Camping near Willits offers access to sites ranging from 1,350 feet in elevation at the town center to coastal options around Fort Bragg at sea level. The area's Mediterranean climate brings hot, dry summers inland while coastal locations stay significantly cooler and often foggy. Fall camping sees temperature drops of 15-20 degrees at night across all sites.
What to do
Ocean wildlife viewing: 15-minute walk from Mackerricher State Park Campground to shoreline viewing areas. "At sunrise, sea lions were out playing and sunning on rocks which were fun to watch," reports Melissa W. The campground offers "great sites with a short walk to the beach and hiking trails," according to Jennifer M.
Tide pool exploration: Access from western trails. "This is gorgeous and all black sand with some of the best tide pools," notes Chani K. about Mackerricher. Morning low tides provide optimal viewing conditions for sea creatures.
Wine tasting: 30-minute drive from campgrounds. "Anderson Valley is a Pinot Noir region so wineries surround the campground," writes Beth K. about Hendy Woods State Park Campground. The area features family-friendly stops like "Anderson Valley Brewery and Pennyroyal Cheese Farm" in nearby Booneville.
Foraging and nature photography: Peak seasons spring and fall. "I always come to Hendy Woods with my camera, especially in the late winter, early spring to do some mushroom photography," shares Sophia B. The area's biodiversity makes it "one of California's best kept secrets."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Vegetation barriers create separation. At Pomo RV Park & Campground, "each site has shrubbery around it. It feels like you are in a world by itself," reports Loren P. Sites have "tons of trees/greenery in between so it feels very secluded," adds Tasha P.
Family-oriented amenities: Water features and activities. The former KOA, now Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort, includes "a petting zoo, water play, pool, arcade and events," according to Donna D. Erika L. adds, "The splash pad was a family favorite. The petting zoo was super cute and the animals seemed like they were well taken care of."
Coastal sound environment: Ocean noise reaches inland sites. "You can hear the ocean and sometimes catch peeks of the ocean from the campground," notes Mea H. about Mackerricher State Park. At Hendy Woods, "the park has nice hiking trails and river access for swimming," according to Beth K.
Bear lockers for food storage: Available at multiple sites. "Campsites have bear lockers," notes Mea H., providing secure food storage that prevents wildlife encounters.
What you should know
Extra fees beyond base camping rates: Budget accordingly. At Mackerricher, "showers require tokens. One token gives 4 minutes of showering. Each token is $1," explains Mea H. Additionally, "the dump station has a mandatory fee of $10. You pay with a credit card."
Variable shower conditions: Temperature inconsistency reported. "My shower in the women's bathroom was cold but my husband said his was scalding hot," reports Melissa W. from Mackerricher State Park. 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," adds Mea H.
Road noise levels vary by campground: Consider site selection. At Dunlap Campground, "three stars is mostly due to road noise," notes Tom E. Sites near highways may experience traffic sounds throughout the day.
Cellular service gaps: Plan communications accordingly. "Zero cell service in the campground" at Golden Rule RV Park, though "there's WiFi in the laundry room that works pretty well," reports Stefanie W. Service varies dramatically between coastal and inland locations.
Tips for camping with families
Weekday camping for quiet atmosphere: Reduced crowds. "It cleared out Sunday and we nearly had it to ourselves," reports Bruce E. about Hendy Woods State Park. Weekday reservations allow better site selection and quieter experiences.
Junior ranger programs: Educational activities for children. At Hendy Woods, "the junior ranger program and nightly events for families helped keep the kids engaged in the camping experience," writes one camper. "Park rangers hosted guided hikes, nighttime stargazing (with telescopes), and nightly campfires."
Movie nights: Evening entertainment options. At Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort, "we were there for movie night. They had a big screen and showed a film for the kiddos," according to Donna D. This provides entertainment without leaving the campground.
Poison oak awareness: Teach children identification. "There's quite a bit of poison oak, be aware of where you are walking," warns a camper about Van Damme State Park Campground. The plant grows throughout the region, particularly along trails.
Tips from RVers
Arrival timing impacts site selection: Earlier arrivals get better options. At Dunlap Campground, "we got lucky getting in late on a Saturday and finding a spot," notes Caley M. Weekday arrivals offer better chances at premium sites.
Campground loops have maneuverability challenges: Plan route carefully. At Pomo Campground, "the loops are well laid out but would be tight for a longer RV to come into," according to Hayley K. Van Damme campers note that "the parking spaces are not as flat as we were hoping for."
Self-contained RV parking alternatives: Beach access options. At Van Damme State Park, "they are allowing self-contained vehicles (potty in your vehicle) to stay at the beach parking lot instead of a camp site. That means you can wake up to a view of the beach," shares Heather G. This special accommodation costs $5 per night at some locations.
Uphill sewer connections: Prepare with proper equipment. At Sleepy Hollow RV Park, "full hookups but sewer line has to go uphill," warns ProfG999, which can present drainage challenges without appropriate pumping equipment.
