The best dog-friendly campgrounds near Rio Dell, California

Bringing your dog along to camp in Rio Dell? You’ve got over 1,600 pet-friendly options to choose from, ranging from redwood groves to open meadows. Average rates run $45 a night, but you can snag a spot for as low as $23. Campsites here are serious about pets—expect leash rules and dog-friendly trails. Top picks like Wendy & John Farm (383 reviews), Bayside Cabin (217 reviews), and The Fairy Forest (216 reviews) set you up with essentials—think toilets, showers, and plenty of space for four-legged companions. Horseback riding, hiking, and swimming keep both you and your pet moving. Trails wind through ferns, streams, and old logging roads. If your dog likes water, many spots have creek access. Locals recommend a leash and a towel in your kit—mud happens.

95% (2.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Bringing your dog along to camp in Rio Dell? You’ve got over 1,600 pet-friendly options to choose from, ranging from redwood groves to open meadows. Average rates run $45 a night, but you can snag a spot for as low as $23. Campsites here are serious about pets—expect leash rules and dog-friendly trails. Top picks like Wendy & John Farm (383 reviews), Bayside Cabin (217 reviews), and The Fairy Forest (216 reviews) set you up with essentials—think toilets, showers, and plenty of space for four-legged companions. Horseback riding, hiking, and swimming keep both you and your pet moving. Trails wind through ferns, streams, and old logging roads. If your dog likes water, many spots have creek access. Locals recommend a leash and a towel in your kit—mud happens.

95% (2.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Lost Coast Basecamp

99%

(108)

34mi from Rio Dell · 5 sites · Lodging · Shelter Cove, CA

Blu Graham was born and raised on the Lost Coast. He is the owner and operator of Lost Coast Adventure Tours, a local guiding outfitter and shuttle service for the Lost Coast. He knows all the epic spots and history about the surrounding area. Nestled in the heart of the wilderness, Lost Coast Base Camp is more than just a place to prep, refuel or rest after a trip; it's a vibrant hub of adventure, camaraderie, and unforgettable experiences. Designed with the spirited explorer in mind, this unique retreat serves as the ultimate base for your wilderness adventures, offering a communal atmosphere that is both welcoming and energizing. At Lost Coast Base Camp, we believe that true adventure is found not only in the wild landscapes that surround us but also in the stories and friendships forged around a crackling campfire. This is a place where connections are made effortlessly, and shared experiences create bonds that last a lifetime. Our communal living spaces, open dining areas, and group-led expeditions are all crafted to encourage interaction, collaboration, and the sharing of tales from the trail. If solitude is what you seek, Lost Coast Base Camp may challenge your expectations. Here, the emphasis is on community and connection. Our ethos is built on the belief that together, we can experience more deeply, learn more profoundly, and celebrate the spirit of adventure more vibrantly. Whether you're sharing a meal with fellow adventurers, teaming up for an impromptu hike, or exchanging stories under the stars, you'll find that our base camp is a place where privacy gives way to shared joy and individual journeys merge into collective escapades. Forget about the tedious task of unpacking and pitching your tent. Our bell tent camps are pre-set, standing ready as your private retreat amidst the great outdoors. The inclusion of cots means that you’re elevated from the ground, ensuring a comfortable rest that rejuvenates you for the adventures that lie ahead. Enjoy big skies overlooking a vast mountain range. Our boat camp and bus camp will also be available soon! We are located just a few miles from Shelter Cove and both the Northern and Southern Lost Coast Trail segments. Making it a perfect place for hikers, dual sport enthusiasts and anyone wanting to get away from the everyday hustle bustle. At Lost Coast Base Camp, every detail is designed to enhance your wilderness experience, including access to shared amenities that cater to both comfort and convenience. Enjoy ourseasonal fire pit or cook up a feast at the BBQ pit. Our enclosed bathrooms and hot showers provide a touch of home, while the communal full kitchen is perfect for preparing meals and sharing stories of the day's adventures. Plus, with a dedicated camp host on hand to provide you with wood, sleeping pads, or answer any questions you may have about the area, you're assured a hassle-free and enriching stay.

