Dispersed camping near Gasquet, California centers around several free primitive sites along the Smith River and nearby creeks in the Six Rivers National Forest. Patrick Creek offers multiple dispersed camping options, with sites positioned along the riverbank allowing for tent and RV camping. Additional sites include Sand Camp, which provides basic pit toilets but requires a short walk-in to access tent sites. Several dispersed options extend north into Oregon along the Chetco River, including Redwood Bar, which features riverside camping on a gravel bar.
Access roads to dispersed sites often require careful navigation. Several campers report rough, bumpy dirt roads leading to many sites, with some locations requiring higher clearance vehicles. The road to Patrick Creek is described as passable for most vehicles, while other areas like Sand Camp feature a gravel parking area with tent sites requiring a short walk to the river. Most sites lack amenities, with only a few locations like Sand Camp and South Fork Chetco offering pit toilets. "Very peaceful and secluded," reported one camper at Patrick Creek, though they noted previous campers had left trash behind. Another camper described Sand Camp as having "a large gravel parking lot and a pit toilet available. There is a path down to the Smith River where you can set up tents."
These riverside camping areas provide access to clear, cool water ideal for swimming during summer months. The Redwood Bar area along the Chetco River is particularly popular for water activities. "Crystal clear, cool, perfect for swimming," mentioned one visitor about the Chetco River. Campers should note that cell service is non-existent in many locations, particularly along forest roads. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with most sites allowing campfires in established rings unless fire bans are in effect. The remote nature of these sites means minimal traffic noise at night, though some locations become crowded during summer weekends and holidays. Campers should practice Leave No Trace principles as there are limited or no trash facilities at most sites.
"Only thing is the people before us did not practice leave no trace and there were some paper towels in a bush and dog toys left behind."
"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."
"Sand camp is essentially a dispersed camping area. There is a large gravel parking lot and a pit toilet available."
"Super epic and remote. River is beautiful. Bathrooms."
"There is a trail that leads straight down to the river! Plenty of room for swimming and fishing. Would definitely stay here again."
"Easy access, nice spots on the creek. Almost no traffic using the road. Restroom was very clean."
"No, there’s no spaces and no hookups and no cell service for miles. It’s just a gravel bar on the river where you pull your camper wherever feels good and unhitch and camp."
"Me and my girlfriend tent camped here and although the ground was rocky we managed to pitch the tent just fine. The road leading to the site is long, flat, relatively slim, and windy."
"There is no dispersed camping along this road. It is all private. We camped at the trailhead. Hiked the Oregon Redwoods trail before leaving the next morning."
"Very remote with no service, this location on the river has several walk in camp spots for tents, but no parking lot."
"There's one pit toilet near a circle of 3-4 sites on the rivers. This is pretty wild camping, no amenities, but quiet camping."
"It’s a little farther up than we anticipated going BUT so worth it...maybe a mile or so past the Redwood river access."
GuideVery peaceful and secluded. Would definitely stay again! Only thing is the people before us did not practice leave no trace and there were some paper towels in a bush and dog toys left behind.
TravelerWe live in Brookings and go up the Chetco to this river bar or to Nook or Miller Bar all summer long. No, there’s no spaces and no hookups and no cell service for miles. It’s just a gravel bar on the river where you pull your camper wherever feels good and unhitch and camp. You might have some USDA Forest Service employee drop off a pay envelope at your site but , there’s no place to leave it and they may or may not come back to get it. It sometimes gets crowded during holidays and weekends and the good places, not next to rapids and close enough to good swimming holes, become rare. So you might have to settle for something less than ideal. And, the porta potties might get full. There’s no one enforcing quiet hours or leash laws and no form of law enforcement anywhere nearby. There is a Forest Service LEO assigned to the area but in 18 years, I’ve never seen him on the bar. Despite all this, incidents involving injuries or violence or crime are exceptionally rare. It’s a great kayaking and swimming place and there’s nearby rocks for jumping off. Remember! It’s a river not a lake so kids ought to have life jackets. Please note….as the summer progresses, the water level drops, the temperature rises and the algae grows. As such, we prefer June camping.
TravelerThese coordinates lead us to private property, a driveway to a couple of houses. Maybe there was something a little further, but it was all blocked off. We had to turn around and camp elsewhere.
GuideSand camp is essentially a dispersed camping area. There is a large gravel parking lot and a pit toilet available. There is a path down to the Smith River where you can set up tents and tent camp if you want.
The toilet was a basic pit toilet, but it was fairly clean as far as those go.
We parked our VW Bus in the gravel lot for the night, it was very quiet. Though its next to a road, there is very little traffic at night as this area is fairly remote. The sky was dark and clear, perfect for stargazing. The few other people camping there were quiet and friendly.
LegendI’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.
