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Lake Earl Wildlife Area

The best camping near Lake Earl Wildlife Area, CA

Discover the serene beauty of Lake Earl and its abundant wildlife.

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Stories from the community

Robert

2 weeks ago

Tent

3 nights at Klamath’s Best Kept Secret

Great place - I went in the off season so was pretty empty. But right next to boat launch area. Warm showers and bathrooms short walk from area. Great place even for tent camping. Host was super helpful when I didn’t follow the directions well in the rain.

Christopher

2 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Klamath’s Best Kept Secret

Great spot, flat campground with a nice bathroom. Just what I needed.

Elsa

2 weeks ago

Tent

1 night at Ramblin' Redwoods Campground

Wonderful location! Accessible bathrooms, laundromat, potable water. Everything was very clean and tidy. The views were lovely and it’s perfectly placed in the redwoods!

Adiel

2 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

4 nights at Mystic Forest Campground

Great location, surroundings, and amenities. So much to do and see all within an hour drive. Will definitely stay here again.

Salem

3 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Mystic Forest Campground

The campground was very secluded while still being in a very convenient location (laundry and trash very close by!). You’re right next to a trail and the nature views were gorgeous! Just remember to bring your bug spray, lol!

Chelsea

3 weeks ago

With pets

2 nights at Redwood River Retreat

We loved the camper and seclusion for the dogs! They had so much fun playing and we loved the ease of access to the beach, trees of mystery and town for breakfast.

Alyssa

3 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Klamath’s Best Kept Secret

Patti is the best! So responsive, kind and welcoming. The space is beautiful too, with big trees and the river near by. It was about 20 to get to the Newton B scenic Road. Don’t miss it! Traveled with our dog and 21’ travel trailer. No issues with access. Do note there are skunks around at night; they keep mole and voles populations down and are a part of the community too- just be aware. Also saw a few curios big neighbor dogs when we walked our pup up along the service road by the park in the morning. No trouble though. Had a great experience and would certainly stay again if we return. Thanks again Patti 🙏

Coco

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mystic Forest Campground

The campground was amazing! It was just as beautiful as the pictures and had great amenities. The showers and game room were perfect. We didn't spend much time at the campground itself because there were so many beautiful hikes and things to see around the area. I would definitely recommend staying here!

Esther

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Swimming Hole On Red Cap Creek

We ended up being the only campers on an early November day, so Wayne graciously let us choose whichever site we liked. We pitched our tent right by the communal fire pit and picnic tables instead of a designated site. The ground was easy to drive stakes into, and Wayne even offered more substantial stakes in case they were needed. His sweet dog (Cowboy) and horse (Coco) paid some very welcome visits. They're sneaky for treats, so watch your back! ;) A hose is nearby that supplies filtered fresh spring water, and the toilet room is very convenient. The hot showers were down due to some construction, but we enjoyed our stay a lot! We would recommend this place as a nice getaway, or as a stop on your way to the redwoods or Eureka (we did both).

Audrey

November 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Redwood Meadows RV Resort

What an amazing stay! The campground was so peaceful and quiet. The tiny house had everything we could need and more. Loved every minute of our stay.

Elizabeth

October 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Mystic Forest Campground

Nice host. Large forested tent area. Clean bathroom.

Kaitlynn

October 2025

2 nights at Mystic Forest Campground

Patrick and Maya are so great! Check in was super smooth and they even upgraded us to a better RV cause of some technical difficulties. The campground was private, cute, and nicely maintained. If we come back around to the area we would definitely camp there again. Also, the hiking trails are well kept and they had Starlink for speedy WiFi.

Janice

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Mystic Forest Campground

We loved our stay here!! The land is absolutely gorgeous, being right in the Redwoods and literally around the corner from the Trees of Mystery. The hosts, Patrick and Maya, were the sweetest humans and so much fun to chat with! They have a stocked camp store, a game room with tons of books, and ping pong and such, and a ton of cool Redwood trees and tree stumps scattered throughout the camp. Our tent site, #16, was just inside the forest but felt very private on the other side of the trees from the RVs. We are really looking forward to paying them another visit!

Deva

October 2025

19 ft campervan

1 night at Cornerstone Ranch

pasturelands. Calm, quiet, peaceful, with the burble of a creek and beautiful horses to gaze at. Great facilities, nearby and fantastic communication with Bonnie and Chris.

Ryan

October 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Cedar Bloom

Utterly amazing. The tea house, sauna, river, grounds, everything is 10/10. Would def stay again!

