119 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Garberville, California centers around towering redwood forests and scenic river valleys, with options ranging from established state parks to private resorts. Richardson Grove State Park Campground sits directly in Garberville, offering year-round camping among ancient redwoods along Highway 101. The surrounding Humboldt Redwoods State Park area features several highly-rated campgrounds including Burlington and Hidden Springs, both situated along the famous Avenue of the Giants. As one camper noted, "The shade from the redwoods makes this a cool haven from the hot California summers."
Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak summer months when temperatures are moderate under the redwood canopy. Bear activity is common throughout the region, and campers must use provided bear boxes at state park campgrounds. Many sites feature coin-operated showers and potable water, though amenities vary by location. Road noise can be an issue at campgrounds situated near Highway 101 or the Avenue of the Giants. Cell service is limited or non-existent at more remote campgrounds, particularly those deeper in the redwood forests.
The camping experience varies significantly between state parks and private facilities. State park campgrounds like Burlington and Richardson Grove offer more natural settings with basic amenities, while private options like Benbow KOA and Giant Redwoods RV & Cabin Destination provide more services including full hookups and family activities. The South Fork of the Eel River runs through the area, providing swimming opportunities during summer months. Limited dispersed camping exists on pull-outs along Benbow Drive, though privacy can be an issue. Visitors should stock up on supplies in Garberville or nearby towns, as remote campgrounds have minimal or no stores. Bear-proof food storage is essential throughout the region regardless of camping location.
"The most beautiful spot to brake down in Northern California."
"The little river close by helped keep us cool. Not to far from town. And lots of big foot shops around."
from $35 - $200 / night
Check Availability"There is a redwood grove hiking trail behind the campsites that takes you from one end of the campground to the other."
"There is a paved space to park above the campsite, and a narrow little path leading down into the site - maybe 10-15 yards, it’s not far at all."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Camp site 12 backs up to a fence (houses or cabins occupied behind the fence) and had decent space from other sites. Large picnic table, bear locker and tall fire pit on site."
"Every site is nestled among a grove of old growth California Redwoods - books up a long time in advance / I was lucky to get a walk up site. Great amenities and right on Avenue of the Giants"
"We were driving south away from rain did not have any park camp booked and I just looked it up next to redwoods park and we popped in and they had a spot on Saturday."
"This campground had an accessible river right next to it. Great big redwoods surrounded you on every side. The staff was helpful whether you met them in the store or on the grounds. "
from $65 - $85 / night
Check Availability"They smiled, said "hello," and were all genuinely positive. There's a golf course nearby if that is of interest, and a stream for fishing within walking distance. "
"This was the first stop on a drive from San Francisco to Seattle. The river access is pretty sweet!!"
"The shade from the redwoods makes this a cool haven from the hot California summers. Campsites are mostly shaded. Campsites are large with good fire pits and picnic tables."
"It's right next to the ranger station/visitor center and just a few minutes away from Miranda, where you can pick up some last minute supplies."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Albee Creek is a decent little campground set in a beautiful area of Northern California. The campground itself is relatively small with not a ton of cover between sites."
"There are three kinds of sites in the campground - those backed against the woods or the fence separating the campground from the ranger houses, those in the middle, and those next to the Ave of the Giants"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"One of my favorites, worth the drive for us. I would only recommend taking that road if you have a high-clearance vehicle and it hasn’t been storming. You can also get there from Garberville."
"A bumpy four mile dirt road takes you the entrance to this campsite which keeps the general population out, which seems nice, but then again only the hearty make it here and it with it comes people who"
from $15 / night
Check Availability"But make sure you only go during the week, because of the rowdiness, hell raising, dune driving doing donuts, drunken idiots that are there on the weekends."
"Some nice hikes close by."
"Road was not in bad condition if you have off road setting/lift/good tires. Quite a few other groups there. Saw a pod of orcas in the morning. Does get cold and damp due to the location/fog/ocean."
"The road itself is rough and could be very unsettling for anyone trying to do this trip in a vehicle without good off-road clearance. The ruts can be big and cause bottoming out of street cars."
