Camping Near Redwood National Park
California | Established 1968
About Redwood National Park
Redwood National and State Parks protect 139,000 acres of ancient coast redwood forest and 50 miles of northern California coastline. The parks contain roughly 35% of all remaining old-growth coast redwoods, with some trees exceeding 350 feet in height and 2,000 years in age. Roosevelt elk herds roam meadows and gravel bars throughout the parks, and Fern Canyon offers a 50-foot-deep gorge draped in ferns that draws visitors from around the world.
Four developed campgrounds serve the park system: Jedediah Smith (87 sites along the Smith River, $35/night), Elk Prairie (75 sites in open meadows, $35/night), Gold Bluffs Beach (26 coastal sites, $35/night), and Mill Creek (145 sites, summer only, $35/night). Reservations through Reserve California are essential for summer. Backcountry camping at seven designated sites requires free permits through the park website. Crescent City is the primary gateway town with the park headquarters, grocery stores, and fuel.
Camping Tips for Redwood
- Reserve campgrounds through Reserve California (1-800-444-7275) as early as possible for summer dates. Jedediah Smith and Elk Prairie are the most popular and fill months ahead for July and August weekends.
- Pack waterproof rain gear and layers regardless of season. Coastal fog and drizzle persist even in summer, keeping temperatures in the 50s and 60s. A warm sleeping bag rated below 40°F is essential since nights are damp and cool.
- Get a free parking reservation for Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon from May 15 through September 15. Seventy-five advance slots and 100 day-before slots open at 9 a.m. daily through Redwood Parks Conservancy.
- Check RV size limits before booking. Jedediah Smith limits RVs to 25 feet and trailers to 21 feet. Gold Bluffs Beach prohibits RVs over 24 feet and all trailers due to narrow gravel access with stream crossings.
- Watch for Roosevelt elk on roads and in campgrounds but maintain at least 25 yards distance. Avoid calving season (late May through June) and rutting season (late August through October) when elk become aggressive.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Redwood National Park
31.Big Lagoon Campgrounds
Big Lagoon County Park is a day-use area with beach and lagoon access. The park features new ADA accessible restrooms in the day-use and campground areas. A boat ramp to the...
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32.Camp Trinidad RV Resort (Sounds of the Sea R.V. Park & Cabins)
Where the redwoods meet the sea. Camp Trinidad offers RV sites, camping, and cabins in the coastal redwoods. The Historic Schoolhouse Inn blends coastal charm with relaxed...
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33.Free Your Mind Camping
Welcome to Free Your Mind Camping, a remote private campground located on 100+ acres of private land in the Pacific Northwest California. The campground is surrounded by forest,...
Show more34.Elk Prairie Campground
Sanctuary of old-growth coast redwood that features ferns cascading steep canyon walls and meadows grazed by herds of Roosevelt elk. The park is located 50 miles north of Eureka...
Show more35.Clam Beach County Campground
Clam Beach County Park is located 7 1/2 miles north of Arcata, near McKinleyville, off HWY 101. The park features 13 campsites, 2 of which are ADA accessible, and offers beach...
Show more36.Trinidad Bay Trailer Court
Located in Trinidad, California, Trinidad Bay Trailer Court is a scenic campground offering a tranquil retreat for travelers. Situated near the picturesque Trinidad Bay, this...
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37.Samoa Boat Ramp
Samoa Boat Ramp and Campground is located at 1710 New Navy Base Road, Arcata, CA 95521. It offers 25 tent sites, 13 RV sites, and is a popular spot for access to ATV riding at...
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38.Florence Keller County Park & Campground
Florence Keller Regional Park is a park located in Del Norte County, California. Unfortunately, the website content does not provide a description of the park. However, it...
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39.Hidden Creek RV Park
Located in Trinidad, California, Hidden Creek RV Park offers a peaceful retreat for RV enthusiasts. This RV park provides a range of amenities, including [insert site types, if...
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40.Sunset Harbor RV Park
Located in Crescent City, California, Sunset Harbor RV Park offers a unique experience for visitors. The park is situated near the majestic Pacific Ocean and offers stunning views...
Show moreShowing 31–40 of 135 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation or permit to visit Redwood?
No reservation is needed for general park entry, which is free. Specific activities require free reservations: Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon parking (May 15 through September 15), the Tall Trees Trailhead, and backcountry camping. Developed campground sites cost $35 per night through Reserve California.
Gold Bluffs Beach parking reservations open daily at 9 a.m. with 75 advance slots and 100 day-before slots. The Tall Trees Trailhead requires a free parking reservation to access the limited lot. Backcountry permits are free and obtained through online reservation only. California State Park day-use areas charge $8 per vehicle. The national park sections have no entrance stations or gates.
Which campground is best for seeing old-growth redwoods?
Jedediah Smith Campground sits directly within an old-growth redwood grove along the Smith River, providing the most immersive ancient forest experience. Trails to towering redwoods leave directly from the campground. Elk Prairie offers nearby access to Prairie Creek Redwoods and the trail to Fern Canyon through old-growth forest.
