Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Mendocino? Find the best tent camping sites near Mendocino. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Camp One is accessed at mile marker 5.85 via JDSF Road 350, and also has a day use area that includes the popular “Egg Station” day use area. Camp One has a total of 19 campgrounds associated with this area.
Campgrounds associated with Camp One include Redtail (10 sites; 6-10 campsites are open to equestrian campers only), Wagon (5 sites), Roundhouse (3 sites), Tin Can (2 sites) and numerous one campsite campgrounds. Iron ranger is located at the Camp One Host site location.
Reported 8/2022 Paul Dimmick campground is open on a first-come, first-serve basis May 27, 2022 – September 7, 2022.
Navarro Beach Campground is OPEN
Visitors to the Navarro River Redwoods State Park can enjoy picnicking, swimming, and camping at the Paul M. Demmick campground. The park is popular with anglers, canoeists, and kayakers in the late winter and spring.
Second growth redwood groves stretch the length of the park. They are home for raccoons, black-tail deer, and river-oriented birds such as the belted kingfisher.
$10 - $35 / night
Existing Resources: This campground is located just west of Camp 20 off of Highway 20. There are a total of 17 campsites, (2) one stall outhouses, three trash can structures, camp host site, information board and an iron ranger pay station.
A non-profit organization providing Low Cost Accommodations, Nature Education, and Nature Stewardship, Restoration & Protection.
Our 33 acre property is located adjacent to Jug Handle Beach and Jug Handle Nature Preserve which includes miles of trails to the Pygmy Forest and many beautiful headlands walks just out your front door. Our property provides opportunities for walking, bird watching, star gazing and quite reflection.
We offer nature education and stewardship workshops for school groups and adults, find out more on our Nature page. We are located half way between Mendocino and Fort Bragg.
$45 / night
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.
Old train Caboose for rent. New queen bamboo bed, hot plate, cold refrigerator. Outdoor hot shower and claw tub. Sweet deck open space. Star studded sky. Artesian well water, drink from the spigot and bring bottles to take some home. Glen Eden hiking trail abuts the land. Camp in a quiet field across the dry creek bed. We have 3 dogs that roam hills, will do our best to keep them away most of the time. Have rooster who does crow up the sun. We are 15 minutes to Safeway in Lakeport, 20 minutes to north side Ukiah and 10 minutes to Upper Lake. We are 2 miles from the pristine Blue Lakes, day pass there for swimming and boating rentals. Also Clear Lake State Park is not far and they also offer swimming and boating. Disney boat rentals will deliver craft to Clearlake for you. My personal favorite is Highland Springs Reservoir about 20 minute drive on country roads, and pass the small aircraft airport and restaurant. Boating, swimming, hiking and BBQ available at Highland Springs.. We are not ADA. Cell phone and wifi won't work in this canyon. Climb the hill maybe. We are not fancy, we are unique. Come for bird watching, the quiet and the stars. We have some coupons for wine tasting from a few of the nearby vineyards We offer a farm stand with fresh eggs and vegetables in season daily. Highland Springs Reservoir offers swimming, BBQ and Disk Golf, all free. Lakeport has a drive in theater, google Lakeport auto movies drive in. New Rule: if you are inviting guests they must be pre approved. PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY AND NOT RAISE DUST IN OUR NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY TO OUR PROPERTY. We also have two big private campsites and one long term area.
Please read reviews here: https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/dashboard/land/34844/listings
$39 - $175 / night
No Day Use Area or General Parking.
Traveler
Cool little camping spot outside of Willits. Has a western themed town that hold little dances and ice cream parlor parties for kids. This KOA also has a mini waterpark as well. We camped in a tent site and our number pole did have an outlet. Perfect place for glamping or kids!
Legend
The entrance to this campground is behind a store so it technically is hidden.
What it lacks in privacy of sites it definitely makes up for in amenities. There are firewood bundles stacked up alongside the store for pick up. There is a pool and shower room open from 10 am to 10 pm.
The tent sites are right along a fence without much privacy. I would suggest this place for RV camping over tent camping.
There are showerhouses and bathrooms in the middle of the campground with a fish cleaning station.
It’s an expensive campground $45-69 per night depending on where you want to be.
