Best Campgrounds near Redwood Valley, CA
The Mendocino County region surrounding Redwood Valley, California encompasses diverse camping environments within an hour's drive in any direction. State parks like Hendy Woods offer old-growth redwood experiences with sites nestled among towering trees, while Lake Mendocino provides waterfront options at Bu-Shay Campground. Campgrounds range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV resorts like Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort near Willits. The area's topography transitions from inland valleys with oak woodlands to coastal redwood forests as you travel west toward MacKerricher State Park near Fort Bragg, creating distinct camping microclimates within relatively short distances.
Many campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when coastal sites fill quickly. Roads accessing some of the more remote locations can be challenging, with narrow, winding routes that may be difficult for larger RVs. As one camper noted about Hendy Woods, "The difficulty level of getting an RV or trailer into Hendy is 'black diamond'... I had to drive the road that circles the campground the wrong direction to get an angle where it was possible to jack my rig into the spot." Cell service is spotty throughout the region, particularly in valley bottoms and dense forest areas. Weather varies dramatically between inland and coastal sites, with inland locations experiencing hot summer days while coastal campgrounds remain cool and often foggy.
Wildlife viewing opportunities represent a significant draw for many campers. Visitors to Lake Pillsbury reported seeing "a herd of 30+ elk... calling all evening and in the morning." Coastal campgrounds offer marine wildlife viewing, with harbor seals and seasonal whale migrations visible from some sites. Amenities vary widely between campgrounds, with state parks typically offering basic facilities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Most campgrounds enforce strict pet policies, with many state parks prohibiting dogs on trails. Regional parks tend to be less crowded than state parks, with one camper noting they "ensure less competition for a site than state parks and are well worth it."
