Elk Prairie Campground

We stayed at two different state park campground in the redwoods and this one was my favorite. Out of our whole two week camping excursion, this was my favorite. The landscape was just amazing, such massive awesome trees. Did not see any elk but there is always the possibility at this campground. Several hiking trails to explore. There is a visitor center and you can buy firewood from the camp hosts. Th restroom were decent and had nicer showers then the other campground we stayed at. Our campsite was nice and spacious. If you get the chance to go here do, and take the scenic highway to get to it. Also check out fern canyon, the road to get there is narrow and crappy but totally worth it. 

Probably my favorite so far

This campground was primitive  and very "natural" in setting. The sites had a bear box for food storage and there were Elk grazing near our loop. We picked blackberries and watched bluejays landing nearby. There was a restroom with pay showers and a ranger station at the entrance. Not a lot here but plenty to do up the road on the Newton B Drury Pkwy we visited the ancient Redwoods that were amazing. Also, can drive to Fern Valley if you rig isn't too big. That is where a scene from Jurassic park was filmed.

Camping in the Redwoods

So you will be camping with people only a couple feet from you, it's load, it over crowded, it's sucks but your not there for the campsite you are there for the trees and nature and it excels in this. Wild elk roaming within feet of your campsites, epic Redwoods within walking distance, and a super friendly staff.

Super cramped sites but worth it.

Seeing the redwoods for the first time is incredible. This campground is in an ideal location, redwood forest, fern canyon and the beach. We saw elk on our drive into the park, at the campground and on the beach. The trails thoughout the park are incredible. The campground is small, there are bathrooms with pay showers. It's a basic campground but offers a chunk of the Redwood forest and Pacific Ocean! Absolutely incredible. 

From Pa, this place is magical 

This is a beautiful campground in the mid to lower part of the Redwoods. If you are lucky, you can get a site in the meadow area where the elk usually roam in the early morning or play at dusk. There are also plenty of sites set back in the woods. I scored a meadow site, which was great because my tent was wet from the night before, but quickly dried out. Six elk came within 30 feet of my tent as the sun was setting. Pretty awesome!

Firewood available for $8/bundle. Quarters required for showers. $35 cash or check/night. No credit cards!!

Awesome trails among the Redwoods right from the campground/visitor center.

Elk roam at dusk

I highly recommend this location - what could be better than camping in the redwoods, with elk grazing in the meadow right next to your camp!

Sites were decent sized for our 2 tents, surrounded by trees and bushes offering some privacy so you don’t feel like you are right on top of your neighbors. Very clean bathrooms, decent showers, picnic tables, fire pits. You are expected to keep your site ‘crumb clean’ and will be provided with instruction about that.

The only downside is that it can get very damp at night – which made it seem a little colder and had a lot of tent condensation.

There are many wonderful hikes in the area – love it when you can get forest and ocean on the same trail! Normally I don’t like hearing other people’s campground music, but whoever was singing vespers it was beautiful. Slept peacefully to sounds of the creek running by our site.

The visitor center was good and gave us a lot of useful information. The ranger even came around to let us know of local events.

Redwoods & Ocean: California's best

The most private site at the campground. Close to walking trails and bathrooms. Campground amenities include water, firewood $8/bundle, and pay showers. No cell service.

Site 64

This was my favorite campground in our northern california tour. Campimg among the redwoods, so quiet and shady we slept in late each morning. The elk prarie is a few steps away, we didnt have the right season to see any, but the morning fog on the meadow was still beautiful.

Camp hosts were lovely, scenery beautiful, bathrooms had coong operated shawers and were very well maintained.

Very peaceful!

This spot has the coast and desolate beaches as well as the magnificent fern canyon trail that takes you into a wonderland of green and inlet streams. I only wish I had stayed here longer.

Best of everthing

When staying in this area I explored two campgrounds one more beach view (around 25 miles south) and another with more of the true Redwood Forest feel. This one being that one!  

We first drove up to this area mid afternoon, which in fall is the time that you start to see the clouds pushing back in from the ocean and the sun slowly start making its decline.  While it isn’t dark super early it also isn’t light and it is during this time that you see the elk moving across the area to graze. That was our first impression of this area, one of such awesome beauty!

We then explored the area even more to realize this campsite was much more than just a campsite it was a part of the State Park which held so much information about these unique and beautiful trees that you had to just stop to take it all in.

We opted to take in one of the shorter trails before fully settling in so we picked up a map at the visitor center area which also had a lot of really interesting items inside and took to the trail right outside the center. When we were inside we were told they offer cabins as well as camping and you can bring your RV as long as it doesn’t exceed a certain length.

We had a group of 4 and yet if we were only a few feet away it was odd to even hear one another speaking.

