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Camping near Little River, CA

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    The Mendocino coastline near Little River, California features several state park campgrounds nestled among redwoods and along beaches. Van Damme State Park Campground offers sites for tents, RVs, and cabins in a valley setting just across Highway 1 from a beach area. Nearby, Russian Gulch State Park Campground provides additional developed camping options with reservable sites. Other choices include Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground with cabin accommodations, and Mackerricher State Park Campground approximately 10 miles north. These mixed-use campgrounds typically include picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage boxes, with varying levels of amenities from primitive to more developed.

    Coastal campgrounds in this region experience cool, foggy conditions year-round, particularly during summer months. Most developed campgrounds require reservations through California State Parks or private operators, with booking windows opening 6 months in advance. While some areas like Van Damme and Russian Gulch State Parks maintain facilities throughout the year, visitors should prepare for potentially wet conditions even in summer. Cell service remains limited throughout the coastal region, though stronger signals may be found closer to Fort Bragg and Mendocino. Water availability varies by campground, with some offering drinking water and others requiring campers to bring their own supplies. One camper noted: "This place is cold year round so dress in layers. Restrooms were clean. Firewood available at the entrance kiosk, which is a hell of a hike up a hill so drive there."

    Campers consistently mention the redwood settings and beach proximity as highlights of the Little River area. The combination of forest camping with easy beach access creates a distinctive coastal experience, though fog can impact views during summer months. Sites along creeks are particularly sought after, offering the sound of running water alongside forest shade. Several developed campgrounds feature clean bathrooms and some provide coin-operated showers, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Campers report varying levels of privacy between sites, with some campgrounds offering more secluded options than others. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, many visitors appreciate the lush, moist environment: "This campground is in a lush forest right next to the beach. What more could you want?" While most campgrounds allow pets, many restrict dogs from trails, limiting hiking options for those traveling with animals.

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    Best Campgrounds near Little River (86)

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      1. Van Damme State Park Campground

      4.2(29)0mi from Little River66 sitesRVs, Tents

      "The trail for the Bog Trail is right next to the site and the bathroom is around the corner.  Campground: The park ranger was super nice and showed us the areas where we could take our pup."

      "The campground is dog friendly, although only the Bog Trail allows dogs (or you can walk along the paved road). Dogs are also allowed at the beach across Highway 1."

      from $45 - $160 / night

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      2. Mackerricher State Park Campground

      4.5(45)15mi from Little River111 sitesRVs, Tents

      "There are many sites next to the ocean."

      "PROS Campground is adjacent to the beach. You can hear the ocean and sometimes catch peeks of the ocean from the campground.

      → Campsites have bear lockers."

      from $45 - $260 / night

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      3. Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground

      2.8(19)6mi from Little RiverRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "The walk in sites are secluded and this park has all the amenities including free showers. Dog friendly. I hear it gets very busy in the summertime."

      "Our spot was nice and clean and next to the creek. Large enough for our three cars three tents and extra table and plenty of room to set up chairs around the fire for us."

      from $47 - $72 / night

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      4. Pomo RV Park & Campground

      4.7(16)9mi from Little RiverRVs, Tents

      "The convenience of being so close to town, yet feeling like you’re in the forest is hard to beat. There are showers & restrooms, although the showers operate on quarters."

      "Even though you are so close to town this is off the beaten path and you can’t even get into this campground unless you have a reservation."

      from $50 - $73 / night

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      5. Russian Gulch State Park Campground

      4.6(11)4mi from Little River26 sitesRVs

      "Clean bathrooms, drinking water was right next to our site."

      "While this campground is set off from the highway it is very busy on weekends from tourists out for the day.  Lush setting with the hike and bike area located near showers and restrooms."

      from $45 - $140 / night

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      6. Navarro Beach Campground — Navarro River Redwoods State Park

      3.8(11)6mi from Little RiverRVs, Tents

      "It is right off of the highway, yet it feels so secluded. The beach is beautiful and the campsites are roomy."

      "We got there at around 2pm and there were only 2 other campers. By the end of the night most of the spots had filled up. The beach was very quiet with few other visitors."

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      7. Hidden Pines RV Park & Campground

      3.7(10)10mi from Little RiverRVs, Tents

      "It's not much to look at when you drive up on highway 1 but behind that facade is a great Campground. There are different sections and the upper loop is definitely the best."

      "The entrance to this campground is behind a store so it technically is hidden.  What it lacks in privacy of sites it definitely makes up for in amenities."

      from $59 - $99 / night

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      8. Hendy Woods State Park Campground

      4.7(28)21mi from Little River81 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "This California State Park is located in the Anderson Valley, a historic agricultural area located in the Navarro river watershed.  While only 120-ish miles from San Francisco, this area is remote. "

      "The sites are situated among towering redwoods. Which blocks the amazing clear night skies, but offer there own beauty.
      It was great! The nearby towns or phill and boonville are super cute."

      from $45 - $70 / night

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      9. Navarro Beach - Navarro River Redwoods State Park

      3.4(5)6mi from Little RiverRVs, Tents

      "The beach has lots of character, tons of driftwood that people have moved around and made crude huts out of. The river is off to the side and flows out to the ocean, and is great for kayaking."

