The best family-friendly campgrounds near Garberville, California

Looking for camping near Garberville, California? Hipcamp has over 180 options available that are perfect for families. With an average price per night of $45 and options as low as $25, there's something for every budget. Check out some of the top campsites in the area, like Jug Handle Creek Farm with 1479 reviews, Shangri-La with 287 reviews, or Trinity Outpost Wilderness Resort with 221 reviews. Popular amenities include campfires, showers, and the ability to bring your pets. Enjoy activities like fishing, swimming, and exploring historic sites. Book your camping adventure now!

97% (945)

Top-rated campgrounds

Looking for camping near Garberville, California? Hipcamp has over 180 options available that are perfect for families. With an average price per night of $45 and options as low as $25, there's something for every budget. Check out some of the top campsites in the area, like Jug Handle Creek Farm with 1479 reviews, Shangri-La with 287 reviews, or Trinity Outpost Wilderness Resort with 221 reviews. Popular amenities include campfires, showers, and the ability to bring your pets. Enjoy activities like fishing, swimming, and exploring historic sites. Book your camping adventure now!

97% (945)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Shelter Cove Campground

93%

(230)

15mi from Garberville · 90 sites · Tents, RVs · Whitethorn, CA

Welcome to Shelter Cove Campground, your gateway to California’s breathtaking Lost Coast! Nestled in the seaside village of Shelter Cove, our campground offers the perfect blend of rugged coastal adventure and laid-back comfort. Settle into one of our spacious RV sites and wake up to salty sea breezes and the sound of waves just steps away. Our campground is ideally located for nature lovers and explorers. We’re directly across from public access to the cove and just a short stroll from dramatic tide pools, picnic areas overlooking the ocean, and the iconic Cape Mendocino Lighthouse. Surfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding are popular pastimes here, and for land-based adventure, the nearby hiking trails and scenic overlooks are sure to impress. On-site, you’ll find everything you need for a convenient and relaxing stay. Our full deli and store keep you fueled with tasty meals, snacks, local wines, microbrews, and essential supplies. Join us on select weekend evenings for movie nights and lively karaoke on the patio! We even welcome traveling musicians to share their tunes with fellow campers. Whether you’re here for a quiet getaway, an outdoor adventure, or a bit of both, Shelter Cove RV Campground invites you to unwind and experience the natural beauty of the Northern California coast. Breathe in the ocean air, soak in the sunsets, and make yourself at home.

2. Wendy & John Farm

100%

(571)

43mi from Garberville · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · Ferndale, CA

My aunt and uncle bought the property in 1947 from its first European settler, Paolo Gabrielli, who immigrated in early 1914 from northern Italy with slips of his grapevine in the lining of his coat. (The grapevine still grows over the back deck.) What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping). Free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit. Or total solitude. Bring your (most non-cattle-chasing breeds) dogs if you wish (males must be neutered). Starlink internet. Walk to the beach of our wild ocean along a no-shoulder country road. We have no visible neighbors, no ambient light or sound. The air is clean and clear and the water is potable from an artesian spring on the property. No electricity at the sites and no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.) We offer homemade soup, cobbler, fresh bread, morning coffee as extras; you can order with the booking. The Victorian village of Ferndale is three miles east, as is a beautifully maintained 110-acre town wilderness with hiking trails called Russ Park. A 150-year-old cemetery slopes down a hillside & is filled with 19th century charm and history. Shops and restaurants welcome visitors. There are several bars/a wine bar/and a historic saloon that's as old boy as it was in 1890. A music venue in a restored 19th century church has amazing acoustics and attracts international talent as a top-notch venue (sessions are filmed for PBS) midway between Portland and San Francisco. So, it's a mix of town and country, village and farm, wilderness and bewilderedness. Safe, safe, safe, meaning: you can leave your belongings in your site and when you come back... they're still there :) We welcome the world. One caveat: please arrive before dark. There is no electricity in the campgrounds, and no generators are allowed. You will not be able to reach (or maybe even locate) your site without disturbing others.

3. Meadow Farm & Forest

98%

(231)

45mi from Garberville · 9 sites · RVs, Lodging · 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. 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.

