Where to Go for The Best Redwoods Camping Experience
Are you ready to experience the best of nature? How about visiting Redwoods National Park and seeing some of the tallest trees in the world? If you really want to experience the Redwoods, I highly recommend a camping trip! Camping at any of the developed campgrounds we mention below is a great way to become closer to nature and get a close-up view of the giant redwoods along the Northern California Coast.
Of course, everyone likes to do their camping a little bit differently. Some people love dispersed camping, some love a glamping experience. I happen to love something in the middle of that for my camping trips, whereas my husband would definitely choose to go a little more primitive, our kids each have their own thoughts too. That’s the reason that I am not too keen on saying these are the “best campgrounds” although I think they are all pretty great. I will say though, that you cannot go wrong with location on any of these as they are all pretty great!
Where to Go for The Best Redwoods Camping Experience
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
There are 2 developed campgrounds at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Elk Prairie Campground has 75 different sites and can accommodate trailers up to 24′ or motor homes up to 27′. This campground is located on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and takes reservations during the summer months. The second developed campground, the Gold Bluffs Beach Campground has 25 sites and can be found on Davison Road off of Hwy 101, this campground is first come first serve.
Each campground is open year-round and offers fire rings, picnic tables, water, and bear lockers. There are also restrooms with showers and flush toilets available.
Prairie Creek Redwood State Park also offers an environmental camp and two primitive, backcountry campsites. Campers must camp in the designated areas here. Anyone using these camps needs to park and register at the visitor center.
Mill Creek Campground
Less than 10 miles south of Crescent City, you’ll find the Mill Creek Campground which is located in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. This campground is located several miles off the highway and has over 140 campsites set among the coastal redwood trees.
There are 22 sites here that are designated for tents only and the remaining sites can accommodate tents, trailers, or motorhomes. Some sites stay first come first serve year-round, while some require reservations during the summer months. This campground is not far from the pacific ocean and those who want to visit the rugged coastline can get there through two different trails located within the Del Norte Redwoods State Park. Those who like to bike will love the biking trails available here as well.
Jedediah Smith Campground
Located in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Campground has 89 sites available. No hookups at this campground, however, they do have sites that can accommodate RVs up to 36′. Each RV site has a fire ring and a picnic table with nearby restrooms. If you don’t have an RV or a tent, they also have cabins available to rent!
Jedediah Smith State Park is one of the most popular parks within the Redwoods State and National Parks systems, so be sure and check out the visitor centers and gift shop while you are here!
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Humboldt Redwoods State Park has a very wide selection of campsites and experiences. Throughout the park, you’ll find drinking water, hot showers (pay), and flush toilets nearby, however, there are no RV hookups or dump stations in this park. The following is a partial list of the different camping experiences available here:
Albee Creek Campground
This old homestead-turned-campground has 40 sites that all sit under stunning second-growth redwoods or in the middle of a prairie. There are many hiking and biking trails available. Swimming is a few miles east at the South Fork of the Eel. Reservations are recommended here, especially during the summer due to its popularity.
Burlington Campground
Burlington Campground is open year-round and has 57 sites available for campers. This campground is a short distance from swimming and a great seasonal bridge leads to awesome hiking opportunities.
Hidden Springs Campground
154 sites await you from the forest floor of this hillside campground. Located just 5 miles south of the Avenue of the Giants visitor center.
Environmental Camps (Hamilton Barn and Baxter)
If quiet and private are more your camping style, check out the Hamilton Barn and Baxter Environmental Camps. Each of these camps has fire rings, pit toilets, and water (untreated). Parking is roughly 50-200 yards away, so there will be some walking involved camping here. You must register for these camps at any open campground.
These camps are about 6 miles west of the Avenue of Giants.
No pets allowed.
Cuneo Horse Camp
If you are into horse camping, this is for you! The Cuneo Horse Camp offers miles of trails for horseback riding. This campground offers 5 family campsites, each of which has two corrals.
There are also 2 group campsites here.
All sites have fire rings, and picnic tables with flush toilets and hot showers (pay) nearby.
Williams Grove Group Camp
If you are looking for an option for group camping, the Williams Grove Group Camp is a great option! There are two group sites here, one that can accommodate 40 people and the other can accommodate 60, or you can combine the two and rent a camp big enough for 100! Talk about a perfect place for a fun family reunion!
Several of the campgrounds mentioned here have hike and bike sites, which are campsites for “people-powered” visitors.
Redwood Meadows RV Resort
if you are looking for something a bit beyond a great campground, but more of a resort, the Redwoods Meadows RV Resort might be for you! This is a great campground that offers amenities such as a basketball court, a grocery store, laundry facilities, full hookups, and more.
This one is a short drive (about 25 minutes) from Trees of Mystery!
