The best camping near Black Sands Beach, CA

·
93% (4.4K)

Camper favorites near Black Sands Beach

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Calendar icon
Snag sold-out campsites.
Get notified the instant a national park campsite becomes available, for free.
Van icon
See the best spots in one place.
Explore 500K+ public lands, RV resorts, and private sites you won't find anywhere else.
Star icon
Book with confidence.
Read millions of real reviews from campers like you—so you know what to expect.

Stories from the community

Public campgrounds near Black Sands Beach

Top-rated campgrounds

Jug Handle Creek Nature Center

96%
(5279)
20 sites · Tents, RVs · Caspar, CA
Nestled on 33 acres of coastal meadows and forest, Jug Handle Creek Nature Center is a peaceful, nature-centered campground with a rich history and a truly unique landscape. Saved from development in the 1970s, Jug Handle now stands as a thriving nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to education, restoration, and connection with the natural world. Just a five-minute walk from Jug Handle State Reserve, Jug Handle Beach, and the renowned Ecological Staircase Trail - a rare geological formation that reveals 500,000 years of coastal history - you’ll find yourself immersed in one of Mendocino County’s most remarkable environments. We offer 11 spacious campsites, each with two picnic tables, a fire ring, parking for two vehicles, and plenty of room for tents. Spread out across open meadows and forest edges, the sites offer privacy, quiet, and the soothing sounds of nature. Explore on-site nature trails, a native plant nursery, and beautiful woodlands, or simply relax beneath the stars. A few important things to note: Due to the close proximity of neighboring livestock, as well as the bountiful wildlife that call this special place home, PETS ARE NO LONGER PERMITTED on the premises. Firewood is not provided, though there are several roadside stands nearby where it is available for purchase. You'll be pretty independent here. We provide self-check-in for your convenience. Directions and access information (including the bathroom code!) will be messaged to you prior to your stay.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night

Wendy & John Farm

100%
(571)
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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night

Shelter Cove Campground

93%
(230)
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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$25
 / night

Camp Miranda

99%
(73)
5 sites · Tents, RVs · Miranda, CA
Nestled in a cozy neighborhood among towering redwoods, a base camp for the Avenue of the Giants. We offer secluded campsites located on our working homestead, adjacent to our orchard with dozens of established fruit and nut trees. Our farm stand is on site with in season food grown in our garden and fresh press cider daily in late summer/fall. Enjoy easy access to the nearby State Park Stephens Grove Trail Loop and the South Fork Eel River is a 3 minute drive down the Avenue of the Giants. Take a short stroll from camp into the charming town of Miranda. Discover a variety of delicious dining options and a cozy coffee shop with breakfast options, gas station with grocery items and Post Office. On-site amenities include 2 private completely remodeled restrooms for the 2025 season, with hot showers and flush toilets. Our campsites are spacious with roughly 30-50 feet between sites. Forest bathe amongst the Redwoods, Tanoaks, and Dogwood Trees, after exploring the near by State Park and river.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$32
 / night

Meadow Farm & Forest

98%
(231)
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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$85
 / night

Bigfoot’s Coastal Hideaway

80%
(108)
115 sites · Tents, RVs · Fort Bragg, CA
Retreat to the redwoods, and relax to the sounds of ravens and the babbling of a year round creek. We are located on the picturesque Mendocino coast just five minutes from highway one, and less than 10 minutes to Fort Bragg or the village of Mendocino. Enjoy 10 acres of family, pet and horse friendly land abundant with wildlife, huckleberries, rhododendrons, redwoods, and sunshine. Find a tire swing in the trees, or bring your chairs to the creek and splash around in the cool water with the kids and pups. We are surrounded by miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and foraging, and a quick drive to multiple breathtaking secluded beaches, state parks, old-growth redwoods, rivers, walking and biking trails and amenities. Enjoy kayaking, fishing, standup paddle boarding, whale watching, rail bikes, art galleries, wine tasting, and a lot more Porta potties and hot shower WiFi , water, and electricity available in some areas and campfires allowed in fire pits. Nearby you’ll find countless miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails, ancient redwoods and Pygmy forests, secluded beaches, gorgeous state parks, and quaint towns. Kayaking, SUP, fishing, surfing, whale watching, wine tasting and tours, shopping, dining, galleries, restaurants, breweries, and bars are all minutes away. Whether it’s just you and your dog, or the whole family and all the kids, we have the perfect hideaway for you to set up camp and make yourself at home.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$40
 / night

Eel River Escape

95%
(414)
19 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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. 
Potable water
Toilets
Showers
from 
$50
 / night

Lucky Penny Laytonville

99%
(183)
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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$75
 / night

