Our History: The Story of Sportsman RV Park
The Sportsman RV Park has been part of the fabric of Noyo Harbor since the early 1950s, beginning as a small fishing center and evolving into the beloved harbor refuge it is today. Its history is colorful, filled with local characters, fishing lore, and the unmistakable charm of life on the Mendocino Coast.
The Early Days
Our story comes to life through the memories of a local historian who grew up in the park. Born in 1955, he recalls cleaning fish and doing odd jobs around the harbor as a kid, making “real good money” while a pack of harbor children ran free, inventing games like their own version of hide-and-seek, kick the can.
The park opened seasonally, from May through September, with only one year-round resident in those days. Guests often paid for their stays not just with cash, but with eggs, bologna, produce, or the occasional bottle of 10 High Whiskey.
Sportsman’s was first owned by Ray Welch Sr. and Jr., Dick Lucas, and Shirley Stribbling. On site, new 13’–15’ fishing boats were built by Ray Welch, Jr. with wood and fiberglass, often using lumber of “mysterious origin,” according to local rumor.
Life at the Harbor
The community was lively. There was a coffee shop and gear store on the dock where mixed fuel for outboards was sold, and where cribbage games were always underway. A small cannery ran with the help of local wives, who canned up to 750 pounds of salmon twice a week. A smokehouse run by Dick Lucas sat where the bathrooms are today.
Fishing boats launched from the pier, first by hand and later with an electric winch. At its peak, dozens of small boats lined the water, chasing silver salmon. Unlike today, fishing back then meant catching fishermen rarely went out without confidence they’d return with full holds.
In the early 1960s, a scene from the film Summer of ’42 was shot here, with harbor locals, including our historian, helping behind the scenes.
Change Over the Years
As silver salmon populations dwindled in the mid-1960s, the harbor slowed, only to see a revival with king salmon in later years. Over time, the park became more than just a fishing hub, it grew into a mix of RV park, working pier, boat rental facility, and gathering spot.
After decades of colorful history, the park changed hands in 2003, when Dusty Dillion purchased it. Dusty modernized the infrastructure, upgrading plumbing and electric to meet state standards. Sadly, Dusty passed away in 2017, but not before laying the groundwork for his chosen successor, Stephen Dunlap to takeover operations, ensuring the park’s future.
Today
From its roots as a fishing center to its present as a modern RV park, Sportsman has never lost its harbor soul. It remains a place of community, history, and hospitality—where travelers can still feel the echoes of the past while enjoying the beauty and comfort of the Mendocino Coast. a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point.
Savor. Wander. Unwind. Repeat.
Imagine quiet walks on the beach, evenings exploring art galleries and harbor shops, and sipping local spirits as the sun sets over the Noyo River. From coastal hikes among the redwoods to intimate dining by the harbor, Sportsman’s Park is the perfect hideaway for a relaxing Northern California escape.