This past weekend my family went camping at Hendy Woods SP for the first time. Upon arrival we were greeted by multiple park rangers at check in (it was the most staff I've ever encountered in a check in, which was nice because it made it go quickly). The roads were a bit bumpy but nothing we couldn't handle. Restrooms were well maintained. We didn't use the showers, but it was nice knowing we had the option if needed... and it seemed like they were nice and hot since other guests were using them and the mirrors were fogging up (not complaining). We did notice a lot of brush piles, so hopefully they are actively taking care of the forest to prevent forest fires. Loved that we weren't too far from the beaches and enjoyed a day at Fort Bragg. We will definitely return. read more

Uniqueness: Redwoods galore here! Drive Time: [x][x][x][x][x] Scenic Quality: [x][x][x][x][x] Setting: [x][x][x][x][x] Cost: [x][x][x][x][ ] Recommendation? Come early and enjoy a beautiful hike in the redwoods with barely a crowd! Morning drive to Mendocino made us make a pit stop at Hendy Woods State Park as we heard there were beautiful spots of Redwoods that we must check out before going on our way. Pay fee was $8 dollars to get in which wasn't the worst but as we kept driving, we got a little worried about where the Redwoods were as a portion of the drive looked pretty sparse & dry. But worry not, once we got very deep into the drive near the end where the hike begins, the trees started popping up everywhere! Trail was clean and so much greenery everywhere, from the tall Redwoods to the short ferns growing all over the place. We stumbled upon a massive felled Redwood tree which was perfect for photo captures. This place is a perfect spot to stop by if you want to spend a couple of hours soaking in the fresh air and nature! read more

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Absolute gem of a state park. Hikes are easy (some have a grade but my 5 and 8 year old were able to complete with no complaint) and tons of different trails of varying lengths. I appreciated that they mostly criss crossed each other with plenty of signage. Between the map and the signage is easy to stay on track. We were here on a Thursday in February. The weather was cool but sunny. Perfect for hiking redwoods. Parking lot had 2 other cars when we arrived and none when we left. So not crowded at all. We spent 3 hours here - a short picnic, hiked to both hermit huts, hiked to the river and to a protion of the meadow. Also to one of the campgrounds just to look around. They have traditional camp spots but also cabins to rent. Be on the look out for not only the hermit huts but some amazing wild fern groves and the burned out hollow redwoods make for good photo ops. I'd love to come back and do more trails. A+ nature outing. read more

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Two stars are for how the campground is currently being managed. The redwoods are beautiful, and would get four or five stars on their own. Unfortunately, I agree with what other reviewers have recently said about this not being a safe place for females to camp alone. And I agree that it's due to terrible staffing. The camp hosts run this park as if it's a giant commune for their friends who can't behave in society. The entire weekend I was here, and I do mean 24/7 for all three days, other campers were blasting music at festival levels. The music was so loud that I could hear it from half a mile down the hiking trail. The camp host was located between the camp and the trail. It's not possible that they didn't notice. The music near my tent was so loud that no one would have been able to hear if someone called out for help. Even with commercial grade earplugs in, the music was so loud that I was unable to sleep. The ground was vibrating. There is no way that this wasn't disruptive to wildlife. I understand that a music festival was canceled nearby. This is no reason for the park to be run amuck, or as if Hendy Woods were owned by the World Music Festival. My camp site was spacious enough that I should have been able to have some peace and quiet. But drunk people were stumbling through my site nonstop. Drunk people tripped over my tent guy lines so many times that I had to put folding chairs and ice chests next to them. One drunk person tripped over my tent so hard that it disrupted the whole interior of my tent. There were plenty of camp hosts and staff around. They just simply did not care to do their jobs or help enforce any rules at all. The police were called a few times. The people making the noise stopped when the cops came through. But it is actually the camp host's job to help witness and point out where the disruptive noise was coming from, which they repeatedly failed or refused to do. I had planned to sleep in my hammock, but didn't feel safe enough to do so. I ended up sleeping in my tent with the rainfly on and zipped. Hendy Woods could not possibly do less to care about people with PTSD or anxiety disorders or females camping alone. I would strongly advise against seeking out peace and/or quiet at this campground. read more

