Best Dog-Friendly Camping near McKinleyville, CA

This is a beautiful campground in Meyer’s Flat, CA. The area of Myers Flat is a little “sketchy” but the campground is very well kept and they close the gates at night which is nice. There are nice little cabins on site as well as RV sites. We stayed for 3 nights and it was very enjoyable. Driving and biking along Avenue of the Giants was the highlight of this area! There is a little dog park, volleyball court, playground, swimming area. (we didn’t swim due to the algae warning for northern CA) It’s along Eel River. There’s also a great market and coffee shop nearby that we took advantage of! (pricey but the only place around) The staff is so kind and Vicki was a great help while we made our reservation over the phone. Overall, we would stay again!

The Campsite itself is closed due to Covid. However, 8am to 8PM it is a swimmer's Paradise. Really nice Camping spots and cannot wait to visit here when open. $25 a night to camp in tent and $1 per pet.

Incredible views, quiet, easy river access, pet and kid friendly, showers, on site friendly hosts, and the best trails through old growth that you rarely get in a campground. It’s a magical place, and affordable. Worth sacrificing the cell signal, there’s a pay phone in the entry lot. I’ve been twice now, and can’t wait to go back.

I don't even know what to say, except pick somewhere else. Last summer we stayed for a few days. I reserved a few days for this summer. Got the reservation confirmed by email- didn't notice my name was misspelled by one single letter- and stopped in to the office to inquire about paying early. It turned out they gave me a reservation under the wrong name and that I was actually, in fact, banned from the park. What??? They revealed that in their system I was banned due to"pet damages". My service dog did not cause any property damage and the cabin was left clean. I asked if there was any detail about these supposed damages and no, there were not. I asked if there was someone I could speak to as no one had ever contacted me about this issue. The larger blond woman said,"I am the only one"(that I could speak with) and added that I was also banned from shoreline park- which I had never been to. The hold on my credit card is still there. It's only a few dollars but I'm going to cut my losses. Last time we stayed we were prohibited from flushing tp down the toilet and the bathrooms were not clean at all. The Wi-Fi never worked and the power went out preventing me from using my bipap. Also the pool and playground areas were so closely monitored it was a bit uncomfortable being on camera and confronted about a minor rule violation (within moments like I was being closely watched) that was quickly righted. I believe in second chances but this was just an insult to my sensibilities.  Weird staff, pretty unfriendly. There are plenty of other friendlier and more accommodating beautiful cabins and resorts to choose from in Humboldt.

My boyfriend and I stayed in Cabin 2 on November 23, 2021. We had a hilarious encounter with a cat that was in the cabin when we arrived which we wrote about in the Cabin #2 Guest Journal before we left (see picture uploaded). We only stayed one night here and we enjoyed it. The electric fireplace was a nice touch to the cabin (see picture uploaded) and it warmed the space up enough, we never needed to use the HVAC system. It was nice to wake up in the morning and enjoy the view of all the humongous redwood trees around us from the cabinet patio (see uploaded videos). Also, the bathroom/shower facilities were kept clean. I would stay at this campground again.

We rolled in late to this campground it was around 10pm just before they close for the night.  We was greeted by a very friendly Camphost who check us in and took us to our sites. When we woke up in the morning it was amazing we couldn't believe our eyes how beautiful the view of the river and the nature that surrounding this place. We rolled in our rv along with family members who stayed in the tent sites located literally right on the Klamath river.

I want to add that this campground is gated so one is driving through the property during the night. It is quite and very safe, kids friendly,  pets friendly they have trails in the forest. Super duper cozy coffee house on the property along with freshly made Flatbread pizza on the weekends. Facilities are very clean I mean spotless, laundry room is squeaky clean with new washers and dryers. I work from my house and the internet was superb looks like wifi6 is what they are running in the campground so i was able to work remotely. 

I usually don't write reviews like this but people need to know about this place. Gary who is the owner and his team are amazing people they gave me maps and very knowledgeable about things to do in the area they are centrally located just few minutes to redwoods park.  I also want to add that they stay on top of everything this is not the place where you see trash or loud drunk party people.

This place is relaxing and rejuvenating. 

I give them 10 stars they work hard to make memories and comfort for us the traveler's.

I stayed at this campsite twice two years ago. The first time was in the spring (April) with my daughters and the second time was in August that year. This is not a campsite per se, but rather a parking lot in which you chose a parking spot directly next to someone else and if you have a tent pitch it directly behind your car in the scraggly grass and sand sticker plants. There is zero privacy or distance between campers.

