River, stream, or creek camping near Mendocino

See rocky cliffs and fern-filled valleys in this charming seaside village.

92% (4156 reviews)
92% (4156 reviews)

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12 top river, stream, or creek campgrounds near Mendocino

96%
(5036)

Jug Handle Creek Farm

20 sites · RVs, Tents33 acres · Caspar, CA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ **PLEASE NOTE** Construction of our new bathrooms will be taking place through January of 2025. Construction will take place between the hours of 7:30am and 5:30pm, Monday through Thursday, and it will be noisy. We apologize for the disruption, but look forward to being able to offer this amenity to our campers in the future! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jug Handle Creek Farm and Nature Center is a nonprofit with a five minute walk to Jug Handle State Reserve, Jug Handle beach and the Ecological Staircase trail. We offer 11 unique campsites with plenty of space and privacy. Each site has two picnic tables, a fire ring, parking for two cars and plenty of space for your tents. Our 33 acres include a native plant nursery, community gardens, forests, meadows, and nature trails. Our site has lots of nature trails, is peaceful and beautiful and just a 5-minute walk to Jug Handle Beach and the Jug Handle Preserve. Our Mission: We offer a welcoming and supportive environment for people of all backgrounds to explore nature and connect with the natural word. Nature stewardship is central to our non-profit mission and as an organization we are engaged in many nature restoration projects throughout Mendocino County. We also provide a supportive learning environment for nature education for disadvantaged youth during the school year. If you teach k-12 and would like to bring your classroom to Jug Handle contact us about special rates and our immersive nature education programs.
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$40
 / night
99%
(380)

Heartwood Mendocino

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Mendocino, CA
Our property is just minutes from Mendocino's beaches, parks and sweet town, yet private and quiet as it is surrounded by 50,000 acre state forest with world class hiking and biking trails directly accessed from our place. Around the giant redwoods and meadows we have sprinkled in the most amazing little cabins, camp sites and deluxe bath house. We have a great outdoor camp kitchen available for your use. The redwood tree shower must not be missed! This is a very special experience for us to share with you. We are a family of campers. We agree, there's nothing better than a rest in a hammock following a hike or a beach day and a night under the stars without the constant dinging of cell and internet! Guests love staying here: "Such a lovely getaway! Our family of four and little dog thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Heartwood. The cabins are great, with comfortable (warm) beds, very clean and cozy. It’s well worth the visit even in the winter! Really appreciated being outdoors surrounded by Redwoods, hiking the trails around the property, the modern bathrooms with hot showers, and the indoor sitting area to make coffee in the mornings. Our stay was relaxing, memorable and special!"
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$76
 / night
97%
(479)

Shangri-La

8 sites · Lodging, Tents100 acres · Upper Lake, CA
For 21 years, we have worked on keeping this property as a Sacred Space. There's a meadow with an Indian artifact and amazing views. We are a team, husband and wife, this is off-the-grid and we raise our children here. At the same time, we grow organic food and work on our crafts and spiritual practice, never using chemical fertilizers, and keeping all of the groundwater clear and clean with an abundance of spring water for drinking. This is a magical forest retreat and we love to share it with others who are like-minded. Right out of the Mendocino National Forest, 100-Acre Forest and Meadow Retreat is just minutes to the Eel River out of the small town of Potter Valley and 15 minutes to Lake Pillsbury. Private views, fresh spring water and endless possibilities. *******We also recommend that you have AWD or 4x4 vehicle, as the road is dirt coming in and the campsite are up the mountain off of a dirt road*******We have 2 campsites currently with fresh spring water, and fire pits. Private and in the woods. Lots of hiking on the land, with stunning views. Bring your own tent, hammock, food whatever you need to be a happy camper!! In the spring of 2019 we added in 2 new yurt sites, with soaking tubs, filled with hot spring water. We have 2 campsites to book for regular camping tents and we just added a community bathroom . Nestled away in the forest very private queen size bed natural spring water for soaking in the tub on your porch. In addition for comfort and convenience we have a nice bathroom with hand-washing station. Each yurt can come with propane heat in winter time you need to request it, in the Extras. making it cozy all year long. *******We also recommend that you have AWD or 4x4 vehicle, as the road is dirt coming in and the campsite are up the mountain off of a dirt road*******.
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$67.50
 / night
94%
(81)

