MacKerricher State Park Campgrounds

California's Best Camping

MacKerricher State Park, Mendocino Coast, CA
MacKerricher State Park, Mendocino Coast, CA

MacKerricher State Park Campgrounds

Mendocino Coast


MacKerricher State Park Campgrounds

MacKerricher State Park Campgrounds are favorite destinations for visitors to the Mendocino County coast. The park extends for 9 miles along the ocean north of Fort Bragg. Park-goers enjoy several great beaches, a rugged point with tide pools and seal watching stations, miles of bike trails, and a lake.

MacKerricher State Park Campground include three main camping areas - West and East Pinewood and Surfwood. Within these three campgrounds are 114 campsites. Seventy-five are designated for RVs, trailers, or tents. All of the East Pinewood Campground's 37 sites are tent-only. In addition, there are 10 walk-in, tent-only sites. While most of the campsites are attractive, some were burrowed out of dense foliage and have a closed in feel to them. MacKerricher State Park Campgrounds also have two Group Campsites and a Hike & Bike campsite.

Shop Amazon for: Camping Essentials



MacKerricher State Park Campground Basics
MacKerricher State Park Campgrounds Location: Highway 1, three miles north of Fort Bragg
Elevation: 100 feet
Mileage from gateway cities: Willits - 43 miles
Santa Rosa - 103 miles
Number of Sites: 114
Camping Season: West Pinewood open year-round
East Pinewood and Surfwood open early May through early September
Max. People per Site: 8 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 1 driven and 1 legally towed (fee for additional vehicles)
Pets: on leash, always attended
Operated by California State Parks
MacKerricher State Park (707) 964-9112

Reservations for MacKerricher State Park Campgrounds
Reservations available: West Pinewood sites 65-105 can be reserved year-round. All campsites in West Pinewood can be reserved from late March through early September. At other times campsites are first-come, first-served.
East Pinewood and Surfwood - reservations available whenever the campgrounds are open (usually early May through early September).
Booking Window: Reservations taken from 2 days up to 6 months in advance of your arrival.
Maximum RV/trailer Length: 35 feet
Wheelchair Accessible Sites: #27, 73, 74, 115, and 120
Fees: $45 per night ($40 in off-season
Walk-in sites - $25
Hike & Bike - $5 per person
Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia: MacKerricher State Park Campground Reservations
or call (800) 444-PARK (7275) between 8 AM and 6 PM
Check-in, check-out: 2:00 PM, check-out Noon

MacKerricher State Park Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, food locker, grill and fire ring; no hook-ups
Campground: Restrooms with flush toilets, tap water, amphitheater
Campground Map: MacKerricher State Park Campground Map
Showers: Yes
Dump station: Yes
Attractions near MacKerricher State Park Campgrounds:
  • Explore popular Glass Beach.
  • Spend the day on beautiful Pudding Creek Beach.
  • Stroll along scenic Main Beach.
  • Head out to Laguna Point with tide pools and a seal watching station.
  • Walk or bike along the Old Haul Road multi-use trail.
  • Fish in Lake Cleone.
  • Tour the Visitor Center.
  • Enjoy summer interpretive program.
  • Explore Ten Mile Dunes Natural Preserve and Inglenook Fen.
  • Shop and dine in Fort Bragg.


MacKerricher State Park Group Campsite, Mendocino County, CA

MacKerricher State Park Group Campsite

MacKerricher State Park Group Campsite

MacKerricher State Park has two group, tent-only campsites. Cleone Group East can accommodate from 9 to 60 people and up to 20 vehicles. Cleone Group West can accommodate from 9 to 40 people and up to 15 vehicles. Reservations are available for camping dates from mid-June through early September.
Fee: Cleone East - $260 per night; Cleone West - $200
Reservations: MacKerricher Group Campground Reservations





MacKerricher State Park Campground, Mendocino County, CA

MacKerricher State Park Campground

Mendocino Coast
Attractions and Activities

Visitors to Mendocino enjoy driving along the coast and exploring the little beaches and rocky points. There are surprises around every corner. Campers at MacKerricher State Park Campgrounds are near many of the most popular Mendocino coastal destinations.

  • Visit Van Damme State Park with a nice beach for kayaking and diving and great inland hiking trails.
  • Point Arena Lighthouse stands on a rugged point of land. Take a lighthouse tour.
  • Mountain bike along dirt roads.
  • Hike around the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Land.
  • Take a trip to Africa at the B. Bryan Preserve near Point Arena. See Africa's hoofed animals such as Greater Kudu, zebras, and giraffes.
  • Take an adventurous hike down to Bowling Ball Beach to see the amazing spheres of rock in the surf at low tide.
  • Visit the quaint town of Mendocino and walk along the Mendocino Headlands.
  • Poke around famous Glass Beach near Fort Bragg and then stop in town for dinner.
  • Mendocino coast beaches are generally considered too dangerous for wading and swimming, but some sheltered beaches and inlets can be safe under favorable conditions. Before entering the water, always check with park rangers about the safety of a particular beach.

Key MacKerricher State Park Campground Regulations

  1. Dogs must be on leash and always attended. Dogs are not allowed on Virgin Creek Beach, the northern half of Ten Mile Beach, the Seal Rocks harbor seal pup nursery area, and the walk-in tent campground.
  2. Fires may only be built in provided fire pits.
  3. Purchase firewood locally to avoid bringing in pests.
  4. Quiet Hours are from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
  5. Generators may only be operated between the hours of 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM.

    Check MacKerricher State Park for any campground updates.

General Camping Information

Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths.

In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.

Accessible Sites

Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate.