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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 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%
(4748)

Jug Handle Creek Farm

20 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres ¡ Caspar, CA
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. We also offer three lovely cabins, which have power and access to a shared kitchen and bathroom with a hot shower. 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.
from 
$40
 / night
99%
(291)

Heartwood Mendocino

6 sites ¡ Lodging40 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 and deluxe bath house. We have a great outdoor camp kitchen available for your use. 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 and a river swim 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!"
from 
$165
 / night
100%
(143)

CAMPFIRE!

4 sites ¡ RVs, Tents10 acres ¡ Mendocino, CA
Come make yourself at home on our beautiful 10 acre property just up the road from the town of Mendocino. This site is only a 5 min drive to town, so it’s close to the beach, river access and local restaurants and shops.. Walk through the redwoods or enjoy the sunshine, the property offers a bit of it all! All we ask is that you make yourself at home!
from 
$60
 / night
100%
(31)

Foxfern Forest

1 site ¡ Lodging8 acres ¡ Mendocino, CA
A unique private home milled glamping cabin designed and built by the host. Tranquility on the edge of a whimsical forest full of Redwood trees, Pines, Oaks, Hemlocks, Rhododendrons, Ferns, wildflowers and mushrooms. The cabin is on our 8 acre property, only about 7 minutes to the historic village of Mendocino. Beaches and trails close by and waiting for you to explore! Hear the ocean waves crashing in the distance, if you listen closely you may even hear the seals chatting. In the spring see the tall brilliant pink rhododendrons bloom. Star gaze at night and listen to the trees talking through the costal breeze while keeping warm by the fire pit, and stay cozy inside the cabin by the mini wood burning stove. Use the tea kettle to brew up a delicious drink to sip. All while making memories to last!
from 
$180
 / night
97%
(113)

Root's End

4 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents4 acres ¡ Mendocino, CA
Nearly four acres close to town and amenities, yet quiet and secluded. Away from any major roads and on quiet nights, the fog horn from the Big River buoy can be heard. Wildlife on the property include piliated woodpeckers, deer, raccoons, jack rabbits, bears (keep your trash and food inside!), mountain lions, foxes, and of course, our resident ravens. Wild huckleberries and rhododendrons are abundant among the redwoods and fir. A beautiful spot to spend the night!
from 
$70
 / night
99%
(47)

House of Trees

1 site ¡ Lodging1 acre ¡ Albion, CA
The property is one acre of rural woods. One and a half miles down the ridge and across the Albion Bridge is a campground with canoeing, fishing, and small beach. Mendocino Village is 7 miles and Fort Bragg is 17 miles. At the bottom of Albion Ridge Road is a restaurant called the Ledford House. Beautiful sunsets can be seen from the restaurant. The surrounding area offers hiking, kayaking and fishing in the Noyo Harbor. House of Trees has NO cooking facilities inside or outside. Food to go can be warmed up in the toaster oven or toast made in the morning. I have provided a notebook with some of the restaurant menus in the area. The fire ban has been lifted so you can have a bonfire in the garden which is also not for cooking. 3/6/24 In late spring or early summer, I will have the sink I purchased installed with hot and cold running water. I will also provide a gas grill with a side burner for cooking outside only. Looking forward to being able to provide these amenities for my guests.
from 
$125
 / night
98%
(485)

Baby Banana Slug Farm

10 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!"
from 
$60
 / night
95%
(186)

Forest Ocean Retreat

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents3 acres ¡ CA
Tree studded campsites with large view of the ocean. Not far off Hwy 1. Many beaches to choose from a few miles away. Close to Anchor Bay, Gualala and Point Arena. Large secluded sites with picnic tables and plenty of room to pitch a tent. Porta potty and potable water available. Great place to get away. Please note ticks are always prevalent on the coast and Spring time there are more of them please make sure you and your dog are protected.
from 
$49
 / night
100%
(66)

The Deck and Cozy Container

1 site ¡ 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. 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
from 
$100
 / night
100%
(37)

The Oak Show

2 sites ¡ 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 (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!
from 
$150
 / night
100%
(13)

Old Mill Farm

1 site ¡ Lodging300 acres ¡ Mendocino, CA
This magical place is far out there! We are providing a setting for those adventurers who want a place to REALLY "get away from it all." Expect a beautiful 30 minute drive on gravel roads through mature Redwood forest from the village of Mendocino. The property is also accessible from Fort Bragg via HWY 20 and road 408/Little Lake Rd. The Aloha Cabin is a beautiful one room timber frame cabin located on a ridge top in the Redwood forest. Upon entering the gate at Old Mill Farm the Aloha Cabin is the first building you see as you come out of the thick forest and into the mixed meadow/forest ridge top of the property. Old Mill Farm is a 320 ranch in the middle of Mendocino county's 50,000 acre JDSF (Jackson State Demonstration Forest.) The Aloha sits by itself about a 1/2 mile from the rest of the ranch buildings and like the entire ranch is completely off-grid. Electricity is provided by a solar photovoltaic system and battery back up. All water is pumped with solar power and gravity fed throughout the property. You will be imbedded in the outdoors with ample opportunity to commune with the forest and the wildlife that live there. The Aloha has a kitchen equipped for cooking with refrigerator, range and oven. There is a bathroom with a flush toilet and a private outdoor shower. We provide linens and bedding for the full size bed and towels for 4 guests. There is also a sleeping loft (with no bedding included but can be added as an extra.) Please bring your own pads and sleeping bags to use the loft or pitch a tent in the front yard. The front yard is fenced and has a fire pit. Always be fire conscious - never burn outside of the fire pit and extinguish all fires before leaving or bed. You are free to relax in the natural beauty of this place, meditate while walking our earthen labyrinth or hike around the property along the ridge and on the logging roads that descend on each side. Please respect all signs and private residents. JDSF has extensive hiking and mountain bike trails accessible right from the cabin or a short drive away. The breathtaking Mendocino Coast offers an abundance of activities from the forest to the ocean headlands and beaches.
from 
$140
 / night
92%
(13)

Camp Along the Mendocino Coast

4 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs14 acres ¡ Mendocino, CA
Coastal views property located near Big River Beach and the village of Mendocino. Spend the night in designated spots for your 24' or less camper or Sprinter-type van. Walk to Big River Beach to surf, swim or relax on the beach. Hike directly from your campsite through our coastal forest. Campsites are located on property with a vacation rental that may or may not be occupied. Property also hosts other campsites and common spaces such as a campfire and outdoor shower. *NO tent camping.
from 
$99
 / 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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