The best camping near Russian Gulch State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Russian Gulch State Park adventure.

100% (29 reviews)
100% (29 reviews)

Discover the rugged beauty of Russian Gulch State Park and its diverse outdoor activities.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Russian Gulch State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Russian Gulch State Park

96%
(5041)

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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from 
$40
 / night
98%
(610)

Baby Banana Slug Farm

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Albion, CA
Once an ancient Redwood grove full of mature redwood trees towering 250 feet in the air, This is a beautiful piece of property, very private, with an old growth Redwood snag still remaining and 30 foot diameter re-sprouted Redwood fairy rings. it has its own private entrance.In the redwood forest, lots of trees and other vegetation. Good wildlife watching area. 4 miles from the ocean. Campsites have own access point. Pack it in, pack it out. Please be respectful of neighbors and land around you.2 sites available - both with potable water, and area for campfires (outside of any burn ban), and toilet access. Firewood available for fee. Pets allowed.Guests love staying here: "This was such a treat. Nathan was a responsive, present host--made sure we had all of the wood we wanted. We were tucked away in the woods with great amenities... bathroom included. There is a beautiful tree on the campsite that made the whole experience magical. And my pup was free to run and around and bring me sticks. I will definitely come back again!"
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$60
 / night
100%
(149)

Waterfall Camp

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Mendocino, CA
Welcome to Waterfall Camp. Come enjoy your stay with us on our beautiful 5-acre property centrally located, its only 10 min to the village of Mendocino, 5 minute drive to Caspar beach and 10 min to the town of Fort Bragg. Nestled on the edge of the Redwoods and Pygmy Forest, adjacent to Russian Gulch State Park. The property has private access into park which consists of many miles of beautiful Redwood trails,the trail to the waterfall, biking trails along with a trail that leads straight to the ocean. Come and relax around your private campfire and cook over the open flames or treat yourself to fine dining in Mendocino or Fort Bragg, the experience is at your fingertips. From camping under the stars to hiking and biking through the redwoods or kayaking up Big River, come let the Mendocino coast show you what it’s all about. Our goal is to make you feel right at home. Each of our three sites has a redwood deck with a sink and food prep space, potable water, remote solar lighting, picnic table, smokeless fire pit and grill, firewood, level parking area and tent pad. One of the three sites can accommodate a 25’ trailer. There is a beautiful redwood bathhouse with two outdoor showers and two flushing toilets. All water onsite is potable so make sure to top off before your day of adventuring. There is a horseshoe pit, cornhole, and badminton set for fun under the sun. All sites are a two min walk to the State Park trails and 5 min ride to Jackson state forest bike trails. It's about a half hour walk to the beautiful waterfall from our property. Large Groups are welcome to book all three sites with two additional RV locations. Also we have a fully stocked westfalia camper van to glamp in if your wanting to pack light for the weekend. We hope to make your stay with us a memorable and fun experience. Shay & Liz
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$85
 / night
99%
(100)

Pickle Barrel Cabin and Camp

2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Anchor Bay, CA
This 10 acre property is located on the coastal ridge, often above the fog. You will be on the Pacific plate looking across to the North American plate, looking down on the San Andreas fault! Near artsy, coastal towns. Wonderful location for relaxing after a day of hiking and exploring beaches and forests.. In the winter months, it can provide a peaceful retreat and often dramatic storm watching. Peaceful, security-gated property with a campsite for RV's/tent camping for maximum of 6, and the charming Pickle Barrel cabin for 2 is available. You can book either one or both. Either way, you will have the entire site for your stay. Outside wood campfires are allowed unless there is a fire ban, propane fire pits are allowed year round. Hot showers are available 15 minutes away with purchase of a day pass and quarters. The owners and their dog live on site about 50 yards away. You may see us doing our walks. Centrally located. 10 minutes from beaches, rivers, state parks, Stornetta Lands National Monument, and towns, i.e., Gualala, Point Arena, or Anchor Bay.
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$54
 / night
99%
(381)

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
97%
(115)

