Mad River Rapids RV Park
3501 Janes Rd, Arcata, California 95521-4529 USA
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Independent
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Credit Cards
Accepted -
Pet Friendly
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Not Wheelchair
Accessible -
Public
Restrooms
“along California’s scenic North Coast”
Mad River Rapids RV Park in Arcata stands out as an excellent choice for campers looking to explore Northern California's natural beauty without sacrificing modern comforts. With generously-sized pull-thru sites capable of accommodating any RV, the park offers convenience and accessibility near Highway 101. Each site features full hookups, level paved pads, and a picnic table, ensuring a comfortable stay for families and their pets. Campers can stay connected with free high-speed internet while children enjoy the game room and playground. Although the sparkling heated pool is temporarily unavailable, the park compensates with lush landscaping, a fully-stocked mini-mart, and proximity to shopping and dining options, making it a practical and enjoyable basecamp for exploring the area. Surrounded by stunning landscapes and diverse activities, Mad River Rapids RV Park provides ample opportunities for outdoor adventures and cultural exploration. Nearby attractions include Mad River County Park, renowned for picnicking and birdwatching along the coast, and the Eureka Municipal Golf Course for golf enthusiasts seeking scenic rounds. History buffs can visit the Phillips House Museum in Arcata to delve into local heritage, while thrill-seekers might opt for white water rafting with 6 Rivers Rafting or hiking through the ancient redwood forests of Arcata Community Forest. For a lively evening, camper can head to Blue Lake Casino for gaming and entertainment or catch a Humboldt Crabs baseball game at the Arcata Ball Park, complete with live music and local snacks. With such a variety of activities and amenities, Mad River Rapids RV Park ensures a memorable and fulfilling camping experience in Northern California.
Reviews of Mad River Rapids RV Park
15 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
Verizon 4G/5G
Confirmed by 9 users | Last reported on September 22, 2023AT&T 4G
Confirmed by 4 users | Last reported on October 14, 2021T-Mobile 4G
Confirmed by 2 users | Last reported on February 24, 2021Reviews
We've stayed here a few times as both a stopping off place en route to somewhere else and as a home base to explore the area. It is close to the beach, close to a kayak launch area (Mad River) and close to downtown Arcata. We haven't really used the facilities (showers, restrooms, pool), but appreciate the level sites. There are quite a few people living here, but they are mostly parked on the perimeter. Visitors are parked in the center sites. The Mexican food restaurant that is virtually at the front entrance is good too. The only real drawback is a lack of a real dog area. There are plenty of places for short walks, but no fenced in area.
Nightly Rate: $49.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: -
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
We stayed at Mad River Rapids RV Park because our targeted park, Azalea Glen, had a No Vacancy up. It turned out just fine. Mad River RV has a number of full timers, a lot of them are Humboldt State students. We expected a noisy night, but it was really quiet. Of course, staying there in January was a factor... Didn't use any of the facilities, but the park was clean and well kept up. The wifi was slow enough that I ended up using my phone as a hot spot, but I can live with that. This is not a park that I will aim to go back to on purpose, but I will definitely stay there when traveling up and down 101 and need to stop over in that area.
Nightly Rate: $40.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 20
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
We stayed at Mad River Rapids RV park for three nights during our fishing trip in Eureka (August 1-3, 2020). It turned out to be perfect for us - very clean and well maintained facilities, plenty of space between sites, and just 10 miles down the road to the marina and our fishing charter. The park is easy on and off the freeway. It has some permanent homes but not a lot of traffic going through the park during the day. The staff in the office was friendly and helpful. During our stay, the heads were closed overnight because of Covid, but I appreciate the extra attention to sanitation. I would stay here again anytime.
Nightly Rate: -
Days Stayed: 3
Site Number: 77
Cell Coverage Rating
T-Mobile 4G
This is a great option for spending time in Humboldt County. Sites were nicely paved, full hookups with decent WIFI and good OTA TV reception. Sites were clean and well maintained with an asphalt pad, grass on either side and a picnic table. Cannot speak for the ladies room, but the mens room was clean, although restrooms are closed at 7pm and don’t open again until 9 am. Not a big deal for most RV campers, since we have our own. Did a few loads of laundry, machines did a good job, they charge $1.50 a wash and $1 to dry. Be sure to being quarters. Access for larger RVs was great within the park. You do have to go through one (Southbound) or two (Northbound) very poorly designed traffic circles when exiting highway 101 to get to the park. We got through them fine, but it makes you wonder if transportation planners ever drive on the roads they design. Location is awesome for exploring the area can be in downtown Arcata in about 5 minutes, Safeway in 7 minutes, downtown Eureka in less than 20 minutes. No road noise or other noise to speak of. There is a small market in the park office that looked very well stocked and a Mexican Restaurant which we did not try right next to the park. Would definitely stay here again. Its very obvious that the folks who run this park care about what they do and about providing a nice place for us RVers!
