Established Camping
Panther Flat Campground
About
National Forest
Six Rivers National Forest
Overview
Panther Flat Campground sits in the vast Six Rivers National Forest in northern California. This shady, secluded campground is just steps from the Smith River, which is famous for its bright blue waters and scenic pathway through the forest.
Recreation
Popular activities include swimming, sunbathing, rafting and fishing in the Smith River. Anglers enjoy healthy fishing populations of salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout. Visitors also enjoy hiking, horseback riding and biking in the area. There are no trailheads in the campground, but Elk Camp Ridge, High Dome and French Hill trailheads are all within 10 miles of the site. A Botanical trail to a unique Darlingtonia bog is just a mile away.
Facilities
The campground offers multiple single-family sites and at least one double site, available for tent and RV camping. It is one of the most modern campgrounds in the area and has some of the largest parking aprons. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible flush toilets, coin-operated hot showers and drinking water are provided. The Visitor Center at the Gasquet Ranger Station provides free maps and brochures of the area.
Natural Features
Set in a mature forest of Douglas fir, cedar and Pacific madrone trees, the campground is a short walk from the pristine Smith River. The river boasts up to Class 5 whitewater rapids. The region, thick with vegetation, is also freckled with huckleberry shrubs. 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.
Nearby Attractions
California's Redwood National Park and the Pacific Ocean are within 20 miles of the campground. Annual events include Gasquet Raft Race in July and Del Norte County Fair in August.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonPoor
- AT&TPoor
- T-MobileAvailable
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Wish we could stay longer
Awesome campground. Very quiet (it's a little remote) but pretty accessible to California Redwoods. I would recommend it for a place to stop in between the Oregon and California coastline. Sites are flat and all of them have great tree coverage. Bathrooms are clean. I wouldn't describe the showers as hot, but they are warm. They are quarter operated but there is not a quarter machine. If I remember correctly, $1.00 is a 6 minute shower.
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Great Spot
Panther Flat is a great spot to camp. Big spaces, nice fire pits. River access to a great little swimming area. Bathrooms are clean, but no soap so make sure to bring your own.
Beautiful and Conveniently Located
Beautiful campsite with River access and so close to the redwoods. At the River we saw snails, frogs, and a garden snake and we were able to swim. There’s drinkable water and super clean bathrooms with real toilets but very in touch with nature. The campsite we stayed at was far from other campsites so we had privacy. The temperature was prefect sweaters in the evening and morning and shorts and T-shirts in the middle of the day. I would stay there again and again! There’s a gas station 10 or so miles from the site that has fire wood and ice among other items and The Ocean is a short drive.
Location
Panther Flat Campground is located in California
Directions
From Highway 101 north of Crescent City, California, take highway 199 east for 16 miles to the campground.
Address
PO BOX 228
Gasquet, CA 95543
Coordinates
41.8430556 N
123.9305556 W