Guide
We chose Pomo based on other reviews on TheDyrt. I picked site 47 out of the three that were left when I was searching for a place near Fort Bragg. Although it looks like the site is in the middle of the town, the sites are very private, many nestled between thick brush (blackberries!) and many back far enough from the road that it seems like you're boondocking. Our primary reason for choosing a coastal site was for comfort. It was still over 95 degrees inland, but a very comfortable 65 along the coast.
Almost all the RV sites are gravel, with the exception of a couple smaller ones, and the tent sites. There is a single bathroom complex, and the men's restroom was great...tiled with multiple stalls, large glass windows and CLEAN! I didn't check the showers out, but I'm assuming the same level of detail and finish also apply there.
It appears the sewer system doesn't cover all the sites, so the further back in the campground you go, there won't be any (an educated guess on my behalf). I walked through the campground, and most the RV sites have a power pedastal and water, a nice wooden picnic table and a fire ring. Internet access is available throughout, and when I ran speedtest I was getting 170Mbps down, which is incredible.
Make sure you look through the pictures of each site on the reservation page. They all are slightly different in size, privacy, and whatnot. There are several sites that "share" a common open space if you're in a group, and a large group area which looked to have 5 or 6 sites all comingled.
For tent camping, there is a large, open line of grass near the front of the campground, which doesn't really offer much protection from the sun. BUT...there is a loop at the back of the campground that has at least 10 grassy tent sites under a thick cover of pine trees. It's isolated by a path from the other RV sites, and I was really impressed by the area! If I were still tent camping, this would no doubt be my go-to tent site.
The nights were quiet and dark, and the staff friendly. They have 1 dump station, a fish cleaning station, propane and the office has a bunch of DVD movies available (not sure if for rent or free use).
Overall an excellent site and we were glad to find it, and will probably use this as a staging point for future treks further up the coast! I'll include some pictures of the site (I never include personal/family pictures because this is a campground review site, not a family album!)
Traveler
Inner sites on a meadow have lots of space! Outer sites are in a more wooded landscape. Campground can be foggy in summer months, but is very close to the beach where ocean kayaking is common. Only a few minutes away from Mendocino. Bathrooms have flush toilets and showers are available!
Legend
Sign says spacious sites but clearly a packed mobile home park with tent Camping.
Traveler
The tent camping is full of roots, and low privacy, but it’s okay for a quick overnight stop
Traveler
We love this campground and have been coming for years. We have tent camped and trailer camped and love both. The tent spots are nicely divided by coastal trees and shrubs which provide ample privacy. You can walk to the beach, bathrooms with quarter showers, clean.
Legend
At $30 per night for a tent, this campground is a bit intense.
This is a drive up site. The online source for it is outdated but the site is a good place to stop if you just need a space for the night.
It is a combo trailer park, RV sites, and Tents sites so the navigation might be a little tricky in parts. There are power sites and water sources placed around the area.
There is a bath house in the middle of the park but if you are camped in the tent sites, it is pretty far away.
There are a couple porta potties set up that are closer to the tent sites.
Cash or check only here. No cards taken.
Make sure you check the pet rules too, they are very strict on them. We were lucky enough to not have our dogs with us this trip.
The sites are pretty secluded by shrubs so you do get a sense of privacy in places. The turns driving around might make RV camping a little tricky.
ScoutFamily park, nice and quite. Tent sites to full hookups. Older park facilitys very old. Some sites have an ocean view everyone can listen to the waves at night.
Legend
I like this a little better than Van Damm down the road because of the small private beach which never appears crowded. You do have road noise but it really is not bad.
Great little tent camping spots and a fabulous group tent camping spot. From the small beach you can play in the waves and launch protected kayaks into the small bay. On the right day there are some tidepools (not a lot). A stream runs through camp and empties on to the beach.
Great Fern Canyon trail and waterfall trail back in the gorge.
You can explore all the Mendoconio Coast from here.
Sites are well spaced and protected. Tables, fire rings and food storage. Nice rest rooms with showers. I like the lower loop along the creek and thes sites at the end, near the beginning of the fern canyon trail are choice.
Legend
Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're happy to welcome this property to our platform. This property is offering 2 lodging options, a Caboose & Tent camping under the Walnut trees. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love.
