Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA welcomes pets across all accommodation types, including tent sites, RV spots, and rental cabins. This Mendocino coastal campground features clean facilities with hot showers and well-maintained grounds, making it comfortable for both pets and their owners. Leashed dogs are permitted throughout the campground, though specific exercise areas are limited. The campground enforces quiet hours that help manage barking, and the spacious sites provide enough room for pets to relax with their families. The KOA has a heated pool and hot tub for humans, though these areas are not pet-accessible. The heated cabin accommodations with pad beds offer a comfortable option for those camping with dogs during cooler coastal nights.
The beach access point is approximately a mile from the KOA, providing a coastal walking opportunity for dogs and their owners. Manchester State Park Campground, located adjacent to the KOA, offers a more rustic alternative with spacious, secluded sites where pets are also welcome. The state park features vault toilets and lacks running water facilities, though water spigots are available throughout the grounds. Both campgrounds provide convenient bases for exploring the Point Arena coastline and lighthouse with pets. The area experiences cool temperatures, especially at night near the beach, so packing appropriate gear for pets is essential. Nearby towns offer limited services, with basic supplies available at the local ACE Hardware/grocery combo store about two miles from the campgrounds. During weekdays outside holiday periods, both campgrounds often have good availability, making them reliable options for spontaneous trips with pets.
"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."
"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."
$35 - $45 / night
"Beautiful campground sitting next to water with dense forest and ground cover. Clean shower and restrooms that include hot water, hand soap, paper towels, mirrors and electrical outlets. "
"There is a trail from the campground to the park and beach area which is nice for a stroll. The campground is amongst the trees along the river."
$66 - $83 / night
"We came in as a drop-in to this location ($66 for full hook ups) and it is absolutely magical! The staff is so friendly that the resort has an excellent community feel."
"This campground is a private campground which means dogs are more than welcome! Theres approximately 30 sites, with a very short walk to a mile and half of coast line."
$45 - $70 / night
"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"
"We stayed one night and lived the site and area surrounding. There were so many beautiful sounding birds in the canopy above and our site was surrounded by redwoods and douglas firs."
$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."
"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."
$45 - $160 / night
"Simple campground just outside of Mendocino/Ft Bragg. Steps from a beautiful sandy beach."
"bathrooms with outlets (I charged my EcoFlow battery in there) Paid showers • Free WiFi • Gift/info shop on-site • Bear boxes, fire rings, and picnic table at seemingly every site • Lush foliage with walk"
$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."
"I just reviewed the campground and the posting indicated that dogs are not allowed!"
"It is right off of the highway, yet it feels so secluded. The beach is beautiful and the campsites are roomy."
"I've taken my 3 kids a couple of times now, and it's such a great location along the Sonoma Coast."
"The sites are tucked on the hillside amongst mixed evergreen forests, redwoods, ferns, and oaks. The sites all have picnics tables with food lockers, large fire pits, and privacy."
LegendEasy stop next to Point Arena lighthouse.$28 per night. Has porta potties for bathrooms. Not a lot of privacy but it is overlooking the ocean.
It was a last minute late night stop and I would use it as a overnight but not an extended trip. We didn’t spend any time there outside of sleeping and visiting the lighthouse.
GuideNormally I wouldn't think of myself as a KOA sort of camper. This campground is enough to change my mind! There are some weekends you need to get away, but there's no time to pack the long list of stuff needed for camping. So we tried out one of these little cedar cabins. It was fantastic!!
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. You're literally close enough to hear the surf, and see the Point Arena lighthouse.
It's dog friendly, with pool, hot tub, hot showers, full bathrooms, and also extensive Camp Kitchen facilities with sho-nuff gas grills.
We absolutely plan to return!
GuideThe 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. There is an Ace Hardware about a 2 mile drive so that’s convenient. The WiFi is super spotty and we honestly couldn’t join it. The pool is nice and heated, they do have a spa but it was closed because of Covid. Staff was super nice too. The closest town doesn’t really have anything open but a small grocery store.
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.
TravelerI wrote a scathing review of this campground on Google, for no other reason than to discourage people from crowding it up and detracting from it's solitude. I'll be a little more generous here.
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. Each of the 10 or so sites has a picnic table and a fire pit. There are no trees and no wind breaks, so you're kind of exposed. The beach has lots of character, tons of driftwood that people have moved around and made crude huts out of. The river is off to the side and flows out to the ocean, and is great for kayaking.
If you come prepared and have low expectations, this is a great spot. Don't expect to find any spots on weekends during the regular camp season. Off season camping is pretty light.
As a previous reviewer noted, it was closed for a time when heavy rains inundated the road in. It's been open for the last year, and they've even smoothed out the giant potholes that almost swallowed my Honda Fit.
If you stay here, don't be a cheap ass and try to camp free. Every time someone does that, it takes away from the funds available to keep someone on payroll to maintain it.
There is wifi provided by state parks for a nominal fee. Otherwise, it's in a dead zone for cell service other than SMS.
TravelerCampsites are decently spaced for the type of campground. Awesome river access, and a short drive to restaurants or the beach. Clean bathrooms and a ton of amenities. The dog parks were clutch, since my dog needs to run. Had some neighbors who were really loud really late and Casini staff were all over it. Beautiful area not far from the bay
Scoutcentrally 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 Navarro winery. Big bonus for pet owner this park has trails that you can walk your dog on!
