Northern California Redwoods RV Camping: Old Growth and Ocean Mist

The first time you park your rig under a coastal redwood, you understand why people drive 700 miles of US-101 to get here. These trees are the tallest living things on Earth — over 350 feet in the biggest groves, trunks wide enough to park a truck inside, and a canopy so dense it turns midday into something closer to twilight. The air smells like damp bark and fern. The silence, when you shut off the engine and step outside, is the kind you feel in your chest.

The Redwood Coast stretches roughly from Orick in southern Humboldt County to the Oregon border in Del Norte County. It encompasses Redwood National Park, three cooperatively managed state parks — Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods — plus miles of wild Pacific coastline where Roosevelt elk graze in meadows backed by walls of old growth. For RV travelers, it is one of the most rewarding destinations in California, and one of the most logistically demanding.

The practical challenge is straightforward: the best old-growth camping has no hookups. The state park campgrounds that put you directly among 1,000-year-old trees are dry camping only, with tight sites that limit rig size. If you need full hookups — and after three days of boondocking in fog-drip country, you probably will — you are looking at private parks in Crescent City or along US-101. The good news is that several of those private parks are excellent, and none of them are more than a 20-minute drive from the big trees.

This guide covers every campground option worth considering on the Redwood Coast, from the state park sites among the old growth to the full-hookup parks that keep your batteries charged and your water heater running. For a broader look at California camping, see our best RV parks in California guide.

State Park Campgrounds: Old Growth, No Hookups#

The state parks along the Redwood Coast offer what no private campground can — sites nestled directly among ancient trees, with trails that start from your campsite and lead into groves that have stood for a millennium. The trade-off is no hookups, limited RV lengths, and sites that were designed for tents and small trailers in an era before 40-foot fifth wheels existed. If your rig fits and you can handle a few days of dry camping, these are the campgrounds to prioritize.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park#

Jedediah Smith is the crown jewel. Located on the Smith River about nine miles east of Crescent City, this campground sits inside one of the densest old-growth groves on the coast. The trees here are enormous — not the tallest individual specimens, but the thickest concentration of large redwoods you will find anywhere. Walking through Stout Grove, a half-mile from camp, is like visiting a cathedral where the architects were given a few thousand years to work.

The campground has 86 sites spread along the banks of the Smith River — California’s last major undammed river, and the water clarity shows it. Sites have tables, fire rings, and food lockers. Restrooms with flush toilets and coin-operated showers are available. There are no hookups of any kind.

RV size is the critical constraint. Some sites accommodate rigs up to 36 feet, but many are limited to 25 feet or shorter. The camp roads wind through the grove and tight turns between trees make maneuvering anything over 30 feet a genuine challenge. If you are driving a large Class A or fifth wheel, call the park before you book and confirm which specific sites can fit your rig. Arriving with a 38-footer and discovering that your reserved site has a redwood in the turning radius is not the kind of surprise you want.

The Smith River is the other draw. In summer, the water is clear enough to see the bottom at 15 feet, and the swimming holes near the campground are outstanding. Kayaking the river is a highlight — the park sometimes offers free ranger-led kayak tours during peak season. In winter and spring, the Smith River is renowned for steelhead fishing, though the river runs high and fast from December rain.

• Sites: 86 (some tent-only)
• Hookups: None
• Max RV length: 36 feet on select sites; many limited to 25 feet
• Cost: ~$35/night standard, $45 premium
• Season: Year-round, but reservable May through September; first-come, first-served October through April
• Reservation: ReserveCalifornia (6-month window)
• Showers: Yes (coin-operated)
• Dump station: Yes
• Cell signal: Weak to none

Grove access tip: Stout Memorial Grove is a short drive and walk from camp. Cross the Smith River on the seasonal footbridge (summer only) or drive to the Stout Grove trailhead on Howland Hill Road. Howland Hill Road is unpaved and narrow — do not take your RV. Drive your tow vehicle or walk.

