Best Camping in and near Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

98% (83 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Prairie Creek Redwoods adventure.

Commune with old growth redwoods, lush ferns, and Roosevelt elk.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Meadow Cabin Colony

In Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

In Redwood National and State Parks, Roosevelt elk may be seen anywhere from Freshwater Lagoon to south of the Klamath River and near Crescent Beach and Crescent Beach Education Center.

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Elk Prairie Campground

70 sites · RVs, Tents In Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

97%

(48)

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

26 sites · RVs, Tents In Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

from

$35

/ night

Top-rated campgrounds near Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

93%

(200)

Next to the River

20 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Klamath, CA

We have been a family owned RV Park/Campground for over 40 years. This is a very rustic, old-fashioned campground located at the end of a neighborhood next to the river. As mentioned this is also a RV Park so there will be RVs on site. It is an open field campground dispersed with trees. Neighbors will be present. The river access is right over the levee just a few minutes walk from your campsite. Fishing on the river is allowed but you need a license. We are near the woods and river so wildlife is present. Please make sure your food is put away nightly to discourage critters from coming into camp. The campground is just a short drive from a selection of hiking or biking trails. As well as other attractions like the Jet Boat Tours and Trees of Mystery. Located at the end of a glen cell service in this area can be spotty or non existent depending on the carrier. Wifi is available near main house but is limited to emails, messaging and mapping your next adventure. We welcome people of all seasons. Just ask that you are kind and respectful to each other. Well Behaved Pets Are Allowed. Children and Laughter are Always Welcome. We look forward to your visit. August and September there will be fisher persons in the campground. So be warned of early morning engine noise as they head out to the river for fishing. Electric cars that want to charge there is a $10 fee at time of service. Must make arrangements ahead of a time because 50 amp services are limited. Plus you need to bring your own adapters.

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(197)

Mystic Forest Campground

16 sites · Lodging, Tents50 acres · Klamath, CA

Mystic Forest is a small, family-run campground between Klamath, CA, and Crescent City. We have 50 acres of beautiful forest sprinkled with redwood trees. We have restrooms, showers, laundry facility, a game room, a mini golf course, horseshoes, and a half-mile trail. We are pet-friendly. At the office you can find some grocery and redwoods souvenirs.

94%

(184)

The Forest Fairy Woods

4 sites · Lodging4 acres · Trinidad, CA

Welcome to my home: My Dad moved here when I was 4, and lived here til he passed away, so this land is very special to me. I've been rebuilding the structures and pouring my heart and soul into it since September of 2019, and I'm very proud of how far it's come. It's definitely a labor of love, and I truly believe I'll be making additions here for the rest of my life. People have been camping in the meadow in the summers since the 1950's, and I'm happy to carry on the tradition, by opening it up to you. There was a fire on the property in 1901 which cleared out the forest and left the burnt out stumps which you'll see by the shower. There's one old growth redwood on the property, behind the glampy tent, but everything else in roughly 120 years old. EXTRAS: If I'm around, I can show you the trails on the property. Extra blankets and towel rentals are available for a small fee, when available.

97%

(338)

Redwood Retreat

3 sites · Lodging2 acres · Crescent City, CA

We acquired the property in 2015, out-competing a logger who wanted to cut the grove for timber. We want the redwood grove to demonstrate to our community, with its long history of forestry, that trees can be commercially valuable preserved in their natural state. You are helping us do that by staying in our woods! As of 2023 more than 80 work-exchange helpers through WWOOF (World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) have labored to help develop the property in exchange for room, board and a hands-on education. Adjacent to the redwood grove is a permaculture farm that supplies a large share of our nutrition. The property is also an overnight stopover for bicycle tourists traveling down highway 101, typically from Seattle or Vancouver to the Mexican border who find us through the website Warmshowers.

98%

(72)

Camp Prairie

2 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Mc Kinleyville, CA

We have seven beautiful acres just outside of the small town of McKinleyville. Our wooded property is about a mile from Clam Beach and surrounded by idyllic horse ranches, sleepy country roads, and lazy cows grazing in the fog. The site is below towering fir trees draped with hanging lichen and full of bird song.