Guide
Easy access and great store, with access to fire rings, tables, showers, potable water, dump station and trash receptacles. The tent sites are beautiful, but a bit too close to each other when there are dogs involved.
LegendNice valley with great campsites - tent camping for me, but great for RVs as well. They are spaced well and have good tree canapy. The facilites are good and well maintained and even have showers scattered thoughout. At the moment I am referring tot eh site in the two lower loops along the creek.
The beach is great for sunsets and if you are a diver. Can do some limited tidepooling if the tides are right. Great place to explore the Mendocino Coast from.
There are great forest trails, a stream throughout, a waterfall to find and some choice hike-in sites back in the canyon.
Just was there again (9/2020) stayed in upper loop for the first time. These sites are very different Some are open in a meadow with no shade. Some are also not very private. They have recently done some tree work thee is thin things out which effect privacy and shade. Choose wisely.
GuideThis KOA has large tent sites and a HUGE kitchen with 3 electric stoves and several sinks and microwaves for camper use. They have movies each night and have lots of trees for shade. No sprint cell signal but good WiFi.
TravelerWe were here for 3 nights and enjoyed the summer concert series on the grass and the close location to a private beach across from the Rv park.
The spaces for Rv’s are tight, but we made it work. Tent camping is much more spacious.
The weather was humid and cool. It felt wonderful for July!!
RangerHere's another promise NOT gonna happen. If you have any trailer at all, you must turn around at the bottom of the hill, then go UP the steep hill to your promised site. Yeah...that site...shorter than you need and SO unlevel, you can't level out. All this for dry camping. BTW, if you are tent camping, it's wonderful. You're welcome.
Legend
Small campground in the redwoods along the river. Connects to the estuary and then you are at the ocean. Path to the beach takes yo under the highway. Also hiking across the road is a park with a small visitor center.
County park so it is well maintained and frankly I have never seen it packed. Even when not camping there I always stop at the picnic area for a hike to the ocean and a secluded beach.
There are wlak in tent sites. You park, unlaod and then move your care. The photos are of theses sites. If you go and do not get a tent site, try to get a site along the river.
Sites are both drive in and some are walk in. No RV hook ups but I see them there ( I am always with a tent) Coin showers are a plus.
The downside is you do hear the car noise from the road but there is little traffic at night.
You can launch a kayak or canoe onto the river from the campgrounds.
TravelerThis was a nice campground very close to the beach. Great place to take kids. The RV spaces were very tight and close together. We were concerned about getting our 36 foot motor home out but with some maneuvering and backing up, my husband was able to get us out. We explored the tent camping area and it is beautiful, secluded, and spacious. The staff are very friendly, helpful, and the store is well stocked with good prices.
GuideThis camp ground exceeds expectations with its natural beauty! Tent camping gets closed for the winter season but plenty of RV spaces($40 honor system) with lots of options to choose from. There are not many people in the off season so we were able to get a spot with direct access to the beach! Each spot has a picnic table and firepit. This place has lots of wildlife (raccoons) so be careful what you leave out! **dog friendly
Guide
We’ve been travel trailer camping twice to this campground and love it! Beautiful, large sites under the redwoods and along the Gualala River. The campground offers partial hook-ups with a dump service for a fee (dump station on site as well). There is a little camp store for basic camping / RV needs as well as bathrooms, showers, and laundry. The camp is great for RV and tent camping. We’ll definitely be returning many more times.
Guide
Fuller grove was a nice little campground on Lake Pillsbury (our rented minivan just weathered the dirt road in from the 101). It’s a small loop with great options for multi-tent camping. Some of the sites far from the entrance and along the water are very nice with multiple pads and tables. The campground beach is beautiful, definitely recommend some late-night stargazing. There’s only outhouses in decent condition. We were there with only a few other campers, so it was a peaceful stay.
GuideWe've spent most of our twenty years of camping together off the beaten path, avoiding the likes of anything KOA, but for our RV's maiden voyage we thought we'd start with the Machester Beach KOA, and we were very glad we did. We arrived early evening as camp activities were getting underway, setting up to the soundtrack of Beetlejuice showing nearby. The site was clean, KOA's office and service staff were very friendly, not that corporate-disengenuous-give-us-a-good-rating friendly, but real, authentic hospitality. Everything quieted down after 10:00p. We stayed for four days, enjoying everything the area has to offer from Mendocino to Point Arena and had one of the best camping experiences of our lives, and it wasn't just the RV that made it that way.
