Discover the best beach campgrounds near Shelter Cove, California with hiking

United States
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California
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Shelter Cove

98% (2110 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Shelter Cove

10 top beach campgrounds near Shelter Cove with hiking

Dog-friendly getaways

99%

(65)

Lost Coast Basecamp

5 sites · Lodging5 acres · Shelter Cove, CA

Blu Graham was born and raised on the Lost Coast. He is the owner and operator of Lost Coast Adventure Tours, a local guiding outfitter and shuttle service for the Lost Coast. He knows all the epic spots and history about the surrounding area. Nestled in the heart of the wilderness, Lost Coast Base Camp is more than just a place to prep, refuel or rest after a trip; it's a vibrant hub of adventure, camaraderie, and unforgettable experiences. Designed with the spirited explorer in mind, this unique retreat serves as the ultimate base for your wilderness adventures, offering a communal atmosphere that is both welcoming and energizing. At Lost Coast Base Camp, we believe that true adventure is found not only in the wild landscapes that surround us but also in the stories and friendships forged around a crackling campfire. This is a place where connections are made effortlessly, and shared experiences create bonds that last a lifetime. Our communal living spaces, open dining areas, and group-led expeditions are all crafted to encourage interaction, collaboration, and the sharing of tales from the trail. If solitude is what you seek, Lost Coast Base Camp may challenge your expectations. Here, the emphasis is on community and connection. Our ethos is built on the belief that together, we can experience more deeply, learn more profoundly, and celebrate the spirit of adventure more vibrantly. Whether you're sharing a meal with fellow adventurers, teaming up for an impromptu hike, or exchanging stories under the stars, you'll find that our base camp is a place where privacy gives way to shared joy and individual journeys merge into collective escapades. Forget about the tedious task of unpacking and pitching your tent. Our bell tent camps are pre-set, standing ready as your private retreat amidst the great outdoors. The inclusion of cots means that you’re elevated from the ground, ensuring a comfortable rest that rejuvenates you for the adventures that lie ahead. Enjoy big skies overlooking a vast mountain range. Our boat camp and bus camp will also be available soon! We are located just a few miles from Shelter Cove and both the Northern and Southern Lost Coast Trail segments. Making it a perfect place for hikers, dual sport enthusiasts and anyone wanting to get away from the everyday hustle bustle. At Lost Coast Base Camp, every detail is designed to enhance your wilderness experience, including access to shared amenities that cater to both comfort and convenience. Enjoy ourseasonal fire pit or cook up a feast at the BBQ pit. Our enclosed bathrooms and hot showers provide a touch of home, while the communal full kitchen is perfect for preparing meals and sharing stories of the day's adventures. Plus, with a dedicated camp host on hand to provide you with wood, sleeping pads, or answer any questions you may have about the area, you're assured a hassle-free and enriching stay.

Wendy & John Farm

6 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Ferndale, CA

For Ferndale, the village: check out https://www.visitferndale.com/souvenir-edition About our property: There is a gentle spirit throughout these beautiful 80 acres of evergreen forests and pastures. What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping), extra stuff if you need or want it (fresh bread, soup, cobbler; quilts, free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit), etc. Or total solitude if you want it. Bring your (most breeds) dogs if you wish. Starlink internet means you can Zoom in the forest. Walk to the beach along a no-shoulder country road (or drive). Teach your toddler how to build a dam in the shallow creek. Read. There are 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, no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.) My aunt and uncle bought the p;roperty in 1947 from the first European settler, Paolo Gabrielli, who came to the U.S. in early 1914 from northern Italy with slips of his grapevine in the lining of his coat. Paolo's wife, Felicita, and their three children stayed behind; they were to follow within the year. In the country outside of Ferndale, California, he purchased the property, one mile from the ocean, and built a Tyrolean-style house, a chicken house (with a grappa still under the main floor), an outhouse, a corral, and a barn. He purchased 7 cows. And then, it was August 1914, and the War to End All Wars broke out in Europe. Felicita and the children, living in a village on the Austrian border, were interned in a prison camp in Austria with the rest of the village's residents. The Gabriellis' young daughter died there. Six years passed before Felicita, Virgil and Louis were able to join Paolo in America. In 1938, Virgil--Fr. Gino--became the first Ferndale boy to serve Mass in his hometown church. Felicita died in 1940, and Paolo closed the dairy and moved into Ferndale. In 2014, we invited the people who had been children in the 1920s and '30s who had come to this ranch after Sunday Mass to gather with other Italian families for polenta, wine, and music. They came with photographs and maps and Mass cards and diaries, and shared their memories of a childhood in this place that still loved them. What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping), extra stuff if you need or want it (fresh bread, soup, cobbler; quilts, free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit), etc. Or total solitude if you want it. Bring your (most breeds) dogs if you wish. Starlink internet means you can Zoom in the forest. Walk to the beach along a no-shoulder country road (or drive). Teach your toddler how to build a dam in the shallow creek. Read. There are 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, no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.)

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.

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.

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.

Star Hosts in Shelter Cove

99%

(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!

