The campgrounds surrounding Potter Valley occupy the rugged terrain of Mendocino County, where elevations range from 700 to 1,000 feet in the valley floor and climb to over 4,000 feet in the surrounding mountains. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-95°F during day and drop to 50-60°F at night, making canvas accommodations particularly comfortable during peak season. Winter glamping options maintain operation despite occasional rainfall totals reaching 40 inches annually.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 15 minutes from Narrows Lodge Resort, visitors can access excellent bass fishing on Blue Lakes. According to Jessica R., "We received a key to our own bathroom and shower! They had a sink to wash our dishes in and a place to clean our fish. We rented a motor boat for a few hours to explore the beautiful lake."
Wildlife viewing: Within park grounds at Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort, families can enjoy animal encounters without traveling far. Paul H. notes that "there is a lot to do for small kids. The disc golf course offers beautiful views when on top of the course, but watch out for poison oak!"
Beachcombing: 1-mile trail access at Manchester State Park leads to driftwood-covered shorelines. As Erik M. explains, "There is a nice mile long trail that leads down to the beach. If you would rather drive and park there is a nice lot right by the dunes and the day use fee is included with your camping pass."
Lake swimming: Direct water access at The Aurora RV Park & Marina provides multiple ways to enjoy the water. Ann D. recommends, "You can fish right from your camp spot if you get a spot right on the water. Clean bathrooms, club house with games and a kitchen."
What campers like
Private bathroom facilities: The yurt accommodations at Narrows Lodge Resort include dedicated restrooms. One camper shared, "We rented a camping yurt and we were so surprised how big it is! We received a key to our own bathroom and shower!"
Spacious sites with riverside access: The Fuller Grove Group Campground offers generously sized camping areas. As Marc A. explains, "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."
Star-gazing opportunities: The limited light pollution at Manchester State Park Campground creates exceptional night sky viewing. Alex M. notes, "I visited on a weeknight in June and almost all of the campsites were vacant. The grounds were impeccably clean and freshly mown."
Water sports equipment: Several glamping locations near Potter Valley provide complimentary water recreation gear. According to Tamera J. at The Aurora RV Park & Marina, "You can fish right from your camp spot if you get a spot right on the water. Clean bathrooms, club house with games and a kitchen."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating narrow, winding roads. Raven P. from Narrows Lodge Resort warns, "The road is a little tight to get into this resort (1 lane road with traffic going both ways with few pull offs) but the views are absolutely amazing!"
Seasonal variability: Winter camping requires different preparation than summer stays. One camper at Fuller Grove notes, "Since Lake Pillsbury is more secluded compared to Lake Mendocino, it tends to get a lot less traffic from campers (except around holidays)."
Fire restrictions: Check current regulations before planning campfires. At Middle Creek Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "This campground is dry and built primarily for HOV people cuz the Elk mountain area is very much a dirt bike and four-wheel Haven."
Limited amenities at some locations: Not all campgrounds offer full services. Michi P. explains about Middle Creek Campground, "Beautiful location, campground was easily accessible going up Elk Mountain Road. Camped in Site 11, pull through, no hook ups, nice picnic table, grill and fire pit. Vault toilets, no showers."
Tips for camping with families
Activity centers: Ensure access to kid-friendly recreation. Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort receives high marks from families seeking entertainment options. Donna D. confirms it's "Designed for families, this KOA a lot. A petting zoo, water play, pool. arcade and events. We were there for movie night."
Beach access options: Consider transportation needs for little ones. At Manchester State Park, Tamika I. advises, "Don't expect to camp on the beach as the pictures will fool you as it did us! You will need a vehicle or bikes to get you to the beach."
Site selection for wind protection: Choose sheltered locations when tent camping. Erik M. suggests at Manchester State Park, "Some spots are more exposed to the wind so if you have a tent or tent trailer you may want to check in with the host to find a spot that is more sheltered."
Low-traffic camping areas: Prioritize safety for children on bikes. Kyle H. appreciated that Manchester State Park offered "Big spaces, clean area and ocean sounds abound. Kids loved it to ride their bikes around and I stressed less knowing there were few, if any, cars passing by."
Tips from RVers
Arrival timing: Coordinate with check-in windows to avoid road conflicts. At Westport Beach RV Park and Campground, visitors should "make sure you abide by the check in check out times, which are significantly far apart, to ensure that nobody meets each other on the road."
Site density considerations: Expect closer quarters during peak season. Mark F. notes about Westport Beach RV Park, "Lots of pics of the beach which is wonderful. Here is the campground when it's full up. Very close rigs."
Utility limitations: Prepare for partial hookups at some locations. Carter B. found at Dunlap Campground that despite limitations, it offered "Decent sized sites well spaced apart. Self-pay station $15 when I went. Expect a LOT of road noise. Access to the river."
Seasonal availability: Check operating schedules outside summer months. Linda Y. suggests Dunlap Campground as a "Good option if needing first come first serve sites since all of the state parks are reservation-only currently."