Great state park to visit that is a lot less crowded than Marin and other state parks closer to the Bay Area. We went in November and morning was quite chilly so dress warm. There are good hikes for all ages. read more

Hendy Woods State Park - Human in fire burned redwood tree - Parks Near Me - Philo, California

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Came across this park while driving up to Mendocino, I always love visiting forested state parks, so made sure to stop in for a hike on our way back home. We picked up a map on our way in, then followed the sings to the grove. The grove was a ways from the entrance booth, probably close to 1.5 miles. We were here late morning/early afternoon on a weekend in the summer and were easily able to find parking in the day use at the trailhead. Due to its location far from any major towns, it seems as if it probably doesn't get too crowded. I had saved a couple different trail options on All Trails before coming. Based on the signage and lack of parking areas in the park I assumed they all started in the same area, which was the case for all except for little Hendy Woods loop. We decided to do the discovery trail around big Hendy Grove. We were surprieed to see that much of this trial was accessible, and they even had signage throughout talking about the terrain and grade of this portion of the trail. Something really cool that I don't think I've seen in a stat park before. The area was beautiful with lots of trees and shade. Signage was easy to follow (for the most part), and there were many different routes you could take. Unforutnately we did have to trun around and weren't able to do a loop as the trial was closed due to fallen tree. There wasn't any signage announcing the closure until you got steps to where the tree had fallen and you needed to turn back. We could've taken another path to make the trail loop back to the parking lot, but this would've required going on the open meadow trail on a very hot day, so we opted to back track and enjoy the shade. Didn't look at the campground, but seems like a fun place to hike for the weekend with easy access to trials and nearby wineries. read more

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Been ditching my travel trailer as of late for tent camping. However, I've seen a few trailers here and many of the sites had more than enough space for a trailer. Perhaps next time! Each site was widely spaced apart. This was a plus. You could definitely hear your neighbors but they aren't in your face unlike other campgrounds I've been to. The highlight was the hiking trails. The large trees and nature's landscape is what I needed. It was the perfect remedy to detox from work. If you are coming from 101 to 128, beware of the winding roads. I'm not a fan of these road conditions but it was worth it. read more

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Spent a lovely afternoon with my daughter, who uses a wheelchair, roaming through the redwoods. Such a surprise to find an ADA accessible park like this. We will be back! read more

Hendy Woods State Park - Giant tree cave - Parks Near Me - Philo, California

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Went camping for the first time space 60 and 61. Very close to the bathrooms and showers. Big trash and recycling dumpsters by the bathrooms as well. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Bring quarters to take a shower with warm water. It is 4 quarters for 5 min. We took our corgi with us and she loved it. Very nice campgrounds with nice areas to go hiking. Will be back for sure. read more

Hendy Woods State Park - Parks Near Me - Philo, California

A beautiful redwood haven that's tucked away in the backroads of Mendocino County! I've been trying to get here for the past few years now, and I'm so glad that I finally made it. It was worth every single second of my time spent. Hendy Woods is a beautiful state park that's known for its' old growth redwoods. It has several campgrounds, hiking trails, and access to swimming and boating on the nearby Navarro River. I came here to explore the old growth redwoods, and let's just say: I got my redwoods fix! Redwoods are my absolute favorite trees. If you're the type who loves to wander aimless through lush redwood forests, you will be in absolute heaven here. I hiked the 5 mile Hendy Woods Grand Tour loop which took me through several redwood groves that were located all throughout the park. The hike is almost completely shaded with some moderate inclines on a few of the trails. The loop was actually a bit hard to follow as some of the trails aren't clearly marked. Luckily, I downloaded the trail map through AllTrails, and it helped me navigate through the loop. Phone reception is pretty sparse, so I'd recommend downloading the trail map on your phone if you're planning to hike this loop. It costs $8 to enter (day use/parking fee), and if there is no attendant at the front collecting the fees, you'll pay using the honor system. They do have a small visitor's center with rangers on site who can answer your questions. The ranger was able to assist me in the questions that I had about the Grand Tour Loop hike. You can also purchase souvenirs here. It seems like this is a very popular camping spot as I saw many families camping here. Although most of the park and trails are shaded, it gets extremely hot during the summer. I'd recommend bringing lots of water and wearing sunscreen to protect against those few exposed spots. All in all, this park is stellar and there are so many wonderful picture taking opportunities with the redwoods here. If you're in the area, it's worth exploring just for the old growth redwoods alone. read more