4. Lucky Penny Laytonville

99%

(183)

33mi from Garberville · 9 sites · Tents, RVs · Laytonville, CA

We've headed into our Winter season, so we are offering a discounted price to camp. However, due to the weather of the season. Outdoor kitchen and showers are closed for the season. Starting April 15th 2026 the kitchen and outdoor showers we'll be fully reopen for Spring. Outdoor 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 hot water sinks, refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster oven, toaster, blender, espresso machine, coffee grinder and maker, dishes, utensils, pots and pans, knives, 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. ALL YOU NEED TO BRING FOR MEALS IS THE FOOD. Limited grocery shopping in our little town; it's good to shop ahead. During June- August, fires MIGHT be allowed in the communal fire pit near the kitchen. You must ask the host!, No fires at your campsite June- August, Fires during cooler months are often allowed at your campsite, but you must ask the host if current conditions allow Fire MUST be completely extinguished before you go to sleep at night. Instructions are printed and at at each site as well as at the communal firepit. Firewood available for purchase. SMOKERS, please be super careful! Outlets to CHARGE YOUR PHONE and DEVICES at the Stage and in the kitchen. Fruit trees and gardens dot the property. Feel free to pick a piece of fruit. We almost always have organic fresh eggs from the chickens for sale, The Camp Store has a variety of items such as jam, organic veggies, flowers, etc. See the list on the fridge. 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. 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. Arrive anytime after 1pm. Check out is at noon, but you can often stay later if we don't have other campers arriving to your site. If your plans change, just let us know at least 24 hours before check-in and you'll get a full refund.

Stories from the community

Campsite (farthest from bathrooms, by creek) most private

k

kelsey

6 days ago

16 ft car

With pets

Weekend Trip to Wendy & John Farm

Very sweet people, cute property dog, quiet and private campsites :) they supplied firewood/fire starter, toilets, and hot showers! Great deal and would definitely come back again

R

Ryan

1 week ago

With pets

2 nights at Meadow Farm & Forest

The Cozy Cabin is tiny and adorable - one of those rare properties that is actually exactly as described in its listing. We brought our dog and had a lovely stay. The bed is very comfortable, the cabin is well insulated, well spaced from other dwellings and campsites, the land around it is beautiful, and there are lots of stars to see on a clear night. Only noteworthy flaw was upon arrival: it was pretty tough to find our way in the dark. Arrive in the daylight if possible until they add clearer night-reflective signage and/or a detailed campsite map!

V

Vanessa

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Wendy & John Farm

Or 3rd time staying at Wendy & John’s! This will be our yearly tradition. Can’t wait to bring the rest of the family. Hosts are always amazing

L

Linda

November 2025

19 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at Wendy & John Farm

We had a fabulous experience at Wendy and John's. The campsite was perfect under a full moon. We really appreciated the sparkling clean bathroom and shower. The dinner was amazing- a 5 course meal that rivaled any fine dining restaurant we ever experienced! Wendy and John are fantastic hosts in every respect. We enjoyed celebrating the election results together 11/4/25. We look forward to returning again and again.

J

Julie

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Wendy & John Farm

Wendy and John are the best! The land is simply gorgeous and even though you're just a few minutes from town you really feel like you've gotten away. The creek provides a lovely background, free firewood is such a treat and the bathroom/showers make it so luxurious. We can't wait to go back!

Calliope

October 2025

26 ft travel trailer

With pets

3 nights at Meadow Farm & Forest

Lovely little working farm very close to Bragg. We had a couple hiccups but everyone there was so kind and helpful.

d

deanne

October 2025

10 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Shelter Cove Campground

Kind and gracious hosts and an immaculate property. The location and the views are stunning- will definitely be back.

