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Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park

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CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Flint Ridge Backcountry Site, near Crescent City, California, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of Redwood National and State Park. This free campground offers a unique experience with spacious sites surrounded by towering trees and lush vegetation, making it a perfect escape into nature.

The campground features picnic tables and grills, allowing for enjoyable meals outdoors. Visitors have noted the convenience of a vault toilet, which adds a bit of comfort to your camping experience. As one happy camper put it, “Great camping spot for FREE!! Stellar views and super easy access.”

For those eager to explore, Flint Ridge is close to stunning hiking trails and breathtaking views of the coast. Just a short hike from the parking area, you’ll find yourself in a serene setting, perfect for unwinding after a day of adventure. Keep an eye out for the local wildlife, including banana slugs, and be cautious of the stinging nettles and poison ivy that can pop up around the area.

While some campers mentioned that the ocean view has been obscured by vegetation, the overall privacy and beauty of the site make it a worthwhile destination. Whether you're a seasoned camper or just looking for a peaceful getaway, Flint Ridge offers a memorable experience in one of California's most iconic parks.

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Location

Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

Trailhead: Marked west access is on the Coastal Drive. Marked east access is across from the Old Douglas Memorial Bridge site at junction of Alder Camp and Klamath Beach Road. Mileage to Campground: From west access, 0.25 miles. From east access, 4.5 miles.

Address

1111 Second Street
Crescent City, CA 95531

Coordinates

41.52539904 N
124.07932382 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user

Drive Time

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Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user

Access

  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Dispersed
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park needs a permit.

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General Info


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7 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 22, 2025

Peaceful and remote

The hike was a bit much for me but I loved staying here. You might just have the place to yourself.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by avery R., September 22, 2025
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2023

Weird vibes

We parked in the parking lot and there was a sign saying security camera in use. There were signs warning us to not leave valuables in the car bc of thieves. I’ve never seen that at a campsite before and it really weirded me out. No cell service at the campsite.

The campsites themselves are well established with grills and picnic tables. There’s even a vault toilet.

The sites had major vegetation growth. Lots of stinging nettles. It wasn’t my favorite camp experience because the warning signs were pretty off putting, but overall it was okay.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2023

2023 Exploring

Unfortunately the campsites no longer offer an ocean view as the vegetation has grown so much as of July 2023. When you arrive on the ONE WAY coastal drive you pull into parking on the left which is a half moon gravel area facing the ocean. On the right of the road you have a 1/4 mile hike up through dense vegetation. Be warned there is tons of poison ivy even in the campground. The 8 campgrounds are relatively spread apart for privacy. Unfortunately it appears the only composting toilet is in campsite #1 so you have go to their camp. There are also banana slugs in the area that can end up on your stuff.

Site3
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by Claudia V., July 17, 2023
Reviewed Apr. 15, 2023

AMAZING!!

Great camping spot for FREE!! Stellar views and super easy access. We parked right along the coast and easily walked all of our gear to camp. Could see the ocean from our tent while among the GIANT trees (be careful of ticks though). Would definitely recommend!!

Site3
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by rylee , April 15, 2023
  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by rylee , April 15, 2023
  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by rylee , April 15, 2023
Reviewed Sep. 10, 2018

Favorite Spot!

I have been along camping the Nor Cal coast at least twice a year, my entire life. Flint Ridge is a little farther north than I normally go, but I’m so glad I stumbled across this campground a few years back. My only “complaint” is that the pit toilet has been AWFUL the couple times I attempted to use it, but everything else about this campground is beautiful, secluded, and perfect.

  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by Emily H., September 10, 2018
  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by Emily H., September 10, 2018
  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by Emily H., September 10, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 15, 2018

One of a kind

We just drove through but it seems like a great spot to camp given all the options. Lots of day hikes and extraordinary views. I highly recommend. The trees are MASSIVE.

  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by Apryl E., July 15, 2018
  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by Apryl E., July 15, 2018
  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by Apryl E., July 15, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2017

Amazing, free campground in Redwood National Park

We feel like we hit the jackpot at Redwood. We arrived at the Visitor Center without much of a plan for our four days here, and we immediately were interested in the free backcountry established campgrounds.

We chose Flint Ridge for our permit because of its accessibility to the road and main attractions through the park. The park is long and narrow, and Flint Ridge is located in the center, so we could drive north or south for the day and not have to backtrack through the entire park. We also only had to “hike” a short ¼ mile from our parking spot to the campsite.

The campsite itself was great: spacious, lush vegetation, a picnic table and nicer pit toilet, and even a view of the ocean! We were pleasantly surprised that our free campsite provided so much for us.

Throughout the rest of the park, we loved Fern Canyon, the Tall Trees Grove, and Crescent Beach. We also loved just driving through the scenic drives and peering out at the giant trees!

You can read much more about our five days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Redwood)

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by SwitchbackKids , July 20, 2017
  • Review photo of Flint Ridge Backcountry Site - Redwood National and State Park by SwitchbackKids , July 20, 2017
  • Video tour of our campsite at Flint Ridge
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Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Flint Ridge Backcountry Campground?

Flint Ridge Backcountry Campground offers basic amenities typical of a backcountry site. The campground includes established campsites with a pit toilet, though maintenance of this facility can be inconsistent. The campsites are well-maintained with fire rings and a food storage locker to protect supplies from wildlife. This is a FREE backcountry camping option within Redwood National and State Park, requiring only a permit. There's no drinking water available, so campers need to bring their own supplies. Also note there's no cell service at the campsite, so plan communications accordingly.

How do I access the Flint Ridge Campground and what are the trail conditions?

Flint Ridge Campground is easily accessible via a coastal drive with parking available in a half-moon gravel area facing the ocean. From the parking lot, campers follow a 1/4 mile trail up to the campsites. The hike is relatively easy, making it possible to carry camping gear without much difficulty. The trail is well-maintained but be aware that it's a ONE WAY road to the parking area. Vehicle security cameras are in use at the parking lot, and visitors should be cautious about leaving valuables in their cars.

What historical significance does Flint Ridge have and are there any related attractions?

Flint Ridge is located within Redwood National and State Park, an area primarily known for preserving ancient coast redwood ecosystems rather than specific historical events. The name likely relates to the presence of flint in the geological formations of the ridge. While the campground itself doesn't have documented historical significance, its location provides access to the park's extensive network of trails through old-growth redwood forests, which have both ecological and cultural importance. Nearby attractions include day hiking opportunities with views of massive redwood trees and the Pacific coastline. Be sure to check with park rangers at the Visitor Center for information about interpretive programs that might highlight the natural and cultural history of the area.

What do visitor reviews say about Flint Ridge Campground?

Flint Ridge Campground is highly regarded for its FREE camping opportunity in a prime location within Redwood National and State Park. Campers appreciate the stunning natural setting among giant redwood trees and previously enjoyed ocean views, though vegetation growth has now obscured these views. The location offers easy access to exceptional day hikes with extraordinary views. While the campground's accessibility and natural beauty receive praise, some concerns exist about parking lot security and inconsistent maintenance of the pit toilet facilities. Overall, visitors consider it a worthwhile camping destination for those seeking an immersive redwood forest experience.