GuideWe tried to get to these coordinates with Apple Maps on an iPhone, and it took us somewhere completely different in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal or people for miles. The road it had us go down was very steep, couldn’t get back up and had to make camp there and hike for help the next morning. I gave a second star because on our hike we had to cross this river a few times and it is absolutely beautiful. Crystal clear, cool, perfect for swimming.
ScoutAccess road is gated after a couple of miles, so unable to even get close.
ScoutThis camp site is amazing. 10/10. Nothing fancy like bathrooms, but a beautiful rocky terrain! Me and my girlfriend tent camped here and although the ground was rocky we managed to pitch the tent just fine. The road leading to the site is long, flat, relatively slim, and windy. A few cars were pulled off on our way to the side camping at pullouts. The site is right off the road but still felt secluded, we heard maybe 1 or 2 cars each night we stayed here. Easily accessible for most cars, my girls Nissan versa managed to climb the very slight incline with slight loss of traction out of the site and onto the road so. Overall great spot right next to the coast
GuideGreat spot by a river. Refreshing water not too cold, deep enough to float.
Starlink internet is spotty here but you should be good if you park further away from the river.
Be careful with maps! This listing has the wrong pin on the map. If you use coordinates and google maps it will get you to the right side. If you come across a road with a dead end sign, you’re on the wrong side of the river.
Dispersed camping near Gasquet, California ranges from riverside sites in steep forested terrain to gravel bar camping along the wild and scenic Smith and Chetco Rivers. Located within Six Rivers National Forest at elevations of 250-500 feet, most camping spots experience moderate temperatures of 45-85°F depending on season. Many sites become accessible by May but remain open year-round depending on weather conditions and seasonal road closures.
**River swimming and fishing: At Redwood Bar Dispersed Camping, campers have direct access to clear water. "Crystal clear river for swimming/floating in," reports one visitor, while another notes that "It's a great kayaking and swimming place and there's nearby rocks for jumping off. Remember! It's a river not a lake so kids ought to have life jackets."
**Stargazing: Near Gasquet, limited light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. One camper at Sand Camp - Dispersed described their experience: "The sky was dark and clear, perfect for stargazing. The few other people camping there were quiet and friendly."
**Redwoods exploration: Sites provide good access to both Oregon and California redwoods. "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," advises a camper who stayed at South Fork Chetco.
**Privacy and space: Campers value the secluded nature of many Gasquet area sites. "This was the perfect spot to spend a night. The creek behind us was beautiful and the sounds just put you right to sleep. Many spots along the road," shared one camper at Patrick Creek Dispersed Camping.
**River access: Proximity to water ranks high for visitors. "Perfect spot by the creek. The spot that we are at has a swing right above the water. Water is crystal clear," mentioned a Patrick Creek camper.
**Scenic beauty: The mountain and river landscape draws visitors. "This little spot is such a gem. The reviews are correct in the fact that it can be a tight fit. The creek is absolutely clear, a bit chilly but stunning," noted a visitor to Patrick Creek.
**Road conditions: Many access roads require caution. One camper at Canyon Gulch by Eight Dollar Mountain shared, "I parked in what I think was a road for fishing access. Only positive was the river was right there."
**Map accuracy: Navigation can be challenging in this remote area. "Be careful with maps! This listing has the wrong pin on the map. If you use coordinates and google maps it will get you to the right side," warns a Redwood Bar camper.
**Seasonal considerations: Weather and conditions change significantly throughout the year. "As the summer progresses, the water level drops, the temperature rises and the algae grows. As such, we prefer June camping," advises a regular visitor to the Chetco River.
**Swimming safety: Rivers can be swift, especially in spring. "River was fast moving so if you have kids, make sure to bring lifejackets," cautions an Ellis P. who camped at Redwood Bar.
**Site selection: Choose sites away from steep riverbanks with children. At Middle Fork Smith River, a camper noted, "There is a trail that leads straight down to the river! Plenty of room for swimming and fishing."
**Wildlife awareness: Teach kids about local wildlife. "We saw a beaver swim up the river. We also saw a small herd of cows that rolled through," shared a camper at South Fork Chetco.
**Clearance considerations: Some riverside sites have challenging terrain. "Easy with our jeep, but I wouldn't recommend for larger trailers," notes a Patrick Creek visitor about accessing riverside spots.
**Parking limitations: Many sites have restricted parking. "Sand camp is essentially a dispersed camping area. There is a large gravel parking lot and a pit toilet available. There are signs saying no camping in the parking lot, violators will be fined," explains a camper.
**Size restrictions: Larger RVs may struggle at certain locations. "Just go slow and you can easily get a big rig out here. Came on a Saturday afternoon and got a spot right on the water. Huge area with plenty of room for everyone," reports an RVer at Redwood Bar, one of the few areas accommodating larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gasquet, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gasquet, CA is Patrick Creek Dispersed Camping with a 5-star rating from 5 reviews.
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