Bonnie

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Cedar Bloom

Stayed in one of the A-frames with my two small dogs for a weekend and had a lovely time. It was a stormy, rainy couple of days in October, so I didn’t get to explore the property or surrounding area much, but that ended up being perfect since I had just come to relax anyway. Once I got set up inside (with some string lights, a hot water bottle, and a good book), it felt nice and cozy. I was glad to have brought the hot water bottle and a couple of extra blankets, b/c the temps inside were roughly the same as they were outside. The transparent panels make it feel like you’re sleeping among the trees, and the sound of rain on the roof was wonderful. The roof is corrugated steel, so the first time an acorn pinged off it I just about jumped out of my skin, but we got used to it quickly. Ultimately I think those noises were part of the charm. Saw some beautiful deer and lots of wild turkeys. As a woman camping solo, I felt very safe. The property isn’t completely remote (it’s tucked next to a neighborhood and there’s a private residence onsite) but it still has a peaceful, wilderness feel, especially in late October when there were fewer visitors. For anyone curious (since I couldn’t find this info beforehand), each A-frame has its own fire ring and picnic table. Thank you for the great weekend!

Diego

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mystic Forest Campground

Amazing campsite. Loved that it’s so close to a ton of trails. Beautiful scenery all around can’t wait to come back!

Hollis

October 2025

3 nights at Mystic Forest Campground

This little camper checks all the boxes: Quiet, private, clean, solid roof to keep you dry and warm, SUPER comfy bed, and the softest sheets. If you want the campground experience without the camping then look no further. Birdie is low frills, but has everything you need. Yes, you can hear the 101 during the day, but it's pretty much dead silent at night (the campground has electric hook-ups so you won't hear generators running). It's beautiful, there's a redwood to greet you in the morning...what more could you want!

Jordan

October 2025

24 ft Class C

1 night at Kissing Rock Farm

We had a great night here, then woke up and walked to the beach. We would definitely stay here again!

Blake

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Mystic Forest Campground

Site #22is a great camping spot, the hosts/owners are incredibly fun and friendly! They also have great local recommendations, would totally get breakfast at the Requa Inn.

Top-rated campgrounds

Mystic Forest Campground

98%

(940)

18mi from Lake Earl Wildlife Area · 24 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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, 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. Our laundry facility will be closed indefinitely for repairs starting on August 10th.

Cedar Bloom

98%

(3019)

36mi from Lake Earl Wildlife Area · 158 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Cave Junction, OR

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!

Klamath’s Best Kept Secret

94%

(471)

24mi from Lake Earl Wildlife Area · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Klamath, CA

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

Resort at Lake Selmac

90%

(5)

43mi from Lake Earl Wildlife Area · 42 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Selma, OR

Located in beautiful southern, Oregon just over the California state line is the Resort at Lake Selmac. This lake has great fishing and is stocked annually with trout. You can fish largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie, perch and panfish and Oregon record bass has been caught in Lake Selmac. A great place for family reunions and events. We do require a 3-day minimum on Holiday weekends, Memorial Day-Independence Day- Labor Day. Lake Selmac offers a lot of outdoor activities to all ages, including hiking, boating, fishing, and relaxing. Call today to ask us about your event. Country store The store is well stocked and conveniently located within walking distance from all our campsites. You’ll find firewood and kindling, coffee, ice-cold beer and beverages, wine, fishing bait, tackle, and day fishing licenses. We have a lot of your favorite snacks, ice-cream, candy, and meals, as well as, camping supplies, Propane, kites, and fun water toys. Anything you forgot; we should have. NEW!!! Do it yourself dog wash is available. Boat and watercraft rentals are available here too available Feb.-Oct. Feel free to visit us and ask about local activities and places to visit nearby.

Chinook RV Resort

84%

(86)

21mi from Lake Earl Wildlife Area · 45 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Klamath, CA

“Welcome to Chinook RV Resort” We would like to welcome you to Chinook RV Resort. We would like to invite you to come and stay with us as you travel along the famous Highway 101 through the Redwood Forest. There are warm lake-front fires in the evenings where we would like to meet you and welcome you to our park.

Ramblin' Redwoods Campground

86%

(128)

3.5mi from Lake Earl Wildlife Area · 79 sites · Tents, RVs · Crescent City, CA

Experience the thrill of RV or tent camping under a canopy of soaring spruce, hemlock, Douglas fir, and Redwoods; the world’s tallest trees towering overhead. The 78-mile stretch of US-101 from Eureka to Crescent City, CA was dubbed “The Redwood Highway” for good reason. The Ramblin’ Redwoods Campground and RV Park is located minutes from Redwood National; State Parks, Redwood National Forest, Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park,Tolowa Dunes State Park and the wild and scenic Smith River. ** TENTS SITES ARE ALL DRY CAMPING ONLY! NO WATER OR ELECTRIC IS AT THE SITE** There is one water spigot to use near the bathhouse. *****FACILITIES RENOVATION NOTICE***** Wi-Fi is currently not available on the property! We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to improve your experience at Ramblin’ Redwoods RV Resort.

