Best Campgrounds near Hiouchi, CA

Campgrounds surrounding Hiouchi, California provide access to the majestic redwood forests of northern California's coast. Redwood Meadows RV Resort in Hiouchi and nearby Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park offer developed campgrounds with sites for tents, RVs, and cabins. Six miles west in Crescent City, additional options include Florence Keller Regional Park and the Crescent City/Redwoods KOA. The Smith River Recreation Area contains several campgrounds including Panther Flat, which accommodates both tent and RV camping. Most facilities in this region maintain restrooms and potable water, though amenities vary significantly between primitive and fully-developed sites.

Road conditions in the area range from paved highways to rough forest roads, with some campgrounds requiring navigation on steep or winding routes. One visitor noted, "The entrance road conditions have a steep grade and tight turns with several small sections of uneven roadway due to slides." Water availability can be inconsistent at certain campgrounds, with Grassy Flat experiencing pipe issues in recent seasons. Campgrounds near Hiouchi generally stay open year-round, though northern California coastal weather brings significant rainfall from November through April. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-75°F with morning fog common near the coast. Cell service remains limited or non-existent at many campgrounds, particularly those nestled deeper in the redwoods.

The proximity to ancient redwood forests distinguishes camping experiences near Hiouchi. Jedediah Smith Campground receives consistent praise for its old-growth redwood setting. A camper described it as providing "a lot of privacy and gorgeous surroundings, you feel like you're in your own private wilderness." Most developed campgrounds near Hiouchi feature fire rings and picnic tables, though fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Campgrounds along the Smith River offer refreshing swimming opportunities, with Patrick Creek Campground providing "the Smith River in our backyard" according to one review. Visitors frequently report wildlife sightings including elk, deer, and numerous bird species. Tent and RV sites throughout the area accommodate various camping styles, though reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when facilities frequently reach capacity.

Best Camping Sites Near Hiouchi, California (195)

    1. Jedidiah Smith Campground — Redwood National Park

    56 Reviews
    Hiouchi, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (800) 444-7275

    "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."

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

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

    $35 / night

    "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."

    3. Florence Keller Regional Park

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

    $20 - $30 / night

    "It’s in a new grove of redwoods but there are stumps of old grove redwoods near some of the campsites that are huge."

    "Traveling around the country and we’ve come to the end of our time in California . We stopped here for a quick overnight stay and ended up staying two days in our Promaster van."

    4. Harris Beach State Park Campground

    109 Reviews
    Brookings, OR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 469-2021

    $24 - $67 / night

    "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."

    5. Crescent City/Redwoods KOA

    19 Reviews
    Crescent City, CA
    4 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. Panther Flat Campground

    19 Reviews
    Gasquet, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 457-3131

    $15 - $30 / night

    "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."

    7. Redwood Meadows RV Resort

    13 Reviews
    Hiouchi, CA
    0 miles
    +1 (707) 954-3310

    $28 - $66 / night

    "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."

    8. Lighthouse Cove RV Park

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

    "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."

    9. Kamp Klamath RV Park and Campground

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

    $40 - $70 / night

    "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."

    "Location, location, location. "

    10. Ramblin' Redwoods Campground & RV Park

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

    $39 - $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."

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Recent Reviews near Hiouchi, CA

1004 Reviews of 195 Hiouchi Campgrounds


  • Cable A.
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Harris Beach State Park Campground

    Overbearing hosts.

    Went in December. Never stopped raining. There were maybe 4 people camping there and no one near me for a few hundred yards. Camp ranger harassed me non stop because they had nothing to do, even though they didn’t have time to fix the lights in the bathrooms. Bad experience, Oregon state park employees really suck.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    middle fork smith river

    Spot to Sleep

    There is nothing great about this spot; just a spot if you are tired. Easy to get to. It is a circular turn around that has space to set up a camp. Very large spot but luckily we were the only there; offers no privacy otherwise. The plus to this spot was the sound of water and night sky.

    Very easy drive in; any vehicle can handle it.

  • Carol & Ed V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Big Lagoon County Park

    Great county campground

    First come first serve. Come early for best sites but it looks like there is something available even later. Showers and toilets were closed for reno, but Porta potty was available. Some sites completely exposed others private.

  • Imerie T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Panther Flat Campground

    Wonderful campground

    It was such a beautiful campground. Not loud at all. It stayed dark at night because of the trees which we love. And the weather was amazing. Will def stay here again

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Redwood Meadows RV Resort

    Right next to the Redwoods

    Nice staff, full hook ups, the sites were reasonable. All the tiny houses are cool to see. The location is great, just minutes away from the national park

  • H
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Ruby VanDeventer County Park

    Great Spot

    Great little spot right by the river. The woods do get dark much quicker than the spots on the edge of the river (45min ish) so just be aware.

  • S
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Harris Beach State Park Campground

    Nice and clean campgrond, a bit noisy from 101

    Nice and very beautiful campground, close to the beach. The only downside is that you do get a bit of noise from the 101 highway nearby.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Florence Keller Campground

    Nice, minimalistic campground

    Campground is beautifully carved out in a redwood forest. There are lots of spots nestled in the forest, and pullout spots to accommodate large RVs.

    The upsides: spots are spacious and private, there is one bathroom (and several supplemental porta-potties), potable water spigots, and it’s only $20/night.

    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.


