136 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Navarro, California range from developed tent, RV, and cabin sites among ancient redwoods to rustic first-come, first-served spots along the Navarro River. Hendy Woods State Park Campground provides tent, RV, and cabin camping opportunities surrounded by ancient redwoods, while Paul M. Demmick Campground in Navarro River Redwoods State Park offers a more rustic experience. Mixed-use campgrounds like Navarro Beach Campground provide coastal access at the mouth of the Navarro River. The region features a blend of inland forest camping with coastal options just 20 minutes west, creating diverse camping environments within a relatively small geographic area.
Access to many campgrounds varies seasonally, with Paul M. Demmick occasionally closing due to flooding during winter months. Most developed campgrounds in the area maintain year-round operations, though reservations are strongly recommended during summer and fall weekends. First-come, first-served sites fill quickly, particularly at Paul M. Demmick, which doesn't accept reservations. Cell service is limited throughout the region, with spotty coverage reported at Hendy Woods and virtually none along the Navarro River corridor. Campgrounds along Highway 128 provide convenient access to both Anderson Valley wineries and coastal attractions. As one camper noted, "Paul Dimmick is a nice little campground in the redwoods. Although Hwy 128 runs parallel to it, there isn't much traffic going by so road noise isn't a bother."
Campers consistently praise the redwood forest settings, particularly at Hendy Woods State Park, where ancient trees create a serene atmosphere. The park features hiking trails through old-growth redwood groves and access to the Navarro River for swimming in summer months. Mixed-use campgrounds cater to different preferences, with some sites offering more privacy than others. Several visitors mentioned that despite being family-friendly destinations that can become crowded during peak season, most campgrounds maintain quiet hours effectively. A visitor described Hendy Woods as "a sacred place I will always come back to. The old growth redwoods and rich diversity of plants and fungi really make this place stand out." Poison oak is prevalent throughout the area, requiring caution when exploring off established paths, especially with children or pets.
"centrally located in within Anderson valley,so one can go for a hike and (cool off in the Navarro river), go next door and eat organic apple, and Saunders down 128 (<1/4 mile) and sip some wine at the"
"It is a short drive to Fort Bragg and other coastal attractions as well as a multitude of wineries."
from $45 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Simple campground just outside of Mendocino/Ft Bragg. Steps from a beautiful sandy beach."
"My family and I stayed here once on a road trip to California."
from $45 - $160 / night
Check Availability"We'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"
"The location is surrounded by a lot of fun things to do. The site has 2 parks, trails, pool/hot tub, and so much more."
"The camp is right next to the road, but traffic was minimal. There is some hiking in the area, but no trails from the campground, you will need to drive to a trailhead."
"Nice campsite with around 27 ish spots. First come first serve at $35 as of 2025. I went tent camping but you can probably bring in a small RV."
from $10 - $35 / night
"Wether just for the day or a few overnights Navarro beach never disappoints. It is right off of the highway, yet it feels so secluded. The beach is beautiful and the campsites are roomy."
"BUT you are on this great beach where the Navarro River reaches the sea. Lots of wildlife. Lots of beach walking and great sunsets. Worth the cold and wind."
"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."
from $45 - $260 / night
Check Availability"Next to koa. Just a power plant between you and the ocean via a long walk."
"The campground is just above the driftwood beach offering walks in solitude with the breaking waves in the background."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Clean bathrooms, drinking water was right next to our site."
"While this campground is set off from the highway it is very busy on weekends from tourists out for the day. Lush setting with the hike and bike area located near showers and restrooms."
from $45 - $140 / night
Check Availability"This campground is at the end of the Navarro River, where hiway 128 meets 1 just north of Point Arena. The only real "service" available here is port-a-potties. There are no hookups of any kind."
"The walk in sites are secluded and this park has all the amenities including free showers. Dog friendly. I hear it gets very busy in the summertime."
"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."
from $47 - $72 / night
Check Availability
ScoutRolled up to the site around 12am. I called ahead of time because I saw they closed at 5pm, but you can show up at anytime. It is first come first serve, but we had no troubles on finding a spot! The views are very beautiful. Plenty of porter potties. The ones I went in were decently clean and had toilet paper. Would come back.
