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MacKerricher State Park RV & Campground Guide

California

California's MacKerricher State Park is a beautiful coastal getaway approximately three miles north of Fort Bragg. You can experience beaches, tide pools, bluffs, dunes, headlands, woodlands, and wetlands in an area that spans over 2,400 acres. The park's diverse ecosystems can be enjoyed year-round. During winter and early spring, you can see gray whales and harbor seals on and around the rocky shores of Laguna Point. In the summer, you can go for a swim or take a kayak out on Lake Cleone. You can also hike along the coast, ride horseback trails, or enjoy beautiful sunsets and starlit nights at your campsite.

Nearby Cities:

  • Fort Bragg, CA

  • Mendocino, CA

  • Willits, CA

  • Lakeport, CA

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Weather
Spring 43-62 F
Summer 49-67 F
Fall 44-67 F
Winter 41-57 F
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RV Resorts & Campsites in MacKerricher State Park

Campground Accommodations

West Pinewood Campground

  • Water hookup: No

  • Electrical hookup: No

  • Sewer hookup: No

  • Wi-Fi: No

  • Pet-friendly: Yes

  • Max RV length: 35 feet

  • Other amenities: ADA access, picnic tables, firewood available, trash receptacles, food storage lockers, drinking water available, showers, toilets

Surfwood Campground

  • Water hookup: No

  • Electrical hookup: No

  • Sewer hookup: No

  • Wi-Fi: Yes

  • Pet-friendly: Yes

  • Max RV length: 35 feet

  • Other amenities: Picnic tables, firewood available, trash receptacles, food storage lockers, drinking water available, showers, toilets

Caspar Beach RV Campground

Caspar Beach is located 3.5 miles north of Mendocino, just about 10 miles from MacKerricher, and is in a canyon facing a protective cove. The 100-foot cliffs protect the cove from high winds and harsh elements; it's shaded by lush greenery, which you will be grateful for on a hot summer's day, and it's within minutes of dining, shopping and botanical gardens. Caspar offers both full and partial hookup rates starting at $46 per night.

• Water hookup: Yes

• Electrical hookup: Yes

• Sewer hookup: Yes

• Wi-Fi: Yes

• Pet-friendly: Yes

• Other amenities: Cable TV, game room, coin-op showers

Westport Beach RV & Camping

Westport Beach is located off Meander Shoreline Highway One, 17 miles past the Fort Glass Beach; you will see some centuries-old buildings where Westport comes together with the ocean. You can stay in the parking area or pull your RV into a site right along the shoreline to relax and enjoy the luxury of a beachfront lifestyle. The park area is protected from the winds by large willow and pine trees whereas the sites along the shoreline are not protected. RV sites are available with full or premium hookups; rates start at $49 per night.

• Water hookup: Yes

• Electrical hookup: Yes

• Sewer hookup: Yes

• Wi-Fi: Yes, but limited

• Pet-friendly: Yes

• Other amenities: Private beach, cleaning station, coin-op showers

Pomo RV Park & Campground

Pomo is located on 17 acres of land just a few minutes from the beautiful Mendocino Coast in Fort Bragg. It's shaded with pine and oak trees. The campground is 3.3 miles from the Fort Bragg Coastal Trail and 0.3 miles from the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens and just minutes from MacKerricher. Rates start at $47 per night.

• Water hookup: Yes

• Electrical hookup: Yes

• Sewer hookup: No

• Wi-Fi: Yes

• Pet-friendly: Yes

• Other amenities: Horseshoe pits, dump station, picnic tables, fire rings, cable TV

RV Rentals Near MacKerricher State Park

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What to Do at
MacKerricher State Park

MacKerricher State Park offers a chance to experience a coastal wilderness and an abundance of marine and terrestrial wildlife. You can walk the beaches and hike the trails, look out for wildlife by the lake, go fishing, explore the tidepools, visit Glass Beach, and enjoy the trees and wildflowers. The remote setting and diverse array of plants and animals make this park a wonderful place to camp.

Inside MacKerricher State Park

Some other exciting things you can do at this park include:

Fishing – Next to the parking lot is the 30-acre Lake Cleone, which provides outstanding freshwater fishing for licensed anglers. If fishing is an outdoor activity you enjoy, bring all your gear and try your luck on catching the many fish species found in the lake. Fishing is permitted on the shoreline or on the lake in a non-motorized boat.

Hiking and cycling – Travel through the redwood and pygmy forest on the Jughandle Ecological Staircase Trail or take the 10-mile beach trail and check out the dunes. If your interests are more about the different types of sea life, follow the Boardwalk Trail that travels to the raised viewing area. MacKerricher State Park typically keeps its trails level, easily accessible for wheelchairs, user-friendly and convenient. Other popular trails are the Haul Road Coastal Trail and Headlands Hiking Trail.

Junior Ranger Program – Young guests from ages 7 to 12 can enroll in the Junior Ranger Program where they will receive a badge and logbook full of scholarly activities on the area, conservation, and native wildlife. Each child who completes an activity will receive a stamp from one of the park rangers or even higher rewards. 

Picnicking - MacKerricher State Park provides picnic tables for each campsite along with a food storage locker. If you're just visiting the park, then you can take full advantage of the Lake Cleone picnic area. This area offers barbecue grills and freshwater for drinking and cooking. There are also parking and restrooms nearby.