Sustainable Ecovillage

84%

(88)

18mi from Lake Earl Wildlife Area · 5 sites · Lodging · Gasquet, CA

The Smith River Complex Fire took our property on August 16th, 2023. Updates on our progress here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fucaTaOwf5c PLEASE NOTE, 4WD is required in order to access the sites. Please message me if you have any questions prior to booking. Sustainable Ecovillage is an off-grid project for sustainable living. If you are looking for a unique experience and up for rustic accommodations among goats, chickens, a permaculture food forest with a few off-grid perks, we welcome you to join us in our mountainous, wilderness paradise! Our 160-acre property is surrounded by about a million acres of National Forest. Our neighborhood is all made of trees, huckleberry bushes and animals. We love it here. It is very remote, peaceful, and functionally sustainable in its focus. The closest neighbor is a Buddhist Hermitage about a mile up the forestry road. Also, supposedly, Sasquatch live here! (it is the epicenter for documented sightings). Most visitors to the area are interested in spending time in the redwoods – we are about 30-45 minutes from the nearest entrance to Jedediah Smith Park, home of Stout Grove and other beautiful redwood hikes. Driving into Crescent City, about 45-60 minutes, winds you right through the "gentle giants" on your way to or from Redwood National Park. We are self-sufficient, and sustainable in a relatively primitive set-up, especially after the fire this year. It's mountainous and remote, and we have a community agreement about no smoking (of any kind) on our land.

Camp Trinidad RV Resort

95%

(55)

49mi from Lake Earl Wildlife Area · 52 sites · RVs, Lodging · Trinidad, CA

Discover Camp Trinidad, formerly known as Sounds of the Sea RV Park, where the redwoods meet the sea. Nestled along California’s breathtaking North Coast, this enchanting RV Resort offers the perfect escape. Just moments from Sue-meg State Park, Camp Trinidad RV Resort spans 12 scenic acres, with 52 sites featuring full hookups and modern amenities, it’s the ideal haven for adventurers and relaxation seekers alike. Embrace the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and create unforgettable memories at Camp Trinidad.

The Swimming Hole On Red Cap Creek

98%

(28)

50mi from Lake Earl Wildlife Area · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · Orleans, CA

The Angel Ranch est. 1918 The Swimming Hole on Red Cap Creek and the Angel Ranch Horse Camp Totally Private and secluded camping and RV sites surrounded by wilderness on pristine Red Cap Creek ( major salmon spawning stream) that flows out of the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Short trail to Private on property swimming hole with beautiful clean creek water flowing out of the wilderness. Private beach for sunbathing or just hanging out and staying cooled off. Delicious cool Spring water and power at each campsite, 3 flush toilets and 2 hot showers onsite. Fire pit and picnic tables. 3 RV sites and 3 tent sites including one group site. Large tent rental available. Pets allowed off leash. 3 RV sites with power and spring water.

Cornerstone Ranch

97%

(757)

44mi from Lake Earl Wildlife Area · 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!"

Redwood Meadows RV Resort

100%

(6)

6.3mi from Lake Earl Wildlife Area · 7 sites · Lodging · Crescent City, CA

Smith River Surf Camp

91%

(37)

2.3mi from Lake Earl Wildlife Area · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Fort Dick, CA

This is a beautiful 2.8 acre secluded group campsite with a geodesic dome, just minutes away from the ocean, giant redwood forests, and the beautiful Smith River. Surfing, paddling, hiking, biking, ocean or river activities abound. Surrounded by pastures, with frequent herds of elk roaming nearby and sometimes through the campsite itself. This is a primitive campsite. It is a grassy area to park your campervan or set up your tent. While work is going into the site to improve it's functionality, it is not up and running yet. we have a toilet onsite and tables where you can set up your kitchen, however there are no showers and you wil need to pack it in and out. You will certainly enjoy this nature getaway!

The best camping near Lake Earl Wildlife Area, CA guide

Overview

About

Just south of the Oregon border on the extreme northern California Coast, Lake Earl rests alongside grassy dunes and the crashing waters of the Pacific Ocean. Split by the borders of Tolowa Dunes State Park and Lake Earl Wildlife Area, the lake itself is one of the most essential locations for maintaining California's seabird population.

Technically a lagoon, Lake Earl will fill with fresh water from the surrounding areas and only occasionally breach through to the ocean. This unique ecosystem is home to several endangered and threatened species of bird, making it a necessary stop for birdwatching on any camping trip.

When to go

The best time to visit Lake Earl Wildlife Area is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the migratory birds are in abundance. Summer offers warm days perfect for boating, while winter can be less ideal due to heavier rains and cooler temperatures.

Know before you go

Check the local weather and prepare for changing conditions when planning your visit.
Be aware of wildlife in the area; observe from a distance and do not feed the animals.
Ensure you have the necessary permits for fishing or hunting, and familiarize yourself with the regulations.
Restrooms and boat launching facilities are available, enhancing your day-use experience.
For more information or assistance, contact the wildlife area at (707) 487-0541.

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