Camping on the Northern California Coast - MacKerricher State Park
Camping Near Fort Bragg, California
Just North of the bustling and popular summer destination of Fort Bragg, California is a campground called MacKerricher State Park. Located ten minutes from Fort Bragg, this campsite is located on the coast of Mendocino County. At this California State Park, campers will find family-friendly, tent and RV friendly, dog-friendly sites. At this location, the camping types will find a little something for everyone, from families with children to seniors seeking easy-access trails and nature. Programs promote the conservation of the Snowy Plover and education on other animals, such as the Mountain Lion. An old train trestle is available for closer inspection, among other historical remnants. The skeleton of a whale greets you at the entrance to the park.
Views at MacKerricker SP
Here is the list of attractions at MacKerricher State Park:
- fresh water fishing at their small lake (trout, bass, sunfish)
- ocean water fishing (catch sunfish right off the shores!)
- hiking, bicycling, and handicap-friendly trails (some are wheelchair accessible on boardwalks)
- picnic day-use areas with barbecues and picnic tables
- sandy beach fronts (warning: flipflops advised on hot days due to scalding sand)
- campsites a few minutes' walk to the beach
- ranger led talks on nature and animal life
- junior ranger program for children to learn about animal and environmental conservation in a fun way (age 12 and under)
- the town of Fort Bragg with museums, shops, restaurants, and galleries about a ten minute drive from camp
Other Amenities at MacKerricher State Park
- flush toilets
- on-site food storage boxes (bring your own lock)
- coin-operated showers (bring plenty of quarters)
- tidal pools
- whale watching (depending on time of year)
A Boardwalk To the Tidal Pools & Whale Watching
The History of MacKerricher Park
In 1868, Duncan MacKerricher paid $1.25 an acre to buy this area, which had been a former Indian reservation. The MacKerricher family owned this land and used it until 1949, when it was gifted to the State of California. It was heavily logged and a remnant of a former road has created a fabulous walking path. Part of this path was washed out by a storm in 1982. Dogs on leash are welcome throughout most of the park now except in areas where the Snowy Plover (a bird) are protected. Ask rangers where dogs are restricted.
A Popular Campground - Reservations Are Suggested
This campground is very popular and often booked solid months in advance. For this reason, it is advised that campers seek an advance reservations.
However, the last minute traveler may be lucky because reservations that are cancelled are given to drop-in campers on a first-come, first-served basis. If campers are seeking a campsite but fail to secure a location at MacKerricher State Park, a more primitive campground on Highway 20 can be found on the way to Willits, California.
Flowers Abound During The Spring & Early Summer
Where Is MacKerricher State Park?
Rangers Teach Children About Nature