RangerBeautiful campground sitting next to water with dense forest and ground cover. Clean shower and restrooms that include hot water, hand soap, paper towels, mirrors and electrical outlets. Friendly camp host and hike and bike area. Extra fee for pets.
GuideThis spot was a great little find. There is a trail from the campground to the park and beach area which is nice for a stroll. The campground is amongst the trees along the river. I would recommend the spots along the river over those on the inner side. Make sure to get a reservation in advance as it fills up. The spots are a little close together, but the big trees offer some separation. There is a pet fee of $2 per pet fyi.
The Mendocino coast offers diverse camping options near Point Arena, with elevations ranging from sea level to 300 feet. The region experiences coastal fog primarily in summer mornings, with daytime temperatures averaging 60-70°F year-round. Point Arena's unique microclimate creates a wind-protected pocket that's often warmer than surrounding coastal areas.
Beach exploration: 2-mile hike to fishing spots at Navarro Beach Campground where "the Navarro River reaches the sea. Lots of wildlife. Lots of beach walking and great sunsets." The river meets ocean at this location, creating unique photography opportunities with "huge old whole driftwood redwood trees. Fun for making makeshift forts and there are plenty of crafted playful driftwood structures to explore."
Redwood hiking: Access groves from campsites at Hendy Woods State Park Campground where "the redwood grove is pretty magical. Our whole experience was great. The junior ranger program and nightly events for families helped keep the kids engaged." The park offers structured activities: "Park rangers hosted guided hikes, nighttime stargazing (with telescopes), and nightly campfires."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk best times for spotting coastal creatures. "This is a great site to watch seals in the ocean and otters in the river." The Point Arena area supports diverse marine mammals, with seasonal whale migration visible from several coastal access points between December and April.
Secluded sites away from crowds: The Mackerricher State Park Campground offers "private and beautiful" camping with "decent cell service" and "a short walk to the beach and hiking trails." One camper noted it's "protected by a buffer of coastal trees. It's not nearly as windy at the campground as it is on the beach."
Swimming holes: Accessible during warm afternoons in summer months. "If you want to go swimming you have to either ride your bike or drive to the entrance and park at the day use area by the bridge. The swimming hole is nice but can get packed at times. There is a rope under the bridge."
Off-season availability: Weekdays outside summer offer nearly empty campgrounds. "We were lucky enough to camp on a Monday when everyone had gone home so we had the place almost all to ourselves." Many dog friendly campgrounds near Point Arena remain open but uncrowded during spring and fall weekdays.
Limited services: Plan ahead with supplies. At Gualala Point Regional Park, "This is a regional Park, so one has less competition when booking a site compared to state and national parks in California--a huge perk." However, many campgrounds have minimal facilities: "There is no source of fresh drinking water. There are portable toilets, but they are often lacking toilet paper."
Wildlife precautions: Secure food properly. "The raccoons were extremely aggressive and even ate its way into a tent at 2AM. It would have been nice if the host had warned of them." Most Point Arena area pet friendly campgrounds require food storage in vehicles or secure containers.
Variable weather conditions: Bring layers regardless of season. "It gets windy during the day and very damp at night so plan accordingly." Coastal fog can roll in quickly even during summer months, making evening temperatures drop significantly.
Reservation timing: Book early for summer weekends. For pet accommodating campgrounds, one camper noted: "This campground lives up to all the other positive comments BUT the raccoons were extremely aggressive." Many sites fill 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends.
Kid-friendly activities: Build driftwood structures at beaches near Paul M. Demmick Campground. "There is creek access in the camp with a small day use area by the creek." Another visitor shared that "this is a beautiful little spot in the redwoods. Shaded, peaceful and lovely."
Safety considerations: Watch for strong currents at ocean beaches. "Beach is dangerous surf with a pretty strong under current so not for kids to be playing too much deeper than ankles." Stick to protected coves and river areas for safer water play.
Educational opportunities: Junior Ranger programs during summer months. "The junior ranger program and nightly events for families helped keep the kids engaged in the camping experience." Programs typically run weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Pet-friendly trails: Limited but available options for dogs near Point Arena. Most dog friendly campgrounds near Point Arena have some trail access, but one camper noted: "We were not able to camp at Mackerricher as planned, so we pulled into Van Damme. Beautiful little beach and woodsy, shady campsites. The downside for us was that dogs were restricted on trails."
Site selection: Check for leveling challenges at Gualala River Redwood Park. "The campsites are dirt and gravel, and it was very dry and dusty. Numerous dips and slopes made leveling difficult. Electric hookups and water spigots were at odd locations, and if you plan to use these, have long hoses/cables."
Power considerations: Voltage fluctuations common at some campgrounds. "Electric power was low - our microwave typically took 25-50% longer to heat, and water pressure was very low." Bring surge protectors and consider minimizing electrical needs.
Dump station logistics: Plan ahead for access. "There was ONE trash dump area, near the campground entrance; no trash cans/dumpsters anywhere else. The sewer dump was also there, and no provision was made to easily return to your campsite if you needed to dump mid-stay."
Navigating narrow roads: Approach with caution in larger rigs. "The winding, narrow, bumpy roads were very uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing." Consider a spotter for backing into sites at most Point Arena area campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Point Arena, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Point Arena, CA is Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA with a 4.2-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Point Arena, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 81 dog-friendly camping locations near Point Arena, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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