Hiking to Fern Canyon, watching elk move through the dunes at dawn, or surfing an uncrowded stretch of Northern California coast are all within reach at Gold Bluffs Beach Campground in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The roughly 30 to 40 sites sit in open sand dunes at the base of a redwood bluff, with the westernmost loop sites backing directly onto the ocean. There is little tree cover, so wind and blowing sand are real factors, especially for tent campers. Sites are spaced generously, and the dunes themselves can provide natural windbreaks if you position your tent in a hollow.
Melissa W. puts it plainly: "you can hear the waves all night." Mornings tend to arrive cool and misty regardless of how clear the previous evening looked, so a rain fly is worth putting on even under clear skies. Elk herds move through the campground with some regularity, and several reviewers report watching them pass directly through the sites at first light. Hawks are also frequently spotted overhead. Bear boxes are provided at each site, and rangers enforce food storage rules strictly.
Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Drinking water, coin-operated showers, and flushing toilets are available on site, though facility quality has varied across reviews. Darin D. found "all the facilities were very clean," while others have noted inconsistent plumbing. Firewood is sometimes sold at the campground but availability is not guaranteed, so bringing your own is a reasonable precaution. Cell service exists but is limited. Fern Canyon trailhead sits a couple of miles past the campground and is accessible by foot or vehicle from camp.
Access comes via roughly eight miles off US-101, including two miles of unpaved, winding road with a noticeable grade. Trailers are not permitted on this road. A standard passenger car handles it fine at slow speeds. The campground operates year-round, and visiting in early spring or late fall typically means fewer crowds and open sites on a first-come, first-served basis. Summer weekends fill quickly, and ocean-facing sites go first. Reservations are available through Reserve California and are advisable for weekend visits during peak months. The small town of Orick provides basic supplies but no large grocery stores or gear shops.
Campers wanting a more sheltered or forested setting can find alternatives at Elk Prairie Campground — Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, about 2.6 miles southeast, which sits among old-growth redwoods rather than open dunes.
Description
Experience the wild Pacific coastline and grazing Roosevelt elk in this campground, with easy access to a secluded stretch of beach, Fern Canyon, and 70 miles of hiking and biking trails. Located on the coast within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park - in the southern part of the parks. Access is on with a narrow, dirt road. Recreational vehicles and trailers are not advised.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsGold Bluffs Beach Campground is located in California near Orick
Directions
We are located a six to seven hour drive north of San Francisco. To reach the campground, take the Davison Road / HWY 101 turn-off which is 3 miles north of Orick, CA. Davison Road then continues for ten miles of dirt and gravel.
Coordinates
41.382217 N
124.069882 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/16/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 7/16/26
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 7/16/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/16/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 7/16/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 7/16/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 32 min from Grants Pass, OR
- 2 hrs 58 min from Medford, OR
- 3 hrs 50 min from Redding, CA