      Check Availability

      10. Albion River Campground

      3.0(5)3mi from Little RiverRVs, Tents

      "Actual RV sites are not special but the campground sits underneath the wooden bridge and at the mouth of the river, so beautiful location. Fog horns at night make it quite mystical."

      "The drive to Albion, Ca was beautiful. We arrived at the Campground and the nice fact was being able to reserve and choose our campsite."

      Check Availability
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    Recent Camping Photos near Little River, CA

    325 Photos of 86 Little River Campgrounds

    Recent Reviews near Little River, CA

    495 Reviews of 86 Little River Campgrounds

    • Carrie P.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 23, 2026

      Navarro Beach Campground — Navarro River Redwoods State Park

      Great Beach Spot for the Prepared

      We arrive about 5:00 pm on a Wednesday and only 1 of 10 campsite were taken. Most filled in by sunset. It is a beautiful spot but camp sites are tight with no privacy. There are port-a-potties. It is also a day use area so they get lots of use and stink. We loved it for the beauty and the chance to be right at the beach. It was just a one night stop for us but if I had a toilet I could see staying a few days. No hooks ups. No water. Each site has a concrete picnic table and fire ring.

    • LThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 22, 2026

      Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA

      Best time at a KOA!!

      This has been an honestly fun time. Many unexpected things, like movies now night, community campfire, and great of leash dog park area. The staff are so helpful. Delivered fire wood and propane to the site. If you’re not able to score a site with sewer hook-up, don’t worry. They offer a honey bucket service that comes to your RV for $15. All the usual amenities at a KOA, plus a pool, game room, and small general store. We will definitely be back. Oh and, look for a place to enjoy Thanksgiving, this place have a community pot luck, bring a side dish to share. They provide the turkey.

    • Vicki K.
      Jul. 21, 2026

      Rock Creek Campground — Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area

      Great for beginners

      Great first solo camping experience! My first time camping solo, with brand-new gear (fresh off the Amazon delivery truck!). The campground made it easy — clean, well-maintained amenities and grounds, and friendly, respectful neighbors who helped me feel safe and comfortable throughout my stay. Would definitely recommend for anyone dipping their toes into solo camping.

    • Lou P.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 17, 2026

      Usal Beach Campsites — Sinkyone Wilderness State Park

      The best of campgrounds , the worst of campgrounds

      The road in is hilly and twisty. You don’t need 4x4, but you’ll want it. It’s a very amazing area and is in the middle of nowhere. BUT, there is trash and toilet paper everywhere. Avoid the place on weekends, unless you like drunks, idiots and loud trucks. During the week, it’s quiet and you can see elk on the sand, or a bear.

    • Megan C.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 17, 2026

      Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground

      Great location, but not peaceful

      The pros: the location is stunning. The beach is great, plus being situated right between Mendocino and Fort Bragg means lots of options for other sights to see and great restaurants too. The store is a nice bonus, the WiFi worked well near the entrance and the front part of camp, and every person I encountered who worked there was pleasant and helpful.

      The cons: it is crowded as hell (at least during peak season in July) and no one cares at all about the posted quiet hours (and they don’t seem to be enforced). The tent sites do seem more spacious than the RV sites, but you’re still right on top of each other. I have terrible hearing and could still hear word for word what the family next to me was saying as they loudly chattered and laughed away at 11pm (kid, referring to my site: “Is someone in that tent?” adult: “Yeah, no one we know.” 😭)

      I think the best way to visit again would be with friends who are in sites right next to you, so you have a better sense of what you’re getting into!

    • JThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 11, 2026

      Usal Beach Campground

      Nature beautiful, people not

      It was genuinely the most beautiful campsite I've ever been to in my life, but it was simultaneously the dirtiest thousands of pieces of little plastics and cans and bags everywhere, people lighting fireworks and a man came up to me and asked if I wanted to smoke meth with him leaving me with mixed feelings about this place. It should also be said that I don't know if you could make it back there without four-wheel drive because I had to rely on that very often on some of these muddy spots on the road.

    • Shawna M.
      Jul. 10, 2026

      Redwoods RV Resort

      Plenty to do here

      This RV park has many types of sites with pool, kid playgrounds and very large sights

    • Alan L.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 7, 2026

      Lake Pillsbury Resort and Marina

      Nice dirt road drive!

