Elk Prairie Campground — Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

This campground has nice clean bathrooms with hot showers. The showers do require quarters. Each campsite has a fire pit and a table and is very level. There were a few pull through sites but lots of smaller sites. there are trails, viewing points, and asked to see nearby

This campground was perfect for our trip to the Redwoods for the first time. We stayed four nights and utilized the shower services (paid for with quarters). Everything was clean and easily accessible. Trashes were taken out daily and the staff were kind and helpful. Our site, #50 was a bit smaller than expected but situated perfectly along the creek, just under a tree that has huge maple leafs turning the beautiful Autumn colors. We took the trail located within the day park area and was surprised to see really big trees within walking distance of our site. The weather was perfect, not too cold and we missed the rain by a day. Couldn’t have asked for a better location as we were within 45min of every state park and the national park. Will be returning!

We were at site 67; the sites on that loop are set up in a way that everyone has a private tree cubby so it didn’t feel like you were camping by a bunch of people. Bathrooms were close; quarter showers; hiking trail beginning super close to the site

One of the best sites I’ve ever camped at. Super green& lush. Amazing weather. We saw so many animals: elk, a bear, scrub jays, chipmunks, tadpoles, rabbits, deer, etc. We were able to hike a bunch on the campground (very accessible), drive to Fern Canyon, and visit Jedediah Smith all in 3 days. Would definitely visit again.

Well shaded campground, but with tight turns and smallish sites relatively close together.  Even with a small (16') camper, we had to unhitch to fit.  Still, the location is lovely, the adjacent visitor center is staffed with friendly people and helpful advice, and the trails from the campground lead through spectacular redwoods.  And (true to the name) most mornings or evenings there is elk viewing on the adjacent prairie.

Very nicely kept campsite. Sites were clean, bathrooms well kept, sites nicely spaced out. Lots of easy walks/trails around the area. Tons of Elk to see! There are showers, but they were out of service at the time I was there.

This is a lovely campground with hiking trails accessible from the campground. Some of the sites have no shade, but it wasn’t a problem for us. The campsites are close together but everyone was respectful and kept the volume at a decent level. The bathrooms were clean and had flushable toilets. It was an amazing stay!!

I’m probably giving this an extra star for nostalgia. I camped here decades before,  before it became a more modern campsite, and it was formative. I’d suggest LATE summer, like August, or better yet, after Labor Day. It’s the warmest, nicest time. Or when the Elk are in mating season! LOL. Or spring, when the Lupin arrives. There are also INCREDIBLE day trips into California’s interior, Indian history, little known parks and trails everywhere. Bring all the yummy foods you want… you’re not going to be near a grocery store. Feel a side of California few know about.

I don't have a lot to add beyond what has been said by others.  This campground is about the location.  It is nestled right in the state park w/old growth redwood trees and hikes accessible directly from the campground.

However, it is very tight, which is difficult for anyone with a larger trailer.  The facilities are showing their ages as well.  The showers were in decent shape, but the bathrooms could use some work. 

It is still the best campground for exploring the park though.  And the negatives should not turn you away.

We loved this campground. It's proximity to many trails with beautiful Redwoods was amazing. Some sites were in the prairie as opposed to nestled in the Sitka Spruce trees, so that's something to take into consideration. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Showers were about $1.00 and took quarters. We had site 62 and think we got the best site in the park. It was a drive through site however there are two tight trees that you would struggle to get a larger RV through on the road to get there. It had enough room for 2 large tents and two trucks. It also has a secret tent pad behind the driveway in the trees!

Very quiet, but tight campground in the Redwood National Forest. We enjoyed proximity to trails and other parks, along with the ranger talks each night. Sadly, the facilities aka the bathrooms are badly degraded and need to be updated. They don’t charge entrance fees for the park, rangers can explain why if you ask. I think this should be changed so they can afford to install new bathrooms. A lot of sites were supposedly reserved but no one present for days. Host are able to forfeit their reservations if they don’t show up by the second day, but it seems like they were very relaxed about this. Many sites were empty but the campground was listed as full. I suspect people book for the weekend and just show up late, which is not fair for those who would have liked to visit.

This was tied for my favorite redwoods campsite. We stayed for 1 night in march and it was almost entirely booked so I would reserve a spot. It was a little buggy in the woods but not too bad. The prairie itself was really beautiful especially at dusk. The surrounding woods is exactly what you look for when going to redwoods.

Perfect spot right by so many incredible hikes. The campground is secluded and you aren’t on top of everyone which is nice.