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What a really quiet, restful spot away from people and short easy walk among the redwoods. Campground was full but shaded by these tall trees. Paid showers are back. Super clean. Small but very educational visitor center. You see the examples of different eggs. Eagle egg. Get a trail map and walk to the grove from the visitor center. A good 40 min walk round trip. Slightly up hill but manageable. They have cabins but only bunk beds and wooden frame. Nothing else. read more

Hendy Woods State Park - Parks Near Me - Philo, California

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The redwoods are fantastic and we enjoyed the campground. Just beware if you are renting a cabin that there is no mattress or pad on the wooden platform! read more

I was in the middle of a road trip through parts of Northern California, having just visited the Mendocino area for the first time. It turned out that Mendocino & Ft Bragg didn't actually have as much hiking as I thought. So after exhausting most of the options there I angled back south towards the Anderson Valley, where Hendy Woods beckoned. Hendy Woods SP wasn't a very big park, but it had something I always love to see: old growth redwoods. These coast redwoods (not sequoias) were over 1000 years old and lived in two areas in the park: Big Hendy Grove and Little Hendy Grove, with the former being the most impressive. It's a special feeling to be in an ancient forest like this and have it all to yourself. (A near-impossible feat in a hot-spot like Muir Woods). Also the trees here are a quarter millenium older than those at Muir Woods. The longest hike I could come up with at Hendy Woods was just over 6 miles, with about 400 ft of climbing. It took about 2 1/2 hours, incl stops, but was gorgeous and enjoyable. Being a weekday, I was alone the entire time (apart from two people I spotted wandering the Big Hendy grove at the end of my hike). My only complaint (a small one) was that the trail maps were a little off, with some trails obviously having "evolved" over time. Plus I found more than one trail that was not on their map. The trail marker signs were also confusing, using some new kind of arrow-pointing convention that I was unfamiliar with. But I'd go back here on a regular basis if it wasn't so far from home. read more

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We live close to Muir Woods, which is a world class spot to see giant Seqouias. So why haunt a smaller old grove redwood forest while on vacation? Because believe me, you can never walk through enough redwood groves in your lifetime. Hendy is a remote spot and typically uncrowded, unlike Muir Woods. The walk is easy to do and about a mile or so in length and some of the trees here are ancient, up to 1000 years old. It's best to come early morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer. Its $9 to enter and park, and your money supports the California State Park system. read more

Beautiful camping area. Very open and woodsy. Tents, campers alike, but no hookups. You can run a generator after 10 am. Bathrooms and showers (bring your quarters). Also water spigots if needed. Large trash bins near restrooms. Area has dumping stations as well. Day 3 and the camp sites are quiet and peaceful. Great relaxing place to get away from it all. Enjoy! read more

Hendy Woods State Park - My campout view - Parks Near Me - Philo, California

A wonderful place for a family outing. Nice trails, beautiful river and redwoods. Great for a picnic. read more

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Enjoyed the Place with my Family ,Camping close to Nature surely helps to breed more Fresh Air . Clean Restrooms and Super Quiet Place at night. You can walk around the Nice Trail and talk to the Awsome Host that made some rounds to check if you need some Firewoods or something else. Restroom was sanitize and you can smell it and done twice a day. Will be Back soon! read more

Hendy Woods State Park - Parks Near Me - Philo, California

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First time camping at Hendy Woods State Park and I am happy to report that we actually had a great time. There are plenty of tall beautiful trees with lots of shades for the camp sites. Campsites are pretty spacious. Lots of family with kids. It could get very loud but it's camping and kids and it's suppose to be fun. Bathrooms were kept clean. No hand soap in bathrooms so bring your own but no big deal. Showers are great must bring quarters. It's $1.50 for a seven minute shower. You can do a few things around such as hiking, or swimming underneath the bridge. The Park also has a center were on weekends they have activities for kids and campfires in the evening. So if your looking for a very quiet place this place might not be for you. you never know you might end up in a quiet secluded camp site or next to a loud family expect the unexpected. Have fun, relax on natures Hendy Woods State park and make sure you get that camp fire ready for some s'mores at night. Overall we had a great experience. Until next time. Chao! read more

