The best camping near Crescent City with horseback riding

·

California's northernmost coastal city, Crescent City is a good spot to fuel up on gas or pick up supplies if you're making your way down from the Pacific Northwest to visit the nearby redwood forests. The compact city also has a few historic attractions of note, including the Battery Point Lighthouse, which dates back to the 1850s, and the remnants of the SS Emidio, which ran aground in the area in 1942. The Trees of Mystery, a roadside attraction featuring a canopy walk and a gondola, is less than a half-hour drive away. You’ll have plenty of sights to see by day before heading back to your Crescent City area campground come nightfall.

93% (2.4K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Free Your Mind Camping

4. Free Your Mind Camping

90%
(101)
11mi from Crescent City · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Gasquet, CA
Welcome to the Wild West Coast! Where the mountains meet the sea. The campground is remotely located on private property and perfectly located for excursions to the Pacific Ocean, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, the Smith River National Recreation Area, and the Pacific Coast Ranges and mountain lakes such as the Devil's Punchbowl, Buck Lake, and Raspberry Lake. Relax and free you mind while camping on 120+ acres of private property under starry skies with almost no light or noise pollution. You are not alone on the mountain as other people live here in the wild. You only have access to the campground and a nearby pond. A locked gate with code access. The road to get there is two and a half miles up the mountain, the first mile is paved and the other mile and a half is gravel. The road is maintained by the county and used daily by others that live and work here. In the surrounding area you can enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, surfing, beachcombing, birdwatching, and countless other outdoor activities. French Hill Trail is a few more miles up the mountain road. The campsites have picnic tables and fire rings, and campers are provided with 5 gallons of potable water. An outdoor, COLD-water Artesian shower, out in the open mountain air with the wild things and an outhouse with a compost toilet are also provided. Bundles of firewood are available for an extra charge when you book your campsite. The campsites are set within a deciduous and pine forest at about 1913 feet in elevation. There is a pond on the property, but its purpose is for wildlife habitat ONLY, so water activities are NOT allowed. NO swimming, NO fishing, NO boating, NO trapping, etc. The wild things live here! The property owner has a dog, three cats, and a menagerie of yard birds such as turkeys, peacocks, guinea hens, chickens, ducks, geese, etc. They do make noise! Kirk has lived off-grid for over twenty years and holds a wealth of information about the Gasquet/Del Norte County area. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the property is that it has had documented Sasquatch encounters over the past twenty years that have been published in "Tribal Bigfoot" (D. Paulides 2009). Kirk can tell you about his experiences with this and other phenomena on the property.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$41
 / night
Camp Jade River

5. Camp Jade River

96%
(284)
11mi from Crescent City · 1 site · Tent, RV · 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. 
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night
Klamath River Village

8. Klamath River Village

97%
(15)
46mi from Crescent City · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Orleans, CA
Located in a small valley in historic Humboldt County, Klamath River Village is a ten-acre family homestead that is now open to Hip-Campers! The natural beauty of the land, tucked between the legendary Klamath river and six rivers national forest, ensures a memorable experience for anyone seeking adventure in the great outdoors, or just a relaxing weekend with the family! Our camp sites have been carefully selected with an eye towards accentuating the natural features and beauty of the landscape, as well as preserving privacy. All sites are within view of the river, with some being located directly on the bank. These sites are cleaned and maintained by the property's live-in, full time caretaker who tidies up after every group leaves and ensures visitors receive the best experience possible. Have a question, concern? Did something break? He’s always available to come fix whatever problem you’ve encountered. You’ll never experience a dirty, or dysfunctional site at the Klamath River Village, leaving you in peace to contemplate the natural beauty of this historic region, with its misty mountains, verdant forests, and rushing river. If jaw dropping scenery and quiet isolation appeal to you, Klamath River Village is the perfect location for your next camping trip.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$40
 / night
A breathtaking property has it all. From it's quiet relaxing beauty to the wild coastline and beach to the mighty Rogue River all within eyesite for your campsite. Our 500 acres of scenic walks, wildlife and the option of horses and event riding fishing etc.

9. Cornerstone Ranch

97%
(757)
48mi from Crescent City · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Gold Beach, OR
Cornerstone Ranch is a pristine Ranch of about 500 acres on the Rogue River and against the Pacific Ocean offering too many experiences to count. You can even bring your horse... FYI, Hipcamps map for site locations is not correct. Two go next to the driveway and the other four follow the creek. From the South GPS is very accurate to our driveway. Coming from the North, GPS may drop you a few driveways away as that is the property line. Keep driving about another 1/8th mile until you see the large red "Cornerstone Ranch" sign. That is our driveway. Welcome... The ranch offers 6 different campsites. Campfires are allowed (outside of burn bans), and there is a toilet in off season and Port-A-Potties during the summer on site as well. Reviews from guests: "During the night we could hear Elk and the nearby nature! When we woke up we got to visit with the horses, use the really clean port-potty, and chat with Bonnie and Chris the Hosts. They have tons of recommendations, but our favorite was the Indian creek cafe across the river. The areas so great and clean and the host cares about their guests! Would recommend!"
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$39
 / night

California's northernmost coastal city, Crescent City is a good spot to fuel up on gas or pick up supplies if you're making your way down from the Pacific Northwest to visit the nearby redwood forests. The compact city also has a few historic attractions of note, including the Battery Point Lighthouse, which dates back to the 1850s, and the remnants of the SS Emidio, which ran aground in the area in 1942. The Trees of Mystery, a roadside attraction featuring a canopy walk and a gondola, is less than a half-hour drive away. You’ll have plenty of sights to see by day before heading back to your Crescent City area campground come nightfall.