Thanktuary Retreat

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Gualala, CA
Learn more about this land: The winds whisper through the redwood trees and provide respite from the hot sun. Here on the ridge above Gualala, lies nestled a lovely and serene campground called Thanktuary Retreat. Skunks, jackrabbits, deer, foxes and very rarely a mountain lion or bear can be found on our 5 acres of forested land. There is a fishpond with water lilies, mini golf course and pétanque court (both with equipment in a useful shed close by), a horse shoe ring and beautiful, natural secluded spots in the redwoods perfect for meditation and vision questing. Huckleberry bushes and ferns grow abundantly. The place lends itself to self-reflection and introspection. There is space for 1 RV with a patio table and chairs and some sun loungers. There are also 2 tent sites available on the property, located in one large area, further away from the RV sites. Barely 7 minutes away is downtown Gualala, with amenities such as 2 supermarkets, pharmacy, bakery, restaurants and more. There is a beautiful holistic gift store, The Sea Trader, Four Eyed Frog Bookstore, and some lovely art galleries in town.   Kayaking is available at the Gualala River. Hiking at Gualala Regional Park, the Bluff Trail, The Sea Ranch public access beaches, Stump Beach, Salt Point Park with a petrified forest, Bowling Ball Beach with its amazing natural formations (can only be seen fully at low tide of more than -0.2m), Manchester State Beach, Elk Beach, and more. Swimming at the Navarro River, and various bays. It is a place of incredible scenic beauty all along CA 1. Watch whales spouting during whale season. (Gray whales and orcas is December to May. For humpbacks, visit May through November, and for blue whales, the largest animal on Earth, plan your stay between July and October). Bower Park, just 0.5 miles away with a lovely lake, tennis courts, a baseball field, a basketball court, and two separate playgrounds. Play disc golf or hike along the nature trail/fitness course. Anchor Bay is 5 miles up CA 1, with a supermarket, a few cafes, restaurants (including a great Thai place!) laundromat, hair salon, and more. The quaint town of Point Arena is 12 miles north, with a supermarket, Frannie's Cup And Saucer, The Bird Cafe, a beautiful historic lighthouse, a theater, a pier, a mini-safari park (B Bryan Preserve with zebras, giraffes and more. Tours need to be booked in advance). Also visit Roots, a natural pharmacy for herbs, teas and supplements.  There are also spots like Occidental, Bodega Bay, Jenner (with the Russian River to kayak and swim) and Timber Cove, all on the way to Gualala from the south. Bodega Bay has lovely spots to eat, with clam chowder, fish and chips. Enjoy wind and water sports, and walk on the pier.
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$55.80
 / night
100%
(108)

