178 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Fort Dick, California is nestled among ancient redwood forests and coastal landscapes, with options ranging from developed state park campgrounds to private RV resorts. The area sits at the northern edge of California's redwood country, with Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park offering some of the most sought-after camping experiences. Florence Keller Regional Park provides a more secluded alternative with its second-growth redwood grove just north of Crescent City. The Smith River flows through the region, creating additional riverside camping opportunities. As one camper noted at Jedediah Smith Campground, "The giant redwoods provide a lot of privacy, you feel like you're in your own private wilderness."
The coastal climate creates cool, often misty conditions year-round, with summer temperatures rarely exceeding 75°F and winter bringing significant rainfall. Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak season running May through September. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months, particularly for state park campgrounds which often fill months in advance. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage in designated containers. Cell service is limited or non-existent in many campgrounds, particularly those nestled deeper in the redwood forests. Coin-operated showers are standard at most developed campgrounds, with rates typically around $1.00-$1.50 for 6 minutes of shower time.
Camping styles vary significantly across the region. State park campgrounds like Mill Creek and Jedediah Smith offer more primitive experiences with limited hookups but direct access to old-growth redwood trails. Private RV parks such as Crescent City/Redwoods KOA and Lighthouse Cove RV Park provide full hookups, WiFi, and more amenities. Smaller campgrounds like Panther Flat offer a middle ground with riverside sites and basic facilities. For larger RVs, options are more limited in the immediate Fort Dick area, with Florence Keller Regional Park having narrow, one-way roads that make navigation difficult for vehicles over 20 feet. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, with Roosevelt elk commonly sighted in meadows and even wandering through some campgrounds.
"We felt like we were a million miles away from everyone, even our camp neighbors!"
"California doesn’t offer any decent senior discounts. The campground is awesome."
from $35 - $80 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Just outside of Brookings,Oregon on Rt. 101, this well kept campground was a welcome two day layover during the rainy weather that’s typical of the PNW during mid-November."
from $24 - $87 / night
Check Availability"It’s in a new grove of redwoods but there are stumps of old grove redwoods near some of the campsites that are huge."
"First stop of my huge California roadtrip and it was perfect, if your unsure of going super deep into the woods this place is perfect for you, the campsites are close together and your close to town."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Next. To us. Some other sites that aren't adjoined like this would be amazing I think. However, the bathrooms were decent."
"Drive from the highway to the campground is captivating. Campground staff were both pleasant & informative."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"A little bit far from the southern redwoods in California on the 101 but worth the drive."
"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!"
"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."
"Very quiet (it's a little remote) but pretty accessible to California Redwoods. I would recommend it for a place to stop in between the Oregon and California coastline."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"The pay booth is right next to the restrooms and camps host site. The security cameras set up around which made it feel a lot safer."
"The downsides: lots of road noise from the adjacent highway, zero electricity (the outlet in the bathroom doesn’t work), and there’s no hot water."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"The fire pit for tent site 5 is right next to where you park parallel to your site. The bathrooms are cleaned twice daily, just be ready to flush. The park has sensitive toilets."
"Great location in heart of Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park with easy access to the Smith River. Very clean and medium spacious RV sites."
from $42 - $79 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $999 / night
Check Availability"Wow how best to articulate what we feel about this campground We arrived today February 25th escaping The snow in Southern California."
"Easy walk to adjacent large city park with city pool, sea mammal rescue center, light-house, etc. Clean restrooms with hot shower and acceptable water pressure. Easy access right off 101."
TravelerDidn’t camp here myself but I drove by and saw a large trailer pulled by a truck and there looked to be plenty of space here. Just a big pull off you can set up for the night but a decent option for those with a long set up.
TravelerCompared to other KOA‘s, I’ve been to this one is very small. Actually wasn’t impressed by it at all compared to others I’ve been to.
ScoutCampsites are really nice and the staff has been great. I would definitely stay here again. We stayed 3 nights.
GuideMost campers were parked directly on the river, but I wasn’t comfortable driving that far on the rocks (even with 4WD… was worried about the tires), but there were a couple spots campers can turn into that are on dirt and have trees for privacy with just a short walk to the river. I ended up spending two nights/days here because I loved it so much. There was a little black cat who kept me company who was super sweet, but it was killing the birds which wasn’t cool. It had a collar and appeared well taken care of, so I assume it lived in one of the nearby residence (hopefully…). So much jasper. Even spotted some petrified wood. No cell service. I learned WHEN DRIVING OFF, that there were vaulted toilets nearby. There was also a dumpster. River was low but if the weather was warmer I would have had no problem cooling off in it. Just a solid spot. Would be great for families.
TravelerEasy access and beautifully mysterious atmosphere nestled amount large redwoods. Great place for an overnight, but I wouldn’t want to stay longer than that due to how dark it gets under the trees, no sinks in the bathroom, and road noise. Super close to a Walmart though.
GuideThis camp ground is very well organized. They sent me many text messages confirming the reservation. And asking if we needed anything. The lady at the front desk was very helpful. Clean facilities. Highly recommend.
