Best Campgrounds near Point Arena, CA

Point Arena is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Point Arena, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Point Arena camping trip.

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Best Camping Sites Near Point Arena, California (99)

    1. Mackerricher State Park Campground

    1463 Reviews
    Fort Bragg, CA
    40 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. Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA

    17 Reviews
    Manchester, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 882-2375

    "The beach is about a mile hike, you can ride your bike though on the road outside the KOA or drive and the beach is closer. Point Arena lighthouse is a close drive away."

    "We loved the quiet, laidback campground, with lovely old pines giving a sense of being in the forest -- even while being walking distance from the water."

    3. Anchor Bay Campground

    15 Reviews
    Gualala, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 884-4222

    $45 - $60 / night

    "Beautiful scenery around the campground as it lays right in the edge of the ocean, instant walk to the beach."

    "We found this campsite tucked away near Gualala during the lockdown in January. Almost every campground was closed after CA hospitalizations peaked, so this private campground saved our trip!"

    4. Gualala Point Regional Park

    22 Reviews
    Gualala, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 785-2377

    $35 - $45 / night

    "Water spigot right next to the site. You can park near the campsite to unload, but need to go and park at the front of the entrance to the campground."

    "Surrounded by thick redwoods, trails run off every campsite."

    5. Hendy Woods State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Philo, CA
    16 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."

    6. Manchester State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Manchester, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 882-2463

    $35 / night

    "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."

    7. Gualala River Redwood Park

    12 Reviews
    Gualala, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 884-3533

    "Surrounded by thick redwoods, trails run off every campsite."

    "Nice campsite situated amongst beautiful trees with a great kids play area. River was running low but was very pretty - fun for the kids to paddle in. Our site was spacious and pretty."

    8. Van Damme State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Little River, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 937-5804

    $45 - $160 / night

    "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."

    9. Navarro Beach Campground — Navarro River Redwoods State Park

    10 Reviews
    Albion, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 937-5804

    "It is right off of the highway, yet it feels so secluded. The beach is beautiful and the campsites are roomy."

    "We got there at around 2pm and there were only 2 other campers. By the end of the night most of the spots had filled up. The beach was very quiet with few other visitors."

    10. Paul M. Demmick Campground — Navarro River Redwoods State Park

    6 Reviews
    Navarro, CA
    17 miles
    +1 (707) 937-5804

    $10 - $35 / night

    "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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 99 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Point Arena, CA

562 Reviews of 99 Point Arena Campgrounds


  • Leafe Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Johnson's Beach

    Perfext location for river

    Russian River is right out front of the campground. They offer kayaks canoes, and whatever else you want to rent however, if you have a dog, they don’t allow the dog on the beach or in the boat with you and they’re not allowed to stay behind in the tent, so you’re kind of stuck if you have a dog

  • Michi P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Casini Ranch Family Campground

    Nice Clean Quiet Campground

    We had a big site, it was quiet. The bathrooms are clean, showers are $1.00, they have something for every type of camper here, from tents, covered wagons to rv sites. This is a large campground located on the Russian River. They have a well stocked store, laundry facilities.

    Edit: Tuesday and Wednesday were as described above. Thursday a very loud rambunctious crowd showed up. Casini Campground has a ton of rules, one of which is you shouldn’t play your music loud enough for your neighbors to hear, we were able to hear the music and the people who were trying to talk over their music. If you going to have rules, please enforce them. Edited to change from 5 stars to 4.

  • g
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Salt Point State Park Campground

    Lovely wild site

    I stayed in the Gerstle cove campground midweek in August. id say it was about 3/4 full, but the sites are so widely spaced it feels very private. Compared to other CA campgrounds in summer, it was desolate (in a good way)

    The ocean is a ways off, but you can hear it. Short drive down to the beach for stunning bluff trails. Very few people around.

    My site wasn’t perfectly level, but good enough. Just keep a hand on that pot of boiling water.

    I was tempted to move to the overflow lot for its panoramic views of the ocean but opted for my forest-side spot. There were only two campers in the lot when I was there.

    The whole site felt strangely apart from other more crowded coastal sites - felt like northern Mendocino. Although apparently it can fill up so maybe I just got lucky.

    Either way, seems like a bit of a hidden gem.

  • g
    Aug. 14, 2025

    Anchor Bay Campground

    Beautiful not private

    I had a deus pass to the area so I just walked around. It’s more like an RV park where people seem to come for the whole summer. But it’s in an incredibly beautiful location has one of the best beaches I’ve ever seen and everybody is incredibly friendly.

