RV Rental Mackerricher State Park, CA

Fresh summer breezes, sun-kissed shores, and soothing murmurs of crashing waves are the main ingredients for a relaxing vacation experience. As Mackerricher State Park easily delivers on these requirements, it’s quite common to see families and couples just casually strolling down Glass Beach, snorkeling near the coast, or sunbathing. Adrenaline junkies who seek to conquer the waves of the Pacific Ocean can do so at Virgin Creek Beach or Pudding Creek Beach. These two spots are known for powerful rip currents and favored among the surfers.

Those with more inquisitive natures often find that geocaching, guided tours, and visitors' center exhibits offer more than enough facts and insights to feed their curiosity. This is one of the best ways to get a detailed overview of the park’s history, as well as its flora and fauna. If you're RV camping at Mackerricher State Park during gray whale migration season, ask around the visitors' center to find out when the whale watching groups gather and join them, as they commonly meet in front of the iconic whale skeleton.

With year-round fishing available, anglers can hardly resist coming to Cleone Lake. Underwater dwellers like largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and catfish are just the tip of the iceberg of the game that awaits. Pack your fishing gear and your camera to commemorate a triumphant catch.

The park boasts tracks for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Take your time and observe the surrounding landscapes and wildlife habitats as you pass through. Keep your eyes peeled for different woodland critters such as squirrels and raccoons, hoofed herbivores like blacktail deer, and, although a rare sight to behold, mountain lions. Those who like birdwatching will have their hands full, as the park attracts over 250 bird species, some native, some migratory.

Mackerricher State park RV campgrounds can accommodate guests for up to two weeks, and the maximum RV and trailer length is 35 feet. There are over 140 campsites throughout the West Pinewood, East Pinewood, Cleone, and Surfwood campgrounds. Some sites are designated for tent camping and others for camping with an RV.

In terms of the amenities, guests will have access to restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, and lockers to store their food. There are no sites with hookups, but generator use is allowed, and guests have access to both dump and water stations.

Visitors can book a campsite up to six months in advance. Quality cell reception and Wi-Fi, and the fact that the sites are pet-friendly, are some of the additional perks guest get to enjoy. All of the campsites are not too far away from the lake, where guests can prepare a barbecue and enjoy a meal in the picnic area.

Vacationers who are RV camping at state parks are commonly encouraged to visit the nearby cities and attractions to make the best out of their holiday. The same applies to campers at Mackerricher State Park. Take advantage of the fact that you can camp in an RV near Fort Bragg and visit Noyo Center for Marine Science. Learn about the ocean and aquatic ecosystem, or if you have kids, have them attend a summer camp there. This place will undoubtedly spark an interest in marine biology.

Fort Bragg is the closest town to the state park, so if you need to purchase goods or fill up your gas tank, you'll most likely do it here. There are also different cuisines, fast food joints, and pizzerias here. In other words, when it gets too tedious to prepare your own food, you'll have lots of alternatives to choose from, such as Mexican, Italian, Thai, and seafood.

A bit further down the road in Mendocino, you will find the Temple of Kwan Tai. Once a structure dedicated to the Chinese god of war and now a museum preserving the memory of the 19th-century Chinese community in Mendocino, the temple offers useful cultural insight. It's also among the oldest Chinese temples in the whole Golden State that has been in use ever since it was built.

Finally, the Mendocino Art Center is the place to be if you wish to enjoy art exhibits or take art classes yourself. The center's ceramics, glasswork, sculpting, fiber, painting, and metal arts courses always welcome novice students. There's also a gift shop here, so you'll likely find a unique ornament that resonates with your sense of aesthetics.