Arcata Community Centre | Informal Campsite

March 24th, 2024 by applicablecloak15

I have read the reviews but there is an event here on Sat night and it is loud and crazy. People are talking everywhere and hot rodding their cars in the
parking lot. I'm not sure if it's normal or an off day. It doesn't feel very safe.

September 13th, 2023 by rebeccagoulet

Great spot! Someone screamed during the night and woke me up twice, but otherwise it was very calm.

September 13th, 2023 by abbeystores

Stayed here for the night. Lots of other campers and cars in the parking lot overnight. I was able to use the community center bathroom when I arrived and in the morning which was nice! I had no issues.

July 19th, 2023 by kennclair

I stayed here for the summer and it’s a great spot! Lots of locals in van, campers, and tents stay here. Only on a few occasions we’re long-term residents loud at night or some local kids stayed late partying. The community center has restrooms but is very rarely open. I’ve chosen to never brave that porta potty…Flea market sometimes on Sunday but all long as you park near the back you won’t be bothered.

What I dislike is homeless people being referred to as “zombies” “undesirables” or “the other crowd.” They are people just like me and you. You’re staying in their home here. If that’s an inconvenience to YOU then take your reality check, be a better person, and move on to a different spot.

Ive never been bothered once all summer. I’ve seen so many kind interactions between the locals during my stays and I’m glad they have this community with each other here. So don’t ruin this spot for them.

July 1st, 2023 by itsalmostliketheblues

Quiet, no people wandering about like other reviews mentioned. I couldn't find the bathrooms, other than a nearly-full port-a-potty. Even with a flea market the next morning, it was still quiet enough to sleep through everyone setting up.

June 12th, 2023 by becca.gomez31

I ended up having to stay in Arcata for a couple days and this was the safest spot for me. It really isn’t as bad as people make it out to be. There are some people who seem to have made it their permanent home & yell at night but they don’t mess with anyone.

January 16th, 2023 by andersonevseev

nice spot. really calm at night and busy in the morning.

September 21st, 2022 by iamchelleallen

Great place for laps or shower. $9.50. Nice but older facility. Easy in and out. Open till 4.

September 27th, 2021 by exeyegee

Plenty of company overnight, semi-permanent RV's, vans, tents as well as other folks staying the night. Open car park between the community centre and the gym, trees and streetlights. Portaloo to the left of the centre. I arrived after dark, a quiet comfy night, busy in morning. No trouble as I expect people coming and going know folks live here. Will come again.

August 10th, 2021 by rebasgr8

A wee sketchy. 😬 I usually pick great spots so fingers crossed. I'll let you know in the morning. I am self-contained, so won't be stepping foot outside. Update: I left. I wouldn't recommend this place. Matter of fact, I'd recommend leaving this town.

July 18th, 2021 by puchmopeds

Essentially a large parking lot, lots of people camped here. Everyone seems to be minding their own business but the place os definitely sketch. Im fine on my own but if i had a wife or kids with me I wouldn't let them out of my sight here. Seems like a good place to park and crash but thats about it. Lot of zombies / addicts. Im not concerned for my safety here but by the looks of things i fully expect to be woken up tonight by undesirables. Pretty much the next step up from a tent city. Verizon 4g 3-4 bars of service.
*update *
Miraculously I was left alone all night and it was very quiet.

July 13th, 2021 by jessica.altemara

Seems popular. Easily a dozen others in the lot but quiet. Couldn't find the after hours bathroom/pit toilet mentioned by others.

June 28th, 2021 by Coyotetooth

Came to town with the intention of staying a weekend and have now been here almost two weeks after picking up some work. Stayed here every night. Feel very safe, sleep well, plenty of trash cans and bathrooms. Lots of locals stay here as well as other travelers. Keep it clean and be respectful!

May 24th, 2021 by Buslivin

Very nice park. No RV parking but they don’t care if you take up 4 spots.

February 22nd, 2021 by nomadicrafter

I've parked here several times. Nice but there are some homeless. Right in town.

February 10th, 2021 by sickgirlcindy

Nice quick overnight stay. Pit toilets. Fairly clean. Harmless homeless around. Met friendlyPaul who helped us out with where to go for things. Will return next time we’re around.

November 21st, 2020 by kwhite1369

Definitely a lot of folks who roam the parking lot, but they don’t seem to bother anyone. Spent a few nights here and always felt pretty safe

August 9th, 2020 by vanlifewives

Great spot - very quiet. A handful of other rv's and vans in the parking lot when we pulled in. Woke up to the garbage truck but otherwise nice quiet place to stay

July 6th, 2020 by tsipporah87

Close to town. Didn’t get bothered overnight. Seems like a place that roadtrippers would come and crash for the night then continue hit the road the next day.

March 22nd, 2020 by sacramentorob

Spent the night in a 32 ft RV. Level parking near workout building. Very quiet and plenty of parking. There were a few zombies and people camping in cars but no problems.

March 22nd, 2020 by sacramentorob

Very quiet. Level parking. No signs.
A few homeless but no issues. Spent one night in RV. Would come back

October 7th, 2019 by olly_hughes

Good safe place to spend the night - portaloo covered in poo however.

October 4th, 2019 by pentiumdawnstar

Porta Potty was overflowing, trash everywhere inside it, and someone pooped on the floor. by far worst bathroom I've ever laid eyes on. The sports center has bathrooms inside it too and it was open so we went in those. not sure if we are supposed to do that though since the lady at the desk asked for our member cards and we just asked if we could use their bathroom right quick. Well lit parking lot, saw lots of car-lifers and one other van-lifer overnight here too.

September 1st, 2019 by convosviajo

We stayed one night here, several other travelers, few zombies in the area. Wi-Fi in the community centre

July 3rd, 2019 by holgerseidl

Wie schon beschrieben, kann man hier gut für eine Nacht stehen. Tagsüber ist hier ordentlich was los. Abends ruhig.

October 14th, 2018 by amaia.uriarte

Parking lot between Community Center, sports fields and a kind of gym, not prohibited signs, quiet at night, busy at mornings, mostly weekends. I stayed 2 nights, not problem at all!

You can walk to town easily, it has a toilet, and open wifi.