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I've visited Mendocino county 3 times and during each visit I never put Hendy Woods on my itinerary. Finally, this past Easter Sunday, I did. After reading a description of the park on redwoodhikes.com and their description of the Big Hendy grove, I decided it was worth driving inland from the coast. Hendy Woods is an inland redwood grove but features surprisingly large trees and some old growth forest that was reminiscent of Humboldt County. Mind you, it's more sparse and not quite as grand but definitely is underrated as a redwood park. Any one trail isn't particularly long but if you had a half day, you can probably string together a few trails to up your mileage. As for me, I only had time that day to visit the Big Hendy grove which easily be accessed via parking at the day use picnic area at the very end of the park road. From there I followed the Discovery and Big Loop trails and ended up waking a modest 1.5 miles. However, it was a beautiful path with magnificent ferns and other understory, along with some pretty large redwoods. For me, it was worth a drive from the coast where I was staying (Fort Bragg, but had been down in Point Arena earlier that day.) For others it may not be worth the trip if you're not planning to spend a lot of time there. I happened to tack it on to other adventures on the Southern Mendocino coast and then took Philo Greenwood Road near the town of Elk to cut inland to the woods. A pretty drive but with narrow, windy roads. If you're staying in Anderson Valley, I'd say it's a must stop. It's very close to the wineries and Navarro River (which you can access from the park.) Other basics: * Entrance fee is $10 (I used my annual CA parks pass)-they did have a ranger at the kiosk that day but there were signs with directions for self registration if no one was there * decent, clean restrooms in the day use area * there is a park map you can get at entry but it's not very detailed (plan ahead if you're going to loop together some trails) * well signed trails and one short section of the Discovery trail that is ADA accessible All in all, I'd say this is an underrated park. There are not big scenic ridges or a lot of huge ancient trees. Instead it's a pleasant, scenic redwood forest with some easier, flat trails, beautiful ground cover, river access and well maintained picnic areas. I'd definitely go back next time in the area and plan a longer hike. read more

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A peaceful, beautiful, awe inspiring and very manageable hiking opportunity. The trail is wide enough to be able to walk side-by-side with friends, with just enough ups and downs to make it interesting and mildly challenging. A wonderful way to rejuvenate in nature. read more

Hendy Woods is a hidden jewel of a state park, full of old-growth redwoods adjacent to the Navarro river. What was appealing to me was 1) this is a smaller park and 2) located further up north that is less frequently visited by tourists. We camped here in September at site #23 in the Azalea campground. Our site was tucked away in the back on a slight steep hill, so with our huge truck parked in front, people won't be able to see our camp set-up. There were a ton of campsites, but some are better than others so make sure you look at the map beforehand to get a more private campsite area. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring, and food locker. Beware of little nuts falling off the trees, though! One of those suckers will probably knock you out! The bathrooms are average with flush toilets and coin-operated showers. As long as the toilet paper is stocked up, I'm totally fine! Make sure to bring your own hand wash or hand sanitizer, though! I would love to come back here and hike through Big Hendy and Little Hendy trails! read more

Day use review. This place is good for a short stroll through the trees and perhaps down to river's edge. Very small - you can walk the majority of the Park in less that two hours. Not too crowded. The better trees are in the east-end. Saw one deer on my 1 pm walk. $8 entry fee. read more

Hendy Woods State Park - Parks Near Me - Philo, California

I had QUITE the adventure whilst visiting California's northern wine country and the Anderson Valley due to the Kincaid Fire. Instead of following my planned itinerary that involved hitting up many spectacular wineries outside of Healdsburg and Philo, I instead had to resort to enjoying Mother Nature. Luckily, a visit to Hendy Woods State Park does not require electricity and was not endangered or evacuated. A short drive west from the tiny town of Philo sits this random park amidst the hills and vineyards. It is named after the original land owner who thankfully set aside the land for preservation and the public to enjoy. Hikers and campers rejoice! You can see the towering old growth Redwood trees from Route 128 with some over 300 feet tall and thought to be nearly 1,000 years old! The park also possesses property along the banks of the Navarro River with exclusive public access for watersports (kayaking, canoeing, etc). When you see pictures of the park, they often focuses on the Hermit Huts that were built by a Russian fur trader as his homes. If you have very little time, the Hermit Hut Trail is what I recommend that is only 0.6 miles each way in length. There are multiple bridges and interpretive signs along the path which is perfect for children. The trail begins right at the very end of the park's one road and parking lot. There are many photo opps with the massive trees, ferns, roots and toppled trees. Bring a jacket or sweater since it does get very chilly from the natural shade and moisture the trees provide. read more

