The best camping near Smith River with wildlife watching

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Looking for the perfect camping experience near Smith River, California? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 985 options specifically tailored for wildlife watching in the area, you're bound to find the ideal campsite to suit your needs. Whether you prefer a cozy cabin, a spacious RV site, or a picturesque tent spot, Hipcamp has got you covered. Plus, with an average price per night of $48 and options as low as $20, you can find a campsite that fits your budget. Check out top campsites like Cedar Bloom (1299 reviews), Far Away yet Tranquil and Close (324 reviews), and Sunset Bay Meadows (279 reviews) for highly recommended options. With popular amenities like pets, campfires, and trash services, and activities such as swimming, hiking, and wildlife watching, your camping adventure near Smith River, California is sure to be unforgettable.

97% (5.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Smith River

2. Klamath’s Best Kept Secret

94%
(473)
29mi from Smith River · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Tucked away at the edge of the Klamath Glen neighborhood, our family-owned campground has been welcoming guests for over 40 years. Surrounded by towering trees in the heart of Redwood National Forest and just a few minutes from the Pacific Ocean, this is a true hidden gem on California’s North Coast. We offer a rustic, old-fashioned camping experience. It’s a mix of open field and scattered trees, with both RVs and tent campers on site. Neighbors will be nearby, but the vibe is quiet and relaxed—especially in the off-season, when you might have the place nearly to yourself. The Klamath River is just over the levee—a short walk from your site—with great access for fishing, swimming, or simply relaxing by the water. The river is world-famous for salmon and steelhead fishing (license required). August and September are peak fishing months, so expect a few early morning engines from folks heading out. We’re only 4 miles off Highway 101, far enough to enjoy peace and quiet without traffic noise. Wildlife is part of the experience here, so please stash your food at night to keep critters out of camp. Outdoor lovers will find plenty to explore nearby—hiking and biking trails, the Trees of Mystery, Jet Boat Tours, and, of course, miles of redwood forest to get lost in. A few things to note: Firewood available Cell service can be spotty, depending on your carrier. Free Wi-Fi is available and reaches most of the campground. Electric car charging is $10 per charge. Please arrange ahead of time—50 amp service is limited, and you’ll need your own adapters. Well-behaved pets are welcome. Kids and laughter are always welcome. Dry camping, 30 Amp and 50 Amp pull-through sites available if you are going to be coming in after 10pm , just shoot me a text and let me know and I will give you instructions as long as you send me the text before 9:00 PM
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$26
 / night

3. Cornerstone Ranch

97%
(758)
38mi from Smith River · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
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
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$39
 / night

6. Cedar Bloom

98%
(3025)
30mi from Smith River · 158 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Cedar Bloom was purchased in the spring of 2017 by Spirit Weavers Gathering as a place of peace and healing, for all walks of life. Spirit Weavers is an annual women's gathering which happens once a year each June. We host over 1,200 women in just two weeks on the land. Our beautiful forested land is located in Southern Oregon, in a small town off the 199 Redwood Highway. The land which we call home is 100 acres of beautiful protected forest and sits upon a mile of the Illinois River. We are very fortunate to be surrounded by a widely diverse population of flora and fauna. As caretakers of this sacred land, we feel a strong responsibility to honor our plant and animal allies by not only protecting them and their habitat, but also to help educate others about what lives and grows here by providing people with opportunities to experience the beauty of these plants and animals for themselves. For this reason, We are honored to host the many different groups who will gather here on this land for learning and communing with the nature that flourishes here. We feel very fortunate to be involved in this process of helping promote a sustainable and abundant future for all living things on this planet by sharing knowledge and skills from the human past that can make a sustainable lifestyle a reality for everyone everywhere. This is our home and we are happy to share it with you!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$50
 / night

7. Camp Jade River

96%
(284)
16mi from Smith River · 1 site · Tent, RV
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
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$45
 / night

15. Creekside Cabin in Williams, OR

99%
(41)
49mi from Smith River · 1 site · Lodging
You will appreciate the peace and quiet of this little cabin on Rock Creek, situated on 11 acres of forest in Williams Oregon. The only sounds you'll hear are the birds in the trees and the flowing creek water. Enjoy sitting on the deck overlooking the confluence of Rock Creek and East Fork Williams Creek. A bridge crosses Rock Creek and there is a hiking trail beyond. Our garden hot tub is a welcome place to soak and enjoy the stars at night. Its an older tub but still keeps the water at 102 degrees. Our cabin has a kitchenette with a small fridge, sink, 2-burner gas stovetop, microwave, teapot, crockpot, toaster, and 2-cup coffee maker, plus a few dishes, cutlery, and pots and pans - enough for simple meal preparation. Coffee, tea, sugar, and creamer are provided. The cabin has a small woodstove as its only heat source. A little wood can be provided, and we provide newspaper, matches, and fire starters. There is an abundance of kindling around the property - great for getting a fire going. The stove holds 18" x 4" split logs, if you have some to bring. There are two smaller stuffed chairs, and two bar stools at a counter/bar with views of the creek. The bathroom has a shower and vanity sink, and towels and toiletries are provided. There is hot and cold running water, although the 3-gallon hot water heater limits showers to less than 5 minutes. Nice sturdy steps lead up to the loft upstairs which has an 8" full-sized (wider than a twin but narrower than a queen) memory foam mattress with fresh linens. The loft is low and cozy which allows the camper to sit up on the bed but not stand up. A compost toilet is about 100 yards away, and has a rechargeable motion detector indoor light. Bring your flashlights to find the compost toilet as well as the hot tub as the property is very dark. WiFi is available. The password is listed in the binder on the table. Some games and puzzles are provided.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$80
 / night

