The best camping near Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Standish-Hickey adventure.

87% (20 reviews)

An arboreal Eden straddles Highway 101 in Northern California.

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Community favorites near Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area

Incredible swimming hole. There is a beautiful (AND rocky) beach that spans the river and provides a great place to spend the afternoon picnicking. Swim across for a some sun bathing on the rocks of jumping off that high ledge (we witnessed some daredevils)

83%

(12)

Hickey Campground

155 sites · RVs, Tents In Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area

92%

(7)

Redwood Campground

59 sites · RVs, Tents In Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area

100%

(1)

Rock Creek Campground

34 sites · RVs, Tents In Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area

Top-rated campgrounds near Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area

96%

(4777)

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.

86%

(7)

Shelter Cove Campground

90 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Whitethorn, CA

Take a deep breath. Experience nature. The drive out to this remote area is well worth it for those who like to fish, crab, dive for abalone or watch for whales. Photographers, hikers and nature lovers will have plenty to do as well. The thick redwood forests surrounding the village are home to bald eagles, Roosevelt elk, black tail deer.....and if you believe the legend, Bigfoot. The rock shoreline makes Shelter Cove a refuge for seals and sea lions, and it boasts some of the world's richest tide pools. There are picnic areas that offer access to the beach or the rocks below the bluffs. Each rate is for four people at a site, access to bathrooms, showers and coin operated washer and dryer. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring (see note below reference firewood). NOTE: State ordinances require firewood to be purchased locally, therefore we source our firewood from the local provider here in the cove. Alan wraps extra big bundles and packs a little kindling in each. Let us know how many we need and we'll deliver right to your site. The campground is open all year. During our busy season, we suggest that you call for reservations and for more information regarding the rates and what they include. Our numbers are listed on our Contact page, our Facebook page and on Instagram. The Lost Coast In the 1920's, when they built the Coast Highway in Northern California, engineers decided a stretch of coast from Northern Mendocino County through the King Range in Humboldt County was too rugged for a road. Thus, this expanse of magnificent coastline was soon isolated and became known as the "Lost Coast". Highly-valued seaside resort. The small community of Shelter Cove, on the coast just below King Range, lies at the core of the Lost Coast. Being cut off from the rest of California has helped Shelter Cove remain a peaceful seaside resort with peerless scenery that is an oasis for outdoor enthusiasts. Diverse wildlife within reach We are home to many deer that like to hang out in the campground and on the golf course. We also have bald eagles, osprey, and foxes. Not to mention our many sea creatures, such as whales, seals, sea lions, otters and fish of many different species. Take a walk on the beach during low tide and enjoy the many tidepools. Events and Functions at Shelter Cove Campground. From May to October we have many different events for those that are looking for something to do. In May we have our Kayak Conventions and Memorial Day celebration. May also starts our Campground Karaoke which takes occasionally on Friday night at 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm. During our holiday celebrations, we have BBQ's with chicken, ribs and fresh oysters. We also offer music for your listening pleasure while you enjoy the beautiful ocean views and the Cape Mendocino lighthouse. Full Hook Up RV Sites Settle your RV into our designated back-in grass sites, tailor-made for RVs under 35 feet. Enjoy full hookups, 30 amp electricity, water, and sewer. Ocean views grace every corner of our campground, creating a serene backdrop for your stay. Each site accommodates up to six people, with a nominal charge for each person beyond four. Book your spot today! Van/Tent Dry Camping Sites Establish your campsite, whether it's a tent, truck camper, van, or RV, in our dry camping area. Water is conveniently accessible at fill stations scattered across the campground, and our guests have access to a communal bathroom with showers. Join us for a delightful blend of nature and comfort at Shelter Cove Campground. Your adventure begins here!

95%

(353)

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.

100%

(150)

CAMPFIRE!

3 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!

100%

(40)

Private Acreage on the Pacific

1 site · RV3 acres · Fort Bragg, CA

2.5 acres on the Pacific Ocean, with easy access to the beach. The land abuts a 10 mile paved trail along the coast. Excellent whale watching, good surfing , and plenty of wildlife. Fun to watch a osprey w/ a fish or deer nibbling on the grass. Cool ocean breeze is the best as temps in summer and fall typically 64° highs n 48° lows. Virgin Beach is right out the fence with good surfing n sand. There is path from the property to the "Haul Road" where lumber used to be hauled to a mill. This path is closed to cars, but you can walk, bike, or skateboard. If you go north you'll find McKerricker State Park, which has a nice boardwalk. Go south about 2 miles and you'll end up in the town of Fort Bragg. Dogs are welcome here.

94%

(826)

Mendocino Magic

122 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 no charge. 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!

98%

(94)

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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(120)

