Russian Gulch State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Located on the Pacific coast near Mendocino, California, Russian Gulch State Park offers many hiking and biking trails. When conditions are calm, you can launch a canoe or kayak here for some ocean watercraft fun. The small beach at this state park, located about 7 miles south of Fort Bragg and 50 miles north of Healdsburg, offers a great place for families to play. This park was named in 1933 after the Russian fur traders who lived in Mendocino and Sonoma counties.
Spring 50-53 F
Summer 47-68 F
Fall 47-68 F
Winter 38-54 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Russian Gulch State Park
RVing is a fun way to explore this state park and the area surrounding it. If you do not have an RV, then consider renting one on RVshare to bring the comforts of home with you into the great outdoors.
Russian Gulch State Park Campground
Tucked around Russian Gulch State Park are 34 camping sites, including one group site and four equestrian camping sites. Rates start at $40 per night.
• Water hookup: No
• Electrical hookup: No
• Sewer hookup: No
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Food lockers, fire rings
Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground
Bike riding, boogie boarding, kite flying and arcade gaming are just a few of the amenities that you will find at this campground located 9 miles north of Mendocino. Rates start at $42 per night.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Camp store, organized activities, water sports
Van Damme State Park Campground
Sixty-five campsites for RVs are located at Van Damme State Park near Little River. Most sites are drive-in, and rates start at $45 a night.
• Water hookup: No
• Electrical hookup: No
• Sewer hookup: No
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Food lockers, ranger-led activities, fire rings
Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area Campground
About 100 campsites are spread across the Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area with rates starting at $45 a night.
• Water hookup: No
• Electrical hookup: No
• Sewer hookup: No
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Food lockers, ranger-led activities, fire rings
What to Do at
Russian Gulch State Park
Inside Russian Gulch State Park
This state park that sits in a canyon is a favorite spot for hikers, bikers, and horseback riding along the paths, including one leading to a 39-foot waterfall. Kayakers and canoers enjoy easy access to the ocean from the bubbly creek flowing through this state park. Others enjoy fishing for abalone, crabs, finfish, lobster, mussels, and oysters. The cove in this park is a popular starting point for diving adventures, including diving in a large sinkhole.
Outside Russian Gulch State Park
Outside of Russian Gulch State Park, there are even more hiking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and diving adventures along the coast. This park’s proximity to many of the tallest redwood trees in California makes it a great place for scenic drives. There are also many fun shopping and dining adventures to be had near this state park, especially in Mendocino.
Restaurants
Fog Eater Café
Taking inspiration from Southern and Californian cuisine, this restaurant in Mendocino offers vegetarian and vegan dishes along with local beer and wine-based cocktails.
Type: Southern and California Cuisine
Location: 45104 Main Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Luna Trattoria
Enjoy upscale Italian cuisine created with local produce at this neighborhood restaurant with outdoor garden seating.
Type: Italian
Location: 955 Ukiah Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Goodlife Café and Bakery
Organic pastries and your favorite coffee drinks are served in the morning at this bakery that offers a variety of French and American cuisine prepared with local produce later in the day.
Type: American
Location: 10483 Lansing Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Cafe Beaujolais
Enjoy meals prepared with organic produce and meat from hormone-free, grass-fed animals at this French restaurant, which is set inside a Victorian farmhouse.
Type: French
Location: 961 Ukiah Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
MacCallum House
Expect a seasonally inspired boutique dining experience along with craft cocktails at MacCallum House, another French restaurant set inside a beautiful Victorian farmhouse.
Type: French
Location: 45020 Albion Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Shopping
Gallery Bookshop
Book launches by local authors frequently happen at this store where you can find a wide variety of books to read on your camping adventure. If you do not know what you want, just ask the knowledgeable staff.
Location: 319 Kasten Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Out of This World
Find telescopes, microscopes, educational toys and more at this science store.
Location: 45100 Main Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Rubaiyat
Find ethnic treasures from around the world, including rugs, beads, textiles and jewelry, at this shop.
Location: 45070 Main Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Perfume Mendo
Find over 1,000 perfumes at this shop with many offerings containing all-natural ingredients, or get your scent profile created.
Location: 45104 Main Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Mendocino Shoeworks
Owner Jason Clapp has traveled the world to learn old-master techniques and combined them with modern materials to create shoes, bags, purses and more, and he also does shoe repairs.
Location: 45040 Albion Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Sightseeing
Mendocino Headlands State Park
Find miles of trails to hike, the historic Ford House showing historical movies and Big River Beach to play on at this state park, which consists of a 7,400-acre wildlife corridor.
Location: 735 Main Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
The lighthouse at this state park is one of the most accurately restored in the state. You can view murals and other displays showing the critical role that this lighthouse, constructed in 1906 and 1907, played in the area’s development.
Location: 13800 Point Cabrillo Drive, Mendocino, CA 95460
Van Damme State Park
Stroll through the lush forest, play on the sandy beach and kayak in a protected cove at this state park.
Location: 8001 CA-1, Little River, CA 95456
Ross Ranch
Go horseback riding on well-trained horses on a deserted beach or through the forest by visiting Ross Ranch.
Location: 28300 Philo Greenwood Road, Elk, CA 95432
Skunk River Train
Choose from three different train experiences with tracks running under tall redwood trees before visiting the model train barn, which contains thousands of model train exhibits.
Location: 100 West Laurel Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
How to Get to
Russian Gulch State Park
Russian Gulch State Park is located 2.1 miles north of Mendocino. Leave the city going north on Highway 1. Turn west on Brest Road. Continue until you get to Point Cabrillo Road and turn south. You will see the park entrance. This park is located almost directly under Highway 1 where the Russian Gulch Bridge is located.
By Car
Entering Russian Gulch State Park
If you plan to hike or bike, then you will be charged $5 per person in addition to the park entrance fee. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. to sunset.
Russian Gulch State Park Per vehicle : $8.0
There are so many ways that you can enjoy your time spent at Russian Gulch State Park. You can hike along the trails and see the natural waterfall. You can also go diving in a sinkhole or swimming. Kayakers and canoers love to get on the river and use it to head out in the ocean. Meanwhile, anglers love to catch their limit at this park. If you have been to Russian Gulch State Park, then let others know about your experience by emailing [email protected] RVshare may share your photos on its blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Russian Gulch State Park
While there aren't any RV campsites with hookups at Russian Gulch State Park, there are campsites that can accommodate RVs. The on-site campground features 34 primitive campsites with room for RVs up to 24 feet long.
Russian Gulch State Park tends to have moderate temperatures throughout the year, with lots of rain during autumn and winter. The temperatures typically range from 40 to 55 degrees during winter and 50 to 65 during summer.
The ideal times to visit Russian Gulch State Park are between June and September. That way, you'll enjoy relatively warm weather for outdoor fun, and the odds of encountering rain will be very slim.
Visitors to Russian Gulch State Park will often get to see a variety of fascinating wildlife species. The park's wildlife includes river otters, salamanders, turtles, snakes, turkey vultures, woodpeckers, opossums, squirrels, and weasels.
Pets are permitted at the park but must remain on leashes of no more than six feet. They are allowed at the picnic area, beach, campground, and on the Headlands Trail, but they are not allowed on other trails.