The Deck and Cozy Container

1 site · RV, Tent60 acres · Albion, CA
**NEW** Rent our Cozy Container (see Extras) for a dry, warm and cozy Winter getaway!! Hello and welcome to The Deck on Albion Ridge! A Bit About Us and The Deck Site: Albion and the surrounding areas are the original home of the Pomo peoples Northern California and we honor their stewardship of this land for millennia before us. This property sits just above the Salmon Creek watershed which is home to coho salmon and steelhead, northern spotted owls, bears, dear, mountain lions, pileated woodpeckers, along with thousands of other species big and small, and so we feel it is our duty to uphold that stewardship of this land for future generations. We were both born and raised on the Mendocino Coast, and are now raising our two young children here. We have been developing and preserving the natural beauty of our coastal Redwood property here in Albion for the past 13 years. One of the first things we built on this property was a 2,000 sq ft deck that cantilevers over the hillside with a view of the Redwood ridges and Eastern sunrises beyond, all with wood milled from the property. Our vision for this deck was to host our family and friends and bring people together in this gorgeous outdoor setting. We have had many a birthday party, movie nights, baby showers, as well as a couple weddings and yoga retreats at this site, and now you can too! We can't wait to share the beauty and tranquility of this campsite with you! What We Offer: Camp next to, and make use of, our large Redwood deck with sweeping ridge top views. The base rate for this site includes up to four people, there is an extra charge of $25 per day, per person, for any extra people. We allow up to 16 campers total but if you're looking to have more please message us and we can talk details. Campers can set up tents just off the deck, OR for an extra fee (see Extras), you can rent our new addition of The Cozy Container, for the people that want to be in nature but don't quite want the fuss of pitching a tent. This sleeping container, not to be confused with the shipping container connected to the deck that houses the bathroom and kitchenette, houses a full size bed as well as a fold out futon and sleep 3-4 people comfortably. When booking the Cozy Container we will make up the full size bed with pillows, sheets and down comforter, however if you would like to also use the futon, we ask that you bring your own bedding for that. NOTE: We have two converted shipping containers at the site. The Cozy Container for sleeping in is away from The Deck slightly and to the left. The container attached to The Deck to the right, houses the kitchenette, bathroom, and shower around back. The use of this container is included in the basic site fee. We also allow trailers and small RVs, we just ask that during the wet Winter months, you park in our gravel parking spaces. Connected to The Deck we have another 30 ft shipping container converted into a kitchenette and bathroom with toilet and running water. Behind that you'll find an enclosed shower with hot and cold water. We also have a grill, propane heater, cooler and a cornhole set available to rent (see Extras). There is plenty of space to set up multiple tents so this is the perfect spot to wrangle all those friends or family you’ve been missing and enjoy some quality time together in nature. The Area: The village of Albion has a well equipped grocery store and deli, as well as a hardware store and post office. There IS gas if you are in a pinch, but we recommend filling up long before you get to the coast, or making the drive up to Fort Bragg for gas. You will also find EV charging stations in Fort Bragg at the Boatyard Shopping center. Drive just 20 minutes North to the village of Mendocino where you'll find plenty of shops and restaurants as well as access to hiking, biking, kayaking, surfing and bird and whale watching. Please don't hesitate to ask us for recommendations for all things to eat, see and do while you're here. We love to share the beauty of the area with our guests! Dogs: We live on the property as a family of four with two young children and two friendly dogs. Our dogs Olive and Blue may greet you when you arrive, and might bark at your car, but rest assured they are friendly and when you get out of your car, call their names and they should come begging for pets. If you're not into dogs, that's totally fine. You can always text us and we will do our best to keep them home. Tenants/Neighbors: We do have one tenant on the property whose rental shares a road with The Deck site so you may see them coming and going, but there is no line of site from their rental to The Deck site. However, being that they are somewhat close we ask that campers be mindful of noise in the evenings and we ask that all amplified music be turned off between the hours of 10pm-7am. Should you have any questions or need any help during your stay, we are just a short walk away and happy to help. We love sharing the beauty of our land and all that the Mendocino Coast has to offer so don't hesitate to ask for our recommendations on all things Mendocino! Trash and Clean Up Expectations: We provide dish ware, glasses, utensils and some other odds and ends, in hopes that our guests will use less single use plastics and cut down on waste. However, we know there is always some level of trash that comes along with camping therefore, we provide trash bags and labeled trash and recycling bins, but we ask that our guests bring their trash with them when they leave. *If for some reason this is not possible, we can remove the trash for you for a fee of $15/bag, but you must message us prior to your departure and let us know that your are unable to take the trash with you. Otherwise we provide the operating hours of the solid waste disposal site (located just down the road) in our guest book in the kitchen container. We hope you enjoy our campsite and all it has to offer and we look forward to hosting you! Alex and Justin
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$142.50
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95%
(389)

Eel River Escape

18 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents4 acres · Benbow, CA
This property is conveniently located in historic highway 101. It's 4.5 terraced acres overlooking the south fork Eel River. It is adjacent to the Reggae on the River and Northern Nights festival sites. It's less than a mile from the tourist attraction One Log house and Richardson Grove state park. The property is a permitted educational cannabis farm implementing regenerative agriculture practices.We have several accommodation options! You can stay in our fully furnished bell tent tucked away in a charming garden. It has a full bed with foam topper, charge station, lounge chair, fan or heater, wireless speaker, and wifi. The property has hot outdoor shower and viewing bluff overlooking Eel river. Enjoy convenient hwy 101 location close to state park and dispensary. Wake up, dine and stroll in this dreamy garden! We also have camping and  RV sites that have morning shade, and epic views and two levels of camping area. 
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$49.50
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94%
(26)