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Though it's a bit far for a day trip from the Bay Area, Hendy Woods is a delightful little park for those heading to the Mendocino coast. It's somewhat unusual for a redwood grove; it's farther inland and thus warmer, and the terrain is not as steep as that around most redwoods. There are five miles of peaceful trails for meandering through the towering trees. Many of the old growth redwoods here seem as large as those in some of the more famous parks. There is camping and even swimming available here. read more

Hendy Woods State Park - Hendy Woods State Park - Parks Near Me - Philo, California

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Most beautiful place to tent camp. The redwoods are amazing. Nice sized campsites. Clean bathrooms. Great local eats and wine tasting.

Easy hiking trails get you close and into to the redwoods within minutes. CB says this is much less crowded than Muir Woods so you have time and space to revel in the giant trees without people encroaching on you. Worth a stop. read more

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Very nice state park with good trails. It really feels like you're immersed in the woods when the road is actually really close by. The trails all interconnect and the little hermit houses are a really neat piece of history :) read more

amazing spot to camp. I brought my family of 5 (3 under 10) and we had a blast. The campground is out in a redwood grove. Even being a local to the area, I still can't explain the mystery and beauty of the trees. There are trails for the adventurous. We walked the Little Hendy Grove , it was a good mile or so. The river is great, there are activities for kids, and the campsites are clean. There is nothing like hiking through the redwoods in the early morn. Do yourself a favor and stop here. Don't pollute, respect the woods, and check out the hermit's camp. I'm a local, and the redwood trees are an inspiration. Sit in the groves and meditate. Write a poem. Draw a picture. Ponder life. There's nowhere on Earth that stimulates this kind of experience. The redwoods are a force of nature. read more

The place is beautiful but you can't spend too long there because the bathrooms are unusable.

A state park in Philo (Anderson Valley) California containing several redwood groves adjacent to the Navarro river. If you're limited time-wise (or aren't into hiking much), drive to the day use area, focus on Big Hendy and take the Outer Loop. If you've got more time, I encourage you to park outside the park and hike both Little Hendy and Big Hendy trails. Trails tend to be narrow, and trail markers can be a little confusing (and sparse), but it is worth the trip. Trail note: Poison oak is as prevalent as the redwoods, so wear long pants on the narrow trails! read more

Camped there over a hot weekend in Site 68. Luckily the trees kept the park cool. Campsite was a good size with sufficient room between sites. The campsites in the 80s were really close together. Not a lot of privacy even at the sites on the outside of the loop. Also, quiet hours not strictly observed. However, the women's restroom was the cleanest of the state parks I've visited. Ranger was nice. Park had nice, short hikes with no hikers, oddly. Half mile to the Navarro wineries and one hour to the ocean. Would like to return when there is water in the creeks and river. River was bone dry in mid-August. read more

Excellent place to camp for the first time. As I was new to the camping scene, Hendy was my introduction via way of "glamping". Hot private showers, flushing toilets, and running hot/cold sinks...and maintained extremely well on a daily basis (I could detect a faint scent of bleach in the early afternoons after bathrooms were cleaned). For a clean freak OCD person like myself, I was pleasantly surprised and beyond thrilled!! With wine country around you what is there to complain about?? I was buzzed and clean and slept under the stars every night. And that's the way you should camp! read more

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A quiet park with spacious campsites. It's a bit noisy hearing an occasional plane or vehicle, but it's quiet otherwise. A nice respite from the much-warmer nearby areas; the trees really cool off the park! Grab some Gowan cider and enjoy your stay! read more

