Elam Backcountry Camp — Redwood National Park

1 Review

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About

National Park Service

A backcountry permit is required for overnight camping: https://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm To prepare for any trip to this location, download the detailed Elam backcountry guide and map: https://www.nps.gov/places/upload/BC_Planner_Elam_2-17-2012-508.pdf

• When parking at trailhead, secure items of value and keep them out of sight; better yet, leave them at home! Lock vehicle doors, roll up windows, and engage anti-theft devices. • Hikers/backpackers only: 7.5 miles to camp from Orick Horse Trailhead. • Hikers/backpackers only: 3 miles to camp from Redwood Creek Trailhead. Note: Frequent vehicle break-ins at trailhead parking area. • Hikers/backpackers only: 6.5 miles to camp from Tall Trees Trailhead. • Pets (with the exception of service animals) and bicycles are not permitted on trails or in camp. • Redwood Creek may be impossible to cross during the rainy season and/or during high flow stages; two bridges over Redwood Creek are only in place seasonally, usually June–September.

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Site Types

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Equestrian

Features

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Picnic Table
Reservable
Fires

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Sharon B.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 17, 2021

Heavily trafficked way point into the park

I camped here in late March 2021 during a 2 night, 3 day hike of the Redwood National & State Park. This campground is the first one you come upon while hiking in from the Orick Horse Trail Trailhead. There are picnic tables and two bear lockers, (there's another by the horse coral). I stopped for lunch at this site on my first day. I think this is the primary campground used by most hikers, (and the gravel bar near by).

If I were to plan another trip I would only use this campsite as a way point on the way to more secluded sites. This is a main thoroughfare, so people will pass by your site. It's also the only horse camp. There was a sign that directed hikers to camp on the gravel bar instead of Elam. I think this is more likely in summer because of traffic as I only saw one horse rider on day hike.

This is wilderness, so appropriate caution must be taken, Bear canister is required is you do not have access to a site with a bear locker.

Month of VisitApril