Sunnyland

6 sites · Tents10 acres · Comptche, CA
Over the years, this town has attracted artists, musicians, writers and wine lovers from all over the world in search for inspiration. Here, you can explore Mendocino County's exquisite State Parks such as Montgomery Woods (20 min drive). Giant redwoods, Orr Hot Springs (25 min), enjoy restaurants, coastal landscapes (Hwy 1 , 40 min away) , hiking trails, beaches (40 min away), wineries (Anderson Valley 30 min) & pygmy forests. Sunnyland is a VERY REMOTE AND RURAL location. Beautiful redwood grove campsites. Hiking trails all over the property, hundreds of different wild mushrooms. Bird watching too! We have two very friendly Great Pyrenees, 2 cats, 6 ducks and 10 chickens. Fresh farm eggs available. These animals are all located near the house, and not near the campsites. Directions: Please contact me for specific instructions on how to get here ahead of your arrival time. Feel free to reach out the day before for directions also. If you are coming from Ukiah, reach out to me there. Or if coming from the coast please reach out to me from Mendocino area since service is very unreliable shortly after both of those towns. Please check in before dark or contact me before for detailed directions. Kids are absolutely welcome. CELL SERVICE IS SPOTTY. Wifi is available here up at the main house if needed. Water is available at the main house or gardens. Campsites are private.
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$35
 / night
94%
(852)

Mendocino Magic

132 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents600 acres · Laytonville, CA
Mendocino Magic is a camping, fishing, wedding and outdoor events destination in inland Mendocino county, Northern California, just a few miles off Highway 101 in the heart of the Emerald Triangle. This unique sprawling 600-acre property is home to the largest privately-held reservoir in the North Coast region, perfect for swimming and catch & release fishing. We offer tent camping, RV & Car camping, luxe furnished tents, and cabins for your stay. Star gaze from the rolling hills of the Mendocino forest, kayak on our private Reservoir, and show off your BBQ skills with included campground amenities. Reserve your camp site early for the best availability. About half of our 2023 summer weekends are currently sold out. All Mendocino Magic Campers Enjoy the Following Amenities - Central Camp with tables, BBQ grills (propane provided), filtered water, and weekend fire dish run by staff. - Portapotty bathrooms with outdoor sinks. - Outdoor showers with hot water. - Access to Holland Reservoir, our private lake, for swimming, boating, and fishing. Kayaks are available at the lake for no additional charge - first come, first served. Bring your own life jackets if you need them. - Miles of hiking and biking trails through mountainous hillsides and scenic valleys. - Some of the best stargazing in Northern California with frequent meteor showers. - Camping supplies delivered to your camp site (for an additional charge), including cooler rentals, ice. Mackenzie manages the campground with a team of incredible people. In a world increasingly connected in the digital sense, we invite you to come up and get back to your roots, and connect with people the old fashioned way. Come join us for stargazing, paintball, fishing & swimming, weddings & outdoor events, and camping!
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$48
 / night
98%
(168)