Sue-meg State Park (Formerly Patrick’s Point)#

Sue-meg State Park sits on a forested headland above the Pacific, about 25 miles north of Eureka and 50 miles south of Crescent City. It is a different flavor of Redwood Coast camping — less about towering old growth, more about the meeting point of forest and ocean. Trails wind through spruce and alder to rocky tide pools, sea stacks, and Agate Beach, where polished stones wash up with the surf. The park’s reconstructed Yurok village, Sumeg, offers a window into the Indigenous history of this coast.

The campground has 124 sites across three loops: Agate, Abalone, and Penn. Agate and Abalone accommodate RVs and trailers. Penn is effectively tent-only. Sites are shaded by dense forest — even in summer, direct sunlight is rare, which keeps temperatures cool but also means solar panels are not going to do much here.

No hookups. Abalone can handle rigs up to 31 feet. Agate accommodates slightly larger units on some sites, but the camp roads are narrow and overhanging branches limit height clearance in places. Restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers serve both loops. There is a dump station.

The fog at Sue-meg is worth mentioning because it defines the experience. Summer mornings typically start socked in, with visibility sometimes under a hundred yards. By noon the fog may burn off, or it may not. The fog drip keeps everything impossibly green and produces an atmosphere that is either magical or oppressive depending on your tolerance for gray. Pack warm layers even in July. Temperatures in the 50s are the norm, and dipping into the 40s overnight is common.

• Sites: 124 total (Agate and Abalone loops are RV-accessible)
• Hookups: None
• Max RV length: 31 feet (Abalone), varies by site on Agate
• Cost: ~$35–45/night
• Season: Year-round
• Reservation: ReserveCalifornia
• Showers: Yes
• Dump station: Yes
• Cell signal: Weak — some AT&T signal on the headland, little else

Elk Prairie Campground (Prairie Creek Redwoods)#

Elk Prairie deserves a mention even though it is tighter on RV space than the two parks above. The campground sits in a meadow surrounded by old-growth redwoods inside Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and Roosevelt elk frequently graze within sight of the campsites. Watching a bull elk with a full rack walk past your rig at dawn is the kind of moment that makes this coast unforgettable.

The campground has 75 sites. RVs up to 27 feet and trailers up to 24 feet are accommodated. That rules out most Class A motorhomes and larger travel trailers, but Class B and C rigs, truck campers, and smaller trailers will fit. No hookups. The campground has restrooms, showers, and a dump station.

The real reason to base here is access to Fern Canyon. This narrow gorge, with 50-foot walls covered in five-sword fern and lady fern, was a filming location for Jurassic Park 2, and it looks exactly like a place where dinosaurs should live. The access road to Fern Canyon — Davison Road — is an unpaved, narrow, seven-mile road with a hard limit of vehicles 24 feet long and 8 feet wide. You cannot take your RV. Drive your tow vehicle or arrange a shuttle.

• Sites: 75
• Hookups: None
• Max RV length: 27 feet (trailers 24 feet)
• Cost: ~$35/night
• Reservation: ReserveCalifornia
• Cell signal: None

Fern Canyon access: Free reservations are required from May 15 through September 15 for Fern Canyon day-use access. Book through the NPS website. Bring water shoes — you will be walking through the creek.

Private Parks with Full Hookups#

After a few nights of dry camping in the fog-drip groves, a full-hookup site with reliable power, a hot shower that does not require quarters, and laundry facilities feels like a significant upgrade. Several private parks in the Crescent City and Eureka areas serve as comfortable base camps for exploring the redwoods, and the best of them put you within 15 to 20 minutes of the old-growth trailheads.

Crescent City / Redwoods KOA Holiday#

The KOA sits five miles north of Crescent City on US-101, within easy striking distance of both Jedediah Smith Redwoods and Del Norte Coast Redwoods state parks. The campground is set among the trees — not old growth, but tall second-growth redwood and spruce that give the sites a forested feel rather than the open-lot atmosphere of many KOAs.

Full-hookup sites include 30 and 50 amp service. The park accommodates big rigs on pull-through sites with cable TV and Wi-Fi. Standard KOA amenities are present: laundry, restrooms, showers, a camp store, playground, and a goat petting area that kids will not want to leave. Bike rentals are available for exploring the nearby trails.

