Camping near Mendocino Lake

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Mendocino Lake, CA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Mendocino Lake campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Mendocino Lake, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Mendocino Lake (160)

    1. Mackerricher State Park Campground

    1463 Reviews
    Fort Bragg, CA
    37 miles

    $45 - $260 / night

    "There are many sites next to the ocean."

    "PROS Campground is adjacent to the beach. You can hear the ocean and sometimes catch peeks of the ocean from the campground.

    → Campsites have bear lockers."

    2. Hendy Woods State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Philo, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 895-3141

    $45 - $70 / night

    "This California State Park is located in the Anderson Valley, a historic agricultural area located in the Navarro river watershed.  While only 120-ish miles from San Francisco, this area is remote. "

    "The sites are situated among towering redwoods. Which blocks the amazing clear night skies, but offer there own beauty.
    It was great! The nearby towns or phill and boonville are super cute."

    3. Kyen Campground

    6 Reviews
    Redwood Valley, CA
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 467-4200

    $35 - $65 / night

    "Some Lakeside campsites for RVs and tents with many other campsites, stretching up a gentle hill. Potable water is available."

    4. Narrows Lodge Resort

    4 Reviews
    Upper Lake, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 275-2718

    "It’s a short walk from anywhere in the campground down to the lake. The water is crystal clear and there’s a little dock for jumping off of."

    "MUST BE SELF CONTAINED TO STAY IN THIS LOCATION!!"

    5. COE Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground

    3 Reviews
    Mendocino Lake, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (707) 467-4200

    6. Redwood Empire Fair RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Ukiah, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 462-3884

    7. Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Willits, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 459-6179

    "The Mendocino redwoods RV resort just outside of Willits on CA-20 to Fort Bragg, California, was 3 years ago a KOA resort."

    "We were just a few steps from the pool, which was clean, but pretty cold. It didn’t seem like it was heated. If it is, it’s not heated well."

    8. Bushay Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Redwood Valley, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (707) 467-4200

    $35 - $250 / night

    "Also, I accidentally left my camping chairs behind :( and an employee reached out to me to let me know! I wish it wasn't a 3+ hour drive for me because I would love to already head back lol."

    9. Middle Creek Campground

    4 Reviews
    Upper Lake, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 275-2361

    $8 / night

    "Beautiful location, campground was easily accessible going up Elk Mountain Road. Camped in Site 11, pull through, no hook ups, nice picnic table, grill and fire pit. Vault toilets, no showers."

    "If it's in a beautiful location and if you're into four-wheeling or dirt bikes, you're going to have a blast."

    10. Golden Rule RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Redwood Valley, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 459-2958

    $37 / night

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Recent Reviews near Mendocino Lake

640 Reviews of 160 Mendocino Lake Campgrounds


  • R. J.
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Lower Bayview Campground — Clear Lake State Park

    Not completely worth it

    Great campground, not so great in the summer. There is barely any airflow. Once in a while a breeze will manage to pass through, but when its 100ºF outside...you'd wish it were breezy all day.

    Campsite #99 is literally right next to the restroom, as well as a few other campsites at the Lower Bay View campsite(93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 100, & 110) with a bit more walking. The other campsites are a bit of a walk the further you get away.

    If you are expecting it to be quiet during the evening nearby the restrooms, these sites will not help. Not everyone is respectful of their camping neighbors and will either stand there and chitchat...for some odd reason...but also, you can really hear the toilet flush as it was amplified.

    I do highly recommend to bring a rake and rake out where you are going to put your tent. Soo many twigs and rocks on the ground, ain't fun. Also, be sure to bring a canopy with a mosquito screen...tons of flies, yellow jackets, moths, gnats, just all around flying bugs. Remember when I mentioned the breeze coming once in a while...yeah, this is another reason why.

    Thankfully no trash pandas(racoons) were seen the entire trip. But we have seen tons of lizards, crows, and bluejay's. I did see however on our last night at the camp, a California Kingsnake. I was going to the restroom before going to bed and 3 women were by the men's side of the bathrooms. Once I was done, I came out and saw the snake with my headlamp. I stepped aside and told the women to be careful, there is a snake.

    They told me its just lizards...apparently a few ran across their feet. I told them "No, its a snake...look". They looked down where my light was spotted and saw the snake. 2 of the 3 women ran while the 3rd stood by me til it moved away. The 3rd ran once the snake continued to where it was going. I went to my tent and zipped it up tightly and went to bed. While laying down, I can hear the ladies talking to the men at their campsite about the snake and couldn't help but laugh a bit silently.

    The swimming lagoon was not worth even trying to get in. The water level is low, boat launch nearby was closed due to waterline being low. There is soo much algae, the water stinks if you break the surface. Wasn't even worth trying to swim.

