124 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping areas near Redcrest, California concentrate primarily along the Avenue of the Giants scenic route, where ancient redwood forests provide a stunning backdrop for outdoor stays. Humboldt Redwoods State Park serves as the central camping destination, with several developed campgrounds including Burlington, Hidden Springs, and Albee Creek campgrounds. The region also features private options like Ancient Redwoods RV Park and Redcrest Resort, which accommodate RVs, tents, and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in this area are positioned strategically to provide visitors with easy access to the towering old-growth redwoods that define this section of Northern California.
The camping season varies significantly between facilities, with some campgrounds operating year-round while others maintain limited seasonal availability from May through October. "The campsite is down a dirt road and the area offers tranquility!" noted one visitor about Albee Creek Campground, which operates from mid-May to mid-October. Road conditions can be challenging in some areas, particularly for larger RVs and trailers, as several campgrounds explicitly note they are not big-rig friendly. Amenities differ substantially between developed campgrounds, with most state park facilities offering drinking water, showers (often coin-operated), fire rings, and picnic tables. Cell phone coverage is limited throughout the region, especially in more remote campgrounds tucked deeper into the redwood forests.
Wildlife viewing represents a significant draw for campers in the Redcrest area. According to visitor reports, black bears frequently visit Albee Creek Campground to forage in the old apple orchard. "While camping here a bear walked right through our site while we were in it to get to an apple tree about 50 ft from us. Really scary being that close, but also really cool," shared one camper. Deer sightings are common throughout the region's campgrounds. The proximity to both the South Fork Eel River and smaller creek systems provides water-based recreation opportunities. Several campgrounds feature nearby hiking trails that wind through old-growth redwood groves, with Rockefeller Grove being particularly noted in visitor reviews. Campsite privacy varies considerably, with some locations offering secluded spots while others place sites in closer proximity to neighboring campers.
"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"
"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"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"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"This park is gorgeous and the drive into the site rivals the avenue of the giants. The location is very remote. "
"We are avid campers that prefer tucked away campgrounds which are often hard to find when you have a trailer but this one has everything on our list!"
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"swimmerd delight is the correct name. this is our home away from home. good camping and fun swimming. its not to bad on pricing $25 a night for a regular sight. we come here every year for swimming and"
"He was very helpful and kind and we loved seeing him walk his little dogs around the park."
from $30 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Lots of shade throughout area but limited privacy due to proximity of sites and road noise. Bathhouse has water and basic shower amentities."
"earlier in the year before the water warms and it fills with algae. theres swimming and hiking on site as well as the ranger station to explore. the redwoods are beautiful but the campground is directly adjacent"
from $35 - $90 / night
Check Availability"The park is nicely situated among the trees with an easy access from the highway, right near the entrance to the Avenue of the Giants. Would stay here again."
"Coffee shop out front was very good and walking distance . U can pull out and see soo many groves pull off and hike. Soo fun great views. And we only used laundry worked great also."
"Central enough location to souvenirs, the immortal tree, 7 state parks, and the south fork eel river. Campsites are close. Showers are included in camping fee. Laundry is $2 to wash. $1 to dry."
RangerSo close to the road. Loud campground. Beach is nice and pretty. But not much privacy for camping as it is basically a parking lot with a trail to the beach. Has a few picnic tables and fire rings.
RangerMore like roadside parking lot with beach access and a gross bathroom. Not much privacy. Beach was beautiful. Worth 30 bucks if you don’t want to veer far from route 101.
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
TravelerThis parking lot was very clean, a bit of a slope, really nice view, and wonderful staff. The staff could be nicer and very hospitable. The nearby town of Trinidad is lovely to go explore. We will definitely stay here again as we journey up the northern part of the California coast. They are currently building a sweat lodge that will be open to the public next year and every quarter they have a Sound Bath that is also open to the public.
GuideThis site was great for touring the Redwood Forest and Crescent City area. Camp hosts are friendly and easy to work with. There's a handful of tiny homes scattered about. Many are long term live-ins. Nice dog park. Friendly neighbors.
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.
TravelerBooked a site for the night and received a confirmed reservation and payment confirmation. When I arrived, the assigned site was already occupied by someone else, so I obviously could not stay.
I called and left a voicemail explaining the situation but never received a callback. It appears there is no one actually confirming or monitoring site availability when reservations are made online.
If you’re planning to stay here for the night while passing through, I would not count on having a site available just because the website says you do. You may arrive after a long drive only to find that your reserved site is already occupied and there’s nobody available to resolve the issue.
Camping options near Redcrest, California primarily cluster along the northern part of the 32-mile Avenue of the Giants scenic byway, which parallels Highway 101 through Humboldt County. The area sits at approximately 200 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during day and dropping to 50-60°F at night. Most campgrounds operate at reduced capacity from November through April due to increased rainfall and cooler temperatures in this temperate rainforest climate.
