California's Only National Forest Without A Major Paved Road Offers A Serene And Natural Escape

While everyone else is heading off to visit every national park in California on a road trip, there's a perfect place, off the beaten track, where you can avoid all the crowds. Mendocino National Forest is ideal if peace, solitude, and a spot of wild camping are what you have in mind. Situated between Interstate 5 and the Pacific Coast Highway, the forest is about a three-hour drive from San Francisco and a two-hour drive from Sacramento. It's also the only one of California's 18 national forests without a paved road running through it. Getting there means traveling over some rough gravel tracks, but the view at the top makes the bumpy journey worth every mile.

Originally made into a reserve in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt, it became Mendocino National Forest in 1932. Once a hub of mining activity, the park was also home to several spa resorts during the 1900s. People traveled from far and wide to soak up the supposed health benefits of the mineral baths and hot springs, of which you can still see some remains at Bartlett Falls. Today, the park is divided into three ranger districts — Grindstone, Covelo, and Upper Lake, with some of the former guard stations used by firefighting staff.

If your idea of heaven is losing yourself in nearly a million acres of forest, mountains, and rivers, this is the place to do it. This diverse landscape is the ideal place to get back to nature, where your biggest challenge will be deciding what to do when you get there. Hiking, trail running, and backpacking are all popular, with trails in Snow Mountain Wilderness catering to all levels of fitness. The 8.3-mile Summit Springs Trail leads to the top of Snow Mountain, where you'll be rewarded with amazing views over the forest. Some trails are suitable for horseback riding and mountain biking, and if you're lucky, you may come across the largest waterfall in the area, hidden among the trees. For a more challenging hike, Stonyford Loop is one of the longest trails in the park at 37.4 miles. With so many options, it's no wonder Mendocino is considered one of California's best hiking destinations.

If all that hiking sounds like too much effort, there are also designated areas for off-highway vehicles (OHVs), with maps available to help you choose a suitable route. When it's time to cool off, Lake Pillsbury — the largest lake in the park – is ideal for swimming or boating. And if you're there to do some fishing, there are good spots along the Eel River and the Black Butte River. If you're lucky, you might reel in a rainbow trout or smallmouth bass for the campfire. Nature lovers will appreciate the rich diversity of wildlife and plant life in the park, and you'll need to keep your camera at the ready if you want to snap the majestic golden eagle gliding by, or catch sight of a black bear or mountain lion (from a safe distance, of course).

After a serene and satisfying escape in nature, what better way to end the day than by relaxing in the tranquillity of the forest in one of its many camping spots? Depending on how much solitude you're after, there are several designated campgrounds as well as other car campsites scattered around. Dispersed camping is great if you're on a budget, as there are no fees to pay, and handy when the main sites are full. Remember to follow the Leave No Trace principles.

Before you pitch your tent, you'll need to pick a wilderness area! Of course, there's Snow Mountain Wilderness mentioned earlier. Nature lovers will also love Yuki Wilderness, home to oak groves, pine forests, and a large variety of wildlife. Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness is a protected area and contains 24 named peaks. And just when you thought you couldn't get any farther into the wild, Sanhedrin Wilderness has no developed trails and only one public access point.

Most campgrounds are open from May until October. Some of the more popular sites include Camp Discovery, which has showers and dishwashing facilities; Bear Creek, great for hiking; Fuller Grove, which has fire rings and access to boat ramps; and Middle Creek if you've come on horseback or OHV. With no paved roads, Mendocino may not be the most accessible forest park, but it's one of California's top spots for a gorgeous camping trip.