A stroll through an autumn wooden wonderland

N

Nikki

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lucky Penny Laytonville

We had such a lovely time at Lucky Penny, and it was so beautiful even at the end of the season! Hillary was a wonderful host and surprised us with fresh brewed coffee in the morning. We will definitely be back. Highly recommend

A

Alex

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Wendy & John Farm

Great setup! Service was pleasant and would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a good camp sight.

s

steven

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Shelter Cove Campground

Solid for what it is, friendly host, gorgeous beach

Ann-Marie

October 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Wendy & John Farm

Lovely large field. Great shower and bathroom. We really enjoyed the fruit crumble we ordered in advance. Our dog loved the grassy field and got along well with the resident dog. Ferndale was movie perfect. Super coffee shop and some good restaurant options. Beach was close by for a long walk. 10 out of ten.

R

Robert

October 2025

12 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Lucky Penny Laytonville

We loved camping on Hillary's land at the Lucky Penny Hipcamp. We had lots of space, the land is forested (pines, madrones and Douglas-firs), and shady. We were there in early October, and she let us pick ripe apples and figs from her fruit trees. The water supply is very good. They have a composting toilet, which is clean, well-decorated with art, and well-constructed. The showers are solar-heated and rustic, but a shower felt great! Our female black Labrador is very well-behaved, and so she went off-leash a lot and enjoyed exploring and playing in the woods. Hillary has 2 or 3 free-ranging cats, so be aware of that. Also, the native vegetation has poison oak, so watch out! We're immune, so we had a great time. Note: We had trouble finding the driveway, beacuse Hillary's house was the landmark, and we couldn't see it because it's hidden behind a redwood tree.

R

Rebecca

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Wendy & John Farm

What a wonderful stay! Wendy and John (and Louie the dog!) are warm, generous hosts! Our Tucked Away camping spot was just right as we made our way up the coast. It was a delight to go to sleep with the sounds of the ocean and wake to birds singing and cattle lowing. Shower was warm with excellent water pressure. Definitely recommend adding on Wendy’s delicious soup! Stop looking at your options! This is the one!

J

Julie

September 2025

25 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Meadow Farm & Forest

Quiet spot for the RV. Easily fit our 25 foot airstream but disconnected the truck. Nice paved bike trail along the coast right next to Glass Beach. Visited the Schnaubelt Distillery and enjoyed a flight of their liquor and cocktails!

J

Jim

September 2025

16 ft car

1 night at Wendy & John Farm

Great place to camp and great hosts. I am so glad I found the unique and charming spot

D

Doug

September 2025

19 ft campervan

2 nights at Wendy & John Farm

We were so glad we booked two nights at Wendy and John Farm! The setting was gorgeous, peaceful and pleasant. Wendy and John were great hosts - kind, accommodating and helpful. The sites are well spaced out, offering privacy, and the property is beautiful making it a tranquil setting. Being less than a mile from the beach the weather was perfect! It was also nice to find above standard bathroom facilities in two flushing restrooms. Highly recommend the dinner and dessert that are offered. We did both our first night and it was so nice to have that waiting for us after a day of travel and then set up. Wendy put together two fabulous dishes for us, going above and beyond what we expected. My only regret about this place is that it’s so far from home. Would love to come back more often as it was truly a delightful place to be for a couple days. Give it, and then, a FIVE STAR rating.

J

Jenn

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Wendy & John Farm

We chose to add the firewood package & morning coffee service. It was lovely & so was the spot. Level, short walking trail for your dog & quiet.

P

Peter

September 2025

Tent

2 nights at Wendy & John Farm

Beautiful site with great energy. Calming and peaceful. Very short drive from the ocean. I will be back again.

B

Brad

September 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Wendy & John Farm

Charmingly rustic and tucked away in a peaceful spot, Wuss Camp was exactly what I needed on my trip. The site was quiet and spacious, and provided a relaxing place to stay after a long day on the road. Wendy was a magnificent host — and even came out to greet me and my dog despite our late arrival. Don’t miss the add-on options either. I ordered the Desperado and couldn’t have been happier. This site is perfect for anyone seeking unplugged relaxation paired with thoughtful, friendly hospitality.

M

Meghan

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Wendy & John Farm

What a perfect place and a wonderful escape! John's bread was delicious and such a treat around the fire. Our dog and kids were so happy to run around at the campsite and go on long walks at the beach. Everything was lovely and we would highly recommend Wendy and John's place.