Tent campsites near Little River, California spread across various microclimates, with coastal sites experiencing year-round fog and temperatures between 50-65°F, while inland campsites can reach 85°F during summer months. The Mendocino coast receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually, with most precipitation occurring between November and April. Several campgrounds operate seasonally or close certain areas during heavy rains when soil conditions can't support camping activities.
What to do
River exploration: 20 minutes from Paul M. Demmick Campground, the Noyo River at Jackson Demonstration Forest offers peaceful water activities. The river "meanders through the center" of the campground according to camper Danielle F., who also noted "plenty of trails to explore" within the 3-mile forest road setting.
Beach access: Tent campers at Usal Beach Campground can choose between oceanfront or wooded sites. The campground requires navigating a challenging dirt road taking "about 45 minutes from the paved road to camp" according to Connor M. Another camper, Matthew S., recommends the journey, stating they "camped on the beach with the woods to our backs" and enjoyed "the most beautiful sunrise in the morning."
Hiking trails: Just off Highway 1, tent campers at Jughandle Creek Farm access unique coastal ecosystems. A camper noted "it contains excellent hiking, a beautiful beach, and even a Pygmy Redwood Forest" with "a hiking path that takes you down to Jughandle Beach where you will find all kinds of tourists, animals, and great sand to play in."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many tent campsites near Little River offer good separation from neighbors. At Jughandle Creek Farm, one camper secured "a site that was very secluded at the end of the road before the private property line" and was "the perfect spot to set up two (or more) tents." They appreciated that "the sites were pretty quiet even when they were all full."
Wildlife viewing: Dunlap Campground provides opportunities to observe local animals. Carter B. reported seeing "tons of wildlife. Fox, deer, raccoon, etc." and advised to "keep your food locked up at all times." At Usal Beach, campers have spotted wildlife tracks, with one mentioning they "saw mama and baby bear prints on the sand."
First-come availability: For spontaneous camping trips, sites may be available even during peak season. At Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground, a camper observed the campground "has a lot of availability—even on weekends!" and was surprised there "weren't that many other people in the campground" during their Saturday night stay. Similarly, at Dunlap, Linda Y. noted it's a "good option if needing first come first serve sites since all of the state parks are reservation-only currently."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to more remote tent sites requires careful driving. At Red Mountain Campground, justin noted it's "6 miles from civilization down a windy road, then up a mountain side" and advises "if you like driving off road then the trip would be worth it." For Usal Beach, Ryan T. warns "the road coming into Usal is a pretty messed up mountain road" and recommends "AWD or 4WD."
Facility limitations: Most campgrounds offer basic amenities only. Penny Pines provides "pit toilets are clean and fire pits and picnic tables" but "not a lot of hiking or activities nearby unless you drive up the dirt road." At Usal Beach, facilities are minimal with "a single pit toilet that's sort of hidden by the entrance road."
Seasonal factors: Weather impacts camping conditions year-round. Linda Y. observed at Dunlap Campground that "3 sites are currently closed due to COVID to encourage social distancing" and that "sites fill up quickly on weekends." At Jackson Demonstration Forest, campers reported "no water but fire pits and grills, and picnic tables in campsites" requiring visitors to bring their own supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Campsites with play areas suit families with young children. Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground features unexpected amenities for kids, with one camper noting "our young kids had a great time playing on the playground which was an unexpected bonus."
Protected beach areas: Paul M. Demmick Campground offers river access suitable for family outings. A reviewer mentioned "it's only a 20 ish minute drive to the coast" and "the trees give you a blockage of the rough winds from the coast," making it more comfortable for children. Angela G. described it as "very quiet except for the road" and "great river and fun for kids."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from roads or fellow campers. At Paul M. Demmick, a camper noted "there was a loud group at like 1am, but majority of time people are quite after 11." At Dunlap, one camper mentioned "fellow campers weren't too loud, the birds were worse in the morning."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: RV access varies significantly between tent camping areas near Little River. While Paul M. Demmick Campground can accommodate smaller RVs, with one camper noting "I went tent camping but you can probably bring in a small RV," larger vehicles face challenges at Usal Beach where the road is "rough and could be very unsettling for anyone trying to do this trip in a vehicle without good off-road clearance."
Off-season camping: Late fall and winter camping offers unique experiences with fewer crowds. John L. visited Usal Beach and commented "I've heard that this place can get crowded during the summer months I'm glad we waited until fall," finding it "definitely off the beaten path" during their Thursday night stay.
Dump station locations: RVers should plan accordingly for waste disposal needs. Bu-Shay Campground provides sanitary dump facilities along with "bathrooms with showers" and "water spickets everywhere," making it suitable for RVers needing full hookups within driving distance of Little River.