Even in the cold, driving rain, Hendy Woods is gorgeous place to visit. On my most recent trip out to CA, I was determined to do something I had never done before: see an actual redwood tree. Hendy Woods was the perfect place for that! A little over two hours north of SF, this is a great place to visit if you're a camping enthusiast or just passing through on your way to Anderson Valley for a little wine tasting. I was really impressed with the kindness and helpfulness of the ranger, although the map she gave us was really unhelpful and somewhat confusing. There are a bunch of cleared grounds, a few small cabin-type things and amenities like restrooms, water, etc through out to make your camping experience a little less rugged. While we didn't camp here, we just spent part of the day walking through the woods, chose a table to have a picnic lunch at and posed for plenty of pictures with the beautiful redwoods, of course. It was a great day, a great stop-over and a place I would definitely return to in the future. read more

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The nature gets 5 stars! The park itself gets barely three. The various paths are not clear and though a variety of hikes are offered, the signage is lacking and what is there doesn't name any of the paths mentioned, so it's easy to get lost or start on a path you'd not intended to take. Their directionals and maps need improvement. Check out the hermit trail/huts and the main redwood groves. Striking beauty. read more

Beautiful redwoods. Unfortunately the map is not well done and the signs on the hiking trails are not all straightforward. We enjoyed the huge redwoods, some you can walk into. Shady and cool. Has picnic benches at the beginning of the day use area. read more

Awesome swimming hole under the bridge before the entrance with access to 2 rocks to jump in the water if you dare to do so. Very clear and calm water in Eel River with small fish that will eat the dead skin off your feet if you stand still. Redwood grove carries tree's that'll amaze you, but make sure you bring enough food, supplies and beer to last the whole trip. They only have a general store about 15 minutes out so be prepared to have fun while roughing it out in comfort. read more

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I love Hendy Woods! We go there at least a couple of times a year to camp. It's nice and quiet (unless you're next to families who let their brats run around and scream at the top of their lungs starting at 6 am and continuing for the rest of the day, but I chalk that up to lazy parenting). Toilet and shower areas are kept clean and the park rangers drive around and sell fire wood and check on things throughout the day. It can get a little cold depending on what spot you're in since some of the spots are shade only. They do have a few sunny spots as well. The park rangers are always super nice and helpful. The camp ground is in the heart of Anderson Valley, which has some awesome wines if you're into wine tasting. Nothing like sipping a nice AV Pinot by the campfire at night.... read more

Gee, these woods are sure Hendy! Hendy is a near-perfect camping experience, the major downside being the thoroughly neglected bathrooms and tragic shower facilities. But, if you're only staying for a weekend, these can be overlooked in favor of the lush camping environs. Be safe and BYO toilet paper. We made our reservation online, which came to about $50 for the site, for one night. The site had room for at least 3 tents, along with a fire pit, picnic table, and a food locker. The grounds are beautiful, covered by a giant redwood canopy, with hiking trails leaving right from your tent's back door. It feels much more communal vs. secluded, so you can see & hear what your neighboring campers are up to. It comes in handy (or "hendy") when you need to borrow a bottle opener, or lighter fluid, or mallet from your fellow forest-lovers. It has a very family-friendly vibe, and took me back to my childhood...when I hated camping...but I've grown out of that. Best of all, Hendy Woods is in the heart of Anderson Valley Wine Country, so you can spend your days sipping at the tasting rooms and your evenings sipping by the fire. Sold! read more

Spent four glorious nights at this amazing campground! In my humble opinion it's everything a campground should be! - Beautiful hikes for both family and the more serious hikers out there with amazing scenery like something out of a fairy tale! - Very pleasant staff. - Fun little river to play in and explore, complete with jumping rock and rope swing! - Big campsites with a great layout! - Not noisy at all (although that might have meant that we were the noisy ones lol!) All the trees really seem to damper sound really well making it nice and peaceful. Tips: - Go on the little hike to the hermits hovel! It's great fun. :D - Bring your bike! The roads are a fun little track around the campsite. - Visit the apple farm right next to the campground. It's a great little place that sells apple jams, sauces and juice all made right there. Plus it's a beautiful little orchard you can tour. - Go up the coast to Mendocino for the day. It's an adorable little town with bed and breakfasts, quaint coffee shops and artists selling their wares. And just north of the town is glass beach. You'll thank me later. :D read more