Lucky Penny Laytonville

7 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Laytonville, CA

Lucky Penny Laytonville is a thriving multi-generational family home and campground, dedicated to music, art, gardening, cooking, and family fun. Just 4 sites on 4 acres! Camping made easy with a FULLY OUTFITTED OPEN AIR OUTDOOR KITCHEN and HOT SHOWERS (not available in the coldest times of the year when pipes freeze). Kitchen includes sinks, refrigerator, stove, toaster oven, toaster, blender, espresso machine, coffee grinder, dishes, utensils, plates, pans, cutting boards, etc. If there's something you need and can't find it, we'll bring it out from our kitchen in the house. LIBRARY OF TOYS, BOOKS, PUZZLES, AND GAMES. Around the property, there's plenty of cool forest shade, a park like lawn, and a sunny meadow. Find yourself a cozy spot on a sofa under the trees or in a hammock with a good book from our library. There's always a jigsaw puzzle out on one of the picnic tables by the pizza oven. We’ve got badminton and croquet, just ask. Enjoy looking at the stars through the telescope, just ask. Each campsite has a picnic table & benches. Outlets to CHARGE YOUR PHONE and DEVICES. Wifi in several places in town (1 mile). Please LIMITED FIRES during Fire Season. CHECK WITH HOSTS about whether fires are currently allowed. Fire MUST be completely extinguished before you go to sleep at night. Firewood available for purchase. SMOKERS, please be super careful! Fruit trees and extensive gardens dot the property. Feel free to pick a piece of fruit. We often have extra fresh eggs from the chickens, so just ask. We're in a wooded country neighborhood where lots of folks have dogs, so you might hear some barking and see some neighbors. Very occasionally we see a dog off leash. We ask that you keep your dogs on leash at all times, as we have cats and chickens and our neighbors have small children. Please respect our neighbors' privacy. We encourage you to enjoy the forest, but do be aware that there is poison oak. If you don't know what it looks like we can show you. Please arrive between Noon - 8pm. Text us your estimated arrival time and then when you're 15 minutes out, let us know you're getting close. Please try to get here by 8:00pm. However, you can prearranged for a late arrival in "Extras." We are flexible about check out time, if we do not have other campers arriving for your site. Just ask. We are flexible about cancelations. If you cancel 24 hours before check-in time (1pm), you get a full refund, automatically. Cancelling with less than 24 hours notice? We will refund you as follows: A booking of 2 or more days, you will be charged for only one day. Mendocino County guidelines regarding Covid-19: We follow the current State and Local Covid regulations. All hosts are fully vaccinated. Masks are no longer required outdoors. More than one group can use the kitchen and other communal areas at the same time, but please be respectful of others who wish to maintain distance from other campers. We want to keep vulnerable folks safe and comfortable here at Lucky Penny!

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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!

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(117)

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!

100%

(1)

Tiny House @ The Redwood Castle

4 sites · Lodging3 acres · Leggett, CA

The Redwood Castle is delighted to introduce our Tiny House "The Tea" set in our forest camp, nestled on the edge of a cliff in the breathtaking Forest just across from old growth redwoods. The Tea House, a charming tiny cabin tucked away in its own spot, The Redwood Castle, once a hotel and homestead since the late 1930s, now features our forest camp, Tea House and a two-bedroom vacation apartment (available on Airbnb.) Our tiny cabin is located in a peaceful wooded area of the property, and features a comfortable queen-size bed with real cotten and quality pillows, a tiny desk/table and chair, and a loft for storag. While there is no kitchen at this time, we provide an electric kettle, coffee/tea-making supplies, bowls, and cups for breakfast. On occasion, we also offer options from our farm kitchen - check out our "extras" to find out what may be available. The Bathhouse, located just a few steps from the Tea House, offers an indoor private shower, vanity sink, and a separate flushing toilet for your convenience. Come and experience the magic of the Forest at our forest camp & Tea House - the perfect destination for a tranquil and rejuvenating retreat.

93%

(28)

Briceland Vineyards Ranch

2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents57 acres · Redway, CA

Briceland Vineyards Ranch is 57 acres of oak woodlands 5.5 miles west from Redway Ca. on Briceland Thorn Road. This is the one road in and out of the lost coast and leads to Shelter Cove, about 15 miles west. This is about 15 miles to Avenue of the Giants as well. The property is the home of Briceland Vineyards, the first winery in Humboldt based on Humboldt grown grape and the most awarded winery in the county.

The best camping near Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

Enjoy hiking, fishing, and swimming on the scenic South Fork of the Eel River. An inland river canyon, with steep sides and giant trees, shelters you from highway noise. The ancient trees here are truly a sight to behold as the gateway to tall trees country.

The pride of this forest is the Captain Miles Standish Tree. This massive redwood towers 225 feet above the forest floor. It's more than 1,200 years old. The tree was just a sapling when the Europeans were still in the Dark Ages.

Deep holes, shallow pools, and riffles make this spot popular for kayaking, swimming, and fishing. The canyon offers scenic overlooks thanks to the hiking trails. Give a shout and listen to your echo as it bounces from one side of the canyon to the other. The Grove Trail heads into a virgin redwood stand.

At least one campsite stays open year-round. Be careful of high water in winter time.

Notable campgrounds

Family Campsites: Nestled among the redwoods, these sites offer a classic camping experience for all ages.
Hike or Bike Campsites: Ideal for the more adventurous, these sites are accessible by trail and promise a secluded retreat.
RV Access: Spacious sites accommodate RVs up to 27 feet, providing a comfortable and convenient stay amid nature.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early, as sites can be reserved up to six months in advance and fill up quickly, especially during peak season.
Be flexible with your dates to increase your chances of finding an available spot.
Check for cancellations regularly, as plans change and previously booked sites may become available.
Explore nearby camping options if Standish-Hickey is fully booked, as the surrounding area offers additional opportunities.

When to go

The best time to visit Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area is from late spring to early fall when the weather is warm and the park's full splendor is on display. Winter brings high water levels, making some areas inaccessible, but the park's beauty endures year-round for those prepared for the conditions.

Know before you go

Always check for any park closures or alerts before planning your visit, especially during the off-season.
While dogs are allowed in the park, they are not permitted on trails, so plan accordingly if bringing a pet.
Day use areas are open from sunrise to sunset, perfect for picnics and short hikes.
Accessible features are available; check the park's website or contact the park directly for more information.
Remember to pack out all trash and follow Leave No Trace principles to preserve the park's natural beauty.