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.

Wendy & John Farm

6 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Ferndale, CA

For Ferndale, the village: check out https://www.visitferndale.com/souvenir-edition About our property: There is a gentle spirit throughout these beautiful 80 acres of evergreen forests and pastures. What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping), extra stuff if you need or want it (fresh bread, soup, cobbler; quilts, free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit), etc. Or total solitude if you want it. Bring your (most breeds) dogs if you wish. Starlink internet means you can Zoom in the forest. Walk to the beach along a no-shoulder country road (or drive). Teach your toddler how to build a dam in the shallow creek. Read. There are 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, no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.) My aunt and uncle bought the p;roperty in 1947 from the first European settler, Paolo Gabrielli, who came to the U.S. in early 1914 from northern Italy with slips of his grapevine in the lining of his coat. Paolo's wife, Felicita, and their three children stayed behind; they were to follow within the year. In the country outside of Ferndale, California, he purchased the property, one mile from the ocean, and built a Tyrolean-style house, a chicken house (with a grappa still under the main floor), an outhouse, a corral, and a barn. He purchased 7 cows. And then, it was August 1914, and the War to End All Wars broke out in Europe. Felicita and the children, living in a village on the Austrian border, were interned in a prison camp in Austria with the rest of the village's residents. The Gabriellis' young daughter died there. Six years passed before Felicita, Virgil and Louis were able to join Paolo in America. In 1938, Virgil--Fr. Gino--became the first Ferndale boy to serve Mass in his hometown church. Felicita died in 1940, and Paolo closed the dairy and moved into Ferndale. In 2014, we invited the people who had been children in the 1920s and '30s who had come to this ranch after Sunday Mass to gather with other Italian families for polenta, wine, and music. They came with photographs and maps and Mass cards and diaries, and shared their memories of a childhood in this place that still loved them. What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping), extra stuff if you need or want it (fresh bread, soup, cobbler; quilts, free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit), etc. Or total solitude if you want it. Bring your (most breeds) dogs if you wish. Starlink internet means you can Zoom in the forest. Walk to the beach along a no-shoulder country road (or drive). Teach your toddler how to build a dam in the shallow creek. Read. There are 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, no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.)

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.

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Beach camping near Shelter Cove with hiking guide

Overview

Situated in Humboldt County on the Pacific Ocean along California’s Lost Coast, Shelter Cove is bursting with remote natural beauty that draws campers to its world-class hiking, mountain biking, and iconic landmarks like Cape Mendocino Lighthouse. Besides the unspoiled coastline, many people know Shelter Cove as the endpoint of the iconic Lost Coast Trail. Backpackers and wilderness campers can find campgrounds within nearby parks like King Range National Conservation Area, Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, and Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The campsites are equipped with bare-bone amenities but stunning views right from the tent. Outside the park limits, there are more campgrounds that offer fancier accommodations as well as cabin rentals with wifi and RV campsites with full hookups.

Where to go

King Range National Conservation Area

Shelter Cove is nestled in King Range National Conservation Area, which covers 68,000 acres. Check out Black Sands Beach, and head to Deadman’s Beach for surfing in spring and fall. Or hike to King Peak, then go biking on the Paradise Royale Mountain Bike Trail System. For campers hiking the Lost Coast Trail, there are many wilderness campsites in King Range that sit along it and the coast—snag a backcountry permit for any overnight wilderness camping. RVers can also find campgrounds with parking at trailheads that have fire rings and vault toilets.

Sinkyone Wilderness State Park

Canyons, gray whales, dark sand beaches, tidal pools, sea stacks, and rolling hills—campers will find authentic untamed wilderness in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. The park stretches along the coast and is home to the lesser-known southern section of the Lost Coast Trail. Backpacking and equestrian camping are the only options in this state park—some campsites have fire rings but most have no amenities and the terrain is too rugged for vehicles. Just outside the park, RVers can set up at pull-through campsites with full hookups and dump stations, as well as restrooms and shower facilities. There are also cabin rentals equipped with kitchenettes, full bathrooms, cable TV, and wifi.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Boasting over 100 miles of trails for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders that range from easy to expert-level, Humboldt Redwoods State Park is alluring to any kind of camper. It’s situated an hour northeast from Shelter Cove and contains the South Fork Eel River—an excellent spot for fishing, boating, and swimming, as well as the renowned Avenue of the Giants. The area offers over 250 campsites to choose from—most feature picnic tables and fire rings as well as access to flush toilets and pay showers. Some campgrounds have corrals for equestrian campers and a few welcome RVs, but there are no hookups or dump stations within the park (the stunning redwood trees certainly make up for it, though).

When to go

The temperate climate of Shelter Cove means campers can enjoy its natural treasures year-round. The shoulder seasons bring cooler temperatures, less-crowded campgrounds, and unique wildlife sightings—migrating gray whales make an appearance in winter and early spring, followed by colorful wildflowers that last into summer. Rain is common from November through March which causes a lot of road and campground closures (especially in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park), so check ahead to ensure access.