Woodside Campground

-- Update to this post, at least as of July 20, 2021, the Verizon cell signal in the campground was improved to full LTE service strength. I don't know if this is a seasonal improvement due to high-demand or a permanent infrastructure upgrade. Due to the limited signal strength in the surrounding area, I'd call ahead to confirm with on-site staff that this service level is available if you need to have a strong signal while camping --

This has become a go-to spot for occasional secluded coastal camping getaways that's just far enough from the Bay Area to really feel remote. Be prepared to have very limited cell service. There's enough reception near the Woodside Campground entrance and the Salt Point Visitor Center parking area overlooking the water to make a phone call, check emails or send a text message, but no signal at the campgrounds themselves.

I've been a fan of visiting this park for about three years now. I've rarely had an issue with the campsites having bits of the last campers' garbage being left, but sometimes I have found myself picking a stray wrapper or napkin out from under a picnic table. Depending on who's been camping just before you and if staff have had a chance to check on the site condition (which they seem to often do), your mileage may vary.

Sites are spaced well apart and shared water spickets are spaced out about every two or three sites (I noticed a comment about the water not being potable on here. I was also at the park during this time and they were doing maintenance on a water line that week and for safety reasons told campers to hold off on drinking the water until maintenance was completed).

As for noise levels, I didn't get the impression that the campsites have staff checking-in at night, so noise levels are ultimately up to your fellow campers. Unfortunately getting quiet neighbors at the campsites can be hit or miss sometimes.

For a state park, the restrooms are usually satisfactorily clean. They clean the facilities daily, but sadly this seems to be a big necessity due to toilets having limited flush-capacity. So, I've occasionally found myself having to check around for an unclogged facility on a busy morning when the restrooms are in higher demand. Quick tip when using these toilets; do your business, flush, then use small pieces of TP so as not to clog the very low-flow facilities. They'd do well to have a sign about being gentle on the facilities in the restrooms.

In regard to accessibility of the location itself; this requires a bit of driving along a fairly narrow (but beautiful) cliffside road along the ocean, or along some steeply graded back roads in the hills abutting the eastern part of the park. For the past couple years, there's been ongoing construction along the coastal Route 1 span, so expect up to a 30 minute delay somewhere between Fort Ross and Jenner on construction days.

Reserved on line for Lower Woodside loop. No one at entrance kiosk when we got there so just found our spot. Easy back-in. Campground hosts came by on routine patrol, verified our arrival, and reminded us that there is an open fire ban in place due to dry conditions. (Signs alerting us to the ban were not prominently displayed, but we knew from looking at the park website before arrival.) Note that there are no hookups but water risers are well placed (although the outlets are narrower than our "Water Bandit" fit, we made it work anyway), and flush toilets are nearby. Some road noise, mostly during the day -- quiets down after dark. Upper Woodside loop likely quieter. After our first three nights we moved down to the "overflow" campsite to be nearer to the sounds of the waves on the coast for out last night. Note that this is has a single day occupancy limit.

This has been a favorite location for at least thirty years, though we haven't been here for about a decade. Good hiking, both along the clifftops and inland with one loop up through a "pygmy forest", sort of a natural bonsai forest among several that range from Monterey County to northern Mendocino County. Other favorite activities are bird watching, some tide pooling. Surf fishing is another favorite, mostly from the rocks below the cliffs, or from the beach at Stump Beach, which is north of the campgrounds. Off limits for fishing (including the take of any marine life or other features) are Gerstle Cove itself and from Fisk Mill Cove and north. You can dive, boat, and kayak in these areas, though, as well as any where else you can get to the shore.

As to negatives, the visitor center is still shut down due to Covid, many of the day use picnic areas are a little shabby, and the water is off at Gerstle Cove so no fish cleaning or showering. The restrooms there are working though.

I'd also like to confirm FOUR bars for Verizon as per the previous review. You can see a huge new cell tower from near the shore.

This whole coastline is heavenly. The campground was nice but I happened to be here during an insane rainstorm and I was awake all night. In the morning during a lull I went down to the absolutely beautiful beach. There were waterfalls going into the sea. Due to the storm I had to take off before the roads closed but I’d love to return and explore more.
The campsites are in the trees. They are not too far apart but the trees give some privacy.

We were relocated from Gerstle Cove campground a week before our trip due to a water leak and tree maintenance.

We assumed due to the water leak the water was not drinkable, although no one told us why or gave us a heads up.

No hookups, no dump station. The unisex bathrooms were dirty. Our site had garbage (used canned goods) in the brush.