Mendocino County offers several glamping options within a short drive of Willits, California, approximately 140 miles northwest of Soda Springs. The region features diverse terrain from dense redwood forests to coastal bluffs with elevations ranging from sea level to 2,000 feet. Weather conditions vary significantly between inland and coastal areas, with summer temperatures averaging 85°F inland while coastal zones remain cooler at 65-70°F.
What to do
Water recreation at Lake Pillsbury: Fuller Grove Campground provides direct lake access for swimming, fishing, and boating. According to Stephanie P., "Since Lake Pillsbury is more secluded compared to Lake Mendocino, it tends to get a lot less traffic from campers (except around holidays). People who come are generally experienced campers or families on vacation and not 20-somethings looking to party."
Explore Fort Bragg: Dunlap Campground makes a convenient base for coastal adventures. Linda Y. notes, "Good option if needing first come first serve sites since all of the state parks are reservation-only currently. Really convenient to Fort Bragg (30 min away) or Willits (30 min away)."
Beach activities: Westport Beach RV Park and Campground offers direct beach access with private shoreline. "The beach is right there. You can see and or hear the waves crashing," shares Randy J., while Rob F. adds, "The waves are loud, the cell service sucks and the Wi-Fi is very spotty…which makes it a perfect spot to get away!"
What campers like
Forest surroundings: Jackson Demonstration Forest provides peaceful woodland camping. Danielle F. describes it as "Beautiful, clean and peaceful. Plenty of trails to explore and Noyo River meanders through the center... Nice day use area with tables and creek for playing in."
Lakeside options: The Narrows Lodge Resort delivers waterfront camping experiences. Erika L. explains, "It's a short walk from anywhere in the campground down to the lake. The water is crystal clear and there's a little dock for jumping off of. They bring in sand for the beach which makes it a really nice experience."
Quiet seclusion: For those seeking remote glamping in Soda Springs-type experiences, Mendocino Magic offers privacy. Frederick S. describes it simply as a "Beautiful secret. Cannonball camp! Hiking, canoeing, swimming! Friendly staff with magnificent host!"
What you should know
Self-contained requirements: Some campgrounds require completely self-contained camping. At Narrows Lodge Resort, Raven P. advises, "MUST BE SELF CONTAINED TO STAY IN THIS LOCATION!!"
Road conditions: Access roads to some sites can be challenging. Raven P. warns about Narrows Lodge Resort: "The road is a little tight to get into this resort (1 lane road with traffic going both ways with few pull offs)."
Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect camping experiences. At Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA, April H. notes, "Being so close to the beach though, it gets COLD at night."
Facility limitations: Not all campgrounds offer full amenities. At Jug Handle Farm, Jon C. reports, "The campground is nice and quiet. Plenty of space without being noisy. But I'm not sure how they've justified charging $58 per night for no basic trash disposal (you have to take all trash with you) and only portable toilets on site."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-specific amenities: Family-focused campgrounds offer specialized activities. At Manchester Beach KOA, Kade H. shares, "It's dog friendly, with pool, hot tub, hot showers, full bathrooms, and also extensive Camp Kitchen facilities with sho-nuff gas grills."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds are better suited for families seeking quiet. At Dunlap Campground, Tom E. mentions, "Three stars is mostly due to road noise. We enjoy primitive sites like this."
Check for seasonal activities: Many campgrounds offer changing activities throughout the year. At Middle Creek Campground, Donna M. observes, "This is normally a OHV area but since all trails are closed it is quiet and peaceful. You can hear the creek running along the camp, as well as the wild turkeys."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort offers various site types. Rose E. reports, "My husband and I rented a small cabin for the night. It was clean and welcoming. We only stayed one night but will come back again and again."
Understand camping style: Different resorts cater to different camping preferences. Bill M. notes about Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort, "The overall facility is still in fairly good shape but you can see the results of the pandemic and a little bit lack of effort on maintaining various things inside the facility."
Check hookup options: Westport Beach RV Park provides full-service sites. Brenda M. shares, "Great spot for my first solo trip in my 23' motorhome. Cell service only on the beach and no working Wi-Fi which worked for me cuz I needed a break."