97%

(15)

Whispering Redwood Creek

1 site · RV, Tent10 acres · Mc Kinleyville, CA

Nestled within the towering grandeur of California's Redwood Forest, Whispering Redwood Creek offers a serene and enchanting camping experience. This unique site, located at 451 Top Top Ridge Rd, McKinleyville, invites you to immerse yourself in the profound silence of the forest, where the majestic redwoods not only touch the sky but also absorb the sounds of the world, creating an atmosphere of deep tranquility. Adjacent to a gently percolating creek, the campsite is a harmonious blend of nature's calm and modern convenience. Designed for ease, it features a pull-through arrangement that welcomes all, from the casual weekend camper to the seasoned adventurer. The site is equipped with its own private bathroom, complete with a toilet and running water, ensuring comfort and privacy. As you settle in, you'll find a picnic table waiting, perfect for al fresco meals or evening conversations. The entire campsite is enveloped in a 100% shaded area, courtesy of the immense canopy overhead. This natural umbrella not only provides cool, refreshing shade but also creates a unique, dappled light ambiance that shifts and plays throughout the day. At Whispering Redwood Creek, you're invited to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with the timeless rhythm of nature. Whether you're seeking a peaceful retreat to rejuvenate your spirit or a quiet base to explore the wonders of the Redwood Forest, this campsite promises an unforgettable stay, where the whispers of the ancient trees and the soft murmur of the creek become the soundtrack of your escape.

85%

(79)

Van/car/tent/small campers WELCOME!

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · Crescent City, CA

The road to the property is bumpy so please be aware. Also gps will sometimes work so please note the directions provided. UV filtered well water. This property is a shared space as other campers will be in the front sites.. 7 Mins to pebble beach. 5 miles to Redwoods and 10 miles to the Smith River. Animals okay. Smoking permitted.

97%

(160)

Bayside Cabin

1 site · Lodging5 acres · Arcata, CA

Come stay in our cozy little cabin tucked in an alder forest. Only a few minutes drive from downtown Arcata, it’s like being in the middle of the woods, right in town. This is a quiet neighborhood and is bike-friendly for getting around town. Feel free to ask us for recommendations on places to eat, get a drink, or find an adventure in Arcata and surrounding areas. We are located less than 40 minutes from Redwood National and State Parks where you can find incredible hiking trails!

Camp Jade River

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Crescent City, CA

The rugged terrain of far northern California is one of the few mostly untouched places left to retreat to. Come dwarf yourself under the magnificent giant redwoods and be struck with awe by the mesmerizing jade colored Smith River. The property is a mere 20 minutes from some of the world's tallest trees. Come check out Stout Grove, a rarely crowded gem of the Redwood National and State Parks. The grove is a part of Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park which is the least developed and most impressive park of the four. From your campsite you will have a lovely view of a large bend of the Smith River. It boasts impressive runs of chinook and steelhead, and is host to many other native species. Keep an eye out for bear, mink, and otters! And secure any food or attractants at night. Our property gives you the chance to disconnect from daily life and recalibrate. Use our site as an extended getaway for some peace and quiet, or a launch point to the variety of local attractions.

94%

(24)

Woods, Waves & Wags/Hipcamp

5 sites · Lodging, Tents1 acre · Klamath, CA

GLAMPING near the REDWOODS and OCEAN! Near Prairie Creek National Park. A private home property with an active Airbnb and now Hip Camp! Come pitch your tent ,Car camp, or book a room! Very Close to the Beach and Redwoods and "Trees of Mystery" Park. We have Yard games, Fire pits, and are Dog friendly!.

95%

(141)

