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MacKerricher
Overview
MacKerricher State Park offers a stunningly diverse landscape that transitions from sandy beaches and rocky tide pools to lush forests and tranquil marshes. Located on the rugged Mendocino Coast, this park provides RV travelers with a unique opportunity to experience Northern California's raw beauty. Visitors often find themselves immersed in a setting where the Pacific Ocean meets forested coastal bluffs, creating a serene environment for exploration. It is widely considered one of the state's most versatile coastal preserves, famous for its Laguna Point overlooks and abundant wildlife.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just three miles north of Fort Bragg, the park stretches along several miles of pristine coastline. The area is defined by its dramatic headlands and tide pools, which are teeming with marine life. A notable feature of the surroundings is the Old Haul Road, a former logging route that now serves as a scenic path for cyclists and hikers. This trail offers unobstructed views of the rugged shoreline and crashing waves, while the nearby Cleone Lake provides a calm contrast, attracting numerous bird species to its freshwater shores.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features over 140 campsites, though travelers should note it offers dry camping without utility hookups. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring, while shared facilities include restrooms, coin-operated showers, and a sanitary dump station. The park is highly regarded for its accessibility, featuring the Laguna Point boardwalk. This wooden walkway allows visitors of all mobility levels to reach the edge of the ocean for whale watching or to view the resident harbor seals lounging on the rocks below.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Beyond the park boundaries, the city of Fort Bragg offers the famous Glass Beach, known for its colorful sea glass smoothed by decades of ocean waves. Families often enjoy a ride on the historic Skunk Train, which travels through the towering redwood forests of the Noyo River Canyon. For those seeking quiet beauty, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens provide a peaceful stroll through specialized plant collections that reach all the way to the ocean bluffs, offering spectacular floral displays year-round.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for nature enthusiasts and families who enjoy active outdoor adventures like tide-pooling and birdwatching. Because the park lacks hookups, it is best suited for those comfortable with a rustic camping style or those traveling in self-contained RVs. It is a haven for photographers and wildlife watchers who want to wake up to the sound of the ocean and have immediate access to some of the most scenic coastal trails in Northern California.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Me Me
October 2025. I stayed for one night at a campground in this state park. The staff at the checkin booth were awesome! What I didnt know is that many of the sites were in cold wet and dank spots. Not really for me. But the folks in the booth helped me get into a sunny site. Its pretty noisy here during the day but it quieted down at night. The bathrooms were nasty. Including the showers. Not sure if the host was supposed to, but noone has cleaned them. The water taste awful. Like toxic salt taste. Eeewwww! The beach is VERY close by. Could be walked to. And thats probably your best bet. I drove there and scumbags get into my car. No cameras there. Or security watching out for we honest folks. I walked the boardwalk and stairs to the ocean and slimy people took advantage. Too bad really. The ocean area itself is gorgeous. And theres seals all around. But its definately NOT a safe place!
Joshua Grigsby
MacKerricher State Park is absolutely amazing. The views are straight out of a California postcard — waves crashing, cliffs, and that clean ocean air. Super easy to walk, and the paths are nice and smooth, even wheelchair friendly. It’s free for day use, which is wild considering how nice it is. If you’re in Fort Bragg or cruising up Highway 1, definitely stop here and stretch your legs. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and honestly one of the best state parks I’ve ever been to.
Alex Braman
Camp sites amazing. Bathrooms nice, sites large and shielded from the wind. Water is minerally so plan accordingly if you don’t like that. Beach and lake super nice! Small pebble beach, seals, birds. Close to town too so if you forget anything you are only a few minutes away.
Kat Monteiro
This is a great park to visit. Day use is free of charge. There are also plenty of campsites. They have built a wonderful boardwalk that you can walk that takes you out to the tide pools and the headlands. There is also a beautiful beach and picnic tables available and clean bathrooms. A wonderful place to spend a few hours or all day.
Camille Teel-Costello
Beautiful, clean park and beach. It has the black, coarse sand but pleasant to be on. Walked the wood plank trails. You can take them down to different areas of beach, rocks or tide pool. It has public restrooms which were clean also. Near the restroom were grassy areas with picnic tables.
Jay Bigford
MacKerricher is one of the best around. Tent camping. Motorhome and trailer parking. Hiking trails everywhere. Horse riding trails throughout. Just minutes away from more tide pools than you could ever explore. Awesome beaches with great surf fishing. Brand new clean showers and restrooms. Mountain biking trails that go forever. Five star fun for sure.
Jean Robinson
This is a beautiful place with a variety of activities. We explored the tide pools first. The beach was covered with a strange animal called Velella Velella, (by the wind sailers). They are beautiful but beware they are slippery when you step on them. There is a path that is used by walkers, bicyclists, and joggers. There are many place along the path to access the beach.
Asher Williamson
This is one of the best places to visit in California. I'm so glad that I got to feel the ocean breeze and look at cool little succulents along the crashing surf. If you want a day trip from San Francisco. I would highly recommend. P.s pro tip: get reservations early if you want to camp near her at the state park. 8.6/10
Catherine Gier
Beautiful park with gorgeous beaches. Campgrounds have real trees and are still within a 10 minute or less walk from the ocean. Campground has serious issue with run off through the camp sites when it rains. Most of the camp sites I checked had large puddles around the firepits. During my stay I actually had to dig a trench to move the puddle. They close the park and camp ground when there is strong wind advisories. When I stayed in early February 2025, they closed and kicked out campers. When I was going to stay in mid March, I arrived to check in and was told they would be closing the next morning because of the weather.
Paula Peloso
MacKerricher State Park: A Coastal Gem for anyone who loves stunning coastal landscapes and diverse wildlife. It is along the Mendocino Coast, and has something for you if you are a an avid hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply seeking a peaceful retreat in nature. This coastline is breathtaking. waves crash against the dramatic rocky outcrops, and tide pools teem with life. You can walk along the boardwalk to Laguna Point, and there is expansive ocean views. The trails here are well-maintained and cater to various fitness levels. The Ten Mile Dunes are perfect for a serene hike, offering a unique ecosystem to explore. For wildlife lovers, the park is a paradise. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting a variety of species, and the wetlands are home to a rich diversity of plant and animal life. The tide pools, in particular, are a hit with kids and adults alike, offering a close-up view of sea stars, crabs, and other marine creatures. I just love California's natural beauty, Don't forget your camera—this park is as photogenic as it is memorable!