Guide to Hiouchi

Camping sites near Hiouchi, California offer direct access to the Smith River, known for its emerald green waters and status as one of the only major undammed rivers in California. Summer temperatures in this region typically range from 60-85°F with much cooler evenings, even during the warmest months. The terrain surrounding Hiouchi campgrounds varies significantly from riverside flats to dense second-growth forest settings with limited sun exposure.

What to do

River swimming access: 5-minute walk at Panther Flat Campground, where campers can cool off in the clear waters of the Smith River. "This campground has lush green trees, a flowing rice and the good smells of a campground," notes one visitor. Water visibility in the Smith River often exceeds 20 feet, making it ideal for underwater exploration.

Tide pool exploration: 15-minute drive from Hiouchi to coastal areas with marine wildlife viewing opportunities. "During low tide, you can explore the tide pools. We saw hundreds of hermit crabs, anemone, starfish, sculpin, and more," a camper at Harris Beach State Park reported. Rangers often lead guided tide pool walks during summer months.

Salmon fishing: seasonal opportunities within walking distance of some camps. "We go over for the Salmon run in August/September," explains a visitor at Kamp Klamath, noting that "there is good fishing, beach combing, kite flying etc." Fishing licenses are required and can be purchased in Crescent City for $17-52 depending on duration.

Horseback riding: guided trips available near camping areas. One camper mentions, "We drove Howland hill road and did short hikes and did a horseback ride up into the redwoods with Crescent Trail rides." Tours typically run 1-3 hours and provide a different perspective of the towering trees.

What campers like

Hot showers: coin-operated or free depending on the campground. At Jedidiah Smith Campground, facilities include "heated, tile bathrooms with hot water and coin-op showers (25 cents a minute)." Many campers appreciate this amenity after hiking dusty trails or swimming in the river.

River access: varying difficulty from different campgrounds. "The campground is right in the middle of the trees and backs up to the river. Spots are spacious," explains a visitor to Jedidiah Smith Campground. Several sites offer direct water access while others require short walks to reach swimming holes.

Privacy between sites: natural barriers provide separation at many locations. At Mill Creek Campground, "the spots are fairly close together, but the nature of the vegetation made for 'walls' around the spots, which offered some privacy." This natural screening creates the feeling of solitude even in busier campgrounds.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: dawn and dusk are prime times for spotting native species. "We were mesmerized by the elk we saw. So beautiful," shares a Mill Creek Campground visitor. Banana slugs, various bird species, and occasionally river otters can also be spotted throughout the area.

What you should know

Cell service limitations: specific carriers work better than others. At Florence Keller Regional Park, campers report "good cell reception with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile," making it a good option for those needing to stay connected. However, most forest campgrounds have limited or no service.

Noise factors: natural and industrial sounds can affect campgrounds. "There is a large lumber processing mill nearby so you hear loud noises (mechanical beeping and lumber falling) all hours of the night and day, 6 days a week (off Sundays). They start at 5am and end around midnight," reports one camper.

Mosquito activity: varies by location and time of year. "Be sure to bring mosquito repellent!" warns a camper at Mill Creek Campground. Sites near still water or with dense vegetation typically have higher insect activity, especially during dawn and dusk hours.

Reservation importance: seasonal variations affect availability. "We came in late and all the surrounding campgrounds were full. There were plenty of spaces to choose from at this park," notes a visitor to Florence Keller Regional Park, suggesting it can be a good backup option when other sites are full.

Tips for camping with families

Playground facilities: centrally located in some campgrounds for easy access. "Great campsite for kids and family. There is a fantastic playground and the Rangers hold Junior Ranger activities twice a day," shares a visitor at Harris Beach State Park. Activities typically run morning and afternoon during summer months.

Junior Ranger programs: scheduled activities provide educational opportunities. Programs usually last 30-60 minutes and cover topics from redwood ecology to tidepools. Rangers provide activity booklets children can complete to earn badges.

Site selection strategy: request areas away from facilities for quieter family camping. At Crescent City/Redwoods KOA, "This was one of the best campsites we have had at a KOA. We were in a grove of redwoods and it was beautiful." Sites numbered in the 30s-50s are typically more secluded.

Beach proximity: 15-20 minute drives to coastal access points from most inland campgrounds. "The ocean view is amazing like most of the oregon coast," notes a Harris Beach visitor, while another mentions "the beach is about 15-20 mins down the road" from inland sites.

Tips from RVers

Maneuverability challenges: specific site sections accommodate larger vehicles better than others. At Mill Creek Campground, "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." This setup can create difficulties for those with mobility issues or extensive gear.

Hookup availability: varies widely between campgrounds in the region. "We stayed in the C loop and had our own picnic table and fire ring," reports a visitor to Redwood Meadows RV Resort, where full hookups are available. Most state and federal campgrounds offer more limited utilities.

Leveling requirements: site-specific grading affects setup time and comfort. "Very clean and medium spacious RV sites," notes another Redwood Meadows RV Resort camper, while mentioning that sites in "the teens, low 20's of this campground have wonderful spots."

Size restrictions: length limits affect access to some campgrounds. "The roads would be tough to navigate in a large RV or with a long trailer," cautions a Jedidiah Smith Campground visitor. RVs over 25 feet may find private campgrounds more accommodating than state park options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Hiouchi, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hiouchi, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 195 campgrounds and RV parks near Hiouchi, CA and 22 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Hiouchi, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hiouchi, CA is Jedidiah Smith Campground — Redwood National Park with a 4.8-star rating from 56 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hiouchi, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Hiouchi, CA.