toilets and warm showers (coin operated). My only complaint about the bathrooms is that there weren’t quite enough for the demand, in my opinion, but a few port-o-potties might help offset that during the busy season. 

  Hiking among the sand dunes and along the beach provide some really stunning scenery. Reaching the beach, you’ll find as much coastal sand as you can handle with miles and miles of it to yourself. The water, which is normally pretty cold year round, can also be pretty rough for swimming.

  A short drive away is the gorgeous Bodega Head Trail which winds up along the headland and offers amazing scenery. It’s sort of like a small Point Reyes National Seashore, but much easier to get to.

  Bodega Bay has a couple of small grocery stores, gas stations, and more than a few restaurants to meet nearly any craving.  The area is known for its Dungeness Crab Harvest, so be sure to check that out when it's in season!

• k

  ken K.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 25, 2024

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Clean campground

  There is upward of 90 sites, many are for just tents and are on sand with fire pit. I have our travel trailer there and are the site # in the 70's and are on a asphalt pad, which makes it cleaner and level. Down side would be close to a road and traffic during day, but at night very quiet except for fog horn which is no big deal. The beach walks and adventuring the coast and local fair makes it all worth it. Water and dump station available, not at campsites but at entry of park

• B

  B C.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 23, 2024

  Russian Gulch State Park Campground

  Surprised in Mendocino

  Serene, Beautiful, clean bathrooms, spacious Tucked away off the hwy we were surprised by the sound of babbling creek and the little bridges that meanders through this campground

• j

  jessica

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 14, 2023

  Russian Gulch State Park Campground

  Good location, - a little pricey

  Location is great but $45 for no hookups is a bit much. Not sure why Dyrt is saying there are any hookups, only one I saw was at the camp host. I agree with other reviews that state some sites are super close together with little privacy. Lucky I got #22, it was perfect for an 18’ van. There is NO cell service, bathrooms are clean but you have to pay for showers. Hiking trails along the coast are really nice.

• 

  Ivette D.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 18, 2023

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Beautiful!

  Stayed at this campsite at the tail end of a storm so not many folks pitching a tent. The campground was quiet and met some lovely people every now and then. The sites were distant enough to give each camper privacy. Bathrooms and showers were really clean compared to other places. You had to pay for hot water, but $20 got 3 of us enough hot water for 3 days. 

  The trail to the beach was a nice walk and easy to follow. The beach itself was quiet and only a few folks were out there after the storm.

  Overall, a beautiful campground, I'm hoping to go back again and stay in the same spot.

• 

  Neil T.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 1, 2023

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Nice Setting - hope you like foghorns

  We got a great workout hiking in the dunes to see the sunset over the ocean.

  Lots of cool and funky trees.

  Bathrooms could be updated/cleaner.

  Nice place to eat in Valley Ford called Rock Oysterfeller.

  There is a foghorn that sounds off every 10 seconds or so. I didn’t notice it when we set up camp…maybe the wind and waves. But in the middle of the night it woke me up. I thought it was some Tsunami warning or something. I managed to read what it was and after a while managed to sleep through it.

• J

  Joshua H.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 18, 2022

  COE Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground

  Great spacious campground

  We had a great time when we stayed a night here in October.  The campground is nice and has a lot of availability- even on weekends!

  The camp facilities are fine.  The sites are spacious and there are a mix of shady and sunny sites.  The flush bathrooms are fine, and there are free showers.  Our young kids had a great time playing on the playground which was an unexpected bonus. 

  We stayed on a Saturday night and there weren't that many other people in the campground.  I'm not sure why it's not busier, as it's just as nice as the state park campgrounds we've stayed in.  The town of Ukiah is pretty close as well, so you can get food or supplies easily.

  We had OK cell coverage with Verizon- we could usually browse the internet but streaming videos were difficult (you could download and watch them pretty quickly, but just streaming was hit and miss).

• 

  Lisa C.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 28, 2022

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Small location, amazing proximity to quiet beach

  This location has no hookups but does have a dump station, vault toilets and small bbq grills available. Beautiful sunsets just a short walk away in the dunes. Day use is also available

• c

  cami R.