19. On The Rogue

96%
(48)
38mi from Smith River · 4 sites · RVs
Take a moment to unwind and breathe in the refreshing saltwater air while you enjoy the stunning view from the deck overlooking the mouth of the Rogue River, as the sun slowly descends into the warm, vibrant sky. Just a few minutes' walk will take you to stunning sandy beaches where you can witness a range of local wildlife and observe fishermen at work. Take in the breathtaking view of the luscious green mountains towering behind the picturesque Patterson bridge. We take pride in offering a clean and well-maintained space for your RV, complete with a community bathroom and shower, a washer and dryer, and ample room to park. If you have a boat, our seasonal private docks are available for an additional moorage fee, and we even have a fish cleaning station to prepare your catch of the day. Other community amenities include ice, picnic table, and outdoor seating area. During your stay, unlock your Inner adventurer with these top activities: -Savor local flavors at nearby restaurants -Reel in some fish with a guided fishing trip -Jetboat up the river for a thrilling ride -Soak up history at the museum -Sightsee your way to stunning views -Gaze up at the twinkling stars and embrace the tranquility of the night sky.
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from 
$55
 / night

20. Redwoods Bend Retreat

95%
(153)
43mi from Smith River · 14 sites · Tents, Lodging
The Redwoods Bend Retreat is a place to get away from it all. Located on the Yurok reservation right on the Klamath River just outside Orick, CA, 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. There is no cellphone service and none of our sites have internet service. 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 and Blue Cottages. 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. 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.
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$110
 / night

Looking for the perfect camping experience near Smith River, California? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 985 options specifically tailored for wildlife watching in the area, you're bound to find the ideal campsite to suit your needs. Whether you prefer a cozy cabin, a spacious RV site, or a picturesque tent spot, Hipcamp has got you covered. Plus, with an average price per night of $48 and options as low as $20, you can find a campsite that fits your budget. Check out top campsites like Cedar Bloom (1299 reviews), Far Away yet Tranquil and Close (324 reviews), and Sunset Bay Meadows (279 reviews) for highly recommended options. With popular amenities like pets, campfires, and trash services, and activities such as swimming, hiking, and wildlife watching, your camping adventure near Smith River, California is sure to be unforgettable.

97% (5.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Smith River

2. Klamath’s Best Kept Secret

94%
(473)
29mi from Smith River · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Tucked away at the edge of the Klamath Glen neighborhood, our family-owned campground has been welcoming guests for over 40 years. Surrounded by towering trees in the heart of Redwood National Forest and just a few minutes from the Pacific Ocean, this is a true hidden gem on California’s North Coast. We offer a rustic, old-fashioned camping experience. It’s a mix of open field and scattered trees, with both RVs and tent campers on site. Neighbors will be nearby, but the vibe is quiet and relaxed—especially in the off-season, when you might have the place nearly to yourself. The Klamath River is just over the levee—a short walk from your site—with great access for fishing, swimming, or simply relaxing by the water. The river is world-famous for salmon and steelhead fishing (license required). August and September are peak fishing months, so expect a few early morning engines from folks heading out. We’re only 4 miles off Highway 101, far enough to enjoy peace and quiet without traffic noise. Wildlife is part of the experience here, so please stash your food at night to keep critters out of camp. Outdoor lovers will find plenty to explore nearby—hiking and biking trails, the Trees of Mystery, Jet Boat Tours, and, of course, miles of redwood forest to get lost in. A few things to note: Firewood available Cell service can be spotty, depending on your carrier. Free Wi-Fi is available and reaches most of the campground. Electric car charging is $10 per charge. Please arrange ahead of time—50 amp service is limited, and you’ll need your own adapters. Well-behaved pets are welcome. Kids and laughter are always welcome. Dry camping, 30 Amp and 50 Amp pull-through sites available if you are going to be coming in after 10pm , just shoot me a text and let me know and I will give you instructions as long as you send me the text before 9:00 PM
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$26
 / night

