The best camping near Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area adventure.
Discover the serene beauty of Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area.
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Community favorites near Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area
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Top-rated campgrounds near Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area
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.
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from
$99
/ night
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.
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$52
/ night
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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$50
/ night
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.
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$50
/ night
99%
(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.
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$33
/ night
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!
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$80
/ night
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.
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$44
/ night
100%
(4)
Live Edge
1 site · Lodging3 acres · Trinidad, CA
Relax on 3 expansive acres with sunny meadows and some hidden forest nooks. The property has a remote feel to it but is just minutes from the quaint coastal town of Trinidad. A beautiful walk down quiet country road takes you to Secret Beach. Fresh vegetables from the garden are available for your use. A number of beaches nearby allow for surfing, kayaking, and swimming. We are located 5 miles from Sumeg State Park with beautiful hikes, vistas, beaches, and indigenous historical sites.
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$125
/ night
99%
(149)
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.
Pets
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from
$40
/ night
Booked 1 time
Drive Way Getta Away…
1 site · RV1 acre · Arcata, CA
Quiet, with minimal traffic, this site offers walking distance access to downtown Arcata and the Arcata Community Forest. A mere 30-minute drive will take you to the breathtaking Redwood National Park, while CAL POLY Humboldt is just a 10-minute stroll away.
Our site comfortably accommodates a 20ft transit/van/small RV, as showcased by the pictured van. Located off-street, it provides a safe and tranquil parking spot. Access to the site is through an alleyway, ensuring privacy and convenience for guests.
Pets
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$45
/ night
99%
(301)
Wendy & John Farm
6 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Ferndale, CA
For Ferndale, the village: check out https://www.visitferndale.com/souvenir-edition About our property: There is a gentle spirit throughout these beautiful 80 acres of evergreen forests and pastures.
What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping), extra stuff if you need or want it (fresh bread, soup, cobbler; quilts, free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit), etc. Or total solitude if you want it. Bring your (most breeds) dogs if you wish. Starlink internet means you can Zoom in the forest. Walk to the beach along a no-shoulder country road (or drive). Teach your toddler how to build a dam in the shallow creek. Read. There are no visible neighbors, no ambient light or sound. The air is clean and clear and the water is potable from an artesian spring on the property. No electricity at the sites, no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.)
My aunt and uncle bought the p;roperty in 1947 from the first European settler, Paolo Gabrielli, who came to the U.S. in early 1914 from northern Italy with slips of his grapevine in the lining of his coat. Paolo's wife, Felicita, and their three children stayed behind; they were to follow within the year. In the country outside of Ferndale, California, he purchased the property, one mile from the ocean, and built a Tyrolean-style house, a chicken house (with a grappa still under the main floor), an outhouse, a corral, and a barn. He purchased 7 cows. And then, it was August 1914, and the War to End All Wars broke out in Europe. Felicita and the children, living in a village on the Austrian border, were interned in a prison camp in Austria with the rest of the village's residents. The Gabriellis' young daughter died there. Six years passed before Felicita, Virgil and Louis were able to join Paolo in America. In 1938, Virgil--Fr. Gino--became the first Ferndale boy to serve Mass in his hometown church. Felicita died in 1940, and Paolo closed the dairy and moved into Ferndale. In 2014, we invited the people who had been children in the 1920s and '30s who had come to this ranch after Sunday Mass to gather with other Italian families for polenta, wine, and music. They came with photographs and maps and Mass cards and diaries, and shared their memories of a childhood in this place that still loved them.
What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping), extra stuff if you need or want it (fresh bread, soup, cobbler; quilts, free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit), etc. Or total solitude if you want it. Bring your (most breeds) dogs if you wish. Starlink internet means you can Zoom in the forest. Walk to the beach along a no-shoulder country road (or drive). Teach your toddler how to build a dam in the shallow creek. Read. There are no visible neighbors, no ambient light or sound. The air is clean and clear and the water is potable from an artesian spring on the property. No electricity at the sites, no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.)
Pets
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from
$55
/ night
97%
(132)
13th St Treehouse
1 site · Lodging1 acres · Eureka, CA
Inspired by the playful energy of a treehouse, and utilizing the foundational strength of the redwoods, to create a home above the forest floor.
Glamping in a tree!
Queen size bed and propane heat.
Small stove provided, storage cubbies, and internet.
This is an “Off the Grid” experience, located at the end of
a quite street by Coopers Gulch.
Does not accommodate big cooking projects, there is no sink, nor a kitchen set up. There is a spigot for hand washing, teeth brushing, etc.
Check out the great places to eat locally,
or buy take-out to eat on the deck. We provide a kettle and a selections of
tea.
NO electricity. However, there is a solar powered battery unit with USB ports
and appliance plugins.
There is a COMPOSTING TOILET outside.
This Treehouse is a unique experience nestled in between four
Giant Redwoods. Feel the connection to nature,
listen to the birds sing, take in the lush green forest off of the deck.
We hope you love your time here as much as we do!
Toilets
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from
$120
/ night
The best camping near Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area guide
Overview
About
Nestled along the picturesque shores of Big Lagoon, Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area offers a tranquil escape into nature's embrace. Here, adventurers can indulge in a variety of activities such as fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and water sports like windsurfing. Although camping is not available within the park, its day-use facilities provide ample opportunities for picnics and beachside relaxation, making it a perfect spot for a day trip.
When to go
The best time to visit Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area is during the warmer months when the weather is ideal for outdoor activities. However, the area's climate can be unpredictable, so visitors are advised to come prepared with layered clothing to adapt to changing conditions.
Know before you go
- Check the weather forecast before your visit, as conditions can change rapidly.
- While dogs are allowed, they are not permitted on trails, so plan accordingly.
- Accessible features are available; contact the park for specific information.
- Remember to pack out all trash and leave no trace to preserve the park's natural beauty.
- For any inquiries, reach out to the park directly at (707) 677-3570.
- Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area
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