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.
$45 - $160 / night
"Simple campground just outside of Mendocino/Ft Bragg. Steps from a beautiful sandy beach."
"My family and I stayed here once on a road trip to California."
$45 - $260 / night
"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."
$47 - $72 / night
"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."
$50 - $73 / night
"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."
$45 - $140 / night
"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."
"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."
$59 - $99 / night
"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."
$45 - $70 / night
"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."
"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."
"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."
TravelerMy family goes to needle rock just about every year! All of my photos are from April of 2022 because I didn't have this app till now. It's a beautiful location and a really nice escape from "the grid". Definitely pack light enough to carry your stuff in because the best spots are away from the parking lot.
LegendAfter finding the local state parks closed for a few days due to having no water, we headed out to take a chance on this dispersed site. It was simply a pull off as all the designated campgrounds in the area were closed for the season. The sign posted at the day use noted they close campgrounds in wet weather to save wear and tear on them since they are maintained by the forestry service. It does make sense as the road was quite muddy.
LegendNice small park. Clean facilities and friendly staff. The only complaint was the showers were expensive ($2-3 min).
RangerI’m rating the site four stars because of all the cons. That said, this was a lush campsite with comfortable amenities that turned out to be very family friendly.
PROS: • Beach is right across the street • Multiple bathrooms with outlets (I charged my EcoFlow battery in there) • Paid showers • Free WiFi • Gift/info shop on-site • Bear boxes, fire rings, and picnic table at seemingly every site • Lush foliage with walk/bike access to Fern Canyon • Family friendly with designated spots for both tents and large RVs. • Open field to run the dog
CONS: • Bathrooms weren’t confidence-inspiringly clean • The coolest sites with closer access to Fern Canyon were all closed for some reason • 1 vehicle per site reservation means $10/day for an additional car
GuideAlways a favorite. Easy access to the beach. Right on the Coast Trail which is great for a run. Showers were clean but not super warm and you need to buy tokens from the CG host
ScoutThe bunkhouse is nice. The WiFi connection is great, perfect for remote work. Bathroom is separate from your room, it’s possible but you must go outside. You leave the bunkhouse and the WiFi connect/cell service is dead
TravelerFirst time staying at Pomo. It was quiet and had some of the cleanest and nicest bathrooms I’ve ever seen at a rv site. Our site was very clean. Provided a fire pit and picnic table. Hookups were great but we did choose a site that had no sewer so he aware of that before you reserve. We would definitely go back again at some point.
ScoutWent there last week of Nov 25. Place was beautiful! Felt like I was Bella in twilight being taken by Edward into the forest >_<. 10/10 recommend. I was in Campsite D (Walk in only). All the walk in campsite are beautiful. The others have water views except our site (D). Took 3 dogs. There is a ton of raccoons so plan accordingly. They don’t give one single F
GuideWe visit MacKerricher State Park every year with friends, great whale and seal watching, the camp is clean and quiet
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.
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.
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.
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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