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Best Campgrounds near Crescent City, CA

977 Reviews

The northern California coast around Crescent City combines redwood forests with Pacific Ocean views for a unique camping experience. Jedediah Smith Campground puts you right among ancient redwoods and comes with flush toilets and drinking water, which works well if you're bringing kids. Campers looking for beach time can stay at Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, where you'll often see elk and quail wandering near your site. Mill Creek Campground tends to be quieter, with basic restrooms and picnic tables set among thick woods. While camping in the area, most people check out the Trees of Mystery and take some time to walk the coastal trails, which range from easy paths to longer hikes. Before heading out, look up current fire rules and whether you need permits. During summer months, you should book ahead since these campgrounds fill up fast. The Crescent City area has camping that fits different styles - from quiet forest spots to places right by the water. The mix of big trees and ocean shoreline makes this part of California worth the trip for many campers.

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Best Camping Sites Near Crescent City, California (176)

    1. Jedidiah Smith Campground — Redwood National Park

    55 Reviews
    Hiouchi, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 444-7275

    "Campsites are very private and give a great feeling of being located right in the heart of the Redwoods. Crescent city is a short drive as is many other tourist attractions."

    "You'll want to pick a site that is close to the river, and far from the highway as possible because of the highway noise (although not terrible) isn't ideal when you're trying to enjoy nature."

    2. Mill Creek Campground — Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

    43 Reviews
    Hiouchi, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 444-7275

    $35 / night

    "It was incredible just to wander around the campground and wonder at the trees. Mill Creek is in a second generation forest."

    "Drive from the highway to the campground is captivating. Campground staff were both pleasant & informative."

    3. Florence Keller Regional Park

    34 Reviews
    Crescent City, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 464-7230

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Super close to crescent city yet tucked away in a beautiful, dense forest. It’s self check in, first come first serve and a flat $20. Only a few other campers were here when we came."

    "This is an amazing Grove of redwoods just north of Crescent City on the 101. There's about 50 campsites between the 10th spaces and RV spaces. This park seems to be overlooked by many."

    4. Harris Beach State Park Campground

    106 Reviews
    Brookings, OR
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 469-2021

    $26 - $71 / night

    "All RV sites are paved with gravel around the picnic table and fire ring. Each loop has its own restrooms and showers which were well kept and very clean."

    "The beach is a ten minute walk and both walks we took were breath taking! Everyone we met were very friendly and had great knowledge of the park seeing that it was our first time."

    5. Crescent City/Redwoods KOA

    19 Reviews
    Crescent City, CA
    2 miles
    Website

    "Clean campground, our spot was near the play area, dog park and office. They have some area tucked into the redwoods. They have some farm animals!"

    "Koa is located near the National Park entrance."

    6. Lighthouse Cove RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Crescent City, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 464-2473

    "Not fancy, but a great place to stay while checking out the beautiful scenery in and around Crescent City."

    "Wow how best to articulate what we feel about this campground We arrived today February 25th escaping The snow in Southern California."

    7. Ramblin' Redwoods Campground & RV Park

    12 Reviews
    Fort Dick, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 487-7404

    $41 - $204 / night

    "Camping at Rambling Redwoods offers a unique experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in nature, surrounded by the majestic Redwoods."

    "Some spots are close enough to hear highway noise but it wasn’t bad. There are couple great trails through Redwoods. We were there during COVID and forest fires so most activities were closed."

    8. Redwood Meadows RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Hiouchi, CA
    6 miles
    +1 (707) 954-3310

    $28 - $66 / night

    "The campground is half a mile away from Jedediah State Park and the Smith River. 15 minutes from Crescent City and a short drive to Brookings."

    "Come see for yourself, enjoy the Redwoods and about 15 to 25 minutes to town of Crescent City and ocean. Smith River is close by as well."

    9. Panther Flat Campground

    18 Reviews
    Gasquet, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 457-3131

    $15 - $30 / night

    "There is a river nearby that you can hear from some of the sites but have to walk down a hill and across the day use area to actually get to it."

    "Close to the Redwood Forest 🌳 we stopped here for a night 🌃on our road trip through California. The sites were nicely sized, though the showers are coin 👛operated."

    10. Kamp Klamath RV Park and Campground

    35 Reviews
    Klamath, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 482-0227

    $40 - $70 / night

    "We didn’t plan on staying but 101 closures between Klamath and Crescent City led us to find a last minute option and the staff at Kamp Klamath could not have been more accommodating."

