Best Tent Camping near McKinleyville, CA
State parks and national forests surrounding McKinleyville, California offer diverse tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to backcountry sites. Penn Campground in Sue-meg State Park provides tent-only camping with sites tucked into private green enclaves that create a sense of seclusion despite proximity to neighboring campers. For those seeking more primitive tent camping experiences, Flint Ridge Backcountry Site in Redwood National and State Park offers free walk-in tent sites accessible via a short quarter-mile hike from the parking area. BLM dispersed camping at Lacks Creek, located about 18 miles east of Highway 101, provides a more remote option for tent campers looking to escape crowds.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, though facilities vary significantly between established and primitive sites. At Penn Campground, campers have access to bathrooms with electrical outlets, coin-operated showers, and potable water. Food lockers are provided at each campsite for secure storage. In contrast, backcountry tent sites at Flint Ridge and Elam Camp require permits and proper food storage, with bear canisters mandatory unless bear lockers are available. Lacks Creek dispersed camping area has minimal facilities but includes fire rings and picnic tables. Cell service is notably absent at many locations, particularly at Lacks Creek where visitors report no signal for miles.
Tent campers frequently comment on the privacy and natural surroundings at these sites. One visitor to Penn Campground noted, "Each site is tucked back in its own little green enclave, so even though the neighboring sites are close to you, you feel secluded." At Flint Ridge, campers should be prepared for dense vegetation including poison ivy throughout the campground. According to reviews, the eight tent sites are "relatively spread apart for privacy" though the composting toilet is located at campsite #1. Visitors to Lacks Creek should be aware of ticks, with one camper reporting they "left after 30 minutes and 6 ticks." Despite these challenges, the region's tent campgrounds provide excellent access to hiking trails, beaches, and the magnificent redwood forests that define this section of Northern California.
