Willow Creek is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Willow Creek is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your California camping adventure.
Meadow Cabin Colony
$100 / night
Welcome to Emerald Forest Cabins & RV, nestled in the lush greenery near Trinidad, CA. This campground is a gem for those who love being surrounded by nature. Picture yourself camping under the towering redwoods, with the sound of the ocean waves not too far off. It's a beautiful spot, especially for tent campers who can enjoy more secluded sites enveloped by ferns and moss.
Emerald Forest offers a variety of accommodations, including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and even glamping options. The RV sites are equipped with full hookups, though some visitors have noted that they can be a bit close together. If you're in a tent, you'll find the spots more spread out and private.
The campground has clean facilities, with bathrooms and showers that are well-maintained. Just remember to bring some quarters for the showers. There's also a small market on-site for any essentials you might need, and pets are welcome, so feel free to bring your furry friends along.
For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, the nearby beach and hiking trails offer plenty of opportunities to explore. A morning walk to town for coffee and scones from Beachcomber is a delightful way to start the day. And if you're into stargazing, the clear night skies here can be quite a treat.
Overall, Emerald Forest Cabins & RV is a fantastic spot to unwind and soak in the natural beauty of Northern California. Whether you're here for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, you'll find plenty to love about this serene forest retreat.
There are about 120 family campsites spread among the Penn Creek, Abalone, Sue-meg Village. Above: Canoe and plank house; Right: Sweathouse and Agate Beach campgrounds. Each campsite has a table and a fire pit. Water faucets, restrooms, and coin-operated showers are located nearby.
Two group day-use picnic areas may be reserved. Sue-meg holds up to 100 people and Bishop Pine up to 50. Picnickers at Sue-meg will find a covered cook shelter, and Bishop Pine has fire pits.
To reserve all campsites or group picnic areas for May through September, visit www.parks.ca.gov/sue-meg or call (800) 444-7275. From October through April, camping and group picnic sites are firstcome, first-served.
$35 / night
Welcome to Elk Country RV Resort & Campground, nestled near Trinidad, CA. This spot is a fantastic base for exploring the majestic redwoods and the scenic beauty of Northern California. The campground is open year-round and offers a mix of tent and RV accommodations, making it a versatile choice for all types of campers.
One of the standout features here is the presence of elk. Visitors often spot these magnificent creatures wandering through the campground and the surrounding meadow. It's a unique experience that adds a touch of wild charm to your stay. Just remember to keep a safe distance and follow the campground's guidelines for interacting with wildlife.
The campground boasts a variety of amenities to make your stay comfortable. There are electric hookups, drinking water, and sewer hookups available for RVs. For those who enjoy a good campfire, fires are allowed, and firewood is available for purchase. Pets are welcome, so feel free to bring your furry friends along for the adventure.
The bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, with coin-operated showers to freshen up after a day of exploring. There's also a market on-site for any essentials you might need, and a sanitary dump station for RVs.
For those looking to explore the area, the campground is conveniently located near several attractions. A trip to Fern Canyon is highly recommended, offering stunning views and a great hiking experience. The nearby redwoods provide endless opportunities for hiking, photography, and simply soaking in the natural beauty.
Whether you're here for a quick stopover or an extended stay, Elk Country RV Resort & Campground offers a memorable camping experience with the added bonus of elk sightings and easy access to some of California's most beautiful landscapes.