The fee is $20 per night. The bathrooms are disgusting. The best thing about them was a family of nesting birds above the door to the ladies restroom. We were able to watch the babies for a while which was fun, but there is also the chance that you’ll be pooped on while entering or leaving the bathroom.

The first time was just okay. We camped inside the back of my Toyota Highlander amongst mostly RVs, most of which left their loud generators and bright outside lights on long after quiet hours. I finally had to knock on our neighbors R.V. door to ask them to turn out the outside light which was shining directly into our car.

This wasn’t terrible and was completely outshone by a half day spent on the beach in the dune area. Locals surfed as families. The community seemed so tight knit and inviting. We left deciding that we’d definitely come back to spend a day on the beach later in the summer. Also, the local Samoa Cookhouse is nearby with family style breakfast, lunch and dinner served. It is a historic site and museum that used to serve the loggers in the area the food and service is awesome and has become a much looked forward to stop on our road trips to California.

When we came back we came with my husband, choosing to camp at the boat launch area again because of its proximity to the beach. The late summer campers were a very different crowd. Mostly they seemed transient. There was garbage everywhere. Beer bottles, wild pets - even an actual pig, run down RVs that were clearly full time housing for large, loud families filled the parking lot. There was loud partying far into the night.

I had my daughters car camp and locked them in while my husband and I slept in a tent behind the car. We kept being woken by a loud noise that I couldn’t identify. I thought it sounded like a bear, then maybe a plastic barrel being pulled across the concrete. Eventually - after very little sleep - we discovered it was our neighbor who had some sort of terrible sleep disorder. It was bizarre. After he woke in the morning he proceeded to urinate in from of my daughters onto the water spigot rather than in the restroom which was 50 feet away. My husband was horrified and asked what would ever possess me to bring him there. Lets just say that the beach was not reason enough.

I would not stay here again. I did not feel safe or that this was a sanitary. The price seems to attract people who are not camping so much as homeless. The bathrooms don’t get serviced often and even if they did I’m sure they’d be trashed in a matter of hours.

This campground is lovely. Opened Memorial Day weekend. There are clean, spacious restrooms, showers, and even giant laundry tubs/sinks. Offers a variety of spots, from heavily forested to open meadow. The creekside sites are the best.  There are a few sites that offer privacy. I found the employees to be wonderful and most of the campers to be well behaved. This place seems to attract real outdoors enthusiasts so you may have some loud, drunk neighbors but they go to bed early so as not to miss out on fishing. Like all state parks in California, dog are welcome in the campground but not on any trails. You can’t access any of the streams legally with a dog. Probably best enjoyed without the the fur babies. Heed the signs warning against RVs and trailers.

Emerald Forest is just that, nestled in a forest. It was a little muddy when we visited but California was smack dab in the middle of a very wet season. Our campsite was level and secluded. The bathrooms were clean and showers had nice warm water, did have to pay for the showers but a couple quarters isn’t much. We stayed two nights and walked to town every morning for coffee and scones from Beachcomber…delicious! Our dogs absolutely loved running on the beach which was also a couple mile walk away. Our second visit to this campground was as good as our first. Love this place and would return again.

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. Dog area had agility items for the dogs. In entering from 101, felt like we were coming into a business but park was out backs. Adorable cabins to rent. Would come again. Lady in office was very friendly, polite and went above and beyond.

Look. If you are in to big trees and misty mornings, this is the place. I kinda wanna give it 2 stars so that it won’t be crowded next time I go. Walk to the river, stroll through the woods. There was a rednecky family that pulled in the last day with a large group of shitty kids and barking dogs. (I like kids and had my dog with me, these were the shitty kind though). Other than that it was idyllic. Hot showers, well mainly sites. Courteous hosts and rangers. And a 15min drive to a little grocery/gas station, the Murrish Market.

Says they are dog friendly, but they are NOT!! Very misleading.  If you like bringing your doggies camping with you this is NOT the place to go!

We camp here as much as possible. Just good ol' pit toilets, but usually not crowded, and very quiet. As Humboldt locals, we like to be away from the crowds, in the most beautiful natural areas in California. This is the trail head to the famous Lost Coast Trail, and just a stunning beach campground. Dogs allowed on leash, pop your tent in the sand. Super nice.

No big stores nearby, so you should probably get groceries in Eureka or Fortuna before heading over the hill to Petrolia. There is a small store, but this is Humboldt so they could be closed at any given point, wouldn't depend on it.

