Camping options near Loleta, California stretch between the rural farmlands of Humboldt County and the coastal zones, with elevations ranging from sea level to 500 feet. Most campgrounds receive 40-60 inches of annual rainfall concentrated from November through March. Temperatures remain moderate year-round with summer highs rarely exceeding 75°F and winter lows seldom dropping below 40°F, creating extended camping seasons compared to inland California regions.
What to do
Beach activities: Samoa Boat Ramp County Park sits across Humboldt Bay from Eureka with unique water views. "This was my first time driving in sand and now I'm obsessed! Driving right up to the beach and water is something I didn't know I NEEDED to do. Absolutely beautiful place and the people were all friendly!" writes Taylor.
Historic town exploration: Humboldt County Fairgrounds provides a central base for exploring Victorian architecture. "Walked around Ferndale and had great Mexican food. The coffee shop in town was super cool and cozy," reports Maureen F., who found the campground "super quiet on a Monday."
River swimming: Van Duzen County Park offers clear, refreshing water access in summer months. "We've been camping up and down highway 101 for about two weeks now, and this was by far our favorite place! The river is clean, and relaxing. Swimming here is so fun! Cold, but refreshing!" notes Andi M.
What campers like
Affordable options: Some campgrounds offer budget-friendly camping. At the fairgrounds, one camper reports: "12$ for tent 25$ for RV. Nice campground, a lot of space. Hot shower present. 5$ for the shower if u do not stay in the camp," according to Oleksii L.
Wildlife viewing: Wuss Camp provides secluded sites with natural habitat. "The sites are widely dispersed and circle around a beautiful meadow. Bathrooms and shower are easily found and clean," writes Colleen, who appreciated not having to bring firewood.
Proximity to services: Camping near Loleta means access to nearby towns. "Short drive into Eureka. Patriot Gas has a car wash for big rigs," notes one reviewer about the fairground camping experience, highlighting the practical benefit of nearby services.
What you should know
Variable site quality: Some campgrounds have maintenance issues. "Site #17 is a Pull through site. Some look like permanent resident but quiet n stay to themselves. Children's play area was nice. Grassy areas needed mowing," reports Jenni C. at Redwood Coast Cabins & RV Resort.
Weather preparation: The area experiences significant coastal influence. "The wind can get pretty bad as this site sits between the ocean and Humbolt Bay, so be prepared for that," warns SpentBrassOffroad B. about camping at Samoa Boat Ramp County Park.
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds have limited or no reservation systems. "If you aren't looking for anything fancy, and by that I mean lots of mud and ruts and sketchy broken down rv neighbors, you'll be fine," notes DiscFleet37r R., suggesting spontaneous travelers should adjust expectations accordingly.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly attractions: The best places to camp near Loleta, California for families include those with open spaces. "We were there at first with just a couple rvs there. By the end of the four days - it was filling up and was still quiet. The showers were nice. Ferndale is a gorgeous old Victorian town," explains Jerilyn M. about Humboldt County Fairgrounds RV Park and Campground.
Swimming spots: Look for campgrounds with water access for children. "This place is locally known as swimmers delight. This is another one of my favorite campgrounds. It is open year round and only cost 25 dollars with clean bathrooms and showers," writes William M. about Van Duzen County Park.
Safety considerations: Some areas near camping locations require caution. "We came here in our popup camper sometime in December of 2020 and we were one of the only groups there during the entirety of our five-day stay. It's peaceful and quiet and extremely beautiful," shares Angela G. about the remote nature of some campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Johnny's At The Beach offers full service sites. "Site 9 was a fairly easy back-in off Perch Street, except we had to be careful of a low-hanging cable that the city had not fixed. We are 13'5 high, but we were able to avoid the cable," advises MickandKarla W., noting the utilities were at the very back of the pad.
Internet access: Cell coverage varies significantly between camping areas. "We got 4 bars on Verizon," reports MickandKarla W. about Johnny's At The Beach, while Angela G. mentioned about Van Duzen County Park: "These sites are nice and secluded with absolutely no cell coverage (Verizon), and about a 35-45 minute drive from Eureka."
Dump station quality: Check for working facilities. "The largest downside to this place is the RV dump station inside the fairgrounds. It's the worst one that I've ever used. It needs to be completely rebuilt," warns D37 about Humboldt County Fairgrounds, suggesting campers might want alternative arrangements.
