The Mendocino coast near Little River sits at approximately 100 feet above sea level with winter temperatures averaging 45-55°F and summer temperatures rarely exceeding 75°F. Coastal fog often blankets glamping sites in early mornings before burning off by midday. The region's mild climate makes camping possible year-round, though winter brings more rainfall with December through March seeing 5-8 inches monthly.
What to do
**Beach exploration: Access points vary by campground, with trails ranging from easy 1-mile walks to steep descents. At Manchester State Park Campground, visitors can take "a nice mile long trail that leads down to the beach. If you would rather drive and park there is a nice lot right by the dunes and the day use fee is included with your camping pass."
**Outdoor games: Several glamping sites near Little River offer recreational facilities for non-beach days. The Redwoods River Resort & Campground provides "the play ground and all the outdoor games" which families particularly appreciate during extended stays. One camper noted, "We really enjoyed having a full kitchen available and the community entertainment like s'mores around the campfire. Bocce ball courts definitely needed some TLC."
**Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer the best opportunities for spotting coastal wildlife. At Jackson Demonstration Forest, campers report abundant wildlife sightings: "Plenty of trails to explore and Noyo River meanders through the center... Beautiful, clean and peaceful." Another visitor mentioned, "Tons of wildlife. Fox, deer, raccoon, etc. keep your food locked up at all times."
What campers like
**Privacy between sites: Many glamping options near Little River offer secluded accommodations. At Westport Beach RV Park and Campground, "Pull throughs seemed a little tight, but all back-ins were spacious. Very clean grounds. Clean bathrooms and the dish washing area was nice to get the big junks off your pans. The beach is right there."
**Water activities: Beyond beach access, several sites offer swimming facilities or water features. The Narrows Lodge Resort stands out with its "crystal clear" lake water and "a little dock for jumping off of. They bring in sand for the beach which makes it a really nice experience. And apparently the canopies that were there are new."
**Convenient amenities: While maintaining a rustic feel, many glamping locations provide unexpected comforts. One camper at Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort appreciated that "We stayed in one of the premium hot tub sites, where you get your very own hot tub. Highly recommend, my kids absolutely loved it and so did I! We were just a few steps from the pool."
What you should know
**Narrow access roads: Several glamping sites near Little River have challenging approach routes. The Narrows Lodge Resort warns that "The road is a little tight to get into this resort (1 lane road with traffic going both ways with few pull offs)... make sure you abide by the check in check out times, which are significantly far apart, to ensure that nobody meets each other on the road."
**Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires preparation for rain and cooler temperatures. At Manchester Beach KOA, campers note the coastal climate effects: "Being so close to the beach though, it gets COLD at night. We usually rent a cabin. The cabins have heaters which is definitely nice."
**Price variations: Cost per night varies significantly between basic tent sites and luxury glamping options. At Jug Handle Farm, one camper observed, "The campground is nice and quiet. Plenty of space without being noisy. But I'm not sure how they've justified charging $58 per night for no basic trash disposal (you have to take all trash with you) and only portable toilets on site."
Tips for camping with families
**Kid-friendly activities: Select glamping sites with structured programming for children. The Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort excels with "a western themed town that hold little dances and ice cream parlor parties for kids. This KOA also has a mini waterpark as well." One visitor observed it's "Designed for families, this KOA a lot. A petting zoo, water play, pool, arcade and events. We were there for movie night."
**Beach camping considerations: Families should select sites with direct beach access to minimize hiking with children and gear. At Westport Beach RV Park, "We spent 4 nights here with our travel trailer. We had a site with full hook ups, including sewage. This is a great campground that is right on the beach! It has showers, flushing toilets, a little store, fire wood for sale, dish washing station."
**Kitchen facilities: Communal cooking areas reduce packing requirements for family glamping trips. One camper at Manchester Beach KOA highlighted the "HUGE kitchen with 3 electric stoves and several sinks and microwaves for camper use. They have movies each night and have lots of trees for shade."
Tips from RVers
**Connectivity considerations: Cell service and WiFi vary significantly between glamping sites. A visitor to Manchester Beach KOA observed, "This was another nice KOA not too far from the sea shore. We had some shade, and we were able to get a good Starlink signal. WiFi cost extra, so we didn't bother with the campground's WiFi access."
**Off-season benefits: Shoulder season visits (April-May and September-October) offer reduced crowding while maintaining comfortable temperatures. At Westport Beach RV Park, one RVer found, "Quiet in the off season. Fires on the beach are great. Rediscovered this place in February and have reservations for November."
**Dump station availability: Several glamping sites offer full-service hookups, eliminating the need for separate dump stations. An RVer at Westport Beach praised the "site with full hook ups, including sewage (no need for dumping station!!). This is a great campground that is right on the beach!"