Meadow Farm & Forest

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents28 acres · Fort Bragg, CA
Meadow Farm is a quiet and creative sanctuary surrounded by the forest. The ocean breezes freshen the air and the pulse of the planet is heard as the surf sounds travel to put us to rest at night.. We are a place for people experimenting with the new old ways to live with low impact and conservation of our precious resources. We offer affordable accommodations, organic gardening, and education on plants and living simply. We welcome your interest in veganic garden and diet, orchards, and forest trails. Our organic vegetables and fruit may be available if you wish to bring some of our farm to your table. Our garden is reduced this time of year but we may still have something to share. We can offer you a quiet and peaceful place without social pressures if you wish to "decompress" from city life, jobs or any stressful times. Or come to the communal fire near the bathhouse for sharing some time with family and the few other campers that may be there. Bringing your own wood is welcome. The coastal bike and hike trails are many. From South of Ft Bragg to the Sand Dunes near Ward Ave. you can travel over 7 miles one way and go down to quiet little beach coves along the way. Meadow Farm is a nonprofit 501c3 with goals of coastal food security, disaster preparation and sheltering, carbon sequestering and forest restoration. We offer native plant tours on or off site with advance notice. We like our dog companions! Two McNab collies, Moxie and Shama live here and may bark at first...still very friendly and social with people and other dogs.. There are several dog friendly off-leash areas such as, Noyo North Harbor Beach, Seaside Beach and dog parks in both Ft Bragg and Mendocino. Our farm is dog friendly tho we wish pets to be kept close, must be neutered and friendly to other dogs and people. Please be sure to bury or bag the waste. Speaking of waste, Meadow Farm strives to reduce waste by avoiding plastic as much as possible, recycling what we can and composting our veggie scraps. Please bring your own waste receptacles and take them along when you go. We take ours to the Caspar Transfer Station which is open Saturday through Wednesday... the location and hours can be found online. Our water is from a deep well and we periodically test it for bacteria. It is cold and delicious. Our irrigation pipes that have spigots and hoses at each camp are safe for drinking, cooking and cleaning. Our solar pump moves water into storage tanks that provide all the water to the farm. It is very important that the water valves on your camp spigot is turned off (gently please) to avoid losing 2500 gallons of water in a short time. If you see a leak or break in a line please contact us immediately. There are also water shut offs for the camps on the west side of the Farm House if you are unable to reach us right away.. When doing dishes we request that you use the strainer to catch food particles from the dish water and toss them in your trash or compost bucket. If you have vegetable waste let us know and we can pick them up for adding to the worm bins or composting piles. We make worm "tea" fertilizer and rich soil from these offerings. No animal products or oil please... a few egg shells are okay. We do have the usual wildlife though we haven't had problems with them. Ravens will raid your camp if food or bags are left out while you are away. From dusk to dawn keep children and pets close. We coexist well here with the critters...and glad to have them. Wishing you a very peaceful and soul refreshing stay at Meadow Farm. Come and allow this natural setting to heal and restore your sense of well-being.
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$65
 / night
96%
(51)

Private sunny forest near the coast

1 site · RV, Tent6 acres · Albion, CA
Learn more about this land: The site is in a forested area with short pine and manzanita trees, so its nice and sunny, just out of the daily fog zone that blankets the coast, but only 3 miles from the coast. The neighborhood is super quiet and you can walk right from here to the Pygmy State Park trail system or just on the gravel neighborhood road. There is a main tent site and another tent site and places for 2 cars or more or a small travel trailer. There's a place for at least 2-3 tents and there is a table with 3 chairs provided. Also a metal box to keep your food away from bears that might come by (haven't had that happen yet). No campfires please but propane/gas cook stoves are fine. 50 gallons of potable water is provided from a tank. Please conserve water. Keep all food in your vehicle as there are bears and forest critters around. Outhouse with new, clean composting toilet, environmentally friendly! There has been an ornery squirrel that keeps ripping up the toilet paper so please bring your own. Use this lat/long as Google Maps doesn't like my address- 39.2581451131371, -123.723920996094. Brief directions- coming from the coast on Little River Airport Rd, turn right on "Posted Rd. 18/Sundew Lane" sign, stay right at the fork, first driveway on the right (funky oval painted sign as pictured).
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$40.50
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

River, stream, or creek camping near Mendocino guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to resource for camping adventures in the United States! With over 634 options near Mendocino, California, you're sure to find the perfect campsite that caters to your preference for a scenic river setting. Whether you're seeking a tranquil spot along the water's edge or a campsite nestled in the lush forest, we've got you covered. Check out our top-rated campsites like Jug Handle Creek Farm (1479 reviews), Salmon Creek Ranch (1270 reviews), and Mendocino Magic (410 reviews) for a memorable stay. Plus, you'll enjoy popular amenities such as trash disposal, showers, and potable water. And if you're looking for some adventure, you can indulge in activities like horseback riding, snow sports, and wildlife watching. So pack your gear and get ready to experience the great outdoors!

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