We’ve camped at Hendy Woods multiple times, and the combination of beautiful scenery, spacious campsites, hiking trails, and nearby activities makes it one of our favorite campgrounds in the area.
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Campground Details
Located in Philo, California, Hendy Woods Campground offers both tent and RV camping, with sites nestled among beautiful old-growth redwood trees.
The maximum trailer length is 35 feet. One thing to keep in mind if you’re bringing a larger RV or travel trailer is that some of the turns around the campground (particularly near the dump station) can be a little tight. Pay attention to your surroundings and take your time when maneuvering.
Hookups & Dump Station
Hendy Woods is a dry campground, meaning there are no electric or water hookups at the campsites.
Even though there aren’t hookups, there are several convenient options for RV campers. Drinking water is available throughout the campground, and there is a dedicated RV water-fill station near the dump station where you can fill your freshwater tank.
There is also a dump station available right at the campground.
Campsite Layout & Amenities
There are a lot of great campsites at Hendy Woods. Most of the sites are a good size, and many of them feel relatively private thanks to the trees and natural surroundings.
Our favorite area is the Wildcat Loop. You really can’t go wrong with any of the sites in this loop, and the trees provide a nice sense of privacy between campsites.
Each campsite includes:
- A picnic table
- A tall metal fire pit
- A wooden bear box
The parking pads are dirt rather than paved.
The campground also offers a couple of cabins for visitors who aren’t looking to camp in a tent or RV.
Facilities & Supplies
Hendy Woods has several campground amenities, including flush toilets and showers. There are also trash and recycling facilities available.
One feature we particularly like is the little free library. If you’re looking for something to read while you’re camping, or have a book you’d like to pass along, you can check out the little free library at the campground.
There isn’t a campground store, so you’ll want to bring the supplies you need with you. Fortunately, you don’t have to go far if you forget something. The town of Philo has a small grocery store just a few minutes from the campground.
Another interesting amenity is the availability of EV chargers. While the campsites don’t have electricity, electric vehicle owners can charge their vehicles at the campground.
There isn’t campground Wi-Fi, but we had good internet service using Verizon cell service during our visits.
Trees & Animals
One of the biggest reasons we love Hendy Woods is the scenery.
The campground is surrounded by beautiful old-growth redwood trees, along with madrones, Douglas firs, and California laurels. You’ll also find plenty of ferns and other greenery throughout the campground.
The redwoods are especially impressive along the hiking trails, but you don’t have to go hiking to enjoy them. Even walking around the campground loops gives you the feeling of being surrounded by the forest.
Watch for Poison Oak
One thing to be aware of is poison oak. We’ve encountered it along the hiking trails and occasionally even around campsites.
Wildlife
Hendy Woods is home to a variety of wildlife. The campground lists animals such as:
- Deer
- Bobcats
- Mountain lions
- Raccoons
- Gray foxes
- Skunks
- Chipmunks
Black bears are also occasionally seen in the area.
During our visits, though, the animal we see most often is much smaller: banana slugs. We always seem to find plenty of them, and they’re one of our kids’ favorite parts of camping here.
We also see lots of different birds around the campground.
Depending on the time of year, mosquitoes can be noticeable. We’ve primarily encountered them during visits in late May, while they haven’t been much of an issue for us during fall trips.
Activities at Hendy Woods
Hiking
Hiking is one of the best ways to experience Hendy Woods.
There are several trails that take you through the redwoods and give you a closer look at the forest. One of our favorites for families is the Discovery Trail, which includes numbered points of interest. You can use the accompanying brochure to learn more about the different things you’re seeing along the trail.
There’s also a fun trail where you can find the hermit huts. These small shelters were built by the “Hendy Hermit” Petro Zailenko, who lived hidden beneath these redwoods for 18 years. Our kids always have a great time exploring and playing in them.
One important thing to know if you’re camping with a dog: dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails. Dogs are allowed in the campground and can walk around the campground loops. While walking the campground isn’t the same as taking a hike, it’s still a nice place to walk with the dog because you’re surrounded by the redwoods and beautiful forest scenery.
Visit the Navarro River
Hendy Woods also provides access to the Navarro River.
You can walk to the river from the campground, or there’s a day-use parking area that provides convenient access to the river and some of the area’s hiking trails.
Ride Bikes Around Camp
Our kids also enjoy riding their bikes around the campground.