The KOA is a solid choice for families and for RVers who want the reliability of a national chain — online booking, consistent standards, and no surprises. The trade-off is pricing. KOA rates on the Redwood Coast run higher than many of the independent parks in the area, and holiday weekends carry a premium.

• Hookups: Full (30/50 amp, water, sewer, cable)
• Sites: Multiple types — pull-through and back-in
• Cost: ~$55–90/night (varies by season and site type)
• Max RV length: Big rig friendly
• Amenities: Laundry, showers, store, playground, bike rentals, Wi-Fi
• Season: Year-round (check winter availability)
• Distance to Jedediah Smith: ~15 minutes

Ramblin’ Redwoods Campground#

Ramblin’ Redwoods sits on US-101 north of Crescent City, minutes from Jedediah Smith Redwoods and the Smith River. This independently owned campground occupies a nice middle ground between the rustic state parks and the chain-park predictability of the KOA. The setting is genuine redwood forest, with sites spread among tall trees and connected by quiet camp roads.

Full-hookup sites offer 30 and 50 amp service, water, and sewer. Pull-through sites are available and can accommodate large rigs. The campground also has tent sites and cabin rentals. Amenities include clean restrooms and showers, a 24-hour laundry room, a playground, horseshoe pits, and walking trails through the adjacent woods. A dog wash station is a practical touch for RVers traveling with pets who have been romping through creek beds and fern gullies.

The vibe here is quieter and more relaxed than the KOA. Campers who prefer independent parks with personality over corporate consistency tend to gravitate toward Ramblin’ Redwoods. The staff are knowledgeable about the area and can point you toward trailheads and day-trip options that are not in the tourist brochures.

• Hookups: Full (30/50 amp)
• Sites: RV sites, tent sites, cabins
• Cost: ~$60+/night for full-hookup RV sites
• Max RV length: Accommodates large rigs on pull-through sites
• Amenities: Showers, laundry, playground, horseshoe pits, trails, dog wash
• Season: Seasonal (check opening dates)
• Distance to Jedediah Smith: ~10 minutes

Sunset Harbor RV Park#

Sunset Harbor is a town park — literally less than a mile from downtown Crescent City. If you want to walk to a restaurant, grab groceries at a real supermarket, or pick up propane without driving 20 miles, this is the most convenient park on the Redwood Coast.

The park has 61 back-in sites and 8 pull-through sites, all with full hookups including 30 and 50 amp electrical service. The layout is compact and utilitarian rather than scenic — you are camping in a small coastal town, not among the redwoods. But everything works, the rates are reasonable for the area, and the harbor is a short walk away. Crescent City’s harbor, rebuilt after the 1964 tsunami, has a working fishing fleet and a couple of seafood restaurants that serve whatever came off the boats that morning.

The practical advantage of Sunset Harbor is logistics. It is your base camp for laundry, groceries, fuel, and any rig maintenance you need, while the old-growth groves are all within a 20-minute drive. Combine a couple of nights here with a couple of nights dry camping at Jedediah Smith, and you have the best of both worlds.

• Hookups: Full (30/50 amp, water, sewer)
• Sites: 61 back-in + 8 pull-through (69 total)
• Cost: ~$45–65/night
• Max RV length: Accommodates large rigs on pull-throughs
• Amenities: Restrooms, showers, laundry, Wi-Fi
• Season: Year-round
• Distance to Jedediah Smith: ~20 minutes

Redwood Harbor Village#

Redwood Harbor Village is part of the Crescent City Harbor District, located at 159 Starfish Way with direct access to South Beach and walking distance to the marina. The park offers full hookups with 30 and 50 amp service, and both back-in and pull-through sites accommodate rigs up to 45 feet.

The harbor setting is the distinguishing feature. You are steps from the water, with views of the working harbor and the Pacific beyond. The park has restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. Maximum stay is 28 days, which makes it an option for longer visits.

The park is relatively new in its current configuration and still developing some amenities. Book in advance during peak season — the harbor location and the fact that it is one of the few oceanfront RV options in the area generate steady demand.