Fishing Fishing

The park's state marine conservation area, beaches, and Lake Cleone are great places to go fishing year-round. You can cast for redtail surfperch, spearfish for lingcod, or trap Dungeness crab at the seashore with a proper license. You can cast a line for largemouth bass, rainbow trout, crappie, catfish, and bluegill near the center of the park at Lake Cleone.

Geocaching Geocaching

MacKerricher State Park has at least one small cache consisting of a locked container wrapped in camouflage tape containing a log book and treasure. If you have a hand-held GPS (Global Positioning System) or smartphone, you can hunt for hidden caches, claim the mystery prize, and leave something in its place for the next adventurer.

Nature Watching Nature Watching

The wooded areas near Lake Cleone are home to foxes, raccoons, black-tailed deer, and the occasional mountain lion. You may also encounter mallard ducks and double-crested cormorants near this freshwater pool. As you head towards the beaches, you may see sea rockets, sand primroses, and beach morning glories growing out of the dunes. Native wildflowers like Mendocino Coast Indian paintbrush grow near Pudding Creek Beach. If you visit the Inglenook Fen-Ten Mile Dunes Natural Preserve, you might spot a western snowy plover, a rare and threatened shorebird native to the Pacific coast.

Stargazing Stargazing

The park's out-of-the-way location makes it a good place to stargaze, and the Coastal Trail is one of the best places to experience dark skies. In August, you may be able to view the Perseid meteor showers.

Flora and Fauna

MacKerricher State Park has a diverse and unique variety of plants and wildlife that are acclimated to their coastal, terrestrial, and wetland environments. The headlands are home to grasses and wildflowers like California poppies, Ithurial's spear, scarlet pimpernel, and belladonna lily. Bishop pine, shore pine, and Douglas fir trees grow near Lake Cleone, and the rare Mendocino spine flower grows in the protected dunes of the Inglenook Preserve. Mammals include mule deer, gray foxes, mountain lions, black-tailed jackrabbits, river otters, and long-tailed weasels. The park is also home to more than 90 species of birds, including osprey, great blue herons, ring-necked ducks, and migratory waterfowl. Near the ocean, harbor seals, elephant seals, and California sea lions enjoy the sun. The tide pools are also filled with Pacific purple sea urchins, starfish, and anemones.

Hiking Hiking

There are several trails you can explore at MacKerricher State Park. The MacKerricher Coastal Trail is an old logging road that follows the coastline from Glass Beach to the Inglenook Fen-Ten Mile Dunes Natural Preserve. This 5.6-mile trail is paved but washed out in a few places and is considered moderately difficult. It's a popular trail with lovely ocean views. Ka Kahleh Trail is an easy, paved 4.9-mile out-and-back trail that starts at Glass Beach and runs south to Noyo Inlet. For the chance to see seals and plovers, follow the four-mile MacKerricher Beach Hike to the 10 Mile River.

Horseback Riding Horseback Riding

Ricochet Ridge Ranch offers horseback rides on the park's Ten Mile Beach. The horses here are suitable for children, first-time riders, and experienced equestrians.

Boating

If you have your own paddle boat, canoe, or kayak, you can boat in Lake Cleone. Motorized boats are prohibited.

Swimming Swimming

There are no lifeguards on duty at MacKerricher State Park, so swim at your own risk. The waters can be cold, and it's important to watch out for rip tides.

Biking

You can enjoy a ride on the paved surfaces of the Haul Road Trail and the Ka Kahleh Trail.

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How to Get to
MacKerricher State Park

MacKerricher State Park is about a three-mile drive from Fort Bragg. Go north on Highway 1 until you reach the park entrance, then turn left onto a two-lane paved road to reach the ranger kiosk and the visitor center.

By Car

Entering MacKerricher State Park

Parking is available at the visitor center. The park has a day-use parking fee of $8 per vehicle that is payable at the self-registration stations.

MacKerricher State Park Per Vehicle : $8.0

1-4 adults

MacKerricher State Park is a gorgeous destination that offers you amazing ocean views, beautiful sunsets, bountiful wildlife, and a wonderful variety of outdoor activities.

Frequently Asked Questions About MacKerricher State Park

What is the best time of year to visit MacKerricher State Park?

MacKerricher State Park is fantastic to visit year-round. Temperatures at the park are fairly consistent throughout the year, although winters are somewhat cooler. Spring offers the chance to see blooming wildflowers. Summer is a great time to swim, fish, and enjoy the lake. Fall is perfect for taking walks along the trails, and winter is the perfect time to see seals and whales.

What kind of wildlife can be found in MacKerricher State Park?

MacKerricher State Park is home to a huge array of wildlife that includes deer, foxes, mountain lions, shorebirds, and plovers. In the water, you may spot sea urchins, starfish, seals, and gray whales.

Are there designated RV camping spots in MacKerricher State Park?

West Pinewood Campground and Surfwood Campground have camping spots suitable for RVs. Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table.

Do you have to reserve a camping spot at MacKerricher State Park and what is the cost?

The cost to make a reservation at California state parks is $7.99. Campground fees are $45 per night, and reservations are strongly recommended.

Are pets allowed at MacKerricher State Park?

MacKerricher State Park is pet-friendly, with some restrictions. You must keep your dog on a leash that is no longer than six feet long and shelter your animals in your vehicle or tent during the night. Dogs are welcome on the Haul Road Trail and Ka Kahleh Trail, but the Laguna Point area, nature preserves, and Ten Mile Beach are off-limits.