Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Mendocino? Here you'll find a diverse selection of places to camp, including remote dispersed camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campgrounds for your California camping adventure.
ROADS MAY BE IMPASSABLE IN WET WEATHER. RV'S & TRAILERS NOT RECOMMENDED.
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park lies on the southern portion of the Lost Coast, a 60-mile stretch of wilderness comprising the park and the King Range National Conservation Area.
For thousands of years before the first Europeans arrived, the Sinkyone Indians lived on this part of the coast. They occupied permanent villages beside streams and rivers, and moved out in family groups to hunt and forage in the hills during the summer. They fished, gathered seaweed and shellfish, hunted seals and sea lions, and harvested the occasional dead whale washed on shore. All kinds of fish were caught, but the seasonal salmon run was especially important.
Today, the Lost Coast Trail follows the whole length of the rugged Sinkyone coastline. Gray whales pass by during the winter and early spring. Roosevelt elk roam the grasslands. Sea lions and harbor seals hang out in rocky coves. It’s an arresting landscape, with canyons, arches, tide pools, sea stacks, seasonal wildflowers, waterfalls, and dark sand beaches. On a sunny day, the sea looks turquoise, giving the park tropical feeling.
Some aspects of the Sinkyone keep crowds away. Its trails are steep and its campgrounds are primitive. There’s no potable water, and you have to haul out your own trash. When wet, the park’s twisting dirt roads are impassable for passenger cars. More than a few visitors have had to stay an extra day or two because a mudslide or fallen tree closed their route home. “The Sinkyone lets you go when it wants to let you go,” a park ranger says. In other words, it’s a real wilderness.
Guide
Great views — and often less soggy than down below on the water and beach. Only drawback is proximity to the access road and a bit exposed.
Guide
I’ve heard that this place can get crowded during the summer months I’m glad we waited until fall Definitely off the beaten path We were here on a Thursday night on our way to shelter cove via Usal rd
TravelerIt was our first time dispersed camping. We fell in LOVE!! The 45 min dirt road was filled with amazing views early morning. Will definitely be coming back here more often.
GuideThe road was a bit rougher than expected (took us roughly 45 min from the paved road to camp). People made it down in mini vans but I personally wouldn’t try it. We stayed over a weekend and there was several groups but still plenty of areas to camp. T-Mobile had 0 service.
RangerVery long road but absolutely wonderful site. It’s literally your own private beach for the night.
GuideBest camping spot of our trip. The road in is a long and windy road but the site is worth the drive. We got there at night but the windy road did not deter us. Camped on the beach with the woods to our backs. Saw some coyotes when setting up camp, but they didn't mind us. Most beautiful sunrise in the morning and saw mama and baby bear prints on the sand. The morning drive out was gorgeous.
GuideIt was easy to find the access road by the mile marker on Hwy. 1.
The road itself is rough and could be very unsettling for anyone trying to do this trip in a vehicle without good off-road clearance. The ruts can be big and cause bottoming out of street cars. For the most part, the road is easy, but challenging in some spots and skinny. You may have to make way or room for oncoming vehicles.
The area has plenty of campsites and fires are allowed. You can choose to shelter in the wooded areas or setup right on the beach. Beware of the deep sand. Lots of folks get stuck here, so drive carefully.
I loved this place, but so many people know about it. Prepare for neighbors sharing the area. Still it was secluded enough to really enjoy.
What do I have to say about it further? Dude! It's Northern CA. It's the Pacific Ocean. It's a dream combo you can only experience by being there. Love this place and keep it clean!
GuideI started coming around the end of March. The trail can be a little rough if it’s been raining. Had to pull someone out last trip, which made the adventure even better! I recommend 4x4 during the wet seasons and some recovery gear just in case.
Guide
The ride up was rough. The views made it all worth it. The camp site was not an option for me. I need something semi level to navigate.
ScoutWe drove our awe small hatchback car - almost didn’t make it over one of the first huge road breakups - but we pushed through & found the beach at the end - I would fo back if I felt more confident in my car/ was driving a vehicle with better tires and higher clearance - it was glorious
ScoutPicked this campsite on a whim during a trip up the coast. I was looking for an out of the way coastal campground that was still drivable, and boy, this campground did not disappoint. The road coming into Usal is a pretty messed up mountain road thanks to the fact that it's also used by logging trucks. I would really only recommend this road if you have AWD or 4WD, but we did see a Scion TC come into the campground at one point, so do whatever you feel comfortable with. Once you're down in the campground you'll be rewarded with a fairly secluded beach view and have your choice of either camping on the beach itself or camping in the wooded area a bit further back from the shore. We chose the latter, and even with the number of other parties near us, we were still able to find a fairly secluded spot. The only facility on-site is a single pit toilet that's sort of hidden by the entrance road. As far the fee is concerned, I've seen elsewhere that the camping fee is $25 but if there was a place to even pay that we couldn't find it. All in all, a wonderful campsite with some killer views, just be cautious and prepared for the drive in
Scout
We drove 5 hours to get to this what we thought would be a beautiful ocean view site only to find NO CAMPING signs all over the place. Do not come here and expect to camp
LegendI love Pt Arena. The lighthouse is historic and has an incredible past; if you are anywhere near here I absolutely recommend stopping by and taking a tour (get ready for stairs). It’s only $5 a person, dogs are welcome on the premises if not inside the actual lighthouse, and there’s a great gift shop. You can also rent the lighthouse keepers quarters, which I’ve never done but seems like it would be a unique experience. I wish I had factored this into my trip, but of course you need to book them way in advance.
In Pt Arena, you are far from major towns but you have conveniences close at hand and a choice of directions to go, whether it’s down toward Sonoma Valley and the wine country, Point Reyes, or into Anderson Valley (underrated!).
Camping in this area gives you a special place to kick off into areas that most tourists don’t even know about, or don’t get to see through your eyes because they’re tucked away into posh $500/night B&B accommodations. I woke up early because I had to get back to San Francisco and I had Highway 1 almost all to myself. It was one of the most gorgeous, amazing parts of my entire drive.
Traveler
As long as you have a capable vehicle and are prepared to provide for your own needs, you'll be ready for Cow.
GuideAlways fun. Love going to the tech course with our off road buggy. Crawled all over that hill.
GuideLove taking our Rock crawler up to cow. Lots of obstacles. Camping is awesome. Few sites and vault restrooms. Still a good time.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Mendocino, California, where nature's tranquility meets adventure. This region offers unique spots for those looking to escape the crowds and immerse themselves in the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Mendocino, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Mendocino, CA is Usal Beach Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Mendocino, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Mendocino, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
