Russian Gulch Sp Campground

Closed — Closed for the winter. Opens in May with reservations available through Labor Day. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance starting in May.

About

Russian Gulch State Park Campground sits in a lush, heavily forested canyon two miles north of Mendocino along Highway 1. The campground includes 26 standard family campsites, four equestrian campsites with corrals and water troughs, and one group site, all nestled among coastal redwoods. The park combines nearly 1.5 miles of windswept ocean frontage with a three-mile leafy canyon leading to a 36-foot waterfall. With 15 miles of trails, visitors can explore shady forest paths like the Fern Canyon Trail to the waterfall, or coastal routes including the Headlands Trail with views of the Pacific and the dramatic Devil's Punchbowl, a 100-foot by 60-foot collapsed sea cave. The beach at the mouth of Russian Gulch Creek offers swimming, tide pool exploring, rock fishing, and SCUBA diving opportunities. A paved three-mile bicycle trail provides additional recreation options. The park's climate features winter rainclouds and cool summer fogs that typically burn off by mid-morning, supporting thriving coast redwood forests. Spring brings wildflower displays across the foggy headlands. Maximum RV and trailer length is 24 feet. Pets are allowed in the campground and on beaches but restricted from most trails. The park is known for being compared to Point Lobos on the Big Sur Coast for its scenic beauty.

Directions

The park is 2 miles north of the town of Mendocino on Highway 1. Turn west onto Brest Rd, then turn south onto Point Cabrillo Rd. Proceed south to the park entrance.

Nearby Campgrounds