Cabin camping near Manchester, California offers a variety of rustic to comfortable experiences within coastal redwood groves and lakeside settings. The Manchester area sits along a windswept section of the Mendocino coast at approximately 115 feet elevation, where summer temperatures average 60-70°F while winter months bring significant rainfall. Fog frequently blankets the coastline during summer mornings, creating cool conditions that contrast with the warmer inland valleys.
What to do
Beach access and water activities: At Westport Beach RV Park and Campground, cabin stays provide easy beach access. "The beach is right there. You can see and or hear the waves crashing," notes Randy J. The beach remains relatively private since there's limited public access.
Explore redwood groves: Hendy Woods State Park Campground offers cabin accommodations near old-growth redwood groves. "The two redwood groves are easily accessible from the campsite, and the campsite itself is pretty nice," explains Sophia B., who adds, "There is a cute apple orchard with an honor system mini outdoor shop where they sell apples, cider, etc."
Fishing opportunities: Clear Lake State Park's Kelsey Creek Campground provides cabin options with lake access. "Site was perfect. Close to the water and very accessible," reports Victoria P. A walkway popular for fishing is available, though a reviewer notes some trail maintenance issues may affect access.
What campers like
Communal cooking facilities: Some cabins feature shared cooking areas. At Jughandle Creek Farm, campers appreciate the setup. "A short less than a minute walk to the porta potty bathroom that is at the edge of a big field. In the field are two more sites on either side of the road and a large communal cooking area with a water source," explains Hayley K.
Family-oriented activities: Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort offers numerous organized events for families staying in cabins. "We enjoyed having a full kitchen available and the community entertainment like s'mores around the campfire," notes Mary L. about the Manchester KOA. The Mendocino Redwoods resort features "a western themed town that hold little dances and ice cream parlor parties for kids."
Quiet weekday stays: Cabins are often more available midweek. "We were lucky enough to camp on a Monday when everyone had gone home so we had the place almost all to ourselves," reports Caitlin B. about Hendy Woods. Another camper at Kelsey Creek notes, "It was great for a mid-week stay. Beautiful campground, good space between sites."
What you should know
Shower systems vary: Some cabins have token-operated showers requiring cash. At Kelsey Creek Campground, "The showers are token operated. Outside the bathrooms is a machine for token exchange. It takes $1 and $5 bills...one token gets you 2 minutes," explains Mea H., who adds, "Unfortunately the only way to find out water temperature is by putting in a token."
Cell service limitations: Reception varies widely between cabin locations. At Westport Beach, a reviewer notes: "The cell service sucks and the Wi-Fi is very spotty…which makes it a perfect spot to get away!" At Hendy Woods, "I have stayed at this campground 5+ times and each time I am glad to come back. I always have a little bit of service (Verizon) at the campground."
Seasonal considerations: Winter access changes at some locations. About the Cloverdale/Healdsburg Campground, April H. explains, "Getting to the campground is easier in the summer because there is a bridge that goes over the river, making it a shorter drive. In the winter, the bridge is removed, so you have to go through the town of Cloverdale and back track, adding about 15-20 minutes to your trip."
Tips for camping with families
Playground and recreation options: Family-friendly cabins often include play areas. "This campground is on Russian river. They have full hook ups and a lot of very cool sites. They have an insane amount of kids activities! Face paining, s'mores campfire, hay ride, parks, kareoke- just to name a few," notes Miya B. about Casini Ranch.
Swimming access consideration: Not all beaches or water features are equally family-friendly. At Hendy Woods, one camper advises, "If you want to go swimming you have to either ride your bike or drive to the entrance and park at the day use area by the bridge. The swimming hole is nice but can get packed at times."
Educational opportunities: Some cabin locations offer nature programs. A camper at Hendy Woods shares: "The junior ranger program and nightly events for families helped keep the kids engaged in the camping experience. Park rangers hosted guided hikes, nighttime stargazing (with telescopes), and nightly campfires."
Tips from RVers
Site selection impacts comfort: Some cabin areas share space with RVs, affecting the experience. At Caspar Beach, a reviewer notes: "Its a super cramped campground for big rigs. Much nicer and more privacy if tenting. The best spot is 'ocean view' but its time to change the name."
Access limitations: Larger vehicles face challenges at some cabin locations. Regarding Hendy Woods, Todd B. advises: "One tip for those towing trailers... the campground loop roads are not one way. Make sure to figure which direction to approach for the easiest backup."
Proximity to services: Some cabin campers appreciate nearby resources. Near Hendy Woods, "There are nearby stores on 128 for provisions (east - Lemmons Market; west - Navarro General Store) as well as several fruit stands." Russian River's Thousand Trails has limited services, with a reviewer noting: "There's no laundry room you have to go to a laundromat."