My friend and I stayed here on our bike tour from Seattle to San Diego in 2019 and it was great. We stayed at a hiker/biker site under a tree. There were elk and lupins all over the prairie—it was so beautiful! I highly recommend.

Stayed near Thanksgiving. First day was absolutely beautiful. Second day — despite the weather forecast — had light rain all day and night.

Camp spaces are nicely marked, with a table, fire-pit, bear locker. Couldn’t buy firewood there despite what’s said in the literature.

Had a small cargo trailer and a free-standing canopy, so the rain wasn’t really an issue.

In August 2019 we rode from Seattle to Santa Barbara, staying most night in hiker/biker sites. Elk Prairie was our first campground in Redwood National State Parks. Biker/hiker sites were nice, picnic tables and bear boxes but was missing the USB charging station we had found in most Oregon state park. We did not see any elks during our short stay(one night) here but had seen quite a few on our way there just before entering Redwood National State Parks. From the campground you can get to some very nice(not technical) hiking trails that will allow to appreciate and the huge trees found here.

Because they do not have running water had to close

This is a nice campground with little campsites. We had a 21’ travel trailer and could barely fit down the roads in campground. Very dark because of trees. Not solar friendly. Showers and flush toilets. Potable water.

I try to go to different places. But this is my favorite place to camp. Always clean, most sites feel private, clean restrooms and showers. So many hikes right around the campsite. On the first Saturday of the month, Newton B Drury Pkwy is closed, and everyone rides their bikes up and down the Pkwy. You are guaranteed to see elk and moose.

I know that recreation.gov let you reserve the site. I know that it looks DELIGHTFUL on paper. Trust me though, unless you have a small class C or a van, or a TINY teardrop trailer, you're going to have a bad day parking your rig. Both entrances into the main loop are steep, narrow, and crooked. The sites are shorter than promised and challenging to back in to. All this for no water, no electrical. Fun! Oh, but the trails are nice...

Wonderful place to stay among the Redwoods if you don't mind being without hookups and love the all nature experience. Our site was right next to the creek!

Loved this campground. Some sites sacrifice size for awesome water feature. I had a large site but no direct access. There is a trail that starts at the campground that leads you to direct water access. Each site had its own bear box. Lots of elk, chipmunks, ducks and these large aggressive blue jays. No bears seen directly but there was recent claw activity on my bear box.

Beautiful, private campsites carved into a mixed forest of redwood, fir, and maple trees. There are some truly fine sites along Prairie Creek and a handful of unique sites skirting the meadow that might not be for everyone (they’re much less private).

An abundance of awesome hikes give you the chance to wander amongst old growth redwoods — one of the greatest privileges nature offers.

If you have a pup like me, it’s tough to beat Cal Barrel Road, a rad 180 out that’s around 6 miles round trip. Since it’s technically a road, dogs are allowed! The entire hike winds through stunning upland old growth, starting near the famous Atlas Grove. It’s a rare opportunity to hike through ancient redwoods with your furry friend.

Closest supplies are in Orick and quite limited, though it’s its can be found, so it’s all good.

What an amazing place to stay. It was a little chilly and wet from the rain. It was my first time camping in the rain but was still absolutely amazing. Pack for the colder weather if you’re visiting in April. There are a lot of banana slugs to see and mushrooms to find. The hikes throughout the redwoods are breathtaking. It was the perfect place to unplug from the world.

Very quiet! Would love to stay again in the summer.

We stayed at one of the hike into camp sites. The hike in isn't very far at all but it's separated with from the other campers that it creates a peaceful and private environment. There is a specific campsite that you can really hike into, that one is a 3 mile hike and you have to call ahead to reserve that space. But our little hike (a few hundred feet) was wonderful. The forest was so quiet and peaceful I've never experienced such a quiet forest. There were showers, bathrooms, lots of hiking spots, fire pits, near by pond for fishing, and a little cute town 20 min drive away. I will definitely be coming back to this camp site again.

We reserved the last site in the campground. It was great. Bathrooms were a little far away, but there was plenty of room. 4 family shower rooms. You can get creek side spots just below us. Hiked from camp. Saw elk in the prairie. Like someone else said, close to Fern Canyon.

Wonderful campground in the redwoods. Lots of good sites, mostly mostly in the northern loop. Plenty of hiking trails around and elk everywhere!! Fern canyon is just a short way up the road and a definite must hike!! We will be returning here often

I didn't expect there will be actual elk there. I woke up to bunch of elk in front of my tent! Beautiful hikes, nice camp host and camp spots are in nice wooded area, some are by the creek, lots of privacy.