    "Once set up, the camp side was very close to our neighbors. Expect no privacy. Perhaps they should put up a patrician of lattice or something between the sites.  The utilities are somewhat confusing."

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Recent Camping Photos near Crescent City, CA

273 Photos of 176 Crescent City Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Crescent City, CA

977 Reviews of 176 Crescent City Campgrounds

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Crescent City/Redwoods KOA

    Easy 101

    It is right off 101. We had easy pull through. Seems real quiet. Laundry being renovated. Bathhouse seems fine. Nice big grassy area towards the dog park. Nice for our dogs. So far so good.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Mill Creek Campground — Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

    Del Norte Coastal Redwood SP

    This area is beautiful and well worth a visit, but the campground needs some attention. 2 mile entrance road was paved but not in good condition. Site 42 was small for our 16’ft trailer and lots of mosquitoes in late summer. Campground is very wooded with lots of great hikes nearby.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Redwood Bar Dispersed Camping

    Redwood Camping

    I’m not sure why everyone is so pressed about the maps leading them elsewhere, the signs are there! There are actually 3 river access roads that will lead you to dispersed camping. The Nook, Miller and Redwood and they all have signs displayed. We were there for 3 nights and to be honest every night from Mon-Wed. was quite but busy. Everyone was respectful of the others space however it was just too busy of a site for how we like to camp. It is good for a sleep and the river was was nice but not really my flavor. We drove up farther to another site and enjoyed that much more.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    South Fork Chetco

    Secluded river spot

    This is one of my favorite spots so far! It’s a little farther up than we anticipated going BUT so worth it...maybe a mile or so past the Redwood river access. You’ll pass through a cute little neighborhood and it’s right before the bridge on your left hand side. The spot that we were staying at before just got way too busy and that’s not the kind of camping that we prefer to do. We were able to get our rig and our Casita down fairly easy. We’re right on the river with very beautiful views and the whole area to ourselves!! We’re visiting early September so no fires are allowed at this time and the yellow jackets are still definitely out, so try and make sure you have a trap for them…they can get aggressive! Would most definitely come back to this spot!!

  • L
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Alfred A. Loeb State Park Campground

    happy campground right on the chetco

    Wow! I had heard some mixed reviews of Loeb; lack of privacy, loud partying. That wasn't my experience. Maybe I got lucky but I had super chill neighbors and it was dead quiet once the sun went down. There are options up the river for more private dispersed camping I checked out the next day, but solo camping as a woman I prefer to have some lowkey families or older couples camping nearby, which is what I got. Gigantic trees swallowed my site which was a 3 minute walk to the riverbank. Chetco is the most gorgeous river I have ever been lucky enough to swim in. Honestly the campground could have been a dump and I might not have even noticed due to how dazzled I was by the river, which flowed gently behind my site. I swam for hours, walked into camp for a hot shower & dinner, stared up at the stars before bed. I heard barred owls at night. So hard to leave this special place. I will be back as soon as I can.

  • J
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Aikens Creek Recreation Area

    Aikens Creek Dispersed

    Seems to have been a legit National Forrest campground that is no longer maintained. But it still has camp sites and a little further in there is dispersed very close to the river. It was secluded and great.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    middle fork smith river

    Middle Fork Smith River

    This is a cute spot and we stayed here for 3 nights. Plenty of space between the other campers (up to 5 one night). There is an overlook to the river at the dead end of the road and you can hear people enjoying that view but nothing that would really disturb you. There is a trail that leads straight down to the river! Plenty of room for swimming and fishing. Would definitely stay here again. It’s about a 15 min. drive to the Jedediah Redwoods, which if you haven’t seen…IT’S A MUST!! We dropped our trailer at the information center for the Redwoowds, visited in the forest for a few hours, picked up the trailer and came right back to this spot with no problems.

  • laura U.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Panther Flat Campground

    Lovely and Well Maintained

    Ihave an access pass bc I'm disabled and the very helpful host helped me get settled. Sites are level, clean, and close to bathrooms and showers. Though other campers are close, it feels private and safe.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Patrick Creek Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful creek camping

    This little spot is such a gem. The reviews are correct in the fact that it can be a tight fit. My husband and I were the only camper here when we stayed so we didn’t experience that as a problem. It is a bit steep coming down but since we were the only ones we had plenty of room to back the camper where we wanted. The creek is absolutely clear, a bit chilly but stunning. I would definitely recommend this spot and would absolutely come back for another stay. If you miss this spot or it’s too full there are plenty of other dispersed campsites farther up. Might not be as much room for campers or splashing around in the river but you’ll still access to the river. We came late August.