2. Dark Fairy Farms

100%

(33)

24mi from Rio Dell · 2 sites · Lodging · Myers Flat, CA

Experience the captivating allure of Salmon Creek, an invaluable watershed nestled in the picturesque Southern Humboldt region of California. Situated near the charming town of Miranda and conveniently close to Garberville and Redway, our location lies in the heart of the magnificent Humboldt National Forest. As you embark on a short journey down the hill, you will find yourself on the iconic Avenue of the Giants, surrounded by towering and awe-inspiring redwood trees. Prepare to be captivated by their grandeur and feel a sense of wonder as you explore this magical setting. Our off-grid apartment offers an idyllic retreat, boasting breathtaking views of the magnificent Humboldt County mountains. Awaken to mesmerizing sunrises and unwind while witnessing enchanting sunsets. Every moment spent here is a feast for the senses, rejuvenating your spirit and revitalizing your connection with nature. For a truly immersive experience, our glamping site is the perfect choice. Embrace the harmony of being one with the natural world as you explore our woodland trails. Let the serene atmosphere of the forest envelop you as you indulge in the ancient practice of forest bathing. Immerse yourself in the tranquil ambiance, and discover the two inviting swimming holes nestled along the creek, as well as our picturesque orchard. In the evenings you can fully surrender to the gentle oceanic breeze, savoring the tranquility of our surroundings. Our 40-year-old off-grid homestead offers a haven of peace and serenity, allowing you to unwind and reconnect with your inner self. Prepare to be enchanted by Dark Fairy Farms, where the beauty of nature unfolds at every turn. Join us for an unforgettable experience where you can immerse yourself in the captivating embrace of the woodland and embark on a journey of relaxation, exploration, and rejuvenation.

3. Tiny house on Cliff

100%

(5)

50mi from Rio Dell · 8 sites · Lodging · Leggett, CA

🏕️ Cozy Forest Tiny House | Cliff Views + Stargazing 🌲 AC now installed for summer heat for winter! Escape to our tiny house in the forest , a retreat perched above a peaceful river canyon. Minutes from the old growth Redwood, At just 80 sq ft, it’s a magical space ideal for 2. Need more room? Book our vintage Airstream next door or ask about our camp spot ✨ Highlights: Forest & river cliff views Epic stargazing (Dark Sky area!) Wildlife sightings Newly renovated, queen bed, desk & chair shower & separate toilet DOG friendly -Off-leash dog meadow next to Tiny House (fenced!) Great for digital detox & quiet getaways State parks &Eel River swimming nearby Gomde Buddhist Center just down the road, great swing holes minutes away 📶 Heads up: No TV No kitchen (coffee/tea + cereal station provided) Spotty Wi-Fi in tiny house; good signal closer to meadow/main house Not toddler-safe (cliff nearby!) Tiny space = 8x10 ft w/ high ceiling 🐻 Wildlife Safety: Don’t leave food/trash outside! Cooler provided Trash must go to shower house or tea house bin Bears are around but have not caused a problem yet in 30 years – help us keep it that way! 🐶 Dog rules: keep on leash - Unless in fenced meadow area thats set up for off-leash fun Ask us about the badminton set! 🔥 Winter Bonus: Campfire pit + first wood bundle on us (rainy season only) This is glamping with a soul – a peaceful, unplugged, wild-nature experience just minutes from Hwy 101. Sounds of the river below camp , valley views next to a historical bridge #TinyHouseGlamping #RedwoodsRetreat #OffGridEscape #DigitalDetox #NatureStay #PetFriendlyCabin #CliffsideCabin #DarkSkyCamping #AirstreamLife #ForestHideaway #EelRiver #PegHouseBurgers #RedwoodCountry #SoloTravelSpot #EcoTravel #WildlifeRetreat #oldgrowthredwoods #swimminghole #wildswimming #Redwoods

