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$35 / night

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$35 / night

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Established Camping

Benbow State Recreation Area Campground

4 Reviews

Warning 4 Alerts are In Effect

There are 4 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Occupancy by the same persons, equipment, or vehicle(s) is limited as follows:

  1. Individual campsites - Maximum allowable stay is thirty (30) nights per calendar year per park, with no more than seven (7) of these nights permitted during the summer season (May 1 through September 30), and no more than fifteen (15) consecutive nights the rest of the year. After maximum allowable consecutive use has been reached no person or equipment may re-enter the same park to use any camping facilities until the expiration of at least two nights (48 hours).
  2. Group and Environmental campsites - Maximum allowable stay is fourteen (14) nights per calendar year per park, with no more than seven (7) nights of consecutive use per visit. After maximum allowable consecutive use has been reached no person or equipment may re-enter the same park to use any camping facilities until the expiration of at least two nights (48 hours).
  3. Hike and Bike campsites - Maximum allowable stay is seven (7) nights per calendar year per park, with no more than two (2) nights of consecutive use per visit. After maximum allowable consecutive use has been reached no person or equipment may re-enter the same park to use any camping facilities until the expiration of at least two nights (48 hours).

Maximum allowable stay is thirty (30) nights per calendar year per park, with no more than fifteen (15) of these nights permitted during the summer season.

Thank you for your patience as we finalize the 2026 inventory. Please continue to check back. We will be releasing the inventory as soon as it becomes available.

Occupancy by the same persons, equipment, or vehicle(s) is limited as follows:

Individual campsites - Maximum allowable stay is thirty (30) nights per calendar year per park, with no more than seven (7) of these nights permitted during the summer season (May 1 through September 30), and no more than fifteen (15) consecutive nights the rest of the year. After maximum allowable consecutive use has been reached no person or equipment may re-enter the same park to use any camping facilities until the expiration of at least two nights (48 hours).

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Benbow State Recreation Area Campground is located near Garberville, CA, featuring terrain with a mix of forested areas and open spaces. Temperatures range from 40°F in winter to 85°F in summer, providing varied camping experiences throughout the year. Nearby attractions include the Avenue of the Giants, offering scenic drives and hiking opportunities among towering redwoods.

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Location

Benbow State Recreation Area Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Address

1600 Us Highway 101, #8
Garberville, CA 95542

Coordinates

40.0571618303999 N
123.787580823 W

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Connectivity

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    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Usal Beach Campground

Usal Beach Campground

1 hr away

Bailey Canyon Campground

Bailey Canyon Campground

1 hr 49 min away

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-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

Contact

Reservations

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Reviews

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3.0

out of 5

4 Reviews

D
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2025

Closed for the season

Tried to stay here,only to find out it was closed either for the season or due to toxic bloom. Also, beware the road is somewhat washed out for quite a distance at the top of the hill ,and we have a small 21’ trailer and we barely made it across it was so narrow and it was quite steep. Again only to find out the park was closed!

Month of VisitOctober
NThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jul. 26, 2025

Its nice in a pinch

Couldn’t find any availability at other campgrounds nearby but found a first come first serve site here. They have about 15-20 sites that are all first come first serve. Lots of road noise from the 101, not much privacy. Has access to the river.

Site58
Month of VisitJuly
Jessica S.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed May. 26, 2025

Just right fir a night

Took a chance that we would find a spot on a holiday weekend. We rolled in at 630pm. There were a handful of first come spaces remaining. Got lucky and found a space for our 34 ‘ rig . Hit a few low hanging branches on the way in. Right next to hwy 101 but mostly quiet at night.

Site67
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Benbow State Recreation Area Campground by Jessica S., May 26, 2025
  • Review photo of Benbow State Recreation Area Campground by Jessica S., May 26, 2025
A
Reviewed Jan. 8, 2025

Our summer spot

We live 2 1/2 hours south, but travel up to Benbo SRA every summer to enjoy the south Fork of the Eel River and the beautiful campground that it has to offer. Very short walk to the water the bathrooms are cleaned daily they have coin operated showers. Make sure to bring dollar bills to exchange in the machine for the coins that they use. There is a large stretch of shallow water, which is great for smaller children, but you can also swim out to deeper parts, which is great for adults and teens. There is also a wonderful rock for jumping off of.

SiteMiddle loop 43
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Benbow State Recreation Area Campground by Alice S., January 8, 2025
  • Review photo of Benbow State Recreation Area Campground by Alice S., January 8, 2025
Showing results 1-4 of 4 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities and amenities are available at Benbow SRA Campground?

Benbow SRA Campground offers several amenities to support your camping experience. The campground features coin-operated showers and bathrooms that are cleaned daily. Remember to bring dollar bills for the shower facilities. The campground accommodates RVs up to 34 feet, though some low-hanging branches may be encountered when navigating larger rigs. Some sites are first-come, first-served (approximately 15-20 sites), which can be beneficial during busy periods. The campground provides easy access to the South Fork of the Eel River with a very short walk to the water.

How does Benbow SRA Campground compare to Benbow KOA and other nearby options?

Benbow SRA Campground offers a more natural setting than Benbow KOA but with fewer amenities. The SRA campground is positioned close to Highway 101, resulting in some road noise, particularly during the day. It offers approximately 15-20 first-come, first-served sites, making it a good backup option when other campgrounds in the Garberville area are full. Privacy between sites is limited. The campground can accommodate RVs up to 34 feet, though with some challenges navigating branches. In contrast, Benbow KOA and other private RV parks in the area typically offer more extensive amenities like full hookups, WiFi, and planned activities, but at higher prices.

Where can I find maps and photos of Benbow State Recreation Area Campground?

To find maps and photos of Benbow State Recreation Area Campground, check the California State Parks official website, which typically provides downloadable campground maps, facility information, and official photos. The Dyrt camping app and website also feature user-submitted photos and campsite information. For the most current and detailed maps, contact the Benbow SRA ranger station directly. Additionally, the California Department of Parks and Recreation visitor centers often provide printed maps and brochures of the area.

What recreation opportunities are available at Benbow Lake and the surrounding area?

Benbow State Recreation Area offers excellent access to the South Fork of the Eel River, which is the primary recreational draw. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and wading in the river, particularly refreshing during summer months. The short walking distance from the campground to the water makes river activities easily accessible for all campers. The surrounding area features hiking opportunities through the beautiful Northern California landscape. The campground's location near Highway 101 also makes it convenient for day trips to explore the redwood forests, nearby state parks, and the charming towns of the region.

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