Nelson Family Vineyards

7 sites · RVs200 acres · Ukiah, CA
For 70 years the Nelson family has been farming vineyards and attracting people every year to the beautiful region of Hopland. It is truly a family affair as each generation has put in their time and energy, infusing this ranch with their own flair. In 1951 Herman and Clara Nelson sold their ranch in what is now Silicon Valley and headed north, landing in Southern Mendocino County near the town of Hopland. Since then the mature prune orchards and grass-fed sheep that dotted the farm’s rolling hills have given way to an abundance of sustainable vineyards as well as Bartlett pears, an olive orchard, and live Christmas Trees. You will be staying on a working ranch, vineyards, and winery. We have several locations but none of them have hookups at this time. We have vineyard views and oak woodlands and hilltop valley views. We host weddings and other events. We have a tasting room and a redwood picnic area. We are the fourth owners of this property. The ranch has produced hops, prunes, pears, wine grapes, sheep, and cattle at different periods. Currently, we grow pears, grapes, strawberries, and Christmas trees.
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from 
$50
 / night
100%
(71)

The Oak Show

2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres · Albion, CA
We are Albion locals lucky enough to call the Oak Show home. We live on the other end of the Oak Show property, a distance providing ample privacy for guests. We have two young children and two Lab mix dogs. You may see us walking along the driveway. Please drive slowly. We share this space with our neighbors, children, and pets. We also ask that campers be mindful of noise in the evenings and respect our rule of all amplified music being off between the hours of 10pm-8am. The water on our property comes from our well. Please be respectful of the drought conditions in our area and conserve water in any way possible. The base rate for this site includes up to four people, there is an extra charge of $15 per day, per person for any extra people. Campers can set up tents or trailers around the site and have access to the kitchen and bathroom, as well as an outdoor shower. There is a kegerator, gas grill, propane heater, and a corn hole set available to rent (see Extras). There is plenty of space to set up multiple tents, perfect for a group. Navarro Beach and Van Damme State Beach are 15 minute drives away. The village of Albion has a general store and deli, as well as beautiful river and marina. A 20 minute drive North will get you to the village of Mendocino where you'll find shopping and restaurants, as well as access to hiking, biking, kayaking, and whale watching. Should you have any questions or need any help during your stay, we are just a short walk away and happy to help. We hope you enjoy our site and we look forward to hosting you!
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from 
$150
 / night

The best camping near Russian Gulch State Park guide

Overview

About

There are 7,630 feet of rugged coastline framed by hardy coastal redwoods. Highway 1 even runs right through the park on a cool arched bridge that looks like Bixby Bridge's little brother. 

Take in a picnic beside the Devil’s Punch Bowl, a large collapsed sea cave with churning water. Frolic on the beach where you can swim, skin dive and go rock fishing. Keep an eye out for the “blowhole,” which cannot be missed when the surging high tide comes in.

On the other side of Highway 1 is a forest wonderland straight out of Jurassic Park. Take the Fern Canyon Trail and discover a gulch with ferns climbing the walls on both sides. Bonus: there is a gorgeous 36-foot waterfall at the halfway mark.

Stay over in one of the park’s 30 campsites. They can accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs up to 24 feet long.

Notable campgrounds

  • Family Campsites: Nestled in nature, these sites offer a classic camping experience for families and friends.
  • Group Campsites: Ideal for larger gatherings, these sites accommodate more campers and offer communal space.
  • Hike or Bike Campsites: Perfect for the more adventurous, these sites are accessible by trails and offer a unique camping experience.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early, as reservations can be made up to six months in advance to secure your ideal spot.
  • Be flexible with your dates, as mid-week stays may offer more availability than weekends.
  • Keep an eye on cancellation policies and check back regularly for newly available sites.
  • Explore nearby camping options to increase your chances of finding a great campsite.

When to go

The best time to visit Russian Gulch State Park is during the spring and summer when the weather is temperate and the wildflowers are in bloom. Winter brings rain, and the campground is closed until April 1st, making late fall through early spring less ideal for visits.

Know before you go

  • Check for any trail or campground closures before your visit, especially during the off-season.
  • Pets are welcome in certain areas, but must be leashed and are not allowed on all trails.
  • Prepare for changeable weather by dressing in layers and bringing waterproof gear.
  • Accessible facilities are available; call ahead to reserve a beach wheelchair at least seven days in advance.
  • Remember to practice safety near the ocean and bluffs, as rogue waves and steep cliffs can be dangerous.

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