TravelerI wasn’t overly impressed with this koa. It gets the job done and being nestled in some redwoods is nice, but the bathrooms and showers are extremely dated. Walking to restrooms at night can be a feat tripping over roots with no pathway (or any) lighting. There is something patriarchal about the place. The passcode for the men’s restroom was simple 12345678 while the women’s was a bit more complex. Unsure who this says more about?! ….and roosters to wake up to.
GuideSmallish sites, but gorgeous spot tucked into a giant redwood grove. A couple miles of lush trails that make you feel lost in the forest.
Guide10 dollars a night. QR code on the sign post at the entry. No cell service. There are vault toilets near the entry. Trash bins down on the rock bar.
Very beautiful. Mostly quiet. Really quiet down on the bar. Very exposed down on the bar. Bring shade.
Fort Dick, California sits at the northern edge of California's coastal redwood zone, with average elevations of 50-150 feet above sea level. The region receives over 70 inches of annual rainfall, creating ideal conditions for the towering redwoods that dominate the landscape. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F to 65°F, and many campgrounds near Fort Dick serve as gateways to Smith River recreation and old-growth forest exploration.
Explore hidden redwood trails: Multiple hiking paths run throughout Florence Keller Regional Park, offering a chance to experience second-growth redwoods. "The various nature trails in the campground were nice to stroll around in, and there was a small creek as well," notes one camper, who also observed "tires, hooks and such in the trees that were probably used as a ropes challenge course at some point."
Visit the Smith River swimming holes: Located just 15 minutes from Fort Dick, Panther Flat Campground provides direct access to swimming areas. "The Smith River is amazing and CLEAN," writes one visitor. The river is known for its clarity and emerald-green pools, which maintain cool temperatures even during summer months.
Explore tide pools at low tide: Coastal camping at Harris Beach State Park offers marine exploration opportunities. "During low tide, you can explore the tide pools. We saw hundreds of hermit crabs, anemone, starfish, sculpin, and more," shares one camper. For optimal tide pool exploration, check local tide charts and visit 1-2 hours before low tide.
Privacy between sites: At Mill Creek Campground, the natural vegetation creates secluded camping spots. "There are a lot of sites in a pretty small area, but with the number of trees and dense undergrowth of ferns each site feels quite private," explains one visitor. Another camper adds, "The spots are fairly close together, but the nature of the vegetation made for 'walls' around the spots, which offered some privacy."
Convenience to multiple attractions: Many appreciate the strategic location of campgrounds near Fort Dick for accessing various outdoor destinations. A camper at Redwood Meadows RV Resort notes, "The location of this park is absolutely perfect. The redwoods are right down the road. Crescent City is super close for beach adventures. A short drive up the road for a river day."
Junior Ranger programs: Family activities abound at nearby campgrounds. "Great campsite for kids and family. There is a fantastic playground and the Rangers hold Junior Ranger activities twice a day," explains a visitor to Harris Beach State Park. These programs typically run during summer months and teach children about local ecosystems and wildlife.
Shower costs and availability: Most campgrounds near Fort Dick use coin-operated showers. At Jedidiah Smith Campground, "Heated, tile bathrooms with hot water and coin-op showers (25 cents a minute) are a luxury." Meanwhile, Panther Flat Campground offers hot showers as a premium amenity not commonly found at forest service campgrounds.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly around Fort Dick. Florence Keller Regional Park offers "good cell reception with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile," while at Mill Creek Campground, one camper advises to "bring mosquito repellent" due to the moist forest conditions that foster insects.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill rapidly during peak season. A visitor to Redwood Meadows RV Resort explains, "Originally planned to stay for 4 days but ended up extending the trip a few extra days. Management was extremely helpful, polite, and accommodating." When camping without reservations, arrive early on weekdays when possible.
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. Florence Keller Regional Park has "a big playground for the youngsters," while Harris Beach State Park includes "a fantastic playground and the Rangers hold Junior Ranger activities twice a day."
Safer swimming locations: For families with children, Panther Flat Campground offers Smith River access with moderate currents. One camper mentions it's "central to most things yet far enough away that we got a site around 1:30 pm during August. There is flush toilets, and pay showers."
Educational opportunities: Lighthouse Cove RV Park provides easy access to sea mammal education. "Easy walk to adjacent large city park with city pool, sea mammal rescue center, light-house, etc," notes one visitor. These facilities typically operate daily during summer months with reduced hours in off-season.
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds near Fort Dick have limitations for larger vehicles. At Florence Keller Regional Park, "The campground road was paved but narrow in spots and the paved parking spots at each site varied in length. Bigger rigs would have a problem in this park."
Hookup availability: For those needing full amenities, several options exist. At Crescent City/Redwoods KOA, one RVer observed, "This was one of the best campsites we have had at a KOA. We were in a grove of redwoods and it was beautiful (forget Starlink at our site)."
Maneuverability challenges: When selecting a campsite near Fort Dick, consider turning radius requirements. At Redwood Meadows RV Resort, "The spots can be a little tricky to get into and those with larger rigs should contact the management office to ensure they can fit and maneuver properly but we saw plenty of huge Class As and triple axle 5th wheels."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Fort Dick, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Fort Dick, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 178 campgrounds and RV parks near Fort Dick, CA and 22 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Fort Dick, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fort Dick, CA is Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 61 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fort Dick, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Fort Dick, CA.
Keep Exploring