$35 - $50 / night
Beach access Parking at North Lot, South Lot, and along Clam Beach Drive Beach access mat located at the North Lot allows individuals with disabilities to travel from the parking lot to the high tide line of the beach Access to Hammond Trail at South Parking Lot Restrooms Campground (13 sites, 2 ADA Accessible sites, first-come/first-serve, three-night maximum, no showers) $30 camping fee No day-use fee Accessible beach wheelchairs: available by reservation. Popular for beachcombing, clamming, horseback riding, wildlife viewing Adjacent to Little River State Beach (managed by California State Parks)
$30 / night
Abalone Campground (sites 16-85)
$35 / night
From the website:
Day-use area with beach and lagoon access, restrooms
Boat ramp to lagoon
$5 day-use fee (per vehicle)
Campground (25 sites, first-come/first-serve, seven-night maximum, coin-operated showers, on-site camphost)
$25 camping fee
Kayaks available for rent from Kayak Trinidad – (707) 329-0085 or www.kayaktrinidad.com
Adjacent to Humboldt Lagoons State Park (managed by California State Parks)$25 / night
Lacks Creek is a recreational treasure hidden in the coast range and offers a wide range of outdoor opportunities. Ride your horse or bike along the shared use trails, or find your own secluded campsite with a view. Lacks Creek is located in California's northern Coast Range, approximately 15 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. The area is in Humboldt County, approximately 20 miles northeast of Eureka. The management area includes 8,673 acres of BLM managed public lands 7,377 acres are within the Lacks Creek watershed, with the other acreage made up of contiguous lands. The management area is surrounded by large private land timber holdings, and the region contains some of the most productive and intensively managed commercial forest lands in the United States. The immediate area is sparsely populated with scattered ranches in adjacent Redwood Valley.
$33 / night
Boise Creek Campground is nestled between Brush Mountain and Brannan Mountain in northern California's vast Six Rivers National Forest. The campground sits under a canopy of large Pacific madrone evergreen, Douglas fir and California bay trees, less than two miles from the small mountain town of Willow Creek, known as the Bigfoot capital of the world. Fishing, swimming and whitewater rafting are all close by in the popular Trinity River.
Fishing, swimming and whitewater rafting are all available in the Trinity River. The area also provides opportunities for biking, hiking and horseback activities, as well as fishing for migratory salmon and steelhead trout. Campers can walk the 1/2-mile trail from the campground to the nearby Boise Creek and find a swimming hole or explore native plants and wildlife. A drive on the nearby Trinity Scenic Byway is a favorite activity of many visitors.
Fishing, swimming and whitewater rafting are all available in the Trinity River. The area also provides opportunities for biking, hiking and horseback activities, as well as fishing for migratory salmon and steelhead trout. Campers can walk the 1/2-mile trail from the campground to the nearby Boise Creek and find a swimming hole or explore native plants and wildlife. A drive on the nearby Trinity Scenic Byway is a favorite activity of many visitors.
The campground sits at a 680-foot elevation and provides several shady campsites on a creek about two miles west of the Trinity River. A forest of conifers covers the campground, and stands of oak woodland dot the landscape, providing habitat for eight threatened and endangered species, including the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon. The Six Rivers National Forest lies east of Eureka in northwestern California, stretching southward from the Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the famed "Redwood Highway," parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The Forest is just east of the Redwood National Park.
Boise Creek Campground is located less than two miles west of Willow Creek, where most services are available, including fuel, propane, medical services, restaurants, groceries and laundry facilities. Visitors can also check out the town's 18-hole public disc golf course or participate in the area's numerous cultural and social events, like the annual Bigfoot Days on Labor Day weekend. Three miles southwest of Willow Creek lies the Brush Mountain Lookout tower, which, at 3,988 feet, provides a 360-degree view of the forest's sweeping canyons and valleys.
$10 / night
Meadow Cabin Colony
$100 / night
Welcome to Emerald Forest Cabins & RV, nestled in the lush greenery near Trinidad, CA. This campground is a gem for those who love being surrounded by nature. Picture yourself camping under the towering redwoods, with the sound of the ocean waves not too far off. It's a beautiful spot, especially for tent campers who can enjoy more secluded sites enveloped by ferns and moss.
Emerald Forest offers a variety of accommodations, including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and even glamping options. The RV sites are equipped with full hookups, though some visitors have noted that they can be a bit close together. If you're in a tent, you'll find the spots more spread out and private.
The campground has clean facilities, with bathrooms and showers that are well-maintained. Just remember to bring some quarters for the showers. There's also a small market on-site for any essentials you might need, and pets are welcome, so feel free to bring your furry friends along.