Gomde Buddhist Meditation Center

100%
(25)
14 sites · RVs, Lodging · Leggett, CA
Gomde Buddhist Retreat Center wifi available showers available filtered water available no campfires no pets allowed toilet available Quiet hours from 9pm - 7am Gomde California is a 260 acre Tibetan Buddhist meditation retreat center in Leggett, CA. We are located near the junction of Highway 1 and 101 in Mendocino County. Our guests enjoy a peaceful stay in a redwood forest and along the Eel River, with the convenience of being just seconds off Highway 101. We are 1 mile from the famous Drive-Through Tree, 5 minutes to the Peg House (Never Don’t Stop!) and 1 hour to the Mendocino Coast. The property contains a developed campground with a modern bathhouse, Eel River beaches and swimming holes, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing. The property is mostly used for small private meditation retreats and is only open for general camping on a small scale. We offer self-contained RV and trailer camping, tiny homes, and cottages for your stay.
Potable water
Toilets
Showers
from 
$65
 / night

Ocean-view Redwood Forest Glamping

97%
(77)
18 sites · Lodging · CA
Welcome to Ocean Forest Retreat.Nestled on a ridge with a stunning ocean view, our retreat offers a serene escape amidst ancient redwoods. Surrounded by thousands of acres of tranquil forest and just minutes from the beach, this is the perfect place to unplug, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature. We have four cozy and unique glamping cabins, each with its own charm. The Honeybear and Garden Cabins have French doors that open onto breathtaking forest views, glass door woodstoves, and decks provide the perfect spots to relax and unwind amidst nature. The Earth Cabin is nestled under the majestic redwoods, where you can craft your own culinary adventure with a clay firebrick oven—enjoy baking your own pizza in the heart of the forest! It's surrounded by a covered gathering area with earthen benches and a simple outdoor kitchen. The Redwood TreeCabin has French doors that lead out to a redwood deck, a loft, and a cozy atmosphere that feels like a treehouse. All cabins come with comfy queen beds, heaters for chilly nights, private outdoor fire pits, hammocks, and solar string lights to illuminate your own little corner of the magical forest. Enjoy stargazing without the glow of city lights! Each cabin has its own private outdoor hot shower under the canopy of redwoods and private composting toilets. The Earth Cabin also offers an outdoor bathtub, where you can soak under the stars. We're off the grid, so leave your devices behind and enjoy a digital detox. No WiFi or cell service means you can truly unplug and reconnect with nature and yourself. Ideal for meditation, yoga, and finding serenity in the peacefulness of the forest. We're just a 5 min. drive from Mackerricher State Park’s coastal trails, Ten Mile Beach, and Glass Beach, the Skunk Train, and Fort Bragg’s restaurants and cafes are only ten minutes away. You can spend your days exploring the coast, or simply soaking up the tranquility of our forest. Our cabins are cozy 10x12 spaces that comfortably fit two people. If you're traveling with friends or family, we welcome additional guests with a fee. Please inquire. Come join us at Ocean Forest Retreat and let the beauty of nature recharge your soul.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$136
 / night

Red Wing Ranch

94%
(61)
3 sites · Tents, Lodging · Willits, CA
This property is spectacular with views and great hiking! Learn more about this land: Imagine a place where the songs of red wing blackbirds fill the air.  A place where you can see as far as the ocean to the west, the mountains of Humboldt County to the north, the Mendocino National Forest to the east, and the mountains of Sonoma County to the south.  This is Red Wing Ranch.   While staying at Red Wing Ranch you will have the opportunity to walk on a section of the original stagecoach road, canoe in our private pond, watch the sunset over the Pacific ocean, and star gaze from what feels like a private planetarium. This is perfect for artists, writers, yogis, and those seeking the tranquility of off grid living. We have 40 acres of land with beautiful hiking in every direction. Our campsites have a fire pit, picnic table, and access to an outdoor shower and outdoor kitchen! The accommodation includes staying in a 850 square foot wooden yurt with bamboo floors.  The building has a wooden stove and propane wall heat. We also have a fridge, stove for cooking and propane wall heater inside the yurt. There is a futon that sleeps 2 plus a kids size bed, but please bring sleeping bags or bedding.  You can also put up two tents next to the yurt for more sleeping. We have now added also an attached kitchen and bathroom to the yurt so we have an indoor shower and full kitchen! There is a detached bathroom with a maintenance free composting toilet and simple outdoor kitchen.  You will have access to cooking utensils and cookware, camp stove, and fire pit. There is a solar system so you have access to electricity and wifi. The drive from Willits is 25 minutes, with only the last 5 minutes on a dirt road.  You can do the drive in any car, unless the occasional snowy conditions.  There is plenty of parking next to the yurt for easy unpacking.. To access the coast you do have to go back through Willits and use highway 20.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$51
 / night
Be the first to review
Share your experience here to help other campers.