Mendocino Woodlands State Park

Mendocino Woodlands State Park is a forested preserve in northern California covering about 720 acres of dense woodland, redwood trees, ferns, and clearings along the Little North Fork of Big River. The grounds contain three separate group camping areas with wooden cabins, dining halls, equipped kitchens, and full facilities for each group.

The park was built in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal programs for public recreation. These federal programs employed workers during the economic crisis and left lasting public infrastructure across America.

The park exhibits National Park Service rustic architecture, with structures built from local materials that blend into the woodland setting. Visitors notice this craftsmanship in the cabins and gathering halls that define the grounds.

The grounds are designed for group use and work best with advance planning and reservations, as each camping area has a maximum capacity. The best time to visit is summer and early fall, when weather is more stable and forest trails are easier to walk.

This remains the only Recreation Demonstration Area ever built in California and the only such project situated within a redwood forest environment. This distinction makes it a rare example of this 1930s federal recreation initiative.

Location: Mendocino County

Inception: 1934

Architectural style: National Park Service rustic

Website: https://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=443

GPS coordinates: 39.32861,-123.69833

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:04