Discover the best family-friendly beach campgrounds near Shelter Cove, California

United States
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California
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Shelter Cove

98% (2195 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Shelter Cove

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Dog-friendly getaways

99%

(148)

Lucky Penny Laytonville

7 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Laytonville, CA

NEW LOWER WINTER RATES! Come car or RV camp at Lucky Penny for $45 a night! Cozy up by a nice campfire and enjoy the stars! There is no solar hot water at this time of year and the appliances have been put away for the season, although we can provide coffee making supplies upon request. Everything else in the outdoor kitchen is still available for you to use. Lucky Penny Laytonville is a thriving multi-generational family home and campground, dedicated to music, art, gardening, cooking, and family fun. Just 6 sites on 4 acres! Camping made easy with a FULLY OUTFITTED OPEN AIR OUTDOOR KITCHEN and HOT SHOWERS (not available in the coldest times of the year when pipes freeze). Kitchen includes sinks, refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster oven, toaster, blender, espresso machine, coffee grinder and maker, dishes, utensils, pots and pans, knives, cutting boards, etc. If there's something you need and can't find it, we'll bring it out from our kitchen in the house. All you bring for meals is the food! CHECK WITH HOSTS about whether FIRES are currently allowed. Fire MUST be completely extinguished before you go to sleep at night. Firewood available for purchase. SMOKERS, please be super careful! LIBRARY OF TOYS, BOOKS, PUZZLES, AND GAMES. Around the property there's plenty of cool forest shade, a park like lawn, and a sunny meadow. Find yourself a cozy spot under the trees or in a hammock with a good book from our library. We’ve got badminton and croquet too! Each campsite has a picnic table and benches and a fire pit. Outlets to CHARGE YOUR PHONE and DEVICES. Our Wifi only works at the front of the property near the house, but there are several places in town one mile away with great Wifi. Fruit trees and gardens dot the property. Feel free to pick a piece of fruit. We almost always have organic fresh eggs from the chickens, so just ask. We're in a wooded country neighborhood where lots of folks have dogs, so you might hear some barking and see some neighbors. Very occasionally we see a dog off leash. We ask that you keep your dogs on leash at all times, as we have cats and chickens. We encourage you to enjoy the forest, but do be aware that there is poison oak. If you don't know what it looks like we can show you. Please arrive between Noon - 8pm. Text us your estimated arrival time and then when you're 15 minutes out, let us know you're getting close. You can prearranged for a late arrival in "Extras." We are flexible about check out time, if we don't have other campers arriving at your site, you can stay as long as you like. Just ask. If your plans change, just let us know at least 24 hours before check-in and you'll get a full refund.

Wendy & John Farm

6 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Ferndale, CA

For Ferndale, the village: check out https://www.visitferndale.com/souvenir-edition About our property: There is a gentle spirit throughout these beautiful 80 acres of evergreen forests and pastures. What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping), extra stuff if you need or want it (fresh bread, soup, cobbler; free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit), etc. Or total solitude if you want it. Bring your (most breeds) dogs if you wish. Starlink internet means you can Zoom in the forest. Walk to the beach along a no-shoulder country road (or drive). Teach your toddler how to build a dam in the shallow creek. Read. There are no visible neighbors, no ambient light or sound. The air is clean and clear and the water is potable from an artesian spring on the property. No electricity at the sites, no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.) My aunt and uncle bought the property in 1947 from the first European settler, Paolo Gabrielli, who immigrated in early 1914 from northern Italy with slips of his grapevine in the lining of his coat. (The grapevine still grows over the back deck.) Paolo's wife Felicita and their three children stayed behind; they were to follow within the year. In the country outside of Ferndale, California, Paolo purchased the property one mile from the ocean and built a Tyrolean-style house, a chicken house (with a grappa still under the main floor), an outhouse, a corral, and a barn. He purchased 7 cows. And then, it was August 1914, and the War to End All Wars broke out in Europe. Felicita and the children, living in their village on the Austrian border, were interned in a prison camp in Austria with the rest of the village's residents. The Gabriellis' young daughter died there. Six years passed before Felicita and her sons, Virgil and Louis, were able to join Paolo in America. In 1938, Virgil--Fr. Gino--became the first Ferndale boy to serve Mass in his hometown church. Felicita died in 1940, and Paolo closed the dairy and moved into Ferndale. In 2013, we invited the people who had been children in the 1920s and '30s and who had come to this ranch after Sunday Mass to gather with other Italian families for polenta, wine, and music. These old-timers came to our house with photographs and maps and Mass cards and diaries, and shared their memories of a childhood in this place that still embraced them. What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping), extra stuff to purchase if you need or want it (fresh bread, soup, cobbler). Free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit. Or total solitude. Bring your (most breeds) dogs if you wish (males must be neutered). Starlink internet means you can Zoom in the forest. Walk to the beach along a no-shoulder country road (or drive). Read. There are no visible neighbors, no ambient light or sound. The air is clean and clear and the water is potable from an artesian spring on the property. No electricity at the sites, no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.)

