MacKerricher State Park Campground California
MacKerricher State Park Overview
MacKerricher State Park is located on Highway 1 (along the Mendocino Coast) and has 143 single-family campsites for tents, trailers and RVs (up to 35 feet). There are four loops (West Pinewood, East Pinewood, Cleone and Surfwood) in the campground. Surfwood Loop is closest to the beach (about 330 feet) and West Pinewood Loop is next at about 660 feet. Many of the sites have nice shade under large trees. There are no hookups. Campsites 65-105 are reservable year round. Two group (tent-only) campsites are also available and can accommodate 40 and 60 campers.
Amenities include modern restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers, trash collection, an RV dump station and visitor center. Each campsite has a table, fire ring and grill. Firewood is also available for sale at the campground/host. Generators are permitted, but can only operated from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
MacKerricher State Park is also dog friendly and are allowed on leash in the campground, trails and most beaches. However, dogs are prohibited on Virgin Creek Beach, the northern half of Ten Mile Beach, the Seal Rocks harbor seal pup nursery area, and the Surfwood Walk-In campground. Information about restrictions is available at the entrance station.
MacKerricher State Park Area Recreation
There are a variety of habitats to explore at MacKerricher State Park including the Ten Mile Dunes area featuring pristine native dune and wetlands. You can also hike and explore on the beach, check out tide pools, forests and other areas. Wildlife viewing, including whale watching is also popular here. Other outdoor activities include fishing, kayaking, biking, hiking, bird watching, swimming, horseback riding, picnicking, beach combing and visiting historic sites. Why you can even do a little windsurfing if you can brave the cooler ocean temperatures. And don’t forget to check out Glass Beach at MacKerricher State Park.
Russian Gulch State Park is also located on Highway 1 about 14 miles to the south of MacKerricher State Park.
Make a Reservation for MacKerricher State Park
Amenities
- BBQ Grills
- Boat Launch/Ramp
- Boat Ramp
- Camp Store
- Campground Host
- Campsite Tables
- Cell Service Fair
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Equestrian trail
- Fire Pit
- Fire Rings
- Firewood Available
- Grills
- Group Camping
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Ranger Station
- Restrooms (Flush Toilets)
- Showers
- Trash Collection
- Visitor Center
- Wood
Activities
- Beach
- Beach Access
- Beach Combing
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Boating (non motorized)
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Horseback riding
- Kayaking
- Lagoon
- Lake
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Trails
- Ocean
- Photography
- Picnicking
- River
- Sailboarding
- Scuba Diving
- Stargazing
- Surf Fish
- Swimming
- Tide Pools
- Visitor Center
- Walking Trails
- Wetlands
- Whale Watching
- Wildlife Viewing
Fort Bragg, California 95437
707 937-5804
Lat / Long:
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MacKerricher State Park Availability Alerts
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- California Beaches
- California State Beach
- California State Park
- Northern California
- Ocean
- River
- West
- West Coast
Campsite Types
- ADA
- Group
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
# of Campsites:
143
Campsite Vehicle Size:
Up to 35 feet.
Season:
March – September
Elevation:
40
MacKerricher State Park Comments & Reviews
Visited MacKerricher State Park Campground lately? We'd love to hear about your adventure. Did you find us useful? Did we forget something? Anything our community should know before heading out to MacKerricher State Park?
campsitephotos.com
harvesthosts.com
Yes, I would like to leave a comment. When did the campground get so over ran with rats? I just had an Anniversary 34yrs Sept.15th. We made a four day stay, I knew about Raccoons, Deer, even possible a Cougar, but never Rats. They got into our boxes and stuff. I kept on washing everthing in boiling water. I wanted to go home but my Husband said we came along way to camp you sure you dont want to stay.So I did but I really didnt. I was afraid to eat any food. I took some pictures if you want to see them. They were running day and night. So Grossed Out. Sign— Would of been Happier without the rats.
The campground was very clean and comfortable. It was close to the beach but protected from the wind. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Had a beautiful stay!
Are small dogs allowed at the campsights?
Hi Megan,
Yes, dogs (big and small) are allowed at MacKerricher State Park campground, but always on a leash.
Are dogs allowed on the beaches?
Hi Michelle,
MacKerricher State Park is also dog friendly and are allowed on leash in the campground, trails and most beaches. However, dogs are prohibited on Virgin Creek Beach, the northern half of Ten Mile Beach, the Seal Rocks harbor seal pup nursery area, and the Surfwood Walk-In campground. Information about restrictions is available at the entrance station.
My son is planning on coming to stay a couple of days with us when we stay there but has to come home to go back to work before we leave so we would like to know if you have additional parking that is available to park his car in while staying here
Hi Andrew,
There appears to be additional/overflow parking available at MacKerricher State Park campground, but you should call the park to confirm: 707 937-5804
Hi, I was hoping to bring my family tent camping here this September. Are there any waterfront campsites? Which camp area/site would you say is the “best” for a family? Also is it possible to fish Lake Cleone from the shore or is there Kayal rentals? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Hi Amber,
If you click on the ‘campground map’ button you’ll see the MacKerricher State Park campground map. There are no sites rights on the beach/water, but there are a few close to Lake Cleone (sites 117-123 and sites 139-141. You can also fish in Lake Cleone and there’s also a boat ramp for kayaks/canoes (no motor boats). The campground is ‘family friendly’ so most sites should be fine for a family.
are generators allowed?
