Redwood Valley, California sits at an elevation of approximately 750 feet in Mendocino County, offering a mix of oak woodland, vineyard terrain, and proximity to coastal redwood forests. The Mediterranean climate features warm, dry summers with temperatures reaching 90°F and cool, wet winters dropping to the 30s. Cabin accommodations in this region range from primitive fire lookouts to fully-equipped lakeside rentals with varying levels of seclusion and access.
What to do
Hike among ancient redwoods: Hendy Woods State Park Campground offers trails through towering old-growth redwoods just a short drive from Redwood Valley. "Great time spending the weekend in this beautiful park... we even got to switch spots after it cleared out Sunday. 83 was nice, but 68 was perfect for the van," notes Bruce E.
Explore wineries: The Anderson Valley wine region surrounds several cabin options. "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," shares Beth K. from Hendy Woods State Park Campground.
Enjoy water activities: Cabins at lakeside locations offer swimming and boating options during summer months. "We rented a motor boat for a few hours to explore the beautiful lake. Pet friendly. Great little beach. A dock to fish from," reports Jessica R. from Narrows Lodge Resort.
Stargazing: The Pine Mountain Lookout provides exceptional night sky viewing from its elevated position. "This cabin has 180-degree views and ties for first place in terms of majestic views" compared to other fire lookouts, according to one visitor.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Tent sites at certain locations offer more seclusion than RV areas. "Decent facilities. Bring cash and insect repellent. Shower tokens can be purchased at the boat launch facilities. Bathrooms stocked with toilet paper and seat covers," notes Edith at Kelsey Creek Campground.
Accommodations for various needs: From primitive to modern options within 30 miles of Redwood Valley. "We stayed in one of the premium hot tub sites, where you get your very own hot tub. Highly recommend, my kids absolutely loved it and so did I!" shares Erika L. from Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort.
Wildlife viewing: Early risers can experience diverse bird species. "Get up early and you'll catch the dawn chorus of an amazing number of birds: warblers, woodpeckers, quail, juncos, grosbeaks, cowbirds, even robins," notes a visitor at Pine Mountain Lookout.
River access: Several sites offer river swimming opportunities during summer months. "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!" shares David G. about Kelsey Creek Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some cabins requires careful driving. "Only caveat is the access to the cabin. They're not kidding when they warn you to bring a chainsaw. Two of the three roads in and out were blocked by downed trees... and in places the road that was open had pretty deep potholes and gullies formed by last winter's heavy rains," warns a visitor to Pine Mountain Lookout.
Food storage: Many cabins experience wildlife activity, requiring proper precautions. "Keep your food up on the table at night--the mice are nocturnal visitors and will help themselves if you leave food on the counter," advises a Pine Mountain Lookout visitor.
Seasonal concerns: Summer heat and winter access differ significantly. "Expect little services in the park area. No convenience store. We had Verizon and were able to stream Hulu without a problem," notes David G. about summer stays.
Shower facilities: Many locations have pay showers requiring tokens or quarters. "The showers are token operated. Outside the bathrooms is a machine for token exchange. It takes $1 and $5 bills... one token gets you 2 minutes," explains Mea H. from Kelsey Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several resorts offer dedicated children's activities. "Designed for families, this KOA has a lot. A petting zoo, water play, pool, arcade and events. We were there for movie night. They had a big screen and showed a film for the kiddos," shares Donna D. about Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort.
Junior Ranger programs: State parks provide educational opportunities. "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 a visitor at Hendy Woods.
Safety considerations: Be aware of poison oak when selecting family-friendly locations. "There's quite a bit of poison oak, be aware of where you are walking. When we visited in late summer the river near the daily access area was somewhat dried up and had very little shade," warns a camper.
Yurt options: Larger families might prefer yurt accommodations. "We rented a camping yurt and we were so surprised how big it is! We received a key to our own bathroom and shower!" reports Jessica R. from Narrows Lodge Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV spots vary significantly in quality and privacy. "This is a tight and wet park. It is inside a gully that gets very little sun. I stayed the end of December through New Years. There is a beach in front. Shopping in Ft. Bragg is 15 minutes away," notes JMark H. about Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground.
Connectivity needs: Cell service varies by location and carrier. "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!" shares Meg R. from Hendy Woods.
Hookup limitations: Not all sites offer full hookups. "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," warns Derek & Alex W. about Russian River RV Campground.
Access considerations: Some roads leading to cabins near Redwood Valley present challenges for larger vehicles. "Roads are not one way. Make sure to figure which direction to approach for the easiest backup," advises Todd B. about navigating Hendy Woods State Park with trailers.