• Hookups: Full (30/50 amp)
• Sites: Back-in and pull-through
• Cost: Contact for current rates (expect ~$50–70/night range)
• Max RV length: 45 feet
• Season: Year-round
• Distance to Jedediah Smith: ~20 minutes

Giant Redwoods RV & Cabin Destination (Myers Flat)#

Giant Redwoods sits on the Avenue of the Giants about 50 miles south of Eureka, which puts it in a different part of the Redwood Coast than the Crescent City parks. If your itinerary takes you along the Avenue of the Giants — and it should — this is the full-hookup park to know about.

The campground occupies a stretch of the Eel River among tall second-growth redwoods. Full-hookup sites include water, electric, and sewer. Partial-hookup sites (water and electric only) are also available. Some sites back up to the river, which is a pleasant setting for morning coffee. The park also offers glamping cabins with heating, AC, smart TVs, and mini fridges — a step above tent cabins but short of a motel room.

Amenities include a dog park with a wash station, complimentary Wi-Fi, clean restrooms and showers, and well-maintained grounds. Guest reviews consistently highlight the friendly staff and the general condition of the property. It has the feel of a family-run operation that takes pride in the place.

The location is ideal for spending a full day on the Avenue of the Giants without driving back to Crescent City or Eureka. The 31-mile scenic drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park — which contains the largest remaining contiguous stand of old-growth redwoods on Earth — starts essentially from the campground doorstep.

• Hookups: Full and partial available
• Sites: RV sites and cabins
• Cost: ~$65–85/night
• Max RV length: Varies by site
• Amenities: Dog park, Wi-Fi, showers, laundry, river access
• Season: Seasonal (typically spring through fall)
• Distance to Avenue of the Giants: On it

Quick Comparison Table#

Park	Sites	Hookups	Cost/Night	Max RV Length	Setting
Jedediah Smith SP	86	None	$35–45	36 ft (select sites)	Old-growth grove, Smith River
Sue-meg SP	124	None	$35–45	31 ft	Coastal headland, tide pools
Elk Prairie	75	None	~$35	27 ft	Meadow, elk, old growth
Crescent City KOA	Multiple	Full (30/50)	$55–90	Big rig	Forest, near Jedediah Smith
Ramblin’ Redwoods	Multiple	Full (30/50)	$60+	Big rig	Redwood forest
Sunset Harbor	69	Full (30/50)	$45–65	Big rig	In-town, harbor
Redwood Harbor Village	Multiple	Full (30/50)	$50–70	45 ft	Harborfront, ocean views
Giant Redwoods RV	Multiple	Full/partial	$65–85	Varies	Avenue of the Giants, river

Planning Your Redwood Coast Trip#

The Fog and Rain Reality#

The Redwood Coast is wet. That is not a warning — it is the reason these trees exist. Coastal redwoods depend on fog drip and heavy winter rainfall, and both are defining features of the camping experience here.

Summer (June through September) brings thick morning fog that rolls in from the Pacific and hangs in the canopy. On the coast at Sue-meg or in the low-lying groves at Prairie Creek, fog can persist until noon or later. Inland at Jedediah Smith, the Smith River valley often clears by mid-morning. Afternoon temperatures typically reach the upper 50s to low 60s on the coast and low 70s inland. You will rarely see 80 degrees. Pack as if you are camping in the Pacific Northwest, because climatically, you are.

Fall (October through November) is often the best window. The fog lifts, daytime temperatures hold in the 60s, and the first rains have not yet arrived. Crowds thin dramatically after Labor Day. October at Jedediah Smith, with low-angle sunlight filtering through the grove and the Smith River running clear, is as good as Redwood Coast camping gets.

Winter (December through March) is rain season. Del Norte County averages 70 to 80 inches of rain per year, and most of it falls between November and March. The state parks remain open, but many campgrounds shift to first-come, first-served, and some facilities close or reduce hours. Roads can be slippery. The rivers run high and muddy. But the groves in the rain — water streaming down thousand-year-old bark, ferns impossibly green, the forest floor steaming — are hauntingly beautiful if you have a dry rig to retreat to.

