Redwood National Park, nestled in Northern California, is a haven for RV enthusiasts seeking a serene camping experience.
Renowned for harboring the tallest trees on Earth, this park provides a quieter alternative to more frequented destinations like Yellowstone or Yosemite. It's an ideal spot for an RV journey, offering scenic drives and hikes through the majestic redwood groves.
The park's unique landscape, shrouded in coastal fog, is home to wildlife such as Roosevelt elk. This article will guide you through essential planning for your RV adventure, including details on campgrounds within and near the park and answers to common questions.
Where is Redwood National Park?
Redwood National Park, a natural marvel, is situated on California's northern coast, near the Oregon border. The park is a collection of one national park and three state parks, each offering unique attractions.
It's sandwiched between Crescent City to the north and Eureka to the south, connected by the 85-mile stretch of Interstate 101, the Redwood Highway.
Visitors can access the parks from either city. To learn more about the park's various locations, visitors can check out the official park website or the extensive guide about Redwood National Park here.
Planning Your RV Trip
For an RV adventure in these parks, you have various campground choices. Inside the parks, there are four campgrounds suitable for RVs. Outside, you'll find private and state/county campgrounds with varying amenities.
Planning is key, so explore your options thoroughly, considering whether you prefer the convenience of full hookups or the simplicity of more rustic sites.
Regardless of where you choose to stay, it's important to plan your RV trip ahead of time. Check out this detailed guide for tips on planning an RV road trip, and consider the pros and cons of RV travel by reading this post.
Campgrounds Inside The Parks
Camping inside Redwood National and State Parks offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature, often at a lower cost than private campgrounds. However, securing a spot can be competitive, especially during peak seasons.
The Redwood State Park itself doesn't have RV camping facilities, but four state-managed campgrounds in the park do. These sites don't offer hookups, so they're ideal if you're prepared for dry camping.
Be mindful of length restrictions for RVs, typically up to 28 feet. It's crucial to book these popular spots up to six months in advance. For more details on each campground, you can explore their features and amenities online.
Below are descriptions of the four campgrounds located in the Redwood State Parks.
1. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
This park has one campground available, which uses the same name as the state park, Jedediah Smith Campground.
| Location | Nine miles east of Crescent City, Calif. on Hwy 199 |
|---|---|
| Availability | 86 tent or RV sites available year-round |
| Facilities | Nine miles east of Crescent City, Calif., on Hwy 199 |
| RV length limit | 25-foot RV or 21-foot trailer |
2. Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Mill Creek Campground is the only campground in this state park for RV Camping.
| Location | Seven miles south of Crescent City, Calif., on Hwy 101. |
|---|---|
| Availability | 145 tent or RV sites, available May 18 through September 30 |
| Facilities | 7 miles south of Crescent City, Calif., on Hwy 101. |
| RV length limit | 28-foot RV or 24-foot trailer. |
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
There are two campgrounds in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park for RV camping: Elk Prairie and Gold Bluffs.
Elk Prairie is located a little inland on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, while Gold Bluffs is on a remote stretch of beach. Gold Bluffs is on an unpaved road, and trailers are not recommended here.
3. Elk Prairie Campground
This campground is centrally located to hiking trails, ranger programs, and elk grazing. Cabins are also available.
| Location | Six miles north of Orick, Calif., on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. |
|---|---|
| Availability | 75 tent or RV sites available for camping year-round |
| Facilities | Six miles north of Orick, Calif. on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. |
4. Gold Bluffs Beach Campground
Camping here will give you beach access as well as opportunities for hiking and watching elk grazing nearby.
| Location | 10 miles north of Orick, Calif. on Davison Road (unpaved, no trailers) |
|---|---|
| Availability | 26 tent/RV sites; Call 707-465-7335 for current info; Occasional closures |
| Facilities | No RV hook-ups, solar showers, restrooms, wind shelters, picnic tables, fire pits, barbecues, food lockers, trash receptacles |
| RV Length Limit | 24-foot RV or less; unpaved access road, trailers not allowed |
RV campgrounds in Eureka, CA
- Redwood Coast Cabins and RV Resort
- Location: near the Avenue of the Giants in the town of Eureka, CA
- Availability: 83 RV Sites, tent sites, and cabins available year-round
- Facilities include full hook-ups, pool/hot tub, playground, mini-golf, dog park, laundry, on-site convenience store, fire rings, and picnic tables.