For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, the nearby beach and hiking trails offer plenty of opportunities to explore. A morning walk to town for coffee and scones from Beachcomber is a delightful way to start the day. And if you're into stargazing, the clear night skies here can be quite a treat.
Overall, Emerald Forest Cabins & RV is a fantastic spot to unwind and soak in the natural beauty of Northern California. Whether you're here for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, you'll find plenty to love about this serene forest retreat.
There are about 120 family campsites spread among the Penn Creek, Abalone, Sue-meg Village. Above: Canoe and plank house; Right: Sweathouse and Agate Beach campgrounds. Each campsite has a table and a fire pit. Water faucets, restrooms, and coin-operated showers are located nearby.
Two group day-use picnic areas may be reserved. Sue-meg holds up to 100 people and Bishop Pine up to 50. Picnickers at Sue-meg will find a covered cook shelter, and Bishop Pine has fire pits.
To reserve all campsites or group picnic areas for May through September, visit www.parks.ca.gov/sue-meg or call (800) 444-7275. From October through April, camping and group picnic sites are firstcome, first-served.
$35 / night
Welcome to Elk Country RV Resort & Campground, nestled near Trinidad, CA. This spot is a fantastic base for exploring the majestic redwoods and the scenic beauty of Northern California. The campground is open year-round and offers a mix of tent and RV accommodations, making it a versatile choice for all types of campers.
One of the standout features here is the presence of elk. Visitors often spot these magnificent creatures wandering through the campground and the surrounding meadow. It's a unique experience that adds a touch of wild charm to your stay. Just remember to keep a safe distance and follow the campground's guidelines for interacting with wildlife.
The campground boasts a variety of amenities to make your stay comfortable. There are electric hookups, drinking water, and sewer hookups available for RVs. For those who enjoy a good campfire, fires are allowed, and firewood is available for purchase. Pets are welcome, so feel free to bring your furry friends along for the adventure.
The bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, with coin-operated showers to freshen up after a day of exploring. There's also a market on-site for any essentials you might need, and a sanitary dump station for RVs.
For those looking to explore the area, the campground is conveniently located near several attractions. A trip to Fern Canyon is highly recommended, offering stunning views and a great hiking experience. The nearby redwoods provide endless opportunities for hiking, photography, and simply soaking in the natural beauty.
Whether you're here for a quick stopover or an extended stay, Elk Country RV Resort & Campground offers a memorable camping experience with the added bonus of elk sightings and easy access to some of California's most beautiful landscapes.
$35 - $50 / night
Beach access Parking at North Lot, South Lot, and along Clam Beach Drive Beach access mat located at the North Lot allows individuals with disabilities to travel from the parking lot to the high tide line of the beach Access to Hammond Trail at South Parking Lot Restrooms Campground (13 sites, 2 ADA Accessible sites, first-come/first-serve, three-night maximum, no showers) $30 camping fee No day-use fee Accessible beach wheelchairs: available by reservation. Popular for beachcombing, clamming, horseback riding, wildlife viewing Adjacent to Little River State Beach (managed by California State Parks)
$30 / night
From the website:
Day-use area with beach and lagoon access, restrooms
Boat ramp to lagoon
$5 day-use fee (per vehicle)
Campground (25 sites, first-come/first-serve, seven-night maximum, coin-operated showers, on-site camphost)
$25 camping fee
Kayaks available for rent from Kayak Trinidad – (707) 329-0085 or www.kayaktrinidad.com
Adjacent to Humboldt Lagoons State Park (managed by California State Parks)$25 / night
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Willow Creek, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Willow Creek, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 166 campgrounds and RV parks near Willow Creek, CA and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Willow Creek, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Willow Creek, CA is Elk Prairie Campground — Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 62 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Willow Creek, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Willow Creek, CA.
What parks are near Willow Creek, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Willow Creek, CA that allow camping, notably Six Rivers National Forest and Redwood National Park.