Spring (April through May) is transitional. Rainfall tapers off, wildflowers appear in the meadows, and the rivers are perfect for kayaking. Fog has not yet set in with summer intensity. It is a strong shoulder season for visitors who do not mind occasional rain.

Avenue of the Giants#

The Avenue of the Giants is a 31-mile scenic route through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, paralleling US-101 between Phillipsville and Pepperwood. It passes through the Rockefeller Forest — the largest remaining old-growth redwood forest in the world — and offers pullouts, trailheads, and short walks into groves so dense the light turns green.

The road is paved and two lanes, and RVs can drive it without serious difficulty. A few curves are tight for longer rigs, but nothing approaching the challenges of Highway 1 in Big Sur. Allow at least two to three hours for the drive without stops, and half a day if you plan to hike any of the groves. Founders Grove and the Dyerville Giant (a fallen tree that was once the tallest in the world) are the marquee stops.

Fuel up before you enter. The town of Miranda has a gas station, but it is small and can be closed. From the south, gas up in Garberville. From the north, fill your tank in Eureka or Fortuna.

Fern Canyon#

Fern Canyon is a narrow gorge in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park where 50-foot walls are covered entirely in ferns — five species of fern clinging to every surface, dripping with moisture, looking exactly like a set from a dinosaur movie. (Steven Spielberg thought so too — it was a filming location for The Lost World: Jurassic Park.)

The critical detail for RVers: you cannot drive your rig to Fern Canyon. The access road — Davison Road — is a narrow, unpaved, seven-mile road with a hard vehicle limit of 24 feet long and 8 feet wide. No trailers. No motorhomes over a small Class B. Drive your tow vehicle, or park at Elk Prairie and arrange a ride.

Free reservations are required for Fern Canyon day-use from May 15 through September 15. Book through the NPS website as early as your travel dates allow — this is one of the most popular attractions on the Redwood Coast and permits do sell out.

Bring water shoes. You will be walking through Home Creek, which runs along the canyon floor. The “trail” is the creek bed itself in several sections.

Roosevelt Elk Viewing#

Roosevelt elk are the largest elk subspecies in North America, and the Redwood Coast is one of the best places to see them. Herds graze in the meadows at Elk Prairie (near the campground), along Gold Bluffs Beach, and in fields along US-101 between Orick and Klamath.

Viewing is best at dawn and dusk, when the herds are most active. During the fall rut (September through October), bull elk are vocal and visibly competitive — an impressive wildlife spectacle. Keep your distance. The NPS requires a minimum of 25 yards from elk, and a mature bull can weigh over 1,000 pounds. Do not approach, do not feed, and do not get between a cow and her calf.

The elk are a genuine highlight that sets the Redwood Coast apart from other old-growth destinations. Sitting in your camp chair at Elk Prairie, watching a herd move across the meadow in morning fog, is one of those moments that reminds you why you bought the rig in the first place.

Season and Timing Recommendations#

Best overall window: Mid-September through mid-October. Fog has eased, rain has not started, crowds are thin, and the light is spectacular.

Best for families: July and August. Campgrounds are fully staffed, ranger programs run daily, and the Smith River is warm enough for swimming. Expect fog and crowds.

Best for solitude: January through March. You will have the groves nearly to yourself. Bring serious rain gear and a rig that handles wet conditions without complaint.

Reservation timing: State park campgrounds open for reservation six months out through ReserveCalifornia. Summer weekends at Jedediah Smith and Sue-meg fill quickly. Midweek sites are easier to land. Private parks generally hold availability longer, but holiday weekends still sell out.

Rig Size and Road Considerations#

US-101 through the Redwood Coast is a well-maintained highway that handles any RV without issue. The tight spots are all on the side roads:

• Howland Hill Road (to Stout Grove): Unpaved, narrow, redwoods inches from your mirrors. Passenger vehicles only.
• Davison Road (to Fern Canyon): Unpaved, 24-foot vehicle limit.
• Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway: Paved, drivable with RVs, but some overhanging branches may brush tall rigs. Take it slowly.
• Avenue of the Giants: Paved, RV-friendly, a few tight curves for rigs over 40 feet.