ScoutThe employees are great, great attitudes.No problems whatsoever!
TravelerIt’s remote, but not remote enough. Arrived on a Monday and spent the week there by ourselves. On Friday two rangers came in and said we owed the state $25/night . Felt a bit like getting robbed. They then suggested leaving soon as it becomes a local’s party place on weekends. We took their advice. It’s a wild and wonderful place.
ScoutThis is a great place to camp. Very clean and beautiful views.
GuideOwners are wonderful people, only a few minutes from the beach. Very peaceful, great hiking here, dog and schoolie friendly.. 5 stars and 2 thumbs up
TravelerThis was our first camping trip and we loved this location. Very close to the water, we could hear the ocean at night which was so peaceful. There were other campers but everyone was chill and quiet.
There’s GREAT hiking and although the camp is pet friendly not all the trails are so be aware of that.
As others mentioned, there isn’t a ton around so make sure you’ve got everything or get there early enough to utilize shops before they close.
We stayed at spot 18 which was lovely, good trees for the hammock and you could see the ocean. Our spot wasn’t completely flat and we slid around in there quite a bit but it didn’t ruin our stay.
We also had great cell service and use Verizon.
RangerIt’s a 6-mile 4x4 drive to get to the beach, but the beach itself is glorious, mystical, magical, and everything I could hope for. I actually had to call in sick to work so we could stay an extra day and make it a 3-day trip. This may honestly be my favorite spot yet.
The wildlife was incredible — sea otters, seals, pelicans, and all kinds of other wild animals.
WARNING: Driving onto the beach got many 4x4 vehicles stuck, including us. We were able to dig ourselves out and stay closer to the road afterward, but we watched many people get towed out, including a 4Runner TRD Pro. A 4x4 alone is not enough for this beach, so be extremely careful if you decide to drive into the sand.
There’s a river upstream where you can filter water, but otherwise there are no water sources. There are outhouses available. Starlink worked well with a good view of the sky. It’s very cloudy most of the time in this spot, so solar performance is limited — but so are the crowds and noise. It’s such a beautiful place.
TravelerThe drive up was windy and a bit steep at points but well groomed and manageable in an SUV. I’m sure most cars can do the drive with a responsible person behind the wheel. We drove right up to the pin where there’s 2 sites, an upper (larger site) and a lower with a fire ring. It did look like there were more pull offs before we pulled up to the pin. The view is insane and it feels super safe and secluded!!
GuideRecent regrading of the southern road up made it a cake walk, it's like a runway. Got to the big circle at the top and stayed there but there are more roads branching off and then pullouts down the north side.
Campgrounds near Navarro, California include rustic sites nestled within the Navarro River corridor as well as coastal options where the river meets the ocean. Situated at approximately 300 feet elevation in Anderson Valley, inland campgrounds remain relatively protected from coastal fog while offering easy water access. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F, with coastal sites experiencing cooler conditions than inland locations.
River recreation access points: The Navarro River provides excellent kayaking opportunities, particularly at Navarro Beach Campground where "the river follows the road to the campsite and connects to the ocean right on the beach." The river mouth creates a natural protected area for paddling, and "you can take kayak up that" at the point where the Navarro meets the ocean.
Tide pool exploration: Several campgrounds offer access to marine ecosystems. One visitor at Van Damme State Park Campground notes it's "very close to the beach where ocean kayaking is common." At Navarro Beach, you can find "climbable rocks towards the left" of the beach area with shallow tide pools visible during low tide.
Hiking through various ecosystems: Many campgrounds feature trail networks through diverse terrain. At Russian Gulch State Park, one camper highlights the "Fern Canyon trail and waterfall trail back in the gorge." Another visitor mentions that Hendy Woods offers "great hiking trails and river access for swimming."
Private sites with natural buffers: Many campers value privacy between sites. At Russian Gulch State Park Campground, campers appreciate that "sites are on the small side, and most don't have two trees large enough to string a hammock or a run line for a dog." Another visitor notes that "the sites are well spaced and protected."
