Several small RV parks and campgrounds surround the Stonyford area in northern California, located within Mendocino National Forest. At an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet, Stonyford experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F, making water-based recreation particularly popular. Most dispersed camping options require at least 30 minutes of driving on forest roads, with no established facilities besides fire rings.
What to do
Boating and fishing: Blue Lakes offers crystal-clear waters for fishing and boating near Stonyford. According to a visitor at Narrows Lodge Resort, "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." The resort also offers boat rentals for exploring the lake.
Wildlife viewing: Areas near Cache Creek provide excellent birdwatching opportunities. A camper at Clear Lake Campground noted, "Lots of wildlife sightings across the creek in the state park reserve. Great birdwatching. Cute little store and boat rentals. Owners are super nice. Especially loved kayaking on the creek."
Hiking beyond the crowds: To escape the OHV-heavy areas near Stonyford, head toward North Fork Campground where a reviewer shared: "If you drive past all the OHV-filled camps, you'll eventually get to this little gem... the location is so perfect - you can hear the creek rushing, and the big groups are too far away to be bothersome."
What campers like
Yurt accommodations: Glamping close to Stonyford, California includes comfortable yurt options. A visitor to Narrows Lodge Resort mentioned, "We rented a camping yurt and we were so surprised how big it is! We received a key to our own bathroom and shower! They had a sink to wash dishes in and a place to clean our fish."
Lakefront camping: Sites with direct water access rank highly among campers. "This is the sweetest campground. The sites were on the smaller side, but came with a picnic table. And you're blocked from the other campers by your RV," noted a camper at Narrows Lodge Resort, which provides premium glamping near the Stonyford region.
Peaceful settings: Many campers value quiet locations away from highways. At Fuller Grove Group Campground, a reviewer shared, "Camp sites are spaced out, so you're not on top of one another like some of the other sites around the lake. Also has a nice beach and direct access to the lake." Another added, "Since Lake Pillsbury is more secluded compared to Lake Mendocino, it tends to get a lot less traffic from campers."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to several glamping sites in the Stonyford vicinity requires careful driving. A Narrows Lodge Resort reviewer warned, "The road to get into the campground is very sketchy. It is extremely narrow and there is nowhere to pass along it. So 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."
Limited shade: Summer heat makes shade valuable. A North Fork Campground visitor cautioned, "There's limited shade & it's HOT so plan accordingly." Similarly, campers at fuller Grove noted that while the campground provides great water access, tree cover varies by site.
Campfire restrictions: Fire policies vary at glamping locations near Stonyford. One Narrows Lodge Resort reviewer mentioned, "Sidenote, there are no campfires, except for propane fire, which was kind of a bummer." Always check current fire restrictions before planning s'mores or cooking over open flames.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: For families seeking luxury glamping around Stonyford, Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort offers extensive activities. A recent visitor shared, "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! We were just a few steps from the pool, which was clean, but pretty cold."
Wildlife education: Turn animal sightings into learning experiences. At Clear Lake Campground, families can observe various bird species across the creek in the wildlife preserve. Many camps near Stonyford offer junior ranger programs during summer months.
Beach access: Sandy beaches provide safer water entry for children. A Fuller Grove camper noted, "The campground beach is beautiful, definitely recommend some late-night stargazing." Consider bringing water shoes for rocky shorelines at some locations.
Tips from RVers
Power needs: For RVers wanting full hookups near Stonyford, Rolling Hills Casino Truck Lot provides reliable services. A visitor mentioned, "Sites are level 75 ft pull through sites. We will stay again. Lower numbered sites are closest to amenities."
Timing arrivals: Schedule arrival times carefully at narrow access campgrounds. At Middle Creek near Stonyford, a reviewer noted, "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. It's got dropped toilets and it has potable water."
Water availability: Check water spigot configurations before arrival. A Middle Creek reviewer observed, "Problem is that the spigots don't have any hose fittings, so you can't hook up, which I think is a good thing to keep people from taking over water for an extended period of time."