3. Cornerstone Ranch

97%
(758)
38mi from Smith River · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
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
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$39
 / night

6. Cedar Bloom

98%
(3025)
30mi from Smith River · 158 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Cedar Bloom was purchased in the spring of 2017 by Spirit Weavers Gathering as a place of peace and healing, for all walks of life. Spirit Weavers is an annual women's gathering which happens once a year each June. We host over 1,200 women in just two weeks on the land. Our beautiful forested land is located in Southern Oregon, in a small town off the 199 Redwood Highway. The land which we call home is 100 acres of beautiful protected forest and sits upon a mile of the Illinois River. We are very fortunate to be surrounded by a widely diverse population of flora and fauna. As caretakers of this sacred land, we feel a strong responsibility to honor our plant and animal allies by not only protecting them and their habitat, but also to help educate others about what lives and grows here by providing people with opportunities to experience the beauty of these plants and animals for themselves. For this reason, We are honored to host the many different groups who will gather here on this land for learning and communing with the nature that flourishes here. We feel very fortunate to be involved in this process of helping promote a sustainable and abundant future for all living things on this planet by sharing knowledge and skills from the human past that can make a sustainable lifestyle a reality for everyone everywhere. This is our home and we are happy to share it with you!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$50
 / night

7. Camp Jade River

96%
(284)
16mi from Smith River · 1 site · Tent, RV
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
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$45
 / night

15. Creekside Cabin in Williams, OR

99%
(41)
49mi from Smith River · 1 site · Lodging
You will appreciate the peace and quiet of this little cabin on Rock Creek, situated on 11 acres of forest in Williams Oregon. The only sounds you'll hear are the birds in the trees and the flowing creek water. Enjoy sitting on the deck overlooking the confluence of Rock Creek and East Fork Williams Creek. A bridge crosses Rock Creek and there is a hiking trail beyond. Our garden hot tub is a welcome place to soak and enjoy the stars at night. Its an older tub but still keeps the water at 102 degrees. Our cabin has a kitchenette with a small fridge, sink, 2-burner gas stovetop, microwave, teapot, crockpot, toaster, and 2-cup coffee maker, plus a few dishes, cutlery, and pots and pans - enough for simple meal preparation. Coffee, tea, sugar, and creamer are provided. The cabin has a small woodstove as its only heat source. A little wood can be provided, and we provide newspaper, matches, and fire starters. There is an abundance of kindling around the property - great for getting a fire going. The stove holds 18" x 4" split logs, if you have some to bring. There are two smaller stuffed chairs, and two bar stools at a counter/bar with views of the creek. The bathroom has a shower and vanity sink, and towels and toiletries are provided. There is hot and cold running water, although the 3-gallon hot water heater limits showers to less than 5 minutes. Nice sturdy steps lead up to the loft upstairs which has an 8" full-sized (wider than a twin but narrower than a queen) memory foam mattress with fresh linens. The loft is low and cozy which allows the camper to sit up on the bed but not stand up. A compost toilet is about 100 yards away, and has a rechargeable motion detector indoor light. Bring your flashlights to find the compost toilet as well as the hot tub as the property is very dark. WiFi is available. The password is listed in the binder on the table. Some games and puzzles are provided.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$80
 / night

19. On The Rogue

96%
(48)
38mi from Smith River · 4 sites · RVs
Take a moment to unwind and breathe in the refreshing saltwater air while you enjoy the stunning view from the deck overlooking the mouth of the Rogue River, as the sun slowly descends into the warm, vibrant sky. Just a few minutes' walk will take you to stunning sandy beaches where you can witness a range of local wildlife and observe fishermen at work. Take in the breathtaking view of the luscious green mountains towering behind the picturesque Patterson bridge. We take pride in offering a clean and well-maintained space for your RV, complete with a community bathroom and shower, a washer and dryer, and ample room to park. If you have a boat, our seasonal private docks are available for an additional moorage fee, and we even have a fish cleaning station to prepare your catch of the day. Other community amenities include ice, picnic table, and outdoor seating area. During your stay, unlock your Inner adventurer with these top activities: -Savor local flavors at nearby restaurants -Reel in some fish with a guided fishing trip -Jetboat up the river for a thrilling ride -Soak up history at the museum -Sightsee your way to stunning views -Gaze up at the twinkling stars and embrace the tranquility of the night sky.
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from 
$55
 / night

20. Redwoods Bend Retreat

95%
(153)
43mi from Smith River · 14 sites · Tents, Lodging
The Redwoods Bend Retreat is a place to get away from it all. Located on the Yurok reservation right on the Klamath River just outside Orick, CA, 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. There is no cellphone service and none of our sites have internet service. 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 and Blue Cottages. 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. 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.
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$110
 / night

Camper favorites near Smith River

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds near Smith River

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp 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