July 7, 1945 – The three camps at Mendocino Woodlands were filled to capacity with 375 young people from the Bay Area enjoying outdoor life on Big River to the fullest extent. Each of the camps offered their campers unique opportunities to swim in the river, fish, or hike miles of trails.
Built in 1935 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), this group camping facility is located east of Mendocino on Little Lake Road. It was one of forty-six campgrounds created across the U. S. around that time to introduce the public to the wonders of nature.
In 1947, the National Park Service transferred the Woodlands to the State of California, and the facility became a California State Park in 1976. The Mendocino Woodlands became a National Historic Landmark in 1997, due to the exceptional architectural value of its structures and the site’s significance to the history of the United States.
Walking Tours of Historic Mendocino – Join our expert docents for a stroll and lively commentary. You’ll pass by early pioneer homes, historic meeting places, and buildings that make up the the Mendocino Historic District.