- What guests enjoy here: the diversity of camping options, friendly staff, and lots of amenities
RV campgrounds in Arcata, CA
- Mad River Rapids RV Park
- Location: located off Interstate 101 in the town of Arcata, CA, near Humboldt State University
- Availability: 92 pull-through RV sites open year-round
- Facilities include full hook-ups, 30/50 Amp, pool (in season) hot tub, showers, wi-fi, laundry, activity room, horseshoes, basketball court, and playground. There is a dump station available.
- What guests enjoy here: convenient to highway, large level concrete pads, pool, and recreation activities
RV campgrounds in Trinidad, CA
- Emerald Forest Cabins and RV
- Location: In the town of Trinidad, near the harbor
- Availability: 35 back-in and pull-through sites
- Facilities include full hook-ups, showers, laundry, fire rings, and picnic tables.
- What guests enjoy here: centrally located to all four national and state parks, easy access to conveniences in town, forest, and creeks on the property
- Sylvan Harbor RV Park & Cabins
- Location: One mile north of Trinidad on Interstate 101
- Availability: 70 RV sites, open year-round
- Facilities include full hook-ups, 30/50 Amp, pool/hot tub, showers, wi-fi, laundry, extra vehicle storage, and fishing stations.
- What guest enjoys here: convenient location, boat storage, open environment
- Sounds of the Sea RV Park & Cabins
- Location: North of Trinidad off the Interstate 101, 300 feet above the Pacific Ocean
- Availability: 52 RV sites, available year-round
- Facilities include full hook-ups, 30/50 Amp, showers, wi-fi, and laundry.
- What guests enjoy here: hearing sea lions from the beach, paved level sites, agate hunting on the beach, tide pools
- Azalea Glen RV Park Campground
- Location: Directly off Interstate 101 near Patricks Point State Park
- Availability: 38 RV sites, open year-round
- Facilities include full hook-ups, 30/50 Amp, showers, laundry, fire pits, and picnic tables.
- What guests enjoy here: the ponds, on-site gallery, reflexology appointments available, lush landscaping, bunnies and quail, proximity to the beach
- Elk Country RV Resort & Campground
- Location: Located on almost 200 acres of land along the coast in the town of Trinidad off of Interstate 101
- Availability: 44 sites available year-round, can accommodate large rigs
- Facilities include full hookups, 30/50 Amp electricity, laundry, hiking trails, wildlife viewing
- What guests enjoy here: large, level sites, mature landscaping, a lake on the property, elk grazing in the campground, and an old schoolhouse on the property.
RV Campgrounds in Klamath, CA
- Klamath River RV Park
- Location: Off the 101, right along the Klamath River in Klamath, CA
- Availability: 112 sites, open from April 1-Oct. 31
- Facilities include full hookups, wifi, showers, laundry, camp store
- What guests enjoy here: fishing on the Klamath River, river views, level sites
- Klamath Camper Corral
- Location: On Hwy 101, 20 miles north of Redwood National Park
- Availability: 200 sites available year-round
- Facilities include full hookups, rental trailers, showers, ice & firewood, laundry, and a rec room.
State & County Campgrounds Outside the Parks
For travelers looking for more affordable options, state and county campgrounds outside the Redwoods National and State Parks offer a budget-friendly alternative to private RV parks.