Guide to Crescent City

Camping near Crescent City, California, offers a fantastic mix of stunning natural beauty and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Explore the Redwoods: The area is famous for its towering redwoods. At Jedidiah Smith Campground, you can hike through breathtaking stands of ancient trees. One visitor shared, "There is a short nature walk that leads through a breathtaking stand of redwoods that are enormous and 1,000s of years old."
  • Beach Access: Enjoy the ocean at Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, where you can walk right onto the beach. A camper noted, "The beach is within 100 ft. There is wildlife including elk, quail, and fox roaming about."
  • Visit Local Attractions: Check out nearby attractions like the Trees of Mystery or the scenic views along the coast. One reviewer mentioned, "The campground is close to great hikes!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Mill Creek Campground, one visitor said, "Bathrooms were very clean and well stocked with single ply toilet paper and soap."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. A guest at Kamp Klamath RV Park remarked, "The owner is a great host. They show you right to your space."
  • Beautiful Scenery: The natural beauty of the area is a big draw. A camper at Harris Beach State Park Campground said, "We wanted a base to explore the Redwoods NP and the beaches nearby, and Harris Beach State Park worked nicely!"

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A visitor at Harris Beach State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites themselves offered little privacy, but we knew what we were signing up for."
  • Tight Spaces: If you're bringing an RV, be aware that some campgrounds have tight spots. A reviewer at Elk Prairie Campground noted, "It is very tight, which is difficult for anyone with a larger trailer."
  • Reservation Fees: Some places charge extra fees for reservations. A camper at Harris Beach State Park Campground found the booking fees annoying, saying, "The out of state booking fee and $8 online convenience fee to book online was annoying."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. One happy camper at Harris Beach State Park Campground said, "We loved having a playground right around the bend that the kids could enjoy."
  • Wildlife Awareness: Be cautious of wildlife. A visitor at Elk Prairie Campground mentioned, "There were bear and cougar sightings while we stayed, but had no issues."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and activities to keep kids entertained. A reviewer at Mill Creek Campground appreciated the ranger talks and movies, saying, "The site has ranger talks and plays movies occasionally which is nice for families."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the RV sites before booking. A camper at Klamath River RV Park noted, "We were not even able to open our awning fully due to push out trailer next to us."
  • Bring Firewood: Some campgrounds don’t provide firewood. A visitor at Gold Bluffs Beach Campground mentioned, "Bring your own firewood."
  • WiFi Availability: Be aware that WiFi can be spotty. A reviewer at Klamath River RV Park said, "This Kamp has hands down the friendliest and most helpful staff you could ask for."

Camping near Crescent City, California, is a great way to enjoy nature, explore the redwoods, and create lasting memories with family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a KOA campground in Crescent City, California?

Yes, the Crescent City/Redwoods KOA is located in the Crescent City area. This KOA offers standard KOA amenities including drive-in access, reservable sites, water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces. It serves as a convenient base for exploring the nearby redwood forests and coastal attractions. If you're looking for alternatives with similar amenities, Redwood Meadows RV Resort is another option that offers a variety of accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, yurts, and cabin apartments, plus recreational facilities like a basketball court and recreation room.

What tent camping options are available in Crescent City?

Tent campers in Crescent City have several excellent options. Florence Keller Regional Park is a hidden gem tucked in a beautiful dense forest just minutes from town. This first-come, first-served campground charges a flat $20 fee and provides a peaceful setting. Mill Creek Campground in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park offers secluded tent sites among towering trees with amenities including restrooms and bear boxes. For tent campers seeking proximity to natural attractions, sites are available just a short drive from town, offering the perfect balance of convenience and wilderness experience. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate tents with varying levels of amenities and privacy.

Where can I find beach camping in Crescent City, CA?

For beach camping in Crescent City, Lighthouse Cove RV Park offers a prime location within walking distance of the lighthouse and Crescent City harbor, perfect for beach access. While not directly on the sand, it provides convenient proximity to coastal areas. For those willing to venture slightly outside Crescent City, Beachfront RV Park in nearby Brookings offers true oceanfront camping. Most beach camping in the immediate Crescent City area caters primarily to RVs rather than tents due to the coastal weather conditions. The harbor area provides excellent beach access with amenities like seafood markets and restaurants nearby.

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