    Oh and one last thing, call before you arrive the day you plan on visiting. No Charcoal Grills, No Campfires, Only gas or propane grills. Due to an extreme risk of fire, there has been a ban. I asked the ranger about using the fire pit rings at the campsite, and seeing on the website reservation system that we are allowed to use it. That is not true and whoever is responsible on maintaining the system hasn't updated it to reflect the fire ban according to what the ranger at the station stated.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Cowboy Camp

    Served its Purpose

    This site served its purpose; spot to sleep after a long day of driving. The disbursed camping area was down a gravel road to the left next to the day use vault toilet through a cattle gate.

    There were several campers already there but plenty of room for more. There were also several vault toilets on the property as well.

  • Craig B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Gualala Point Regional Park

    Quiet spot

    This is a beautiful and quiet spot to stop at. Although a smaller campsite with just 19 spots, it is beautiful with fishing in the river that runs next to it. The spots are beautiful,each he's a fire pit and picnic table. Coastal access in near by . I highly recommend it as a most see

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Thousand Trails Russian River

    A little piece of paradise

    This is a rustic park with no sewer hookups, so you need to bring a sewer caddy, and also, they have laundry onsite. They are remodeling and repairing and it is coming along very nicely.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    East Park Reservoir

    We had the entire campground to ourselves

    We stayed here on a weekday in early October and we were the only ones in the entire campground. We picked a spot right on the water and got to enjoy the amazing views and sounds from the geese. The views were incredible no matter which way we looked, especially at sunset.

    Porta potties and pit toilets throughout the campground. The road to the campground was a bit bumpy.

    Campground fee can be paid via a QR code.

  • Fighter J.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Thousand Trails Russian River

    Russian River

    Place is quiet at night, but seems run down. They are going to assign sights which is what I don’t like in most camp grounds. I like the A section and it not being a choice anymore is my last time here.

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Salt Point State Park Campground

    Very secluded excellent trail to the ocean with scenic rock views

    Very clean and unkept campground low price for tents($35) . Site 30 was my favorite pick. Lots of nice lots and far spacing!

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Thousand Trails Russian River

    Tough sites

    I am reasonably ok at backing in my travel trailer but this place is a mess. I parked in wrong spot, moved to the right one, the power pedestal did not work. Had to walk to office because phone number on check-in sheet did not work. Camp worker in golf cart picked me up and checked pedestal. No good. Drove me around looking for another site but the camp side on most is terrible. My wife has mobility issues so I would not stay here again. Staff was great, area looks nice, but the sites I saw leave something to be desired.


Guide to Mendocino Lake

Camping near Mendocino Lake, California, offers a mix of stunning natural beauty and a variety of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike through redwoods or relax by the water, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Hendy Woods State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Nice trails down to the river," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Wine Tasting: The nearby towns of Philo and Boonville are known for their charming wineries. A family shared, "The nearby towns are super cute," highlighting the local attractions.
  • Beach Access: At Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground, you can enjoy a private beach. One camper said, "The location was great, with access to a private beach across from the RV park."

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Pomo RV Park & Campground. A long-time visitor stated, "Love that our sites are private and secluded."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campers rave about the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Gualala River Redwood Park noted, "The bathrooms were clean, and showers were a nice amenity."
  • Natural Beauty: The stunning surroundings are a big draw. A camper at Russian Gulch State Park Campground remarked, "Serene, beautiful, clean bathrooms, spacious."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell reception. A visitor at Van Damme State Park Campground mentioned, "There is NO cell service," so plan accordingly.
  • Tight Spaces for RVs: If you're bringing an RV, some campgrounds have tight spaces. A reviewer at Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground said, "The spaces for RVs are tight, but we made it work."
  • Weather Variability: Be ready for changing weather conditions. One family camping at Kelsey Creek Campground noted, "It was freezing at night," so pack accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with play areas. A camper at Gualala Point Regional Park mentioned, "There’s a play area for kids," making it a great choice for families.
  • Spacious Sites: Choose campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. One reviewer at Anchor Bay Campground said, "The site was calm, the sea is right next to it," perfect for family fun.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Pomo RV Park & Campground noted, "There is plenty of wildlife to see," which can be exciting for kids.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Before booking, check the size of the RV sites. A camper at Van Damme State Park Campground advised, "If you are in a tent, you may have a challenge finding a flat enough spot."
  • Bring Extra Cables: If you plan to use electric hookups, bring long cables. A reviewer at Gualala River Redwood Park mentioned, "Electric hookups and water spigots were at odd locations."
  • Plan for Dump Station Fees: Be aware that some campgrounds charge for dump station use. A visitor at Kelsey Creek Campground noted, "The dump station costs $10 to use," so budget accordingly.

Camping near Mendocino Lake, California, offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and relaxation. With its beautiful landscapes and welcoming campgrounds, it's a fantastic destination for your next getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mendocino Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mendocino Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 160 campgrounds and RV parks near Mendocino Lake and 12 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Mendocino Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mendocino Lake is Mackerricher State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 1463 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mendocino Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Mendocino Lake.

What parks are near Mendocino Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Mendocino Lake that allow camping, notably Mendocino National Forest and Lake Sonoma.