      Enjoyed our time at pillsburry. Water was warm, but too much clay and some areas had algae. Camp site was very spacious with fire pit. We fit our vehicles perfectly. Water spigot at camp site and bathrooms were across. There’s a store and token showers

    • DThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 4, 2026

      COE Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground

      Unmaintained Free-for-all

      Apparently this place has been closed for four years and is just re-opening. It definitely looks like it. Sections of the campground are still closed, and the parts that are open were ROUGH. This places does have potential- views of the lake are good, bathrooms have showers. By far the worst part of camping here is that there was no camp host and no park ranger. Saw unsafe fire practices, and experienced extremely loud music that went to 2:00 am and started again at 6:30 am. Did I ask for it by coming here on Fourth of July weekend? Probably. On the whole, the entire experience felt like trying to camp in a run down city park. Having no one to contact when things get out of control after the sun goes down invites campers to try to regulate other campers, which is always recipe for disaster. I’ve camped in all kinds of place - Nat’l park, state parks, county parks, BLM, National Forests, and have experienced the full range of camping experiences . I will never come back to this place again.

    Guide to Little River

    Camping options near Little River, California range from riverside sites to coastal campgrounds within redwood forests. The region sits at elevations between sea level and 400 feet, creating microclimates that can vary significantly within short distances. Winter temperatures average 40-55°F with rainfall heaviest from November through March, while summer brings fog that frequently blankets coastal sites even when inland areas experience sunshine.

    What to do

    Explore tide pools: The beach at Mackerricher State Park Campground offers exceptional marine life viewing. "Sunset was fantastic and at sunrise, sea lions were out playing and sunning on rocks which were fun to watch," notes Melissa W., who visited the oceanside campground.

    Kayak the Navarro River: Navarro Beach Campground provides direct access where the Navarro River meets the Pacific. "The river follows the road to the campsite and connects to the ocean right on the beach," explains Kealan B. The gentle river current makes for easier paddling compared to ocean kayaking.

    Hike through redwood groves: Russian Gulch State Park features a waterfall trail through ancient forest. "Great Fern Canyon trail and waterfall trail back in the gorge," writes MarinMaverick. Trail distances range from 0.5 miles to 5-mile loops, with moderate elevation gains.

    What campers like

    Privacy between sites: Pomo RV Park & Campground offers unusually secluded sites. "Very private sites divided by hedges. Sites are fairly large and very well maintained," reports Scott P. This stands in contrast to most coastal campgrounds where sites tend to be more exposed.

    Proximity to towns: Many campsites near Little River provide easy access to nearby communities. "It's right on the outskirts of Fort Bragg, CA. Very private sites, each site has shrubbery around it. It feels like you are in a world by itself," explains Loren P. about Pomo Campground.

    Access to both forest and beach: Van Damme State Park Campground sits in a valley with both woodland and coastal access. "The campground sits in a deep narrow valley of trees with a stream running through just across highway 1 from a beach," describes Jessica R. This dual-environment setting is uncommon in most camping regions.

    What you should know

    Weather conditions: The coastal campgrounds experience persistent fog, especially in summer. "This campground is in a lush forest right across the street from the crashing surf. Lovely! It has a forest of trees right across the street from the crashing surf," notes Rosemary A. about Caspar Beach RV Park.

    Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have spotty connectivity. "Spots have tons of trees/greenery in between so it feels very secluded. Definitely expect to be off the grid as Service and WiFi are pretty intermittent," warns Tasha P. about Pomo Campground.

    Pay showers: Many campgrounds charge for shower use. "Showers require tokens. This seems pretty standard in California State Parks... One token gives 4 minutes of showering. Each token is $1," explains Mea H. at Mackerricher State Park.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What amenities are available at Little River Camping in Mendocino?

    Little River camping areas in the Mendocino region typically offer picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes at each site. Russian Gulch State Park Campground nearby features clean bathrooms, drinking water stations, and access to hiking trails in a quiet, secluded setting with plenty of trees for privacy. Many campgrounds in the area provide access to beaches and coastal attractions. Some locations have shower facilities, though amenities can vary by specific campground. The camping experience generally includes lush natural surroundings with redwoods and coastal vegetation.

    Is there a fee to camp at Little River Campground?

    Yes, there is a fee to camp at Little River Campground and other camping areas in the Mendocino coastal region. While specific Little River fees aren't detailed in the reviews, nearby Redwood Campground — Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area and most state park campgrounds in the area charge standard camping fees. California State Parks typically range from $25-45 per night depending on the season, location, and amenities. Some campgrounds may have additional fees for extra vehicles, premium sites, or reservation services. It's advisable to check the official California State Parks website for current fee information.

    Where is Little River Campground located in California?

    Little River Campground is located along the picturesque Mendocino coast in Northern California. The area is part of the broader Mendocino coastal region, situated near the small community of Little River. It's in close proximity to Van Damme State Park Campground, which is just outside the towns of Mendocino and Fort Bragg. This coastal location provides easy access to beautiful sandy beaches and the stunning California coastline.

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