One little-known secret about this site is that the beach (a moderate walk away) is the home of the Manchester Cable Station, built by AT&T in 1954 on the United States’ closest point to the Hawaiian Islands, where the internet backbone starts its journey across the Pacific.
Legend
We stayed at Hendy Woods for one night in early October. What a beautiful campground! Nestled under a redwood forest with great running/hiking trails in the park. Very close to multiple wineries (we visited 3) as well as Anderson Valley Brewing Company (fun local craft brewery, beer was good and a fun outdoor seating area.
Campground was clean, not busy at the time we were there so plenty of privacy and peace and quiet. Bathrooms were clean, water close to our site, and there were showers available which was nice. We did a trail run on the trails right in the park and it was so much fun! So cool to run around all of those big trees. Found the tree home of the "Hendy Hermit", a man who had lived inside a tree "fort" in the hendy woods many years ago and was somewhat of a local legend. Highly recommend this campground. This was a perfect stop as we headed down the coast from Mendocino. The drive there is beautiful, past a whole bunch of wineries.
LegendTalk about secluded. Even though you are so close to town this is off the beaten path and you can’t even get into this campground unless you have a reservation. The front building shows all the sites available and even has maps ready for pick up when you arrive to the campground.
There is a shower house and Laundry building in the center of the campground.
Sites are a bit tight together but have adequate privacy utilizing trees and shrubs.
The loops are well laid out but would be tight for a longer RV to come into.
Ideal for couples since tent camping is $35 per night for 2 people, and extra adult is $17.50. And $1 per pet per night.
LegendThis regional park campground ensures less competition for a site than state parks and is well worth it. Surrounded by thick redwoods, trails run off every campsite. Close proximity to neighboring sites, but numbers are so limited right now due to covid there were only two other parties staying here the night we stopped. Spacious coin operated showers, dark restrooms with flushing toilets, the highlight for us was definitely the sense of being submerged in nature while really only a short shoot off the main road. Curious raccoons come close at night and there are some very cool tent sites to walk out to.
GuideMy family and I stayed here once on a road trip to California. We like to play each day by ear which can sometimes become challenging when it’s time to find a place to stay for the night, relying on last minute availability. The night we stayed here was the most difficult we ever had finding a campsite, but we got lucky with a well-timed, last minute cancellation just as we were checking to see if they had any openings. The car just before us had checked for openings and had just been turned away. When we pulled up the ranger took a call canceling one of their best tent sites for the night. So lucky!
The campground is incredibly beautiful, wooded, cool and fresh. The campground sits in a deep narrow valley of trees with a stream running through just across highway 1 from a beach. The bathrooms are good and clean. There’s an amphitheater where we were able to see a ranger/scientist presentation on sea birds of California. Lucky, lucky, lucky.
We had dinner in nearby Mendocino - which is a cute, small town on the coast which attracts many tourists. The town has a rich history and some mystique with the local freemasonry statue “Time and the Maiden” statue which looks down over the town.
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.
I would stay here again in a heartbeat. It’s like an oasis of cool and fresh in the hot August of California. The coast is breathtaking and the local sights are not to be missed.
TravelerMy family decided on this spot for our anual camping trip. There were 6 adults one late teen and two children. We tent camp. Our spot was nice and clean and next to the creek. Large enough for our three cars three tents and extra table and plenty of room to set up chairs around the fire for us. The beach across the street is on an inlet so the surf wasn't bad. Porta potties we're every few spots and the bathrooms with flush toilets and showers were just a short walk. The staff and camp store were great. They even had a band on Saturday for entertainment. The only negative and this is not their fault we're our night visitors. Beware the skunks are plentiful and used to human interaction as with the raccoons. Keep your food secure and don't get yourself sprayed and you'll be fine
Mendocino, California, offers a stunning backdrop for tent camping enthusiasts, with its lush forests, coastal views, and serene rivers. Here are some top spots to consider for your next outdoor adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mendocino, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mendocino, CA is Jackson Demonstration Forest with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Mendocino, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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