Hi Michele,
Yes, generators are allowed at MacKerricher State Park, but can only be operated from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Can anyone recommend the best site(s) available for a 30ft toyhauler, preferably with hookups if available.
Thank you!
Are there any full hookups (water, electric and sewer) at the MacKerricher Campgrounds?
Hi Tami,
There are no hookups (partial or full) at MacKerricher State Park campgrounds.
Do they have weekly rates or just nightly looking to camp for a couple weeks while saving deposit money for a rental
Hi Bryan,
MacKerricher State Park campground only has nightly rates (no weekly rates).
We have a 28′ travel trailer. I see several sites that are 35′, 24′ and 20′. From the photos it looks like a 28′ travel trailer would fit nicely in a spot labeled 24′. Can you recommend some sites for a 28′ travel trailer? Thanks.
Hi William,
After clicking on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button you’ll be routed to ReserveCalifornia’s website where you can check availability, pricing and make a reservation. You can also filter campsites by type of unit (tent, trailer, RV) and by size. Then it will show you a list of campsites (or on a map) which campsites fit your search/filter selection.
5 stars great staff great service place to camp .
i was disappointed with procedure, I called for the reservation for camping, no where on the explanation that you have to listen to; did it say senior discounts available, it said disabled; veterans discounts, and no one asked the question either when I reserved my camp site, how was I to know it was even offered, the phone person said its on the website…I didnt go on the website. again I ask, how am I suppose to know it is offered when I make a phone call?? I assumed it was not, since the message on the phone covered military and disabled. when I asked to be reimbursed I was told they couldnt do that I had to ask for it at the time of the reservation! thanks alot. You need to change your message please.
Hi Rhonda,
Sorry to hear ReserveCalifornia.com didn’t mention they had a senior discount for state parking camping. We (CampsitePhotos.com) do not handle the California State Park reservations. You might try contacting them directly to let them know they should also mention they have senior discounts for camping: 800-444-7275
Is there any sewer or water connection on the site?
Hi Annie,
MacKerricher State Park campground does not have any hookups – electric, sewer or water. You can click on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button to check availability, pricing and make a reservation.
Hello, Can anyone who has been to this park comment on cell phone service availability? We will be visiting midweek and are wondering if our daughter will be able to do her virtual schooling or will need to make it up later. Staying in West Pinewood site 82 if that is relevant. Thank You!
Hi Dave,
The cell phone service/coverage is very spotty at best at MacKerricher State Park. Verizon and AT&T do have very limited service, but it improves back toward Highway One, and in the Fort Bragg area (a few miles south).
I’m camping with a dog. Of the three campgrounds at MacKerricher, can you please tell me which campground is closer to a beach allowing dogs and trails too?
Hi Anne,
Surfwood Loop is closest to the beach (about 330 feet) and West Pinewood Loop is next at about 660 feet. The Surfwood campsites are walk-in (first-come, first-serve) and dogs are not allowed here.
Both have trails to the beach. MacKerricher State Park is also dog friendly and are allowed on leash in the campground, trails and most beaches. However, dogs are prohibited on Virgin Creek Beach, the northern half of Ten Mile Beach, the Seal Rocks harbor seal pup nursery area, and the Surfwood Walk-In campground. Information about restrictions is available at the entrance station.
we have a 38 ft motor home and wanted to stay in site 143 (handicapped). It says the site is 35ft max, from experience these are generally just estimated length. Can I find out if a 38 ft motor home would fit?
HI Allison,
You’re correct – the “35 ft max” is an estimate and the camp host/ranger isn’t going to measure your rig. That site is pretty large, and there is a little overhang off the back and front. Your motorhome should fit. The host/ranger makes the final call though if it is sticking out a little too far.
What is the criteria used to determine “best” campsite numbers? Some dont make sense me based on the map.
Hi Kendra,
Our photographer will generally pick out his/her favorite campsites primarily based on the campsite’s location compared to the other campsites in the campground (i.e. next to a river, lake or ocean, or one that has a view). If all of the campsites are about the same, then we try and choose ones that are larger, flatter, more private, away from the restrooms and/or campground paths. Of course our ‘favorite list’ is subjective and there may be campsites that other people think should be on included.
How many tents will fit on each campsite at East Pinewood?
Hi Amanda,
The park/campground does not have a policy and the # of tents per campsite, but generally how many you can fit within your campsite. Usually 2-3 depending on the size.
My family and I have been tent camping at MacKerricher at least once a year for the past six years and we absolutely love it. Nearly every site is beautiful. Our very favorites are the walk-in sites, followed by sites 131-143 in Surfwood, then East Pinewood, then West Pinewood, and finally the lower loop of Surfwood. Regardless of site, there is tons of stuff to do, and the area is beautiful and quite temperate for being so close to the beach. I love walking on the boardwalk in the evening and watching the seals and sea lions play in the surf. A real treat!
Thank you Shantra for the nice review on MacKerricher State Park!