There are no dump stations inside the national park. Use the dump stations at the state park campgrounds (Jedediah Smith, Sue-meg, Elk Prairie) or at the private parks in Crescent City.

Cell Signal and Connectivity#

Do not plan on reliable cell coverage. Verizon and AT&T pick up intermittent signal in Crescent City and Eureka, but coverage drops to nothing in the groves and along most of the coast between towns. T-Mobile coverage is worse. If you depend on connectivity for work or communication, the private parks in Crescent City with Wi-Fi are your best option, and even that will be slow by urban standards.

Download offline maps before you arrive. AllTrails offline maps for the individual parks are particularly useful. Have a paper road map as a backup — cell-based navigation will fail you at precisely the moment you are trying to find a trailhead on an unpaved forest road.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Can I drive a large RV on the Redwood Coast?#

Yes — on US-101, which is the main north-south corridor. The highway is a full-size route that handles any legal RV. The limitations are at the campgrounds and on the scenic side roads. State park campgrounds cap RVs at 25 to 36 feet depending on the specific site. The scenic drives — Howland Hill Road, Davison Road — are passenger vehicles only. If you drive a Class A over 35 feet, plan on the private parks for camping and use your tow vehicle or a rental car for the narrow roads.

Is there a fee to enter Redwood National Park?#

No. Redwood National Park does not charge an entrance fee. The cooperating state parks — Jedediah Smith, Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast — charge a day-use fee of $8 if you are not camping. If you are camping at one of the state park campgrounds, your camping fee covers day use.

How far apart are the parks?#

The Redwood Coast parks stretch about 50 miles along US-101. Jedediah Smith (northernmost) to Elk Prairie / Prairie Creek (near Orick) is roughly 45 minutes of driving. The Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods is about 70 miles south of Crescent City, or roughly 90 minutes. You can visit the northern parks from a Crescent City base and the Avenue of the Giants from an Eureka base, but trying to do everything from one campsite means a lot of windshield time.

When do campgrounds fill up?#

Summer weekends (Memorial Day through Labor Day) at the state park campgrounds fill their reservable sites within hours of the six-month booking window opening. Midweek stays and shoulder-season dates are easier. The private parks near Crescent City typically have more flexibility, but holiday weekends still book out. If you are visiting during peak summer, book your state park sites exactly six months ahead through ReserveCalifornia.

Is it safe to camp during rain season?#

Yes, with preparation. The campgrounds are designed to handle rain — sites have drainage, roads are maintained, and the redwoods provide natural shelter from the heaviest downpours. The risks are flooded roads during extreme storms, downed trees in high winds, and the Smith River flooding its banks (which can close the Jedediah Smith campground). Monitor weather forecasts, carry extra firewood that you can keep dry, and have rain gear that actually works — not a gas station poncho, but proper waterproof layers. Your rig is your shelter, and a dry, warm rig makes rainy redwood camping genuinely enjoyable.

Can I see the world’s tallest tree?#

The location of Hyperion, the tallest known tree at 380.3 feet, is deliberately kept confidential by the NPS to prevent damage from foot traffic. The area around the tree was formally closed to public access in 2022. You can see trees nearly as tall — over 350 feet — in the Tall Trees Grove, which requires a free permit and a hike. But honestly, once you are standing among any of the old-growth groves on this coast, the difference between a 300-foot tree and a 380-foot tree is academic. They are all staggeringly large.

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The Redwood Coast does not offer the polished RV resort experience of a San Diego beachfront park or the full-service convenience of a Lake Tahoe campground. What it offers is something rarer: the chance to sleep among the oldest and tallest trees on the planet, to walk through fern-walled canyons that look like another geological era, and to watch thousand-pound elk drift through morning fog while you drink coffee in your camp chair. The hookups are limited, the fog is persistent, and the cell signal is a memory. None of that matters once you are standing in the grove.

For more California camping options, see our best RV parks in California guide. For trip planning help including reservation strategies and route suggestions, check back for our upcoming California RV trip planner.