The campground loops have paved roads, and much of the campground is relatively level, making it a good place for kids to ride around and explore.
Sometimes a simple bike ride around camp is all you need to keep the kids entertained for a while.
Things to Do Near Hendy Woods
One of the advantages of staying at Hendy Woods is that there are some fun places to visit nearby.
Anderson Valley Brewing Company
One of our favorite places to visit is Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, about a 15-minute drive from the campground.
It’s a great place to relax after a day of camping and exploring. The brewery is dog friendly and has a large lawn area where you can sit outside. You can grab a beer or a flight and bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy on the lawn.
They also have a disc golf course right at the brewery, giving you another activity to enjoy while you’re there.
For us, it’s an easy outing that works well for the whole family, and it’s especially convenient when camping with a dog.
Jumbo’s Win Win
If you’re looking for somewhere nearby to grab a meal, Jumbo’s Win Win in Philo is another option.
Camping Costs
At the time of this writing, the cost to stay at Hendy Woods State Park is $45 per night.
The Best Campsites
- Sites 3 & 4
- Sites 3 and 4 work especially well together. The area between the two sites is open, so it’s easy to create a shared space when camping with friends.
- Campsite 4 also has a nice large tree that kids can climb and play on, making it a fun choice for families.
- Site 33 with Cabins 2 & 4
- If you’re camping with people who prefer staying in a cabin, site 33 is a good option to consider. It’s suitable for a trailer and is located right next to Huckleberry Cabin.
- Sites 49 & 51
- Sites 49 and 51 are both large and fairly private from the rest of the campground, although they’re not particularly private from each other.
- That makes them a great combination when camping with friends. Together, the two sites create a massive shared space.
- If there’s only one trailer in your group, site 49 would be the better choice.
- If you need a third campsite, site 48 could also work well with these two, but it’s far enough away that having neighbors in that site isn’t a major concern.
- Sites 50, 53 & 84
- Sites 50, 53, and 84 form a triangle. While they might initially seem like they’re right in the middle of the campground, booking all three together creates a surprisingly large shared area between the sites. This could be a great setup for a larger group of friends or multiple families camping together.
- Site 56
- Site 56 is a large campsite that feels a little more secluded than some of the others. A large fallen log separates the site from its closest neighbor, providing some additional privacy while also creating a natural feature that adds to the campsite.
- Sites 57 & 59
- Sites 57 and 59 work well together if you’re camping with friends.
- If there’s only one trailer in your group, site 57 would be the better choice.
- Site 58
- Site 58 is a fairly large campsite. It does back up to some neighboring sites, but there are some fun areas toward the back of the campsite where kids could play.
- If you’re camping with friends, site 58 also works well with site 62. Site 62 has a smaller parking pad and could be more difficult for a trailer, but the two sites open up together and create a large shared area between them.
- Sites 60 & 61
- Sites 60 and 61 are another good combination for camping with friends.
- If there’s only one trailer in the group, site 60 would be the better choice.
- Sites 76 & 77
- Sites 76 and 77 work well together and are another combination to consider if you’re camping with friends or family.
- Site 82
- Site 82 feels a little more private than some of the other campsites because of the large logs separating it from the surrounding sites.
- Those logs also create fun natural play areas for kids.
- The main downside is that we found this site a little trickier to park a 20-foot trailer in, so keep the site layout in mind if you’re bringing an RV.
- Site 83
- Site 83 is tucked into the trees and looks like it would be a really nice place to stay.
- The main consideration for RV campers is access. We think it would be a challenging spot to park a trailer, so this may be a better option for tent campers or smaller RVs.
The Recap
Overall, Hendy Woods is one of our favorite places to camp because it offers a great combination of beautiful scenery and convenient amenities. Between the towering redwoods, banana slugs, hiking trails, river access, and nearby places to explore, Hendy Woods is a campground that offers plenty to do while still giving you that peaceful, forested camping experience.
Here’s a summary of the items you need to know before visiting Hendy Woods State Park:
| Tents Allowed | Yes |
| Trailers Allowed | Yes |
| Max Trailer Length | 35 Feet |
| Hookups | None |
| Drinking Water | Yes |
| RV Water Fill | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Flush Toilets | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Internet | Good |
| Cost | $45/night |
Campground Details:
Hendy Woods State Park
18599 Philo Greenwood Rd, Philo, CA 95466
Can reserve online at reservecalifornia.com. Reservations open 6 months ahead at 8am PST.
