Cabin accommodations near Philo, California span three distinct regions - the forested Anderson Valley at 300 feet elevation, coastal areas 20 miles west, and Clear Lake 50 miles northeast. Weather conditions vary significantly between these microclimates, with Anderson Valley experiencing hot summer days reaching 90°F while maintaining cool 50°F nights. Winter cabin stays require proper insulation as temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
River access: 10-minute walk from Hendy Woods State Park Campground to the Navarro River where summer visitors can swim in natural pools. "The swimming hole is nice but can get packed at times. There is a rope under the bridge. The water hole is also deep enough in where you could jump from the bridge," explains David G. who stayed at Hendy Woods State Park Campground.
Wine tasting: 5-20 minute drives to numerous Anderson Valley vineyards from cabin accommodations. "Anderson Valley is a Pinot Noir region so wineries surround the campground. Booneville is a cute nearby town with kid friendly Anderson Valley Brewery and Pennyroyal Cheese Farm," notes Beth K. from Hendy Woods.
Beach exploration: 1-hour drive to Manchester Beach from inland cabins. The Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA offers cabin stays near coastal access points. "We usually rent a cabin. The cabins have heaters with is definitely nice... Perfect location to set up and use as a base of operations while you explore up and down the mendocino coast," shares April H.
Mushroom photography: winter/spring opportunity in the redwood groves. "I always come to Hendy Woods with my camera, especially in the late winter, early spring to do some mushroom photography. So much to see here!" explains Sophia B.
What campers like
Cell service for remote work: Several cabins offer surprisingly good connectivity. "This is a lovely campground, but what really stood out was that I managed to get enough cell signal to work from my trailer. Even a video Zoom conference on at&t hotspot!" reports Meg R. from Hendy Woods State Park.
Year-round accessibility: Cabin stays allow comfortable camping regardless of season. "We were there in late October and only one campground was open, but it was almost full. I was glad to get a spot for the two nights I stayed," Meg R. adds about Hendy Woods.
Evening campground activities: Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort offers structured entertainment for guests. "We stopped here overnight on our way up the coast... Definitely wouldn't come back for long term camping as we have older teenagers. The facility is definitely geared toward families with smaller kids," explains Melanie R.
Weekday tranquility: Cabins provide greater privacy and quiet outside peak periods. "We were lucky enough to camp on a Monday when everyone had gone home so we had the place almost all to ourselves. We enjoyed every bit of Hendy Woods. The camp site was great and well maintained," writes Caitlin B.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Expect different standards across cabin properties. At Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground, "The thing that keeps me from giving this a 5 star rating is the fact that they charge for showers. There was no mention of this in any literature I read so it was a surprise when I went for a shower and saw the coin box," notes Rosemary A.
Site configurations affect privacy: Choose cabins based on location within campgrounds. "The front half is narrow RV slots, but further back, it's lush, shaded and pretty quiet for tent or car camping. My spot had a babbling stream next to it, and empty spots on all sides," shares Jessi P. about Caspar Beach.
Seasonal closure patterns: Not all cabins remain open year-round. "When we visited in late summer the river near the daily access area was somewhat dried up (flowing like a small creek) and had very little shade," one visitor to Hendy Woods notes.
Temperature fluctuations: Coastal cabins experience colder overnight temperatures. "Being so close to the beach though, it gets COLD at night. We usually rent a cabin. The cabins have heaters which is definitely nice," advises April H. about Manchester Beach KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Junior ranger programs: Educational activities available for children. At Hendy Woods, "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," explains one camper.
Water activities for various ages: Kelsey Creek Campground offers family-friendly swimming. "The campsite was very quiet. The space in our site was large and there was a good buffer with other sites. The trees also offered a lot of shade during the hot summer days," notes David G.
Poison oak awareness: Teach children plant identification. "There's quite a bit of poison oak, be aware of where you are walking," cautions a visitor to Hendy Woods.
Off-peak visit strategy: Plan family stays for greater flexibility. "Cleared out Sunday and we nearly had it to ourselves. Camp hosts were super nice. Definitely going to be a regular spot!" reports Bruce E. about Hendy Woods.
Tips from RVers
Bridge access constraints: Some cabin areas have seasonal road changes. At Cloverdale/Healdsburg Campground, "Getting to the campground is easier in the summer because there is a bridge that goes over the river, making it a shorter drive. In the winter, the bridge is removed, so you have to go through the town of Cloverdale and back track, adding about 15-20 minutes to your trip," warns April H.
Parking approaches: Consider accessibility when booking. "One tip for those towing trailers... the campground loop roads are not one way. Make sure to figure which direction to approach for the easiest backup," advises Todd B. about Hendy Woods.
Elevation challenges: Some sites have challenging terrain. At Russian River, "Spaces are all 30 amp with no sewer hookups. Many spaces are very narrow/tight and uphill from your neighbor. The asphalt of many spots is crumbling along the edges and the dirt eroding away. If you have stairs that come out a ways they may just end at a cliff," notes Derek & Alex W.