Jug Handle Creek Farm

20 sites · RVs, Tents33 acres · Caspar, CA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ **PLEASE NOTE** Construction of our new bathrooms will be taking place during the months of October and November 2024. Construction will take place between the hours of 7:30am and 5:30pm, Monday through Thursday, and it will be noisy. We apologize for the disruption, but look forward to being able to offer this amenity to our campers in the future! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jug Handle Creek Farm and Nature Center is a nonprofit with a five minute walk to Jug Handle State Reserve, Jug Handle beach and the Ecological Staircase trail. We offer 11 unique campsites with plenty of space and privacy. Each site has two picnic tables, a fire ring, parking for two cars and plenty of space for your tents. Our 33 acres include a native plant nursery, community gardens, forests, meadows, and nature trails. Our site has lots of nature trails, is peaceful and beautiful and just a 5-minute walk to Jug Handle Beach and the Jug Handle Preserve. Our Mission: We offer a welcoming and supportive environment for people of all backgrounds to explore nature and connect with the natural word. Nature stewardship is central to our non-profit mission and as an organization we are engaged in many nature restoration projects throughout Mendocino County. We also provide a supportive learning environment for nature education for disadvantaged youth during the school year. If you teach k-12 and would like to bring your classroom to Jug Handle contact us about special rates and our immersive nature education programs.

3 top beach campgrounds near Shelter Cove

96%

(5034)

Jug Handle Creek Farm

20 sites · RVs, Tents33 acres · Caspar, CA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ **PLEASE NOTE** Construction of our new bathrooms will be taking place during the months of October and November 2024. Construction will take place between the hours of 7:30am and 5:30pm, Monday through Thursday, and it will be noisy. We apologize for the disruption, but look forward to being able to offer this amenity to our campers in the future! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jug Handle Creek Farm and Nature Center is a nonprofit with a five minute walk to Jug Handle State Reserve, Jug Handle beach and the Ecological Staircase trail. We offer 11 unique campsites with plenty of space and privacy. Each site has two picnic tables, a fire ring, parking for two cars and plenty of space for your tents. Our 33 acres include a native plant nursery, community gardens, forests, meadows, and nature trails. Our site has lots of nature trails, is peaceful and beautiful and just a 5-minute walk to Jug Handle Beach and the Jug Handle Preserve. Our Mission: We offer a welcoming and supportive environment for people of all backgrounds to explore nature and connect with the natural word. Nature stewardship is central to our non-profit mission and as an organization we are engaged in many nature restoration projects throughout Mendocino County. We also provide a supportive learning environment for nature education for disadvantaged youth during the school year. If you teach k-12 and would like to bring your classroom to Jug Handle contact us about special rates and our immersive nature education programs.

Wendy & John Farm

6 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Ferndale, CA

For Ferndale, the village: check out https://www.visitferndale.com/souvenir-edition About our property: There is a gentle spirit throughout these beautiful 80 acres of evergreen forests and pastures. What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping), extra stuff if you need or want it (fresh bread, soup, cobbler; free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit), etc. Or total solitude if you want it. Bring your (most breeds) dogs if you wish. Starlink internet means you can Zoom in the forest. Walk to the beach along a no-shoulder country road (or drive). Teach your toddler how to build a dam in the shallow creek. Read. There are no visible neighbors, no ambient light or sound. The air is clean and clear and the water is potable from an artesian spring on the property. No electricity at the sites, no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.) My aunt and uncle bought the property in 1947 from the first European settler, Paolo Gabrielli, who immigrated in early 1914 from northern Italy with slips of his grapevine in the lining of his coat. (The grapevine still grows over the back deck.) Paolo's wife Felicita and their three children stayed behind; they were to follow within the year. In the country outside of Ferndale, California, Paolo purchased the property one mile from the ocean and built a Tyrolean-style house, a chicken house (with a grappa still under the main floor), an outhouse, a corral, and a barn. He purchased 7 cows. And then, it was August 1914, and the War to End All Wars broke out in Europe. Felicita and the children, living in their village on the Austrian border, were interned in a prison camp in Austria with the rest of the village's residents. The Gabriellis' young daughter died there. Six years passed before Felicita and her sons, Virgil and Louis, were able to join Paolo in America. In 1938, Virgil--Fr. Gino--became the first Ferndale boy to serve Mass in his hometown church. Felicita died in 1940, and Paolo closed the dairy and moved into Ferndale. In 2013, we invited the people who had been children in the 1920s and '30s and who had come to this ranch after Sunday Mass to gather with other Italian families for polenta, wine, and music. These old-timers came to our house with photographs and maps and Mass cards and diaries, and shared their memories of a childhood in this place that still embraced them. What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping), extra stuff to purchase if you need or want it (fresh bread, soup, cobbler). Free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit. Or total solitude. Bring your (most breeds) dogs if you wish (males must be neutered). Starlink internet means you can Zoom in the forest. Walk to the beach along a no-shoulder country road (or drive). Read. There are no visible neighbors, no ambient light or sound. The air is clean and clear and the water is potable from an artesian spring on the property. No electricity at the sites, no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.)