ScoutThis us a great overnight stop on us 101. Clean bathrooms and coin operated showers. Nice but short walks to feel River. No dogs on trails. Bummer. Not for big rigs, 24' max size. Dark in the redwood forest. Not much sun for solar. Very informative visitor center. Overall a good stop
GuideI read the reviews but decided to try it anyway, bringing my 42 foot rig, a 1960 Chevy C20 with a 21' Geo Pro camper that has a 3' cargo hitch on the back. I made it down and back, and if I could call my past self I would say not to do it at all. Aside from the aggressive bouncing that throws all your stuff everywhere (male sure to stow everything tight) the problem for a rig, even one with good ground clearance, is there are long very narrow sections of the road with no pull outs so if you happen to meet someone coming the other way, one of you needs to back up for a long way, either up or down very windy and rutted roads until you find one. And it does have very steep areas, and the pot holes are pretty dramatic at times. Near the end, the road grade was so steep that I cooked my brakes and was still sliding down the road with very little traction. Then I came upon two very deep pothole/ruts (would have been fun in a jeep), one in front of the other and offset so that there was a big hump to high center on, no mater which way you took it. Going down I was able to control my speed and get by ok but one the way up I had to hit it with some speed, and bent the hell out of one of my stabilizers which caught the dirt coming up and over. But if you do bring a rig, there are eventually good places to get turned around, but you'd better hope you don't break down along the road because you'll cause quite the traffic jam for both directions. I stayed at the site just before the bridge but there are many more sites down farther. And be sure to check out the Cathedral Trees, there is a trail that is marked there near that bridge. There is no cell service here.
ScoutBig Redwood trees, large sites spaced far enough apart for privacy cell service good
GuideThis dispered site is 75 miles west of I5 and Red Bluff and just north of Hwy 36 about a 1/2 mile along USFS [Shasta-Trinity] Road 30N59. It is about 7 miles west of the 36/3 junction. Also about 3-4 miles east of USFS campgrounds Forest Glen and 2-3 miles east of Hell Gate. The entrance road here (30N59) is not very well marked but there is a large road sign on the south shoulder of 36, as shown in the pics, that is directly across from the entrance. Road 30N59 was not well maintaned (as of July 2026) but passable with care even with my 2wd SUV and teardrop. Like most disperesed camping bring everything and pack it out. Note - on Google Maps forest rd 30N59 is called Lower Rattlesnake Rd. Sites are flat areas with grass along the margins of 30N59 and right along the creek which was flowing well even in July.
LegendNeeded a hot shower and some chill time. And some saltwater. All the superlatives apply; just wish the spaces were more private. And paying for showers after the $45 camping fee was a bummer.
LegendA nice spot in a nice campground. Plenty of separation and privacy. Numerous trails to explore. And the local crows are a hoot. Toilets were clean looking, but the smell was nauseating.
LegendAfter the harrowing descent into town ( check your brakes), I landed at this park hoping to get some sun for my solar. Didn't pan out but the view and the sea lions, as well as other coastal wildlife, made it pretty cool. Lots to see, just not much to do. Fire rings are due to be replaced, but the showers were as hot as I've ever had at any park.
GuideWe were here at the end of August not busy at all. There is a park service employee (booth) at the entrance. She was very helpful!
We stayed one night as we are headed north on highway 101. Nice little campground for the night.
LegendAfter negotiating the gnarly road in I arrived to an empty campground and had my choice of sites. Was mislead by previous reviewer pics showing an ocean view, which doesn't exist here but there are glimpses on the way in. that , and the lack of tp in one of the toilets and full trash bins dropped this to 3 stars.
Dispersed camping options exist near Garberville, California, but are limited primarily to pull-outs along Benbow Drive and remote Forest Service land. This region sits at elevations ranging from 500-2,000 feet where summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during daytime hours. Winter camping is possible but challenging, with December-February temperatures dropping to 30-40°F at night and frequent rainfall making tent camping difficult without proper equipment.
Swimming holes access: 15-minute walk from Richardson Grove State Park Campground to the Eel River swimming areas. "The river access is crowded on the weekends but very enjoyable on weekdays during June and July. Unfortunately, the river is less healthy in August," notes camper Melissa B.
Redwood hiking: Park-to-park trails connect multiple campgrounds along Avenue of the Giants. "The campground has a redwood grove hiking trail behind the campsites that takes you from one end of the campground to the other," explains Craig M. from Hidden Springs Campground.
Historical sites exploration: 10-minute drive from most campgrounds to the Benbow Historic Inn. "It's right next to the Benbow Inn, an historic old hotel with a nice bar and restaurant. The food and service there were quite nice and definitely unexpected," reports James W., who stayed at a nearby campground.
Fishing opportunities: Direct river access for anglers at multiple points. "A stream for fishing within walking distance," mentions James W. Fishing licenses required and available in Garberville at local sporting goods stores.
Spacious sites with redwood features: Many campgrounds offer unique redwood elements. "Site 14 in Burlington Campground has a burnt out redwood you can actually put your tent inside of which was incredible," shares Ryan R., highlighting the distinctive camping experience.
Consistently clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards. "The bathrooms are clean and the camp host is very nice," notes Kelsey Z. Shower facilities typically require quarters ($0.25-$1.00 per minute depending on location).