  • fairez M.
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Anchor Bay Campground

    Beautiful views but hostile environment

    The way they spoke to us was rude, unwelcoming, and completely uncalled for. We were treated like a problem rather than potential guests. Based on this experience, I would caution others to be aware that not all staff here are friendly. in fact, they were hostile and aggressive. Not a place for children.

  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    ocean cove campground

    Ocean cove campground

    Love this place been coming here since 1980 owed by the same person

  • k
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Sportsmans RV Park

    Tiny house

    This tiny house is at the mouth of the Noyo Harbor and the ocean. It’s not truly camping per se. Although it does have tiny houses combined with RV spaces.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2025

    River Bend Resort

    Tight Quarters on the Russian River

    River Bend Resort has a great helpful staff, great Russian River wine country location and is next to the Russian River pub. And campground overall is average, so long as you’re on the outer rim. Interior RV sites seem to be full-time residents and very cramped. Tent sites near the river are unbelievably cramped. Bathrooms are well-maintained. General store is skimpy unless you’re looking for beverages or branded apparel. And the traffic noise is considerable.

  • James W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2025

    Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA

    Nice setting, nice staff

    This was another nice KOA not too far from the sea shore.  The staff were friendly and the facilities were as expected.  They had movie night for the kids and "no kids" hot tub hours for the adults.  There were tent sites as well as the regular RV sites.  We had some shade, and we were able to get a good Starlink signal.  WiFi cost extra, so we didn't bother with the campground's WiFi access.  There is an ACE hardware / grocery store in town (who knew these 2 things go so well together), and there is beach access not far away.  There is also the Manchester State Park right next door, where there is FCFS camping.  It was almost entirely empty.  If you don't need the camp amenities, this would be a viable option.  NB:  many of the SP sites did not have shade or wind protection.


Guide to Point Arena

Camping near Point Arena, California, offers a fantastic mix of beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there's something for everyone in this stunning coastal area.

What to do:

  • Explore the Redwoods: Take a hike through the towering trees at Hendy Woods State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The sites are situated among towering redwoods," making it a perfect spot for nature lovers.
  • Visit the Beach: Check out Ocean Cove Store and Campground for easy access to the beach. A camper shared, "Beautiful spot to go camping... Trails to the beach, and at low tide there was so much sea life for my son and I to explore."
  • Wine Tasting: If you enjoy wine, nearby towns like Boonville have cute wineries. One family at Van Damme State Park Campground noted, "The nearby towns are super cute."

What campers like:

  • Privacy and Space: Campers at Gualala Point Regional Park appreciate the spacious sites. One reviewer said, "The campsite we got was pretty big as well. Also extremely pet friendly."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campers rave about the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Pomo RV Park & Campground mentioned, "Bathrooms are very nice and lots of grass area for kids to play."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. At Anchor Bay Campground, one guest said, "People are very friendly and staff go out of their way to help."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Woodside Campground — Salt Point State Park, lack showers and have limited water access. A camper noted, "No dump station, no threaded connections to refill RV potable water tank."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Expect busy campgrounds in summer. A visitor at Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground mentioned, "The spaces for RVs are tight, but we made it work."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife sightings. One camper at Van Damme State Park Campground warned, "Even though it was a sunny day, the campground felt dark and damp," hinting at the natural surroundings.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA, which offers activities for kids. A parent shared, "The site has 2 parks, trails, pool/hot tub, and so much more."
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets and warm clothes, especially if camping in cooler months. One family at Gualala River Redwood Park mentioned, "The river was running low but was very pretty - fun for the kids to paddle in."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have games or activities for downtime. A camper at Ocean Cove Store and Campground noted, "There were a ton of open spots... Dry camping, but a ton of room for our kids to run around too."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some campgrounds have size restrictions for RVs. A visitor at Van Damme State Park Campground advised, "If you are in a tent you may have a challenge finding a flat enough spot."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Campers at Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground mentioned, "The RV area is packed," so be ready to maneuver.
  • Bring Long Hoses and Cables: At Gualala River Redwood Park, one camper noted, "Electric hookups and water spigots were at odd locations," so having extra supplies can be helpful.

Camping near Point Arena, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're in a tent or an RV. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Point Arena, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Point Arena, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 99 campgrounds and RV parks near Point Arena, CA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Point Arena, CA?

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

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Point Arena, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Point Arena, CA.

What parks are near Point Arena, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Point Arena, CA that allow camping, notably Mendocino Lake and Lake Sonoma.