Lucky Penny Laytonville

7 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Laytonville, CA

NEW LOWER WINTER RATES! Come car or RV camp at Lucky Penny for $45 a night! Cozy up by a nice campfire and enjoy the stars! There is no solar hot water at this time of year and the appliances have been put away for the season, although we can provide coffee making supplies upon request. Everything else in the outdoor kitchen is still available for you to use. Lucky Penny Laytonville is a thriving multi-generational family home and campground, dedicated to music, art, gardening, cooking, and family fun. Just 6 sites on 4 acres! Camping made easy with a FULLY OUTFITTED OPEN AIR OUTDOOR KITCHEN and HOT SHOWERS (not available in the coldest times of the year when pipes freeze). Kitchen includes sinks, refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster oven, toaster, blender, espresso machine, coffee grinder and maker, dishes, utensils, pots and pans, knives, cutting boards, etc. If there's something you need and can't find it, we'll bring it out from our kitchen in the house. All you bring for meals is the food! CHECK WITH HOSTS about whether FIRES are currently allowed. Fire MUST be completely extinguished before you go to sleep at night. Firewood available for purchase. SMOKERS, please be super careful! LIBRARY OF TOYS, BOOKS, PUZZLES, AND GAMES. Around the property there's plenty of cool forest shade, a park like lawn, and a sunny meadow. Find yourself a cozy spot under the trees or in a hammock with a good book from our library. We’ve got badminton and croquet too! Each campsite has a picnic table and benches and a fire pit. Outlets to CHARGE YOUR PHONE and DEVICES. Our Wifi only works at the front of the property near the house, but there are several places in town one mile away with great Wifi. Fruit trees and gardens dot the property. Feel free to pick a piece of fruit. We almost always have organic fresh eggs from the chickens, so just ask. We're in a wooded country neighborhood where lots of folks have dogs, so you might hear some barking and see some neighbors. Very occasionally we see a dog off leash. We ask that you keep your dogs on leash at all times, as we have cats and chickens. We encourage you to enjoy the forest, but do be aware that there is poison oak. If you don't know what it looks like we can show you. Please arrive between Noon - 8pm. Text us your estimated arrival time and then when you're 15 minutes out, let us know you're getting close. You can prearranged for a late arrival in "Extras." We are flexible about check out time, if we don't have other campers arriving at your site, you can stay as long as you like. Just ask. If your plans change, just let us know at least 24 hours before check-in and you'll get a full refund.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Family-friendly beach camping near Shelter Cove guide

Overview

Situated in Humboldt County on the Pacific Ocean along California’s Lost Coast, Shelter Cove is bursting with remote natural beauty that draws campers to its world-class hiking, mountain biking, and iconic landmarks like Cape Mendocino Lighthouse. Besides the unspoiled coastline, many people know Shelter Cove as the endpoint of the iconic Lost Coast Trail. Backpackers and wilderness campers can find campgrounds within nearby parks like King Range National Conservation Area, Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, and Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The campsites are equipped with bare-bone amenities but stunning views right from the tent. Outside the park limits, there are more campgrounds that offer fancier accommodations as well as cabin rentals with wifi and RV campsites with full hookups.

Where to go

King Range National Conservation Area

Shelter Cove is nestled in King Range National Conservation Area, which covers 68,000 acres. Check out Black Sands Beach, and head to Deadman’s Beach for surfing in spring and fall. Or hike to King Peak, then go biking on the Paradise Royale Mountain Bike Trail System. For campers hiking the Lost Coast Trail, there are many wilderness campsites in King Range that sit along it and the coast—snag a backcountry permit for any overnight wilderness camping. RVers can also find campgrounds with parking at trailheads that have fire rings and vault toilets.

Sinkyone Wilderness State Park

Canyons, gray whales, dark sand beaches, tidal pools, sea stacks, and rolling hills—campers will find authentic untamed wilderness in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. The park stretches along the coast and is home to the lesser-known southern section of the Lost Coast Trail. Backpacking and equestrian camping are the only options in this state park—some campsites have fire rings but most have no amenities and the terrain is too rugged for vehicles. Just outside the park, RVers can set up at pull-through campsites with full hookups and dump stations, as well as restrooms and shower facilities. There are also cabin rentals equipped with kitchenettes, full bathrooms, cable TV, and wifi.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Boasting over 100 miles of trails for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders that range from easy to expert-level, Humboldt Redwoods State Park is alluring to any kind of camper. It’s situated an hour northeast from Shelter Cove and contains the South Fork Eel River—an excellent spot for fishing, boating, and swimming, as well as the renowned Avenue of the Giants. The area offers over 250 campsites to choose from—most feature picnic tables and fire rings as well as access to flush toilets and pay showers. Some campgrounds have corrals for equestrian campers and a few welcome RVs, but there are no hookups or dump stations within the park (the stunning redwood trees certainly make up for it, though).

When to go

The temperate climate of Shelter Cove means campers can enjoy its natural treasures year-round. The shoulder seasons bring cooler temperatures, less-crowded campgrounds, and unique wildlife sightings—migrating gray whales make an appearance in winter and early spring, followed by colorful wildflowers that last into summer. Rain is common from November through March which causes a lot of road and campground closures (especially in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park), so check ahead to ensure access.