Proximity to Avenue of the Giants: Easy access to scenic drives. "The campground is very well maintained with bathrooms and showers that were cleaned every morning. You could stroll over to the visitor center or across the street to the nature trails," shares Erin S. from a campground along Avenue of the Giants.
Cell service at select locations: Coverage varies dramatically by campground. "Decent cell service," reports Jennifer M., though this primarily applies to campgrounds closest to Garberville proper, with reception decreasing in more remote locations.
Limited dispersed camping availability: Benbow Drive offers one of the few free options. "There are several pull-outs along Benbow Dr, some more level than others...We stayed all night with no issues tucked into a treed section off the road," reports Mandy, but cautions "two other parties came and the spots were not far enough for my comfort."
Highway noise impacts certain campgrounds: Road proximity varies by campsite. "The campground is very close to the main road, so there's a lot of traffic moving through. It's a slow speed limit, so it's not super loud or anything, but it does break the serenity a bit," explains April H. about Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Reservation essential May-September: Most campgrounds fill completely during peak season. "Definitely consider reservations. Staff was super friendly. Made it just in time to catch one of the last open spots," advises Sara S.
Bear-proof food storage requirements: Enforced throughout the region. "Campsites have bear lockers," notes Craig M., with fines possible for non-compliance. Food storage rules apply to all campgrounds in the area.
Redwood climbing opportunities: Many campgrounds feature climbable stumps. "Each site also has redwoods growing in them and often large stumps (many with steps cuts into them for climbing). My daughter and her friend loved playing among the trees and stumps," shares Erin S. from Hidden Springs Camp.
Junior Ranger programs: Educational activities available at state parks. "The campground offers the Junior Ranger Program for kids and has different talks/movies in the amphitheater," explains Andrea W., providing educational entertainment options.
Swimming depth considerations: River levels vary seasonally. "A short drive takes you into Myers Flat or Founders Grove, and you are smack in the middle of the Ave of the Giants. We went strolling around the redwoods and swimming in the Eel River (south fork)," shares Erin S., though parents should note water levels drop significantly by late summer.
Poison oak awareness: Common throughout the region. "Careful hiking around the area though, poison oak is abundant," warns Craig M. Teaching children identification skills is recommended before arrival.
Limited big rig accessibility: Most campgrounds accommodate smaller rigs only. "Not meant for big rigs and the 5 mile road back is very narrow and windy but the drive is beautiful," explains Tanya B. about Giant Redwoods RV & Cabin Destination.
Solar limitations: Dense redwood canopy blocks sunlight. "Plenty of shade from the canopy of trees to help keep it cool in the summer. No hookups here but the dry camp is well worth your time. Tons of shade so don't expect your solar panels to keep your battery charged," warns Troy L.
Water fill stations: Available but limited to certain campgrounds. "Water fill? - Yes, free," notes Mea H., though full hookups are rare in the area, primarily available at private RV parks rather than state campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Garberville camping sites?
Campgrounds around Garberville offer varying levels of amenities. Benbow KOA & Golf Course provides full hookups, a swimming pool, hot tub, and on-site store. The campground features clean sites with shade trees while maintaining good satellite signal coverage. Burlington Campground — Humboldt Redwoods State Park offers large campsites with fire pits, picnic tables, and bear lockers in a shaded redwood setting. Other area campgrounds typically include basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, vault or flush toilets, and potable water. Some have shower facilities, though the quality varies. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region due to the mountainous terrain and dense forest cover. Most campgrounds have garbage collection, but hookups are primarily available only at private campgrounds.
Where are the best campgrounds near Garberville, CA?
The Garberville area offers several excellent camping options nestled among the redwoods. Richardson Grove State Park Campground is conveniently located near Garberville with reservable sites, water, and toilets that accommodate big rigs. For a serene redwood experience, Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Campground provides amazing sites among towering trees with basic shower facilities and hiking trails. Other notable options include Benbow KOA with full hookups and amenities, Burlington Campground in Humboldt Redwoods State Park with large, shaded sites, and Dean Creek Resort for a more rustic experience. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations during peak season, so booking ahead is recommended, especially from late spring through early fall.
What outdoor activities can you do while camping in Garberville?
The Garberville area offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. At Hidden Springs Campground — Humboldt Redwoods State Park, you can access numerous hiking trails through majestic redwood groves. For more adventurous campers, Mattole Campground provides access to the remote Lost Coast Trail with stunning coastal views and beach exploration. Throughout the region, popular activities include fishing in the Eel River, mountain biking on forest trails, wildlife viewing, and photography. The Avenue of the Giants scenic drive offers spectacular redwood vistas. Swimming holes can be found in summer months, while mushroom foraging is popular in fall and winter. Bird watching is excellent year-round, with opportunities to spot osprey, eagles, and various songbirds throughout the area.
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