Jedediah Smith's 87 sites are shaded by mature redwoods and bordered by the clear Smith River for swimming and kayaking. The Stout Memorial Grove and Simpson-Reed Trail are short walks from camp. Elk Prairie places you at the edge of a large meadow where Roosevelt elk graze, with old-growth trails including the James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon. Mill Creek campground also borders old-growth forest but operates only in summer.
How do I visit Fern Canyon?
Fern Canyon is reached via Gold Bluffs Beach in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. From May 15 through September 15, driving requires a free parking reservation. Without a reservation, hike the 10.4-mile roundtrip James Irvine Trail from Prairie Creek Visitor Center or Elk Prairie Campground.
Davison Road to Gold Bluffs Beach is eight miles of single-lane gravel with stream crossings. RVs over 24 feet and all trailers are prohibited. The canyon itself is a short walk from the parking area with a boardwalk through the fern-draped gorge. Bring waterproof shoes since the canyon floor has shallow water crossings. The drive-in route is the easiest access but the James Irvine Trail hike through old-growth forest is rewarding on its own.
What weather should I expect for camping?
Expect cool, damp conditions year-round. Summer highs reach the low 60s with persistent coastal fog that keeps the forest moist. Winter brings 60 to 80 inches of rain concentrated from October through April. Rain gear and waterproof layers are essential in every season. Nights drop into the 40s even in summer.
The coast redwood ecosystem depends on fog moisture, so overcast skies are a feature, not a flaw. Pack synthetic or merino wool base layers instead of cotton, which retains cold moisture. A waterproof tent fly and ground tarp are non-negotiable. September often brings the clearest, warmest weather with reduced fog. Spring (March through May) has intermittent rain but wildflowers and migrating gray whales offshore. Winter camping is cold and wet but offers total solitude.
Where will I see Roosevelt elk?
Roosevelt elk are common at Elk Prairie Campground and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, where herds graze in open meadows visible from the campground. The Bald Hills herd of approximately 250 animals is the largest. Elk also frequent Gold Bluffs Beach, gravel bars along Redwood Creek, and roadside meadows.
Elk are most visible at dawn and dusk when herds move between forest and open areas. During calving season (late May through June), mothers aggressively defend hidden calves and will charge approaching humans. Fall rutting season (late August through October) makes bulls territorial and dangerous. Maintain at least 25 yards distance at all times. Never position yourself between a cow and calf or between competing bulls. Binoculars provide safe, close viewing.
Are there RV size restrictions at the campgrounds?
Yes. Jedediah Smith limits RVs to 25 feet and trailers to 21 feet due to narrow sites among old-growth trees. Mill Creek accommodates RVs up to 28 feet and trailers to 24 feet. Gold Bluffs Beach prohibits RVs over 24 feet and all trailers. Elk Prairie takes RVs up to 27 feet.
Size restrictions are strictly enforced. Measure your complete vehicle length including bumpers and hitches before booking. Jedediah Smith has the tightest sites with old-growth trees close to pads. The gravel Davison Road to Gold Bluffs Beach includes stream crossings that further limit vehicle types. Private RV parks near Crescent City and Eureka accommodate larger rigs with full hookups for those unable to fit into park campgrounds.
Is backcountry camping available?
Yes. Seven designated backcountry campsites span approximately 200 miles of trails throughout the parks. Free permits are required and obtained exclusively through online reservation. No walk-in permits are available. Maximum group size is eight people, with a five-consecutive-night stay limit per site.
Backcountry sites are primitive with no water, toilets, or facilities. Bear-proof food canisters are required, suspended 10 feet high and 4 feet from any tree or structure. Campfires are prohibited in backcountry areas, so bring a camp stove. Redwood Creek dispersed camping may involve water crossings that become impassable during winter storms. The backcountry offers deep forest solitude unavailable at developed campgrounds. Reserve early for summer dates.
What is the Tall Trees Grove, and how do I visit?
The Tall Trees Grove protects some of the park's tallest and oldest coast redwoods in a remote alluvial flat along Redwood Creek. Access requires a free parking reservation for the limited Tall Trees Trailhead lot. The hike is 4.2 miles roundtrip with a steep 800-foot descent and return climb.
The grove contains trees over 300 feet tall in a pristine riparian setting. The trail descends steeply, so the return climb is demanding, especially on warm days. Bring water and allow three to four hours roundtrip. The trailhead lot holds only a few vehicles, making the free reservation system necessary. This grove offers a quieter, more intimate old-growth experience than the more accessible roadside areas. Check the park website for current reservation availability.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- Free (state park day-use $8)
- Best Time to Visit
- June – September
- Nearest Town
- Crescent City, CA, Eureka, CA, Trinidad, CA
- Elevation
- 0 – 3,262 ft
- Park Size
- 138,999 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~0.6 million