93% (2.4K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Free Your Mind Camping

4. Free Your Mind Camping

90%
(101)
11mi from Crescent City · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Gasquet, CA
Welcome to the Wild West Coast! Where the mountains meet the sea. The campground is remotely located on private property and perfectly located for excursions to the Pacific Ocean, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, the Smith River National Recreation Area, and the Pacific Coast Ranges and mountain lakes such as the Devil's Punchbowl, Buck Lake, and Raspberry Lake. Relax and free you mind while camping on 120+ acres of private property under starry skies with almost no light or noise pollution. You are not alone on the mountain as other people live here in the wild. You only have access to the campground and a nearby pond. A locked gate with code access. The road to get there is two and a half miles up the mountain, the first mile is paved and the other mile and a half is gravel. The road is maintained by the county and used daily by others that live and work here. In the surrounding area you can enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, surfing, beachcombing, birdwatching, and countless other outdoor activities. French Hill Trail is a few more miles up the mountain road. The campsites have picnic tables and fire rings, and campers are provided with 5 gallons of potable water. An outdoor, COLD-water Artesian shower, out in the open mountain air with the wild things and an outhouse with a compost toilet are also provided. Bundles of firewood are available for an extra charge when you book your campsite. The campsites are set within a deciduous and pine forest at about 1913 feet in elevation. There is a pond on the property, but its purpose is for wildlife habitat ONLY, so water activities are NOT allowed. NO swimming, NO fishing, NO boating, NO trapping, etc. The wild things live here! The property owner has a dog, three cats, and a menagerie of yard birds such as turkeys, peacocks, guinea hens, chickens, ducks, geese, etc. They do make noise! Kirk has lived off-grid for over twenty years and holds a wealth of information about the Gasquet/Del Norte County area. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the property is that it has had documented Sasquatch encounters over the past twenty years that have been published in "Tribal Bigfoot" (D. Paulides 2009). Kirk can tell you about his experiences with this and other phenomena on the property.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$41
 / night
Camp Jade River

5. Camp Jade River

96%
(284)
11mi from Crescent City · 1 site · Tent, RV · 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. 
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night
Klamath River Village

8. Klamath River Village

97%
(15)
46mi from Crescent City · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Orleans, CA
Located in a small valley in historic Humboldt County, Klamath River Village is a ten-acre family homestead that is now open to Hip-Campers! The natural beauty of the land, tucked between the legendary Klamath river and six rivers national forest, ensures a memorable experience for anyone seeking adventure in the great outdoors, or just a relaxing weekend with the family! Our camp sites have been carefully selected with an eye towards accentuating the natural features and beauty of the landscape, as well as preserving privacy. All sites are within view of the river, with some being located directly on the bank. These sites are cleaned and maintained by the property's live-in, full time caretaker who tidies up after every group leaves and ensures visitors receive the best experience possible. Have a question, concern? Did something break? He’s always available to come fix whatever problem you’ve encountered. You’ll never experience a dirty, or dysfunctional site at the Klamath River Village, leaving you in peace to contemplate the natural beauty of this historic region, with its misty mountains, verdant forests, and rushing river. If jaw dropping scenery and quiet isolation appeal to you, Klamath River Village is the perfect location for your next camping trip.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$40
 / night
A breathtaking property has it all. From it's quiet relaxing beauty to the wild coastline and beach to the mighty Rogue River all within eyesite for your campsite. Our 500 acres of scenic walks, wildlife and the option of horses and event riding fishing etc.

9. Cornerstone Ranch

97%
(757)
48mi from Crescent City · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Gold Beach, OR
Cornerstone Ranch is a pristine Ranch of about 500 acres on the Rogue River and against the Pacific Ocean offering too many experiences to count. You can even bring your horse... FYI, Hipcamps map for site locations is not correct. Two go next to the driveway and the other four follow the creek. From the South GPS is very accurate to our driveway. Coming from the North, GPS may drop you a few driveways away as that is the property line. Keep driving about another 1/8th mile until you see the large red "Cornerstone Ranch" sign. That is our driveway. Welcome... The ranch offers 6 different campsites. Campfires are allowed (outside of burn bans), and there is a toilet in off season and Port-A-Potties during the summer on site as well. Reviews from guests: "During the night we could hear Elk and the nearby nature! When we woke up we got to visit with the horses, use the really clean port-potty, and chat with Bonnie and Chris the Hosts. They have tons of recommendations, but our favorite was the Indian creek cafe across the river. The areas so great and clean and the host cares about their guests! Would recommend!"
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$39
 / night

Camper favorites near Crescent City

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds near Crescent City

Stories from the community

Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best camping near Crescent City with horseback riding guide

Where to go

The California Redwoods

Crescent City makes a great base for exploring the redwood Forest, named for the mammoth species of trees that dominate here, some of which are over a thousand years old. Here you can cruise along the 32-mile Avenue of the Giants to get great views of the forest, hike along the quiet Tall Trees Grove Trail, or even drive your car through a hollowed-out tree.

The California Coast Ranges

The coastal mountains inland from Crescent City Range offer ample opportunities for camping and backpacking, with a mix of deciduous and coniferous forests interspersed with streams and lakes. Much of the northern part of the range is preserved as the Klamath National Forest and the Six River National Forest.

Oregon's South Coast

Crescent City is less than a half-hour drive from the border with Oregon and offers easy access to what's arguably the prettiest stretch of the state's dramatic coastline. Spots worth visiting include the gorgeous Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor and the city of Coos Bay, known for its ample crabbing opportunities.

When to go

Crescent City has a temperate climate, with highs in the mid-50s in winter and in the mid-60s in summer. Winters here are considerably rainier than in the summer months, however, with an average of 14 days of rain in December and barely any showers at all in July and August. If you plan to hike or camp in the nearby redwoods, and don’t want to deal with summer crowds, consider visiting in September or early October.