However, these campgrounds offer fewer amenities, and most do not provide hookups. Here are some RV campgrounds near McKinleyville, CA and Trinidad, CA, to consider:
RV campgrounds near McKinleyville, CA
- Clam Beach County Park: Located off of Highway 101, exit Clam Beach Drive, this park offers 15 sites on a first-come, first-serve basis. Facilities include vault toilets, beach access, garbage bins, and large-level sites.
However, there are no hookups available, and previous guests do not recommend this park as there are few amenities for the price paid.
RV campgrounds near Trinidad, CA
- Patricks Point State Park: North of Trinidad, overlooking the ocean on Patricks Point Drive, this park offers three campground loops with a total of 124 campsites for rigs 31' and under, available year-round.
Facilities include beach access, hiking trails, showers, bathrooms, picnic tables, and grills. Guests enjoy the vegetation between sites and proximity to trails and views overlooking the ocean. However, there are no hookups available for RVs at this campground.
- Big Lagoon County Park: Located 7 miles north of Trinidad, off of Highway 101 at Big Lagoon Park Road, this park offers 25 first-come, first-served sites with a seven-night maximum.
Facilities include showers and bathrooms, and guests enjoy proximity to town and state parks, beach and lagoon access, and kayaking available. However, there are no hookups available for RVs at this campground, and there is also a day-use fee per vehicle.
- Florence Keller Regional Park: Located three miles north of Crescent City on Highway 101, this park offers 50 sites on a first-come, first-served basis only, with rigs up to 32 feet only and a five-night stay maximum.
Facilities include no RV hookups, hiking trails, picnic areas, horseshoes, volleyball courts, playgrounds, and trash collection. Guests enjoy the beautiful location, easy access to water, hiking trails, and affordable prices.
- Shoreline RV Park: Located at 900 Sunset Circle, in Crescent City, CA, this park offers 220 sites available year-round with full hookups, laundry, restrooms, and showers.
Guests enjoy proximity to the beach, views of the harbor, and a good wifi signal.
These state and county campgrounds provide a budget-friendly option for travelers looking for a place to park their RV while exploring the Redwoods National and State Parks.
However, guests should be aware that most of these campgrounds do not offer hookups and have limited facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What National Park are the Redwoods in?
Redwood National Park is located along the coast of Northern California. It is one of the few national parks in the United States that is designated specifically to protect old-growth redwood forests.
What Should You Not Miss in Redwood National Park?
There are many things to see and do in Redwood National Park, but some highlights include:
- Take a scenic drive along the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
- Hiking through old-growth redwood forests
- Visiting the Lady Bird Johnson Grove, a dedicated grove of redwoods
- Exploring the tide pools at Enderts Beach
- Taking a guided tour of the park with a ranger
Best RV parks near Redwood National Park?
There are several RV parks located near Redwood National Park, including:
| RV Park Name | Location | Amenities |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood Coast Cabins and RV Resort | Klamath, CA | Full hookups, cable TV, WiFi, laundry facilities, playground |
| Emerald Forest Cabins and RV | Trinidad, CA | Full hookups, cable TV, WiFi, laundry facilities, swimming pool, hot tub |
| Kamp Klamath RV Park | Klamath, CA | Full hookups, cable TV, WiFi, laundry facilities, general store, restaurant |
Free Camping Near Redwood National Park?
There are several free camping options near Redwood National Park, including dispersed camping in Six Rivers National Forest and primitive camping in the backcountry of the park.
However, it is important to note that these camping options may not have amenities like restrooms or water and may require a permit.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park?
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is located within Redwood National and State Parks and is known for its old-growth redwood forests.
The park offers several hiking trails, including the popular Stout Grove Trail, as well as camping options.
How Much Does it Cost to Camp in the Redwoods?
Camping fees in Redwood National and State Parks vary depending on the campground and time of year.
Generally, campsites range from $35-$50 per night, with additional fees for amenities like hookups or firewood. It is recommended to make reservations in advance, as campsites can fill up quickly during peak season.