4. Big Family Cabin Eel River Redwood

30mi from Rio Dell · 2 sites · Lodging · Redway, CA

Beautiful redwood cabin 5 minute walk to beautiful Eel river to swim in the crystal clear pollution free mountain water, or fish from the beach. Great bike riding through redwoods for parents and kids alike! Nestled right in the state park! Huge ancient redwood groves surround it yet the house itself is in a sunny spot. The 1 acre property offers 16 mature fruit trees, grapes, 10 roses, all kinds of flowers wild and cultivated. The garden also can be enjoyed from a covered outdoor eating table that seats 8, close to the covered fire pit. Within walking distance or 3-10 minutes drive, you have everything: tubing and kayaking from Benbow back to the house on the river; Avenue of the Giants ; The road to shelter cove on the coast is gorgeous, full of pristine old mountain meadows and beaches; Hike among 1000 year old redwood forest. Marteel Community Center (music and performances); Shop Smart & Chautauqua Natural Foods (full grocery store); USPS; Garberville Farmer's Market (Friday 11am-3pm, May to Nov) Several nice restaurants in such a rural area: Lost French Man wood oven pizza, Bellini Cafe, Woodrose Cafe (fresh local), Benbow Inn Restaurant (historical building by Julia Morgan) The Benbow house was originally the summer "beach house" for Hollywood Regency John Barrymore but was later added onto a lot and turned into a hotel. The bones of the Cabin are old growth redwood, which you can see on the living room ceiling. It was recently lived in and is a clean nice special space that the owners decided to share during the summer. There is an ADU (1bed/kitchen/1 bath) above the adjacent garage that a caretaker stays in from time to time, but it can be vacated for parties who wish to also rent that studio apartment. It has its own entrance. Very quiet here. Almost no road noise. No light pollution. Milkly way...The size of some of the ancient trees... You will be amazing how this bend of Eel River feels like a world away yet has all the services within 5 minutes by car. Lower Redway is a special place.

5. Riverwalk RV Park

90%

(5)

5.9mi from Rio Dell · 26 sites · RVs · Fortuna, CA

Riverwalk RV Park and Campground is a top-notch destination for your visit to The Redwood Coast. Our immaculately maintained grounds and facilities blend seamlessly with the natural beauty of the park, creating a serene and relaxed atmosphere. Our friendly management and staff go above and beyond to ensure that your stay with us is comfortable and memorable. Located just a short walk away, The Eel River Brewing Company is a great place to grab a delicious meal or enjoy a refreshing beverage. Additionally, our prime location means that we are only a short drive from a wide array of attractions and activities in the surrounding areas. For nature enthusiasts, the Redwood National Park is just an hour away from our park, providing an opportunity to explore the majestic trees that make up the forest. You can also take a leisurely drive through the Avenue of the Giants or hike the various trails to experience the natural wonders of the region. If you're looking for a more relaxed vacation, you don't need to travel far from the park. Take a stroll by the Eel River or explore the charming town of Fortuna to discover some of the region's best dining and shopping options. Whether you're here to explore the natural wonders of the region or to simply unwind and relax, Riverwalk RV Park and Campground is the perfect home base for your Redwood Coast adventure. Book your stay with us today and discover why we are Northcoast's finest RV park and campground. Our RV assignments are subject to change at any time. We do not have designated RV assignments in advance of your reservation date. We cannot promise specific site numbers, although we can guarantee that you will be accommodated in the RV class you have booked and we will do our best to accommodate any request for a specific area. Our Amenities Come and experience a comfortable and cozy RV camping experience at our park. Our park offers a wide range of amenities, including a refreshing pool, relaxing spa, BBQ area, dog walks, laundry room, clean restrooms, clubhouse, Wi-Fi, and much more. Our camping cabins provide guests with a comfortable and home-like atmosphere, with the added convenience of shared amenities such as exceptionally clean restrooms and a well-equipped camping kitchen facility. For those who prefer to rough it out in nature, our tent camping area offers restrooms, free hot showers, and a camping kitchen area equipped with an electric range, sink, and table. The level sites are perfect for setting up your tent and feature a fire ring with a picnic table at every site. Additionally, water sources are located nearby for your convenience. At our park, we strive to provide our guests with a relaxing and enjoyable camping experience. Come and unwind in nature, take a refreshing dip in our pool, or relax in the spa. Gather around the fire ring with your loved ones, share stories, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Public campgrounds near Rio Dell

