Mendocino Coast Camping Options

Mendocino Coast Camping Options

PHOTO BY SGOODWIN4813/ISTOCK

These seven very different camping experiences will turn anyone into a camper.

When you hear the phrase, “Let’s go camping,” do you (a) air out the sleeping bags; (b) check the tire pressure on the RV; or (c) desperately devise a way to stay home?

These days, camping is evolving to include everyone from dedicated wilderness backpackers to those who need comfy beds, hot showers, and high-tech flush toilets.

The Mendocino Coast abounds in diverse camping experiences. Camp among giant redwoods, on a riverbank, on a secluded Pacific beach, under a bridge — or glamp in style surrounded by forest and woodlands. Camp with your horse. Camp while working on a coastal farm. Have a luxury trailer delivered to your campsite.

While there, enjoy pedaling, paddling, hiking, wildlife, surfing, boating, and fishing amid  rare and spectacular settings.

Redwood Camping

Once known as Camp Four, a logging encampment in Noyo River Canyon, Camp Noyo now welcomes folks to secluded tent sites, rustic cabins, and the River View Chalet, all under a canopy of old-growth redwoods on the banks of the Noyo River.

Ride to your campsite on the Skunk Train, which takes you deep into a redwood forest. Bring your bedroll, food, and beverages; all other gear is provided, including camp kitchen, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, wood-heated showers, and flush facilities.

Beach Camping

Pitch your tent where the surf lulls you to sleep. Kayak, stand-up paddleboard, surf, fish, beachcomb, play volleyball, and/or sit around an evening fire — all on a secluded beach.

Westport Beach & RV Park Campgrounds offers tent sites directly on the beach and in the woods. It also has RV sites, and ocean-view cottages. You’ll find Wi-Fi here along with a well-stocked store, rental gear, hot showers, restrooms, playgrounds, and laundry.

Equestrian Camping

Russian Gulch State Park has staging areas, corrals, and water troughs provided for “equestrian-only” trails and campsites.

Ride those trails through the forest. Tents and RVs are both welcome — but only four campsites are available here, so reserve yours early.

Farm Camping

Yurt, geodesic dome, and cabin camping are all available at 240-acre, off-the-grid Oz Farm along the Garcia River. Indulge in the farm’s organic apples, pears, and other bounty; hike the forest, swim the river, or explore the coast just minutes away. This solar- and wind-powered working farm and cidery always welcomes extra help if you have a mind to get your hands in the dirt.

Bridgeside Camping

Erected with salvaged wood in 1944 to replace its 19th-century predecessor, 150-foot-high Albion River Bridge is the last remaining wooden bridge on Highway 1 — poised between ocean, river, and wetlands and outfitted with launches, docks, and marinas for many types of watercraft.

Surrounded by water on three sides, the Albion River Campground & Marina sits at the bottom of steep, narrow Albion River Gorge, Tent and RV camping sit together community-style — with a store, restaurant, showers, and restrooms for guests and their friends.

Forest Glamping

Want to luxuriate in safari tents that have wooden floors, real beds, down comforters, and sunset decks? And indulge in hot showers augmented by plush towels and organic bath products, with access to both Wi-Fi and electricity? Comfortable Mendocino Grove Glamping is family- and pet-friendly, and breakfast is included.

Luxury Camping Trailers

Luv2Camp Mendocino County will deliver 29-foot or 30-foot travel trailers directly to your chosen site at several different parks and campgrounds throughout the county. These well-appointed vessels are outfitted with queen beds, bunk beds, dinette sleepers, flat-screen LED TVs, air conditioning, cookware, coffeemakers, and more.


If You Go

Camp Noyo: 100 Laurel St., Camp 4, Fort Bragg, 707-964-6371, SkunkTrain.com.

Westport Beach RV Park & Campground: 37700 Highway 1, Westport, 707-964-2964, CasparBeachRVPark.com/Westport.html.

Russian Gulch State Park Equestrian Camp: State Route 1, Mendocino, 707-937-5804, Parks.ca.gov/?page_id=432.

Oz Farm: 41601 Mountain View Road, Manchester, 707-882-3046, OzFarm.com.

Albion River Campground & Marina: 34500 N. Highway 1, Albion, 707-937-0606, AlbionRiverCampground.com.

Mendocino Grove Glamping: 9601 State Route 1, Mendocino, 707-880-7710, MendocinoGrove.com.

Luv2Camp Mendocino: 888-898-2267, Luv2CampMendocino.com.