Creek exploration: 25 minutes from main highway. At Albee Creek Campground, visitors can access Bull Creek for cooling off during summer months. "Close to great hiking and creek exploring," notes marcus K. The area includes shallow sections perfect for wading and deeper pools for swimming, with water temperatures warming nicely by July.
Bird watching: Early morning best. The meadow fronting Albee Creek Campground attracts diverse bird species including wild turkeys. "We saw wild turkeys, a baby fox, deer, and our neighbors saw bears!" reports Katherine D. Many campers recommend bringing binoculars as morning fog often creates dramatic viewing conditions when birds become active.
Swimming in Eel River: Access from multiple points. Van Duzen County Park provides excellent water access. "The river is clean, and relaxing. Swimming here is so fun! Cold, but refreshing!" writes Andi M. Water levels drop significantly by late summer, creating warmer swimming holes with sandy beaches that emerge as water recedes.
Privacy between sites: Varies by campground. At Humboldt Redwoods State Park, site selection affects the camping experience. "The campsites are large but little privacy. The bathrooms are clean and showers are nice for people who aren't big into camping," explains Sara S. Many sites feature natural barriers created by fallen logs or large redwood stumps.
Climbing opportunities: Safe for supervised children. Many campgrounds feature large redwood stumps with steps cut into them. "Sites are very close together but nice and shady. Yes, there are giants in the campsite," explains marcus K. about Burlington Campground. These natural climbing features provide entertainment for families without damaging living trees.
Morning beverages: Visitor center convenience. Some state park campgrounds offer unexpected amenities. "They also have free coffee and tea at the visitor center that we took advantage of in the morning. Nice touch!" notes Brodie D. This service typically runs from 9am-11am during peak season at select locations.
Water quality concerns: Iron content in some areas. At Stafford RV Park, campers noted issues with the water. "The water jug we had filled with their water was full of rusty red residue at the bottom, ick. And that's with using a filter," reports Laura M. Many campers recommend bringing drinking water or using multiple filtration methods.
Road noise: Proximity to highways. Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park campground experiences significant traffic sounds. "The campgrounds are just a little turn off from 36 and trucks speed by all night long. My spot was on the river so I was a little more sheltered," advises Rosalia B. Sites furthest from roadways provide the quietest overnight experiences.
Shower costs: Bring quarters. Most campgrounds charge for showers. At Ancient Redwoods RV Park, "Showers are included in camping fee," notes Laura H., but this is uncommon. Most state parks charge 25¢ per minute for hot water, and change machines aren't always available.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening prime time. Hidden Springs Campground offers natural entertainment. "There are lots of old redwood stumps to explore and climb on for kids. The Gould nature hike is easy and informative with lots of interesting sites," shares Steve A. Dawn and dusk provide best wildlife viewing times.
Educational programming: Visitor center resources. Burlington Campground provides easy access to ranger activities. "Daily planned activities, so many great hiking trails, and the best part is: COFFEE at the visitor center!" explains Lyly D. Rangers typically offer junior ranger programs on summer weekends from 10am-2pm.
Swimming safety: Check conditions first. River depths change throughout summer. "The river is nice earlier in the year before the water warms and it fills with algae," notes Paul H. about Grizzly Creek. Parents should inspect swimming areas for submerged hazards before allowing children in the water.
Size limitations: Many sites unsuitable for larger rigs. Giant Redwoods RV & Cabin Destination accommodates bigger vehicles. "Perfect first trip in our travel trailer. The park was about 1/3 full. Our site backed up to the Eel river with Giant redwoods everywhere," says Randy J. Many state park campgrounds cannot accommodate RVs longer than 25 feet.
Limited hookups: Plan accordingly. Most state park campgrounds lack full hookups. "No hookups, so come prepared! We liked our little cozy spot. The actual sites are nice and spacious, but the area you have to park your rig are TINY," cautions Brodie D. Solar panels have limited effectiveness due to dense tree canopy.
Road access challenges: Narrow, winding roads. Routes to more remote campgrounds require careful navigation. "Hwy 36 from the 101 is very curvy with lots of narrow areas and very few turn offs," warns stephanie. RVers should research specific routes before committing to campgrounds off main highways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Redcrest, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Redcrest, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 124 campgrounds and RV parks near Redcrest, CA and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Redcrest, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Redcrest, CA is Burlington Campground — Humboldt Redwoods State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Redcrest, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Redcrest, CA.
What parks are near Redcrest, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Redcrest, CA that allow camping, notably King Range National Conservation Area and Six Rivers National Forest.
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