58%

(6)

Grizzly Creek Redwoods Campground

8mi from Rio Dell · 26 sites · Tents, RVs · in Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park

Hamilton Barn Environmental Camp

11mi from Rio Dell · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

The 'Big Trees' area about .5 down the road

100%

(9)

Albee Creek Campground

11mi from Rio Dell · 252 sites · Tents, RVs · in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

100%

(2)

Baxter Environmental Camp

11mi from Rio Dell · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

100%

(8)

Cuneo Creek Campground

12mi from Rio Dell · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Stories from the community

m

mark

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Dark Fairy Farms

Beautiful cabin and hosts. Away from all distractions, we really enjoyed this place. Hosts were top, amazing views and property, lots of wildlife, great get away. So relaxing. Wish we had a longer time there. Thanks Sara and Liam, and Stanley too.

Alexei & Nani

September 2025

17 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Riverwalk RV Park

We only stayed for one night. The place is conveniently located near freeway. We appreciate the full hookup. Less to worry about when traveling. The only suggestion I would make is to make the direction and space number to the assigned space more clearly. But I think most places are like this. We arrived late so it took a little bit to look around for the assigned space to park.

F

Frank

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Lost Coast Basecamp

Blu was super accommodating and helpful, even with our late arrival! Stayed one night before hiking LCT, and it was amazing to have an easy and comfortable site to stay at beforehand.

R

Rachael

September 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Lost Coast Basecamp

Gorgeous views and well-kept facilities. We really enjoyed our time here

Matt

August 2025

1 night at Lost Coast Basecamp

Such an epic HipCamp! Highly recommend, it's the coolest spot. Amazing views, super unique place, access to a ton of amenities - I could not have asked for more. And LOVED THE CAMP DOG! haha. Alan is the best, and I am so stoked we got to meet him - THANK YOU ALLEN!

J

Juan

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Dark Fairy Farms

We had an incredible stay at the cabin. The views were stunning all day long, the little terrace was a great place to hang, the interior was super cozy and comfortable, we had all the amenities we could have possibly wished for, you’re walking distance from a cute swimming hole and a short drive from bigger river beaches and gigantic redwoods. The hosts were delightful and available for everything we needed, including the adorable dog Stanley who kept us company and guided us on a little hike to the creek

B

Brandon

July 2025

1 night at Lost Coast Basecamp

The campsite was so cute and had great amenities. The tents were clean and well maintained. Some of the best star gazing I’ve seen in Northern California ever.

k

kelsey

July 2025

With pets

3 nights at Lost Coast Basecamp

Amazing place! Loved the hosting team and the owners really made this an experience of a lifetime!

K

Khoa

July 2025

1 night at Lost Coast Basecamp

Our party love the Hipcamp at Shelter Cove. It is on the top of the mountain and the view was spectacula. Management team was very helpful and friendly. We would stay again if we ever hike the Lost Coast Trail again.

K

Khoa

July 2025

Group trip

1 night at Lost Coast Basecamp

We only planned to stay here for one night but ended up stayed for 3 nights. Would stay here again without a question.

M

Mike

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Lost Coast Basecamp

We hiked the Lost Coast Trail and stayed at Sinkyone Camp the night before our departure. The accommodations were great. Cots were comfortable. The shower house and flush toilet were much appreciated. The area is located at the top of the mountain with a great view of the sky. I saw the Milky Way for the first time. I'm 61 years old. It's something I will always remember.