  Guide

  

  May. 15, 2022

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Lovely campground

  Nice campsites that are surrounded by greenery, not too close together. Well-sheltered. Unfortunately not good beach access from this campground (you have to drive).

• j

  justin

  Ranger

  

  May. 8, 2022

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Seashore

  This campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground. The bathrooms are clean and the showers are coin operated. Sites are flat and semi private. The staff is friendly and campground is large.

• 

  Lori A.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 26, 2021

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Basic Bodega Dunes

  It covers the basics: fire pit, picnic table, flush toilet, and shower. You can buy firewood onsite and you're close to amenities in Bodega Bay.

• 

  BRIAN O.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 6, 2021

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Good experience

  We stayed here on a whim. We read good things about this campsite and kind of assumed it was close (walking distance) to the beach from our campsite. It wasn’t, but it’s just a short drive to the beach parking lot (about 3-5 mins). The site was nice. Bathrooms were clean and the showers (purchasable tokens) had good water pressure and warm water. We had a minor issue when we tried to book a second night, but it ultimately worked out.
  We visited Wrights Beach which is nearby, and we think we would rather book there on our next visit as it’s much closer to the shoreline.

• 

  Marcia M.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 2, 2021

  Russian Gulch State Park Campground

  Gorgeous Location

  This is a lovely, peaceful campsite with so many positives. Great hiking trails, a small protected beach, helpful camp host, and well-maintained showers and flush toilets. Larger beaches and the postcard town of Mendocino are just a couple miles away if you want a change of scenery.

  There are a couple things I wish I’d known in advance. 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. Some of the sites aren’t as private, so it’s worth checking a map before booking. I stayed in 27, which was a beautiful spot, but the sites on that side of the creek get almost no sun during the day, so everything was a little damp all the time.

  Those were all small things I can work around the next time I visit, which I absolutely plan to do again.

• D

  Debbie M.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 30, 2021

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Camping in the sand

  Nice campground at a state park in Northern California. Nice large sites but some have views of nearby housing. Some also have a LOT of sand. Clean bathrooms and showers.

• T

  Taylor L.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 19, 2021

  Middle Creek Campground

  Hope someone sees this

  I’ve been camping cross country for the last month with my husband. We’re from New York, and like to think we’re not easily rattled or intimidated. This was the first time on our trip that we were both scared.

  The forest service website says this campground is not open for camping, just dirt bike and horse riding, so I had found a campground further into the National Forest to camp at. When we drove by Middle Creek, we could see the sites from the road and a few of them had tents and we could see some folks, the campground was pretty clearly operating to some extent. We just wanted somewhere to stay overnight on our way into SF so we doubled back and found a site, paid the $8 and had a snack. We explored our corner of the campground a little- pretty clean, a fine campground. No visible host.

  Lots of wasps and flies, like standing right next to a dumpster. There was a woman who seemed to be experiencing homelessness and/or mental illness occupying multiple sites. She pretty clearly was stealing from sites people weren’t present at, right in front of us. She also had a dog that didn’t seem to be hers.

  The man at the campsite next to us didn’t have a tent or anything, just paid then sat in his truck screaming and cackling and breaking stuff loudly and pounding beers.

  We left without spending the night. The police need to go take a look out there.

• 

  Cassidy Y.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 2, 2021

  Jackson Demonstration Forest

  Pretty good spot

  I’m bad about planning ahead and couldn’t reserve a campground at my usual spots also was trying to avoid the smoke in the valley from all the forest fires. This area was recommended because they are all first come first serve. I drove up on a Friday in July and was able to get a spot at Dunlap campground. The campground filled up by 5:00 Friday night and stayed full the rest of the weekend. Each camp has a picnic table, fire pit and a bbq. Dump lap has 17 spots and a vaulted toilet. There was a small creek behind the campground which was nice. It was about a 30 minute drive to fort Bragg made for an easy day trip. The campground is maintained by cal fire $20 a night. No camp host on site, cal fire crew came in once a day to check the campground. Fellow campers weren’t too loud, the birds were worse in the morning. I’m

• 

  Michael

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 4, 2021

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Perfect stop along Hwy 101

  My partner and I stopped here on a road trip along 101. Campground was beautiful and provided a nice walk to the beach through shallow dunes. Lots of beautiful desert succulents in the area.