Be careful in the summer, not really sandal appropriate. The native dune plants have lots of little prickers in the sand among the campsites.

Make sure to stroll along the beach north to where the Mattole river flows into the Pacific. You will almost always find a bunch of seals hanging out on the other side of the river spit and hunting in the estuary for fist.

I've always loved Sue-Meg/Patricks Point, the trails and Agate Beach were my favorites when I lived locally. Camping here is fun as well and we keep coming back as often as we can. This trip we stayed in site 100 at Agate beach. It wasn't our favorite site that we've stayed at but it was nice. It is quite open to the parking lot for the Agate beach trail and doesn't have much seclusion, so you're really out in the open. You're next to the cabins, which made us slightly jealous we didn't book them for this trip lol. We had our dog with us, which is nice that they are allowed but a bummer that the dogs aren't allowed on any trails in the park. It's also nice how centrally located the park is in Humboldt. It's close enough to Arcata and Eureka that you can head down for food and other trails/activities in the surrounding area. 

We got super lucky with the weather, it was sunny and no rain for the 3 days we stayed in April. It was kind of busy this second weekend in April, lots of families and other dogs, but most people were friendly and quiet. The campground next to us had some younger guys who we caught climbing into the trees and sawing off branches for their firewood, which was sad to see. 

Besides that it was an amazing weekend at Sue-Meg, I highly recommend the park. :)

We stayed for one night as we were passing thru from Oregon to Central California.

Pros

• No cell service
• In the trees, very secluded
• Flush potties.
• Nice swimming hole, the water was warm in mid June. This seems to be the primary attraction for this area. Most of the families were gathered along the shore and playing in the water.
• Hiking straight out of the camp ground. But, it is a very steep trail, so make sure you bring a walking stick(s) and wear proper gear. This is also a heavy bear area, so pack your bear spray.
• Best for tent or car camping.
• Nice fire pits, wood for sale at office
• Fantastic place for kids… so many families with young children.
• The camp host and other campers were really friendly.

Cons

• Close to the road, we heard vehicles all night. We were in a hard sided camper two rows away from the road and could hear them inside. It’s got to be really loud for people closer and in tents.
• Tight spots and everyone is packed closely together (Check out the video).
• No electric, site water, dumping, or showers.
• Not suited for most RVs and travel trailers, you need to be very small and fully self contained. Our 19’ A-Line barely fit into our spot. The sites are close together, short, with roots coming up in the road and parking areas, and sharp angled turns to get into your spot. A lot of spot have over hanging tree limbs. We made it in our spot because our camper is super low profile during travel mode. Would not have been able to fit under the tree limbs with a normal camper.
• Hwy 36 from the 101 is very curvy with lots of narrow areas and very few turn offs.
• Not a good place for dogs, very few areas they are allowed other than your camp site. Upon arriving we receive a yellow sheet letting us know why our dog was a problem for wildlife in this area and all the reasons we should not bring him with us next time.

Over all, I this campground would be a fun place for families, wanting to disconnect from technology for a weekend of tent camping.

Campsites are incredibly beautiful and well spaced out. Great showers and satisfactory restrooms. Water and electric was $2 more at the campsite, well worth it. Some great little dog walks from and near the location. Was a great break from the summer heat. We'll definitely be back.

Stunning scenery. The ecology in this park is pristine just as it should be. We could have easily stayed a week here. Campsites are well spaced out so it was quiet. Hiking trails are easy walking on bluff. Beach was filled with fun agates to admire. Our dog was in heaven running off leash on the beach. Great vibe here. Very special place

Quiet place with only tents and small trailers. Lots of shade (not great for solar, we did get some) No pesky critters. Clean private bathrooms and showers. Limited trials for dogs. Very limited. A small amount of poison oak. Close town for restaurants and stores. An 45 minutes to Eureka

Only stayed one night on a coastal road trip but this place for sure left an impression. Gorgeous views. Great campground. Great weather. We heard a bear in the night, and raccoons everywhere around our tents. The only negative is the trails are not dog friendly. Which is a shame because I would love to go ‘splorin here. I will definitely be back. Soon.

Park was mostly empty and very quiet. Plenty of full and partial RV hookups (generators are not allowed) and tent spots. Very clean facilities and well maintained. Friendly staff. Walking distance to the river and has a small enclosed dog run. Excellent WiFi. Weak Verizon and no AT&T service.