The best waterside camping near Fort Bragg

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Along California’s North Coast north of Mendocino, Fort Bragg is known for its stunning coast views, authentic vibes, and history as a lumber and fishing town. Noyo Harbor is still a working port, where whale watching and fishing cruises also depart from. Visitors can also walk the trails along the ocean cliffs, look for sea glass on the beach, admire flowers in the botanical garden, or take the Skunk Train into the redwoods. There are also plenty of Fort Bragg camping options, with a string of scenic state parks along the coast and inland forests, and options that span tent and RV sites with views of the ocean, river, or forest.

93% (5.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Bragg

1. Thanktuary Retreat

96%
(115)
46mi from Fort Bragg · 11 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
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.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$56
 / night

2. Lightworks ranch

89%
(236)
30mi from Fort Bragg · 8 sites · Tents, RVs
The peace, quiet and beauty of nature is the theme at our property. This land is dedicated to the re-sacralization of culture. The spot was an ancient Native American camping area. People have found arrowheads, stone beads and grinding stones on the land. We offer various types of camping sites, as well as a teepee - so please read each listing for specific amenity and location information. We sell firewood on site. The amount and variety of wildlife is astonishing, with bear, deer, turkeys, fox, coyote, bobcat, Eagles, River otter, salmon and steelhead, with a wide variety of songbirds during migration. Easy access from road, close to town, tall oak trees, privacy, creek with salmon within a five minute walk, mountains, wildlife, barn owl nest box. Please note that during late summer, creek does not flow on surface but always has swimming holes where the salmon and steelhead wait for Fall rains to carry them down to the Eel river and eventually to the ocean, until they return as adults to spawn again. Guests love staying here: "Elderberry camp was really great! It was a large site, plenty of space, shade, and parking. Very peaceful and good distance between other sites although we were pretty much the only campers out there. Outhouse was clean and there was drinking water. We spent most of our Saturday in Eel River which was great. The water was perfect for swimming and fishing, our husbands caught some big ones. Stephen was very nice and accommodating, the honey and eggs we asked for were a nice addition too!" Helpful0 Report
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
$55
 / night

Along California’s North Coast north of Mendocino, Fort Bragg is known for its stunning coast views, authentic vibes, and history as a lumber and fishing town. Noyo Harbor is still a working port, where whale watching and fishing cruises also depart from. Visitors can also walk the trails along the ocean cliffs, look for sea glass on the beach, admire flowers in the botanical garden, or take the Skunk Train into the redwoods. There are also plenty of Fort Bragg camping options, with a string of scenic state parks along the coast and inland forests, and options that span tent and RV sites with views of the ocean, river, or forest.

93% (5.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Bragg

1. Thanktuary Retreat

96%
(115)
46mi from Fort Bragg · 11 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
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.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$56
 / night

2. Lightworks ranch

89%
(236)
30mi from Fort Bragg · 8 sites · Tents, RVs
The peace, quiet and beauty of nature is the theme at our property. This land is dedicated to the re-sacralization of culture. The spot was an ancient Native American camping area. People have found arrowheads, stone beads and grinding stones on the land. We offer various types of camping sites, as well as a teepee - so please read each listing for specific amenity and location information. We sell firewood on site. The amount and variety of wildlife is astonishing, with bear, deer, turkeys, fox, coyote, bobcat, Eagles, River otter, salmon and steelhead, with a wide variety of songbirds during migration. Easy access from road, close to town, tall oak trees, privacy, creek with salmon within a five minute walk, mountains, wildlife, barn owl nest box. Please note that during late summer, creek does not flow on surface but always has swimming holes where the salmon and steelhead wait for Fall rains to carry them down to the Eel river and eventually to the ocean, until they return as adults to spawn again. Guests love staying here: "Elderberry camp was really great! It was a large site, plenty of space, shade, and parking. Very peaceful and good distance between other sites although we were pretty much the only campers out there. Outhouse was clean and there was drinking water. We spent most of our Saturday in Eel River which was great. The water was perfect for swimming and fishing, our husbands caught some big ones. Stephen was very nice and accommodating, the honey and eggs we asked for were a nice addition too!" Helpful0 Report
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
$55
 / night

Public campgrounds near Fort Bragg

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The best waterside camping near Fort Bragg guide

Where to go

Near Fort Bragg

Just north of Fort Bragg, MacKerricher State Park offers beaches, bluffs, dunes, tide pools, a lake, amenities, and RV and tent sites set in a beautiful coastal forest. South of town are several RV parks full of amenities like partial and full hookups, hot showers, and dump stations. At Russian Gulch State Park, explore the beach, waterfall, or redwoods, and enjoy tent, RV, and equestrian camping. South of Mendocino, camp near a beach, meadow, or along Fern Canyon at Van Damme State Park.

North Coast

Head north along the coast to explore miles of rugged coastline at Westport-Union Landing State Beach, with campsites that sit on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Camp along the Eel River or in the forest at the Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area. For solitude and adventure, head further north to a remote stretch of the rugged Lost Coast, and enjoy tent camping directly on the beach at USAL Beach in the Sinkyone Wilderness.

South Coast

Head south along the Mendocino coast to Navarro River Redwoods State Park, where you can explore a redwood tunnel that stretches to the sea, and camp near the ocean or in a redwood grove. Manchester State Park offers campsites near the ocean, wetlands, and coastal dunes. Further south, stay in a forested campground at Gualala Point Regional Park or choose from two developed campgrounds or hike in camping at Salt Point State Park.

When to go

Summer offers the warmest weather in Fort Bragg and the best chances of clear days ideal for outdoor activities. Summer is also a popular time for camping, especially over the weekends. Look for whales between November and April—the Fort Bragg Whale Festival is held in March. Meanwhile, wildflowers bloom in spring, and the annual rhododendron show in May. Fall is a good time for pleasant weather, fall foliage, and smaller crowds.

Nearby attractions

  • Step into a world of awe-inspiring coastal wilderness by camping near King Range National Conservation Area. With its dramatic landscapes, towering peaks, and endless ocean views, your King Range camping journey is sure to be a soul-stirring experience.
  • Uncover the mystery and tranquility of ancient redwoods by camping near Headwaters Forest Reserve. From enchanting forest trails to unique wildlife sightings, your Headwaters Forest camping experience will be a magical immersion into nature's wonders.
  • For an immersive experience in nature, consider camping near the Eel River. Whether it's swimming in the warm summer water, fishing for the abundant steelhead, or just relaxing by the river's edge, the Eel River camping experience is a delightful getaway.