Beach access with fewer crowds: Access to less-trafficked beaches stands out in reviews. At Navarro River Redwoods State Park, one visitor appreciates that "the beach was very quiet with few other visitors" and another notes you can "relax by the Sea" without the typical coastal crowds.
Evening campground programs: Organized activities enhance the camping experience. At Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA, they offer "movie night for the kids and 'no kids' hot tub hours for the adults." Another camper described "setting up to the soundtrack of Beetlejuice showing nearby" during their stay.
Variable weather conditions: Coastal fog and temperature fluctuations affect campsite comfort. At Manchester State Park, one visitor cautions: "Being so close to the beach though, it gets COLD at night." At Russian Gulch, a camper notes "the sites on that side of the creek get almost no sun during the day, so everything was a little damp all the time."
Limited services and utilities: Many campgrounds have minimal facilities. At Paul M. Demmick Campground, be prepared for "self check in first come first serve campground" with only "vaulted toilets available." As one camper summarizes: "this campgrounds is excellent if you like quiet beautiful scenery with no amenities."
Seasonal availability: Campground operations vary throughout the year. One visitor attempted to visit Paul M. Demmick only to find it "Closes sept 2 until May." Navarro Beach sometimes closes after heavy rainfall when the access road floods, as one camper mentioned: "it was closed for a time when heavy rains inundated the road in."
Safety considerations for beach areas: Beaches in the region require careful supervision. At Navarro Beach, a camper warns the "beach is dangerous surf with a pretty strong under current so not for kids to be playing too much deeper than ankles." Parents should remain vigilant near water.
Family-focused programs: Some campgrounds offer specialized programming for children. At Hendy Woods State Park Campground, "the junior ranger program and nightly events for families helped keep the kids engaged in the camping experience. Park rangers hosted guided hikes, nighttime stargazing (with telescopes), and nightly campfires."
Bicycle-friendly campgrounds: Several campgrounds provide safe cycling opportunities. At Manchester State Park, one camper appreciated that it was "a decent space for wetsuits, kayaks, and abalone cleaning" while another mentioned it was "nice for our family" with "low stress environment" and good for "kids to ride their bikes around" with minimal vehicle traffic.
Dump station fees: Several campgrounds charge for waste disposal. At MacKerricher State Park, "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."
Site approach planning: Loop road configuration affects parking ease. At Hendy Woods, "the campground loop roads are not one way. Make sure to figure which direction to approach for the easiest backup."
Wind protection considerations: Coastal sites often experience strong winds. One RVer at Manchester KOA appreciated that their campground "is protected by a buffer of coastal trees. It's not nearly as windy at the campground as it is on the beach."
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permits for camping in Navarro?
For camping in Navarro, permits are generally required but the process varies by location. At Paul M. Demmick Campground — Navarro River Redwoods State Park, you'll need to obtain a camping permit through California State Parks, either online or at the entrance station. This system helps manage visitor numbers in this beautiful redwood setting. In contrast, Navarro Beach - Navarro River Redwoods State Park operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations, so you simply pay the camping fee upon arrival. Always check current regulations before your trip as permit requirements and fees can change seasonally.
What amenities are available at Navarro camping areas?
Amenities at Navarro camping areas vary significantly by location. Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA offers full services including water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces for those seeking more comfort. In contrast, Navarro Beach Campground provides more basic facilities with portable toilets (sometimes lacking maintenance), no fresh drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings. The campground has approximately 10 small sites with limited privacy between them. While amenities are minimal, the beautiful beach setting with driftwood and river access for kayaking compensates for the rustic conditions. Be prepared to bring your own drinking water and supplies when camping at Navarro Beach.
Where are the best camping spots in Navarro?
Navarro offers stunning camping locations with Hendy Woods State Park Campground being one of the most popular. This campground features beautiful old-growth redwoods, well-maintained sites, and is centrally located in Anderson Valley with easy access to wineries and the Navarro River. It's family-friendly with hiking trails and organized activities. Another excellent option is Navarro Beach Campground — Navarro River Redwoods State Park, located where the Navarro River meets the ocean. This secluded beach camping spot offers a unique coastal experience with beautiful views, though it can be windy. Sites here are first-come, first-served and fill up by evening on busy days.
Keep Exploring
