Camping sites near Ukiah, California provide varied terrain from wooded creek areas to lakefront settings within driving distance of town. Ukiah sits at approximately 633 feet in elevation with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F during July and August. The area offers a mix of free dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management properties and established campgrounds with hookups, making it adaptable for different camping preferences.
What to do
Creek exploration: BLM Sheldon Creek offers access to a flowing creek where visitors can cool off during hot summer months. One camper noted, "There are 3 sites. Used the trees to help set up a tarp to keep us and our stuff from the rain. There was a nice little creek and a fire pit."
Water activities: Narrows Lodge Resort provides direct lake access for swimming and boating. A visitor shared, "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."
Hiking through redwoods: Hendy Woods State Park Campground features accessible trails through old-growth forests. A camper commented, "The two redwood groves are easily accessible from the campsite. Hendy woods is a perfect campground for a weekend getaway because of its prime location."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Hendy Woods, space between campsites provides a more secluded experience. A visitor reported, "The campsite was very quiet. The space in our site was large and there was a good buffer with other sites. The trees also offered a lot of shade during the hot summer days."
Beach access: Mackerricher State Park Campground offers coastal camping with beach proximity. According to one review, "Campground is adjacent to the beach. You can hear the ocean and sometimes catch peeks of the ocean from the campground. The campground is protected by a buffer of coastal trees."
Free camping options: BLM Sheldon Creek provides no-cost sites with basic amenities. A reviewer stated, "There are about 4/5 sites, only 2 with actual fire pits. Please keep it amazing by keeping it clean. FREE."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some sites requires careful driving. At BLM Sheldon Creek, "Tow behinds/trailers not recommended; rough roads and can't turn back once on the path."
Variable shower conditions: At Mackerricher State Park, "The shower water temperature is finicky in the women's bathroom. When it's just one person showering, it's nice and hot. When two showers are going, the water temperature drops a bit."
Token-operated facilities: Kelsey Creek Campground requires tokens for showers. A camper explained, "The showers are token operated. Outside the bathrooms is a machine for token exchange. It takes $1 and $5 bills. It's 50¢ per token and one token gets you 2 minutes."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: COE Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground offers recreational facilities for children. One camper shared, "The sites are spacious and there are a mix of shady and sunny sites. Our young kids had a great time playing on the playground."
Junior ranger programs: Hendy Woods State Park provides educational activities. A reviewer noted, "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."
Beach options for children: Narrows Lodge Resort has family-friendly water access. According to a visitor, "We rented a camping yurt and we were so surprised how big it is! We received a key to our own bathroom and shower! Great little beach. A dock to fish from. Everything you need to have a great time!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: For those needing full services, Redwood Empire Fair RV Park offers convenient in-town access. One RVer mentioned, "This was a well kept rv campground. They have hookups and sewer. It is more or less an rv Park for people working in the area or staying for longer periods of time."
Site leveling: Check site conditions before setting up. At Kelsey Creek Campground, a visitor reported, "Clean, chill campground right on the lake. Beautiful campground, good space between sites."
Dump station fees: Some campgrounds charge for dumping services. At Mackerricher State Park, "The dump station has a mandatory fee of $10. You pay with a credit card. When payment is approved, the cap to the dump hole unlocks."
