Tent camping near Willits, California includes options from established forest grounds to primitive wilderness locations within the Mendocino National Forest region. The area sits at approximately 1,350 feet elevation with a Mediterranean climate featuring warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Camping access varies seasonally, with many sites closed during winter months due to weather conditions and fire danger.
What to do
Explore OHV trails: At Penny Pines Campground, dirt bike enthusiasts find numerous dedicated trails. "This campground seems to be mostly for OHV use. Most campers bring dirt bikes and the camp is circled by OHV trails," notes Cary A.
River recreation: Access the Noyo River at Jackson Demonstration Forest for swimming and wading. "The Noyo river runs right through the middle of the campground," according to Rich D., making it convenient for water activities during summer months.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours offer prime wildlife spotting opportunities, particularly at campsites near road corridors. At Dunlap Campground, one camper reported, "Went mid week and was the only one there. Tons of wildlife. Fox, deer, raccoon, etc. keep your food locked up at all times."
Beach access: Coastal camping near Willits provides beach access within 30 minutes. Bobby J. notes about Paul M. Demmick Campground, "It's only a 20 ish minute drive to the coast, which can be nice since the trees give you a blockage of the rough winds from the coast."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Bu-Shay Campground near Lake Mendocino offers well-separated camping spots. Joshua H. explains, "The sites are spacious and there are a mix of shady and sunny sites. The flush bathrooms are fine, and there are free showers."
Off-grid seclusion: Red Mountain Campground provides remote camping with minimal facilities. "Worth the 4x4 trek to the campground. There is a 'million dollar' view of the mountain range and Clearlake," reports Becky H., highlighting the reward for those willing to venture farther from civilization.
Affordable pricing: Many campgrounds near Willits operate on self-pay systems with reasonable rates. Penny Pines charges just $6 per night, while Dunlap Campground costs $20 nightly. "This campsite was $20 a night. It has a good amount of sites. We got lucky getting in late on a Saturday and finding a spot," mentions Caley M.
Shaded settings: Paul M. Demmick Campground provides extensive tree cover. Susan W. describes it as "excellent if you like quiet beautiful scenery with no amenities," emphasizing the natural atmosphere.
What you should know
Road noise levels: Highway proximity affects some camping experiences. "Expect a LOT of road noise. Access to the river. Went mid week and was the only one there," reports Carter B. about their Dunlap Campground stay, while Tom E. adds, "Three stars is mostly due to road noise. We enjoy primitive sites like this."
Bathroom facilities: Most forest campgrounds feature vault toilets rather than flush facilities. At Jughandle Creek Farm, "A short less than a minute walk to the porta potty bathroom that is at the edge of a big field," according to Hayley K.
Self-registration process: Many sites operate without staff presence. Linda Y. notes, "No on-site camp host, but Cal Fire does come through to write receipts and pick up trash," describing the typical management approach at smaller campgrounds.
Seasonal availability: Winter camping options decrease significantly due to closures. Angela G. comments about Paul M. Demmick Campground, "When this spot is open it's the best," indicating intermittent availability.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: COE Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground offers play facilities for children. Joshua H. shares, "Our young kids had a great time playing on the playground which was an unexpected bonus."
Water features: Look for campgrounds with shallow river access for safer water play. "There is creek access in the camp with a small day use area by the creek," explains Cary A. about Paul M. Demmick Campground.
Wildlife education: Use animal encounters as learning opportunities while maintaining proper food storage. Carter B. warns about Dunlap Campground, "Fox, deer, raccoon, etc. keep your food locked up at all times," highlighting the importance of wildlife precautions.
Proximity to supplies: Some remote locations require extensive pre-planning. Justin notes about Red Mountain, "This location was 6 miles from civilization down a windy road, then up a mountain side," emphasizing the importance of bringing adequate supplies.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most forest campgrounds near Willits lack electrical connections. Israel M. points out that Bu-Shay Campground does provide some RV amenities: "Water spickets everywhere and I think there are also dumping stations for people with RVs."
Road access challenges: Many forest routes require higher clearance vehicles. Linda Y. advises about Dunlap Campground, "Really convenient to Fort Bragg (30 min away) or Willits (30 min away). No cell service."
Size restrictions: Forest campgrounds typically accommodate smaller RVs only. Bobby J. notes about Paul M. Demmick Campground, "I went tent camping but you can probably bring in a small RV," indicating limitations for larger vehicles.
