Mill Creek Campground — Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Pretty nice campground, a good mile plus off the main highway and down in a valley, so you feel like you are out in the remote wilderness. However, it's still a state park campground in a very popular summer area (Redwoods NP), so the park was packed as to be expected, and lots of families and kids, all doing the things kids to when they camp (be loud). I'm not hating, I'm a parent, and I'm pro kids being kids while camping. But when I'm on a solo trip, I prefer peace and quiet. But again, I knew what I was probably going to get when I booked here. Truth is, there just isn't much for dispersed camping opportunists in the area. So, I made the best of it. And kudos to the kids and their parents, come quite time around 9pm, things went completely silent.

The spots are fairly close together, but the nature of the vegetation made for "walls" around the spots, which offered some privacy. Bathrooms were clean, and they do have showers (but I didn't partake, not stinky enough just yet).

A few of the spots have parking at the bottom of a small ledge, then you need to climb steps to get up to the camp area. Didn't look to bad, but something to keep in mind when booking your spot, try to find a camp map/pictures to see which ones are like that.

Drive from the highway to the campground is captivating. Campground staff were both pleasant & informative. We were concerned about theft as many signs mentioned this, but were reassured it has not been a recent problem. We had no issues leaving our kitchen items in the bear box during the day as well as tents & sleep systems in place for many hours while gone exploring. Sites were tucked close together, but there are many large ferns and overgrowth forest that provided a sense of privacy despite this. Busy place. Facilities were clean. Many trails close by. Would not recommend our site as it was close to the bathrooms and we did have an overwhelming scent of sewage during the nights while sleeping, though I didn’t notice this during the daytime. Overall would camp here again, but would prefer a different site.

Near by notes: Crescent City had an overwhelming homeless population. Was told by locals this is much lower in Brookings and received recommendation to camp at Harris Beach next time. We drove to Klamath and stopped at the beach along the highway (we believe this to be False Klamath Cove) as well as Trees of Mystery. Rode the gondola up & enjoyed the hike down. There was one black bear off the trail.

Maybe more like 4.5 stars. Our site was just so weirdly adjoined to another site and by the second night a whole bunch of families moved on in to that site and a couple others and loudly partied until late and then early in the morning, more loudness. Complete with penned up dogs that yelped and whined and barked the entire time. Right. Next. To us. Some other sites that aren't adjoined like this would be amazing I think.

However, the bathrooms were decent. No paper towels or dryers in California so bring a towel to dry your hands, because it was cold in July. Flush toilets, running water, coin showers. I didn't use one, but my teenager did, which is beneficial to everyone.

There was a spigot and drain right at our site, and that was very useful. No hanging lines from the trees, so I had to get creative and hang some stuff over a branch. Not that that did anything, lol. Stuff does not dry outside there.

You have to drive down a very long road to get into the campground, which is totally worth it when you're dispersed camping or it's otherwise isolated, but it didn't seem AS worth it being crowded in next to others. No redwoods in the campground area, but plenty nearby. Same with trails. A couple small ones within walking distance, but not really worth it if you want to see the big mamas!

Nearby Crescent City was a really charming town with a great park, natural foods coop, and (cold) beach. We also saw lots of elk in the field across from the beach. 

No service in the campground, but if you drive up to the ranger station, you can hook up to their wifi.

Overall, a beautiful campground with a mostly good experience.

This campground is a great stop if you’re looking for something in the redwoods besides the popular Jedidiah. There are two full loops to choose from.

There were plenty of open sites last minute but we heard that it does get busy. Some sites are SMALL but the reservation website lists the dimensions of each site and contains a picture as well. It makes it easy to book, site unseen. Some sites are open while others are secluded. There are hike/bike in campsites as well.

There are RV amenities within the campground but not at each individual site. I would say that this campground isn’t too RV friendly just because it’s a smaller campground in general. It might be hard to maneuver around but it is allowed.

There are bathrooms with flush toilets as well as showers with hot water. It’s .25 cents per minute for the showers, maximum 12 minutes. Everything was cleaned each morning. Bring extra TP, as it usually ran out mid day.

Bear boxes are provided and you are asked to keep everything in there at all times. We had a chipmunk try to get into ours but didn’t see any bear. Fires are permitted, just make sure you put it out completely at night.

No hammocks or tying to trees allowed. That was a bummer, as I love my hammock but totally understandable. You have to protect the redwoods that remain.

No cell service but if you drive up to the ranger station, they have WiFi. Doesn’t reach the campsites though.

The closed Mill Creek day-use area has access to trails through old growth redwoods. This Mill Creek campground has limited access to a few short trails. See notes below. 

WARNING: Trestle Loop Trail is not a loop (since 2018 according to CH). The first bridge when hiking clockwise is in excellent condition. The second crossing is at a wide section of creek without any bridge or trail markers. The third crossing is impassible due to a ~6ft abrupt drop. Aug 2019 there was a single laminated sign on the trail floor stating "Stay on trail," an A-frame marker tied to a tree by caution tape over 100ft away from the abrupt drop.

Caution: The campground map dated 2006, rev 2019 is missing important campground details and vaguely marks the path of the Trestle Trail.

Most disappointing, this campground has no old growth redwoods and no immediate hiking access to old growth, rivers, lakes, or beaches and ocean.

The map provided on paper, PDF, and on signs is inaccurate. The good: There are many potable water sources on both north and south loops, not just one as on the map. Some of the bad: 

1/ Several camp sites have stairs. 

2/ Many camp sites are generously graveled making tent camping less comfortable and difficult to drive stakes.

3/ Site 27 is currently (summer 2019) the end of the Trestle Trail. Expect guests passing through.

4/ Camp sites vary significantly. This could be a positive if documented accurately: Some are stacked with one entrance path deeper into the forest. Some have stairs leading to tent sites above road grade. Some have both such as 5, 6, and 7. Recommendation: Read each site detail on ReserveCalifornia carefully or ask the camp staff at the entrance kiosk.

5/ A few sites are inaccurately placed on the map such as site 20 which is on the main loop, not on the side road.

6/ The map is missing trail details such as another creek crossing and switchbacks on the west side which would be helpful progress indicators.

7/ Especially for RVs and trailers: The campground map makes no mention of the poor entrance road conditions. In addition to a steep grade and tight turns there are several small sections of uneven roadway due to slides. A small section is washed out and only graveled. There are also abrupt speed bumps near the kiosk.

8/ The campground map includes info for some nearby trails, but only the Trestle Trail is indicated on the map. Nearby trails are accessible only from the WEST entrance to the Trestle Trail across from camp site 8.

After climbing up, up, up along the coast, the Mill Creek access road takes you twisting down into a valley among the trees. 

Upon arrival the rangers assigned me a campsite but worked hard to figure out which is the available sites best suit my needs. We settled on a site along an out of the way loop. On a Thursday night mid-September there were many open campsites and the campground was pretty quiet. It was incredible just to wander around the campground and wonder at the trees. Mill Creek is in a second generation forest. The old growth trees had been cut for logging years ago but their awe-inspiring stumps are scattered throughout the campground. The trees that grow today are impressive in their own way. 

Roughly 20 minutes from Crescent City, there's relatively quick access to the beach and coastline. Check out the Battery Point Lighthouse which can only be accessed at low tide. The campground has flushing toilets, drinking water, and pay showers. There are also fire pits, picnic tables, and large bear lockers in each campsite. The roads down to the campground and throughout are a little rough, keep an eye out for big dumps and dips. The campground hosts sell firewood and have quarters for the showers and are incredibly friendly. I loved staying at Mill Creek and had a wonderful experience yet, $35 dollars a night feels a little pricey.