Camping in Mendocino spans diverse ecosystems where coastal bluffs meet inland redwood groves at elevations ranging from sea level to 300 feet. Morning fog frequently blankets the coastline until midday, creating temperature differentials of 10-15°F between beach and inland sites. Most Mendocino campgrounds require advanced booking 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends, though fall and winter offer more availability with temperatures rarely dropping below 40°F.
What to do
Tide pooling at low tide: MacKerricher State Park Campground offers excellent tide pool exploration opportunities. "Short walk to the beach. Beautiful camp sites. Trees are beautiful all around the sites," notes Jeanette C., who frequents the park to observe marine life. The park's Laguna Point area provides designated tide pool access points.
Kayaking river mouths: Navarro Beach Campground sits at the confluence of river and ocean. "The Navarro River flows into the Pacific here, and this is a great site to watch seals in the ocean and otters in the river," shares Norma Y. Campers can launch kayaks directly from the beach when conditions permit.
Pygmy forest hikes: Van Damme State Park Campground provides access to unique botanical areas. "The next morning the Ranger suggested we check out a nearby Pygmy Tree Forest as a point of interest it was pretty cool and definitely worth checking out," reports Jessica R. The stunted cypress and pine trees grow in nutrient-poor soil conditions.
What campers like
Private campsites with natural dividers: Pomo RV Park & Campground features sites separated by vegetation. "Very private sites divided by hedges. Sites are fairly large and very well maintained," says Scott P. Another camper mentions that "each site has shrubbery around it. It feels like you are in a world by itself."
Off-season solitude: Russian Gulch State Park Campground offers a different experience in quieter months. "We stayed one night here in early October, after exploring the Mendocino area on a campervan road trip. Campsite was quiet and secluded, lots of trees so was pretty quiet and private," shares Carly E. Weekday visits during spring and fall often mean half-empty campgrounds.
Ocean sounds without exposure: Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground protects campers from harsh coastal elements while providing ocean proximity. "A forest of trees right across the street from the crashing surf. Lovely! It has a wonderful tent camping area back away from RVs in the Redwoods and many other trees," notes Rosemary A.
What you should know
Token-operated showers: Many state parks charge for shower usage. At MacKerricher, "Showers require tokens. This seems pretty standard in California State Parks but it's successful at deterring us from showering every night. One token gives 4 minutes of showering. Each token is $1," reports Mea H.
First-come sites fill early: Navarro Beach operates without reservations. "This campground doesn't take reservations, it's on a first come basis but I like that about it," explains Allison. Sites typically fill by noon on summer weekends and holiday periods.
Property security concerns: Take standard precautions with valuables. "Our site and tent were burglarized while we were gone for part of a day. They stole all cooking equipment since it was closest to the car then they started on the tent," warns Nancy M. from Van Damme State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Stream access for children: Hidden Pines RV Park & Campground provides water features for kids. "My spot (13) had a babbling stream next to it, and empty spots on all sides," notes Jessi P. These shallow water areas allow for safer water play than ocean beaches.
Driftwood exploration: Beach campsites offer natural building materials. "The beach has lots of character, tons of driftwood that people have moved around and made crude huts out of," explains Jack R. about Navarro Beach. These structures provide ready-made play areas for children.
Ranger programs: Several parks offer educational programming. Hannah S. mentions that at Pomo Campground, "they have a good supply of books/games that you can borrow from the main office," while others report evening amphitheater presentations on local wildlife.
Tips from RVers
Limited full hookup availability: Albion River Campground offers varied site types. "Most sites are water and electric, but there are some with full hookups," notes James N. Reservations for sewer hookups should be made 3-4 months in advance.
Dump station fees: Plan for additional charges at some parks. "The dump station has a mandatory fee of $10. You pay with a credit card. When payment is approved, the cap to the dump hole unlocks," explains Mea H. about MacKerricher State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Coastal terrain creates uneven parking surfaces. At Hidden Pines, one reviewer noted "The lot was so bad our auto leveling trailer couldn't level." Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended for most coastal campgrounds.