R

Rebecca

June 2025

With kids

2 nights at Dark Fairy Farms

The cabin was lovely and we really enjoyed having lots of amenities while being remote. The host was super nice, and we would definitely go again. It is quite a drive on a nonpaved road for about a mile, so good to be prepared for that, and definitely 4x4 was needed for the driveway where it was steep. Being prepared for that, we had a great time!

S

Satish

June 2025

Group trip

3 nights at Lost Coast Basecamp

Allan and Blu were an amazing host. Very friendly. Allan was in touch even before we were their guest. Allan showed us around as we arrived on our motorcycles and even helped us with extra sleeping bags as it was cold and windy. We enjoyed sharing stories with him over our morning coffee. This place is really a hidden gem. The views are stunning

J

Jacqueline

June 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Lost Coast Basecamp

As the name implies, this was a great base camp before our Lost Coast hike. The bell tents were perfect for getting our gear sorted. Plus it was nice to start the adventure on a cot rather than the ground. The views were stunning! There’s nothing like waking to a mountain sunrise. You feel like you’re a million miles away. Alan was an excellent camp host. He kept on communication with us before we arrived to ensure he was around to show us the ropes. Everything is off-grid, so there were a few things to learn. He made sure we had a nice fire later in the evening which was the perfect end to our day. Blu’s camp dog Ruka did her rounds to “run off the bears and mountain lions” according to Alan, but she had plenty of time for scratches and belly rubs. Things to note, there isn’t a lot of shade during the day, and the wind gets quite chilly and sometimes fierce at night. Definitely recommend layers! The directions weren’t terribly hard to follow, though GPS won’t get you all the way, so definitely screenshot or download their written directions beforehand. We would absolutely stay here again!

R

Riley

June 2025

Group trip

1 night at Lost Coast Basecamp

Awesome spot!! Beautiful view and very nice host!

A

AnnElise

June 2025

1 night at Lost Coast Basecamp

Lost Coast Basecamp was the perfect place to start our Lost Coast adventure! It’s about 25 minutes from Black Sands Beach where the shuttle picks up. Alan greeted us at the site and gave us a tour and orientation to the space. He was very accommodating and helped us feel right at home! All of the facilities at basecamp were super clean, the kitchen was well stocked, and the cots in the bell tents were comfortable! We wished we could have stayed for longer. And the view is unbelievable!

D

Denis

June 2025

1 night at Lost Coast Basecamp

Loved camping at the lost coast basecamp before and after our lost coast hike. The camp host Alan was very great and very attentive and gave us a great orientation and answered all our questions about the camp and the area. The tents are great and tall enough to stand in and cots are comfortable. The views are spectacular on top of the mountain and we had clear sky’s and warm sun even when it was foggy and damp at the coast. We had a fire each night, made s’mores and made good use of the kitchen for our dinner meals. I would stay there again.

K

Kayla

June 2025

1 night at Lost Coast Basecamp

This was a perfect spot before we did the Lost Coast Trail. Pretty epic sunrise/sunset. The tent is close to the other tents, but no problems on that front or with the shared kitchen/bathroom. Alan was an awesome host!

Abby

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Lost Coast Basecamp

I had a fantastic stay at lost coast basecamp! The host Alan was incredibly friendly and welcoming — we had some great conversations during our visit. The site itself exceeded my expectations. It’s well-equipped with a clean bathroom, hot shower, and a full kitchen, I couldn’t have asked for more. I’ll definitely be back!

Steffanie

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Dark Fairy Farms

I had a wonderful stay at Liam and Sara’s peaceful mountain retreat in Humboldt County. The cabin is surrounded by miles of trails, wildlife, and the calming sounds of Salmon Creek—complete with a perfect little swimming hole. Their dog Stanley was a sweet and playful companion for my pup, and Liam went above and beyond to help transport luggage up/down the steep drive (a big help since I don't have 4WD). The cabin itself was clean, comfortable, and fully stocked with everything we needed. It's remote—about 20 minutes off Hwy 101—but the serenity and connection to nature make it more than worth the drive. Highly recommended for anyone looking to unplug and recharge in the redwoods.