• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Park Ranger John

menu icon
go to homepage
  • National Parks
  • State Parks
  • Lodging
  • Camping
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • National Parks
    • State Parks
    • Lodging
    • Camping
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×
    Home » Travel » US National Parks

    Published: Mar 6, 2021 · Updated: Feb 13, 2025 by JohnTillison · This post may contain affiliate links

    Redwood National Park Camping Guide

    Camping in the Redwoods is a dream come true for anyone who loves big trees like the Redwoods in Northern California. This Redwood National Park Camping Guide covers both the developed campgrounds and backcountry camping in Redwood National Park and State Parks. 

    Redwood National Park Camping Guide

    There are four developed campgrounds within the Redwoods National Park complex. One thing to know about the Redwoods is they are managed as national and state parks. Camping in Redwood National Park is actually camping in California State Parks.

    They are all co-managed together but you will want to be aware that reservations are booked through the California State Parks reservation system versus the sites that normally handle National Park campgrounds.

    Camping in the Redwood Forests is a dream come true. Being able to wake up and look up at old-growth redwood trees, walk out of your tent directly to hiking trails, and savor a beautiful part of Northern California. 

    The four developed campgrounds in the parks are (from north to south) are Jedediah Smith, Mill Creek, Elk Prairie, and Gold Bluffs Beach.

    There are no National Park Lodges within Redwoods NP. There are cabins located in Prairie Creek and Jedediah Smith campgrounds. These cabins are typically reserved months ahead of time.

    Redwood National Park Camping Reservations

    Reservations for the four developed campgrounds must be made through Reserve California, the California State Park reservation system.

    Redwood National Park RV Camping

    One thing to know about the campgrounds in Redwood National Park and State Parks is they are older campgrounds. 

    Most of the campgrounds were developed in the 1940s. They were not built for the large RV's and Trailers that are produced today.

    There are restrictions in each campground for RV and Trailer size and length. Please make sure you know the exact size of your RV and/or trailer when you are making a reservation.

    Jedediah Smith Campground

    Location: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, 10 miles east of Crescent City, Calif. on Hwy 199.

    Open: year-round

    Number of sites: 86 tent or RV (no hook-ups); hiker/biker sites available.

    Cost per night: $ 35.00

    California State Parks Disabled Discount Pass......................$17.50 per night
    California State Parks Distinguished Veterans Pass................FREE

    Reservations?: Yes, Jedediah Smith Campground will be reservable from May 1 - October 1.

    Phone Number? 1-800-444-7275.
    8am-6pm (PT)

    Online?  www.ReserveCalifornia.com.

    Latitude/Longitude: 

    Latitude
    41.7958 N
    Longitude
    -124.0863 W

    Campground amenities: Hot showers, ADA accessible restrooms, ADA accessible cabins, dump station, picnic tables, fire pits and barbeques, food lockers and trash receptacles, visitor center, campfire center.

    RVs allowed?:

    Vehicle Length Limit: 25-foot RV or 21-foot trailer.

    Please be aware that these are the maximum allowable vehicle sizes in the campground, and that only certain campsites within the campground can accommodate vehicles of this size; many campsites in the campground cannot accommodate vehicles of this size. Click here for important information about the space available at each site for parking your personal vehicle(s).

    Generator Hours: Generators may only be operated between the hours of 10 am and 8 pm

    Stout Grove Trail - This great trail is located near the campground and a must-see!

     

    Mill Creek Campground

    Location:  Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, 7 miles south of Crescent City, Calif. on Hwy 101.

    Open: May 18 through September 30

    Number of sites: 145 tent or RV (no hook-ups); hiker/biker sites available

    Cost per night: $ 35.00

    California State Parks Disabled Discount Pass......................$17.50 per night
    California State Parks Distinguished Veterans Pass................FREE

    Reservations?: Yes, 

    Latitude/Longitude: 40.3235° N, 121.5248° W

    Campground Amenities: Hot showers, ADA accessible restrooms, dump station, picnic tables, firepits and barbeques, food lockers and trash receptacles, campfire center.