Otter Space

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents38 acres · Orick, CA

The Otter Space Conference Center was purchased in 2002 by Dr. Peter Alsop as a place of peace and healing, where human service professionals have come to train with Dr. Alsop and learn how to help children and families cope with issues such as chemical dependency, loss and grief, child abuse and trauma. We are located on the Yurok reservation right on the Klamath River just outside Orick, CA. The name Otter Space comes from a family of otters that live just down river. It’s also combination of “Artist’s Space” and “Outer Space” and implies the importance of thinking “out of the box” and valuing music and the arts in healing and living our lives fully, as well as the need to pass on earth and people-friendly skills to help our children survive into the future. We are "off the grid", through a Redwood forest and over a mountain down into the Klamath River valley. We have a 5 acre meadow, and orchard with 50 trees, peaches pears, apples, cherries, plums, pluots, apricots and grapes. We are right on the Klamath river. It's a great place to come and recharge your internal batteries. (We have solar panels and generators to charge our other kind of batteries, because we're off-grid!) There is virtually no telephone service and our internet is only available for extreme emergencies. Our Main House was built in 1952 and retains the flavor of the 50’s. It houses a kitchen, dining hall, a living room, two bedrooms and a bathroom with a bathtub and shower. Our log-built Lodge overlooks the Klamath River with 3 bedrooms, a full kitchen, bathroom and wrap-around covered porch. Our Pumpkin & Blue Cottages each sleep 4-5 people. They are close to the double Yellow Shower house and toilets, and they have hot and cold running water, a propane cooktop, and a wood stove for heat. We do NOT have refrigeration, and our solar batteries or generator provides us lights at night. Campers who use our Cottages may use their own sleeping bags, but we have beds with mattresses and pillows and clean bedding. We also have an Upper Barn bedroom and half-bath rental. Our two-story Riverview Yurt appeals to folks who want a full kitchen, a private shower and flush toilet overlooking the Klamath river from our 50 x 50 foot upper deck. Luscious to sit outside and watch the river flow by during the day, and to let the water lull you to sleep at night. For families (up to 8), folks who like to fish, or old friends who just want a very special get-away. Each of our six campsites have a picnic table and a fire pit. Our Maple River, Grotto River and Pepperwood River sites overlook the gorgeous Klamath River. Our Morning Meadow, Orchard Meadow, and Deer Meadow sites are close to our 5 acre meadow where blacktail deer graze in the evenings. We have a Yellow double Shower House with two separate sides, each with a toilet, sink and shower and on demand hot water, so folks don't have to wait. There's also a new Camp Shower at the corner of the orchard for our campers, along with two outhouses for camper use, one at the bottom of the road down to the meadow, and another in the woods just past Deer Meadow Camp. Feel free to pee outside (with discretion if there are other campers present)! For solid waste, please use the appropriate accommodations. Please be considerate of others. We see lots of wildlife; silver foxes, a bald eagle and a family of river otters downstream, vultures, blue heron, occasionally an osprey will fly overhead clutching a freshly caught salmon and call to each other to brag about it! There are rare sightings of timid black bears who run from humans, but sometimes can be seen grazing in the meadow with the black-tail deer. We're surrounded by old logging trails made by the lumber companies 80 years ago when they clear cut the old growth redwood on our side of the mountain, and now it's completely reforested with 200 ft tall Doug Fir, Madrone, Cedar, Oak, other pine species and Pepper wood trees, and we have written permission from the Green Diamond company to allow guest to hike on their adjacent properties.

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BIGFOOT FLAT on Willow Creek

10 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Willow Creek, CA

This historic lumber mill site is now a pristine Willow Creek frontage camping location conveniently located just 40 minutes from the coast and 4 miles from the town of Willow Creek and also the Trinity River.

The best camping near Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park guide

Overview

About

Centrally located along Highway 101 within the Redwoods National and State Parks complex, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is, unsurprisingly, known for its towering coastal redwood trees that drink in the morning fog and cast a serene calm over the forest floor. The park’s extraordinary Fern Canyon hike runs along a one-mile section of Home Creek where a canopy of green ferns towers 50 to 80 feet overhead on either side. Less famously, the Prairie Creek also contains a large coastal section with sandy beaches and an inland section with meadows home to Roosevelt elk. Overall, the park contains 75 miles of trails with exceptional hiking, biking, and wildlife watching opportunities—plus gorgeous campsites accommodating tents, RVs, and cabin campers.

Notable campgrounds

Best for elk encounters: Elk Prairie Campground is set next to a meadow where Roosevelt elk roam.
Best for beach camping: The Gold Bluffs Beach Campground is perched in coastal dunes.
Best for cabin camping: The Meadow Cabin Colony offers the comforts of cabin rentals.

Tips for snagging a campsite

All Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park campsites are reservable 6 months in advance online or by calling 1-800-444-7275.
Make sure to reserve early if you’d like to camp on a week or during the summer season when campgrounds fill up.
The Elk Prairie Campground has a hike-in/bike-in section for visitors arriving on foot or bicycle.

When to go

Summer is Prairie Creek’s busy season, when highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s make for comfortable camping. Just be sure to bring rain gear and a jacket for the common summer morning fog. Winter is also a special season here, when the forest is lush with rainfall and crowds are smaller.

Know before you go

Between May 15 and September 15, the park requires a day-use permit for the popular Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon areas. Permits are reservable 30 days in advance online through the Redwood Parks Conservancy, although permits are not required with a Gold Bluffs Beach camping reservation.
The park’s old growth redwood population and its 280 redwood groves have earned it a World Heritage Site & International Biosphere Preserve designation.
Don’t be surprised if you hear high-pitched screams or whistles between August and October—this is Roosevelt elk mating season, when male elk bugling battles are frequent occurrences.
The other two state parks in the Redwoods National and State Park complex, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, lie further north of Prairie Creek near Crescent City.