• 

  Ashley S.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 8, 2021

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Beautiful, and walking distance to town

  Not a ton of coverage from the wind, but I'm not sure can be helped. Walking distance to food and the beach!

• 

  Ulalume E.

  Traveler

  

  Jan. 13, 2021

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Breathtaking sunrises and sunsets

  Cozy campsites, family vibes. Nice brisk walk to the beach. This is the kind of beach for you if you like long walks and poetry. Doggies love it too.

• 

  Julie D.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 30, 2020

  Liberty Glen Campground - Temporarily Closed for Maintenance

  Usually something available

  Ive been to this campground twice.  Both times were fairly full, but never totally full.  You can make a reservation, but you cant pick your spot until you get there.  Better to get there on the early side.  Some sites aren't great, so you dont want to be stuck with those!  There were sites with decent shade, and I liked there was a hiking trail down to the lake.  Also a pro that it isnt too far out of the bay area.

• 

  Melissa C.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 30, 2020

  Liberty Glen Campground - Temporarily Closed for Maintenance

  Hikers dream

  When I booked a “hike in” campsite I didn’t really give it much thought...I highly recommend that if you do get a hike in site you really like to hike!! It is quite the journey. I wasn’t prepared for it so I didn’t have a good time but it is a beautiful site and the lake is absolutely gorgeous, even with all the fires going on.

• 

  MarinMaverick

  Legend

  

  Aug. 14, 2020

  Russian Gulch State Park Campground

  Great Spot

  I like this a little better than Van Damm down the road because of the small private beach which never appears crowded. You do have road noise but it really is not bad.

  Great little tent camping spots and a fabulous group tent camping spot.  From the small beach you can play in the waves and launch protected kayaks into the small bay.  On the right day there are some tidepools (not a lot).  A stream runs through camp and empties on to the beach.

  Great Fern Canyon trail and waterfall trail back in the gorge.

  You can explore all the Mendoconio Coast from here.

  Sites are well spaced and protected. Tables, fire rings and food storage.  Nice rest rooms with showers.  I like the lower loop along the creek and thes sites at the end, near the beginning of the fern canyon trail are choice.

• D

  Danielle F.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 7, 2020

  Jackson Demonstration Forest

  Secluded and peaceful

  Jackson State Demonstration forest is about 6 miles from fort Bragg on hwy.20 Campground is about 3 miles down a dirt road down into the forest from the highway.

  Beautiful, clean and peaceful. Plenty of trails to explore and Noyo River meanders through the center. It was self pay upon arrival and the whole place was welcoming. Nice day use area with tables and creek for playing in. No water but fire pits and grills, and picnic tables in campsites. At the sites , Trash and pit toilet areas seemed cleaned regularly and cal fire was seen a few times through our stay so it’s out there but doesn’t feel far away.

  There was a massive group site that would be gorgeous for a family gathering too!

• 

  Rebecca A.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 20, 2019

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Beautiful sunset!!

  This is such an incredible area to camp! The California coast is hard to beat. This campground is in the sand dunes, with a short walk to the beach. This is absolutely one of the best places to see the sunset. The campground had showers and full bathrooms! 10/10 would recommend.

• T

  Tim

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 30, 2019

  Russian Gulch State Park Campground

  Hidden gem

  Got Lucky and got a spot without a reservation for a night, I was impressed. Awesome spot, beautiful area; lots of trees with a creek running through the campsites! Short walk to a beach that’s under a bridge. Restrooms are very clean with flushing toilets.

• 

  John G.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 11, 2019

  Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

  Great Sand Dunes and Beach

  Stayed hear in June. Weather was beautiful. Campground is in the trees and a short drive to the beach. Use the beach access in the campground.... too crowded if you try to get to the beach on the main highway. Bathrooms are maintained with pay showers($1 for 3 mins), limited groceries close by. Very crowded on the week ends. Campground is spaced out. No hookups, just basic camping for both RVs and tents.