    RVs allowed?: Vehicle Length Limit: 28-foot RV or 24-foot trailer.

    • Click here for important information about the space available at each site for parking your personal vehicle(s).

    Generator Hours:

    Elk Prairie Campground

    Location:  Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, 6 miles north of Orick, Calif. on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.

    Open: Year-Round

    Number of sites: 75 tents or RV (no hook-ups); hike/bike sites available.

    Cost per night: $35, California State Parks Disabled Discount Pass - $17.50 per night
    California State Parks Distinguished Veterans Pass - FREE

    Reservations?:

    You may make camping reservations by calling (800) 444-7275

    (TTY 800-274-7275).

    To make online reservations, visit our website at www.parks.ca.gov.

    Latitude/Longitude

    Latitude
    41.4072 N
    Longitude
    -124.0192 W

    Campground amenities: Hot showers, ADA accessible restrooms, ADA accessible cabins, picnic tables, fire pits and barbeques, food lockers and trash receptacles, visitor center, campfire center.

    RVs allowed?: Yes, Maximum RV Lengths
    Motorhomes 27 feet
    Trailers 24 feet

    Generator Hours: Generators may only be operated between 10 am and 8 pm. 

    Check out our full post with site photos of Elk Prairie Campground 

     

    Golds Bluff Beach Campground

    Location: Located on the beach within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

    Open: Typically open all year, subject to funding—please call 707 464-6101 for the latest info.

    Number of sites: 24

    Cost per night: $35

    Reservations?: Yes,

    (800) 444-7275
    (TTY 800-274-7275)

    Online? https://www.reservecalifornia.com/CaliforniaWebHome/

    Latitude/Longitude:

    Latitude
    41.3839 N
    Longitude
    -124.0696 W

    Campground amenities: Flush Toilets, Shower, fire ring, picnic table, and easy access to the beach.  

    RVs allowed?: Vehicles may not exceed 24 feet in length and or 8 feet in width. No trailers are allowed in the campground. 

    Generator Hours: Generators may be used from 10 am to 8 pm.

     

    Back Country Camping

    There are more than 200 miles of backcountry trails in the Redwoods along with seven designated backcountry campsites.

    You will want to read the Redwood Backcountry Trip planner to have a real idea of what you will encounter while spending time in a backcountry camp.

    Backcountry permits for camping can be booked online. Apply for an online backcountry camping permit.

    Campgrounds near Redwood National and State Parks

    There are quite a few campgrounds near the parks. You can find campgrounds in the Smith River National Recreation Area of the Six Rivers National Forest, and to the south is Clam Beach County Park and Big Lagoon County Park.

    Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

    $80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

    2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

    Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

    National Park Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

    Additional Redwood National Park Articles

    Avenue of the Giants - Humboldt Redwoods State Park

    Top Things to do in Redwoods National Park

    National Parks near San Francisco

    Check out all of the National Parks in California along with neighboring National Parks in Arizona, Nevada National Parks, and National Parks in Oregon.

    Check out these parks to explore the Giant Sequoia Trees (Largest Trees on Earth by Volume)

    Calaveras Big Trees State Park 

    Yosemite National Park- Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

    Kings Canyon National Park- General Grant Tree

    Sequoia National Park- General Sherman Tree

    Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok

    More US National Parks

    • Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours boats
      Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour
    • Major Marine Tours Glacier Express boat
      Discover Kenai Fjords National Park on Major Marine Tours
    • Blueberry Nature Trail at Greenbelt Park Maryland
      Greenbelt Park
    • Camping at Greenbelt Park Campground Maryland
      Greenbelt Park Campground

    Filed Under: Camping, US National Parks

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Frequently Asked Questions

    Newsletter

    • Coming Soon

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Media Kit
    • About Park Ranger John
    • Facebook
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Tammilee Tips LLC