best tent camping redwoods image
blueskys
We are looking for great camping areas north of San Francisco along the coast. We want to stay fairly close to the ocean, have dogs, bikes, hiking shoes and a tent. We will go as far as the Oregon border but hopefully not that far.
We hope to stay in 2-3 different locations with different environments.
What are your favorite camping areas and why?
Thanks so much!
Answer
My favorites are:
Van Damme State Park just south of Mendocino. This park has a sheltered cove that is great for kayaking (tours available), and a really nice trail up the Little River. Mendocino is worth a visit.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (Elk Prairie Campground). This park has wonderful redwood forests. Don't miss the drive out to the coast. The hike through Fern Canyon is a must.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (almost to the Oregon border, but the best campground on the list). This is a spectacular campground on the banks of the Smith River. Stout Grove is just across the river from the campground and is one of the most magnificent groves of redwoods I've ever seen. The drive on Howland Hill road is incredible (dirt road, passable in most cars).
Not bad:
MacKerricher State Park. On the coast with lots of harbor seals.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Albee Creek Campground (may not have trailer sites). The nearby Rockefeller Forest is the largest old-growth redwood forest left in California. Rumors are that the tallest tree in the world is in this grove, but the people who measure these things are pretty secretive.
My favorites are:
Van Damme State Park just south of Mendocino. This park has a sheltered cove that is great for kayaking (tours available), and a really nice trail up the Little River. Mendocino is worth a visit.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (Elk Prairie Campground). This park has wonderful redwood forests. Don't miss the drive out to the coast. The hike through Fern Canyon is a must.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (almost to the Oregon border, but the best campground on the list). This is a spectacular campground on the banks of the Smith River. Stout Grove is just across the river from the campground and is one of the most magnificent groves of redwoods I've ever seen. The drive on Howland Hill road is incredible (dirt road, passable in most cars).
Not bad:
MacKerricher State Park. On the coast with lots of harbor seals.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Albee Creek Campground (may not have trailer sites). The nearby Rockefeller Forest is the largest old-growth redwood forest left in California. Rumors are that the tallest tree in the world is in this grove, but the people who measure these things are pretty secretive.
Are you allowed to Camp in the Redwood National Forest not at a campsite?
MQT
I want to go camping, but I don't really want to camp at a designated campsite. Can you camp off the trails? If not, are there any campsites that are strictly for tents and not RV's?
Answer
http://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/backcountry-campsites.htm
Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood Creek (dispersed)
â¢Location: Redwood National Park
â¢Trailhead: Marked trailhead and parking area is on Bald Hills Road off Hwy 101. (North of Orick, Ca.)
â¢Mileage: 8
â¢Difficulty Level: Moderate, some steep grades.
â¢Description: Located along a stretch of Redwood Creek, the gravel bars offer the only area in the parks where dispersed camping is permitted. Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere on the gravel bars between the first seasonal bridge and no closer than ¼-mile (½-km) of the Tall Trees Grove. Be sure to obtain a permit for camping at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center.
â¢Winter Camping (DecemberâMay): Redwood Creek runs high and fast during the winter with unexpected flows and rising water. Gravel bars are rarely available for camping. Foot bridges across the creek are removed in September and are not installed for the summer until late May. Check at the visitor center before planning your trip for current conditions.
http://www.redwoodhikes.com/RNP/RedwoodCreek.html
"The Redwood Creek Trail"
Bald Hills Road: it is off highway 101, just north of Orick, Ca.
http://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/backcountry-campsites.htm
Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood Creek (dispersed)
â¢Location: Redwood National Park
â¢Trailhead: Marked trailhead and parking area is on Bald Hills Road off Hwy 101. (North of Orick, Ca.)
â¢Mileage: 8
â¢Difficulty Level: Moderate, some steep grades.
â¢Description: Located along a stretch of Redwood Creek, the gravel bars offer the only area in the parks where dispersed camping is permitted. Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere on the gravel bars between the first seasonal bridge and no closer than ¼-mile (½-km) of the Tall Trees Grove. Be sure to obtain a permit for camping at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center.
â¢Winter Camping (DecemberâMay): Redwood Creek runs high and fast during the winter with unexpected flows and rising water. Gravel bars are rarely available for camping. Foot bridges across the creek are removed in September and are not installed for the summer until late May. Check at the visitor center before planning your trip for current conditions.
http://www.redwoodhikes.com/RNP/RedwoodCreek.html
"The Redwood Creek Trail"
Bald Hills Road: it is off highway 101, just north of Orick, Ca.
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