Nightly Rate: $43.00
Days Stayed: 3
Site Number: 55
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
T-Mobile 4G
We used this as an overnight stop over. Very clean park. Safe. Full hookups. And lots of sites with pull throughs. We didn’t even need to unhook. We came without reservations in the evening and there were 4 sites open to pick from. There’s a beautiful Community park about 1.5 miles away where I ran and my husband rode his mountain bike the next day before we continued up the coast.
Nightly Rate: $59.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 60
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
Loved it here. Though we didn’t spend much time in the park itself… when we were there is was sooooooo quiet!!
The pads are asphalt and level. Cable was out at our site but didn’t use or want it. Plenty of space between your neighbors who were also super nice!!
Nightly Rate: $59.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: 56
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
This park is rated too high for what it is. We thought we were getting a five star park but it's not. The positives are they are big spots, the lady at the front was very kind in helping find a spot big enough for our 40' rig, it has minimal sound pollution (just a bit from highway 101), the internet was decent and we were able to work and stream TV, and you are pretty close to a grocery store and gas stations, which is convenient. The cons: we've lost power 3 times in one day so be sure to have a surge protector! There's a man that was working the desk on Monday that, in my opinion, has no business working with customers as he was short and quite rude. There are a lot of people living here and you can really tell. The sites are paved but the pavement is very narrow (our tires nearly touch the grass on both sides but we do fit). I guess I would stay here again but it is CERTAINLY not a 5 star park!
Nightly Rate: $59.00
Days Stayed: 7
Site Number: 55
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
We came in on New Years Day. No one is working in the office which is expected but there are instructions of 4 available sites for us to choose. Number of nights available for each site is marked in the envelope. Rates posted on envelope are for summer to end of October so we had hoped that our one night rate would be less. But no it was $59 plus tax. If you have AAA or Sam’s membership you would get a slightly lower rate. Sites are full hookup and level enough that we didn’t have to work hard to get our AIRSTREAM level. Nothing spectacular, sites are next to each other with not much in between. We took showers in the bath house. Roomy shower stalls with lots of hooks and small bench. Hot water but pressure was puny. In a pinch and 1 night, it’s ok but to me it’s expensive.
Nightly Rate: $66.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: -
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
Nice spaces, not too close together, well laid out. Bathrooms are warm and have plenty of hot water. Bathrooms are older and could use some TLC. Only had one operational laundry that needed TLC too. In their defense they were upgrading both laundry areas in few days.
In general, there’s not a lot to see/do in the area. It was a good place to stop after taking 299 from Redding. That’s another story!
Nightly Rate: $58.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: 19
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
We stayed there to work “from home”. Internet is good enough for video call. Nothing fancy. Spa and community rooms looked good but were closed in mid April?
Nightly Rate: $60.00
Days Stayed: 3
Site Number: -
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
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Mad River Rapids RV Park
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Problem with this listing? Let us know.
Has RV parking changed? Let us know.
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Max Length
- 80 ft
- Sites Count
- 92
- Last Nightly Rate
- 66.0
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 37.0
- Back In RV Sites Count
- 35
- Pull Through RV Sites Count
- 29
- Longest Vehicle Length Reported
- 40.0
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Sites
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Laundry
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Propane
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Showers
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Big Rigs
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Boondock
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Firewood
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Fifty Amp
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Slide Outs
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Tent Sites
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Cabin Sites
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Full Hookup
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Paved Sites
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Dump Station
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Mobile Homes
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Public Water
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Pull Through
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Water Hookup
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Swimming Pool
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Age Restricted
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Rec Facilities
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Dispersed Sites
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Open Seasonally
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Permit Required
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Back In RV Sites
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Group Tent Sites
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Fulltime Residents
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Standard Tent Sites
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Pull Through RV Sites
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Vehicle Wash Permitted
Campground, Restrooms
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