The world is completely quiet around you when you are in this forest and so the campsites are muffled by the forest moss and ground around them.  It is so surreal to be in a slightly improved area but yet feeling like you are a million miles from anything or anyone.  

Campsites themselves are far from typical, despite offering typical amenities.  They are set in the most serene place you can possibly find and have these huge trees peering over your every move.  It is as though time stands still when you are here because you stop to truly realize just how small you are in the big picture.

The one thing we kept trying to remind ourselves of is that because we were in nature to remember that this was one of the more open areas for animals since we were right in the middle of it all and to not forget that while being in such awe.  For this reason we were mindful of keeping containers closed and in the car, nothing in our packs that could attract any unwanted visitors and to always keep a light at hand when traveling as the sun began to set.

TIPS:

*   Don’t rush this is a place you want to take your time. If you are on a trail fully allow yourself time to enjoy that trail don’t try to set a pace typical of other locations.
*   Try hiking toward the shore from camp, it is one of the best views you will find of the California coast.

Words Cannot Explain Til You Visit

The old growth redwood forest is spectacular. The dirt road to our campsite was 6 miles long winding and narrow and beautiful. Camping as close to the beach as you can get at Gold Bluffs Beach Campground at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. A very nice campground. Nice bathrooms. A favorite and we will for sure go back.

beach camping

This was a fantastic location in Prairie Creek Redwoods SP.  Not too far from the highway was great on a road trip.  We saw a family of elk before even getting into the park.  Our campsite #58 was a little small and pretty squeeze by our neighbors, but overall it was fine.  

  

I would highly, highly recommend taking the hike down through the redwoods to the beach and then back up through fern canyon.  Was one of the best hikes I've ever done.

Redwoods, Prairies, Ferns & Beaches

We loved this campground! We had site number 29 and think it is one of the best ones in the campground. The site was large enough to fit our 10x10 tent. It was also very close to being near the bathrooms without us being right next to them. We were right next to the prairie creek which was beautiful. The campground and bathrooms were clean, with soap provided as well as potable water. The showers were good as well, although it was hard to get hot water sometimes. We also camped here on the weekends when the rangers had their talks in the evenings. We highly recommend attending these! They are geared towards a younger audience, but they are fun to experience and learn more about the area you are in. This campsite also has plenty of access to amazing hikes. We hope to visit again!

Amazing campground! Beautiful! 

When traveling to the Redwoods there are so many amazing campgrounds to visit. I have been to the Elk Prairie area once before but was not able to camp so made sure that on my most recent trip to make it happen. 

  

One of my favorite locations within the Redwoods the campground itself is only a short distance to some of my favorite trails in the area. 

  

You cannot go wrong at $35 a night to be in the direct footprint of the gigantic tree canopies in an area known widely for the frequently traveled paths of some of the forests most majestic elk herds. 

  

The campground comes with all the basics, fire pits and picnic tables are located at each of the sites. The sites range in overall sizing with some large enough to fit smaller RVs but many designed for the smaller set up such as my tent. 

  

While the ground is cleared, much like the rest of the location the soft wooded padding of the forest floor made for a comfortable place to settle in for the night. One thing you will want to remember when staying at this location is rain. 

  

Rain seems to come and go frequently and can occur without any warning. While staying here I was periodically inundated by the persistence of rain both light and heavy. 

  

While staying at this campground there are many benefits related to the overall location itself. Unlike many who will search for parking in small lots, you will have the built in benefit of having access to parking and thus some of the best entry points to trails. In addition, there is a small museum and Ranger Post at the entry to this camping area which makes for easy access to maps and additional restrooms. 

  

However with all the benefits there are a few disadvantages as well including the lack of cell and internet service. This is only a disadvantage if you do not have a offline map. Come prepared and you will not struggle at all and will be at an advantage.

Great Access To Forest Hiking

Stayed here last weekend and it was absolutely magical. Word of advice, unless you want a small amount of light into your campsite, avoid site 30 as it is right next to the bathrooms (which were super clean by the way) and there is a large light outside of it and there is a clearing from that site to the restroom so the light isn’t blocked at all. It can also be quit noisy, and the walk up to the bathroom is right next to your campsite so there is a lot of foot traffic. Otherwise great place to camp. 

Gorgeous state park 

Well screened and large campsites with tables and fire rings Mine was in the FF (first come, first served) section on the creek. There are well maintained hiking trails through out the magnificent Redwoods forest and excellent trail signage  Showers and toilets clean. Friendly,helpful staff. Stayed mid-Nov. for two nights at $33 per. 

Stay Here

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.

Peace and quiet in the trees

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. 

Green and Gorgeous 

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. 

Close to redwood

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.

Nice Biker/hiker sites 

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.