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Lacks Creek is a recreational treasure hidden in the coast range and offers a wide range of outdoor opportunities. Ride your horse or bike along the shared use trails, or find your own secluded campsite with a view. Lacks Creek is located in California's northern Coast Range, approximately 15 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. The area is in Humboldt County, approximately 20 miles northeast of Eureka. The management area includes 8,673 acres of BLM managed public lands 7,377 acres are within the Lacks Creek watershed, with the other acreage made up of contiguous lands. The management area is surrounded by large private land timber holdings, and the region contains some of the most productive and intensively managed commercial forest lands in the United States. The immediate area is sparsely populated with scattered ranches in adjacent Redwood Valley.
Traveler
Don’t be confused when you arrive and head up the hill where you’ll find camping spots. Even has an area with picnic tables under the trees.
A great spot overall and a nice drive up. We were there when it rained all day one of our days and it didn’t affect the roads much.
We even pulled up our rear drop camper and had no issues at all.
Traveler
We didn’t end up going because it is NOT RV friendly. You have to hike in with your tent
TravelerI loved staying at lacks creek! I had good cell service with att and it was beautiful, quiet and serene. Hikes right by the campsites. Fire pit. No water at all though. Bring your own water. And no bathroom unless you drive like 3 miles down the other way and some of the roads weren't open due to landslides. I drove my honda civic all the way up there. There was a few points I thought I wouldn't make it but sure enough my good ol honda pushed through. Lol Anyways! Highly recommend! Just bring water! Lol
GuideDispersed camping along the river banks after walking through the Tall Trees hike. Easy overnighter.
ScoutThe location it’s not what it says on this map. It’s about a mile heading to eureka. It’s okay it’s small camp site it’s right next 101 it’s bit noisy
Ranger
This secluded camp is well worth the effort to find. I've been 3 times and finally decided to add it to The Dyrt. Upon this return, I tried to find it online (Six Rivers's official site) but found no info. There are two ways to this camp, the longer from Willow Creek, or the shorter from Hawkins Bar. Both ways are via forest service roads that are "fair". There are 3 sites, each with a picnic table and fire ring. There is one vault toilet that was stocked with 'the papers'. There is NO trash service or cans and NO POTABLE WATER. There is a tiny creek running nearby if needed. There is MAYBE one (1) bar of Verizon service, but it is extremely unreliable. I came here to see the Perseids Meteor Shower, on a Sunday night/Monday, and did not see a soul.
TravelerOther than the long bumpy dirt road this site was great! Easy to find and great views. Had pretty good cell service with AT&T. Very quiet
TravelerBeautiful area, cool drive in. But the map on here is misleading… Follow Pine Ridge Road all the way till you hit dispersed sites with picnic tables and fire pits on the right.
(41.0051476, -123.7848194)
TravelerClean, level, spacious campground sites, close together trees so you can hang a hammock, hilltop view, pristine feel. Deep grateful breath. Gaia happy here.
ScoutWhen you get to the area where apple maps says park and walk, just take the pine ridge or whatever trail a couple more miles up. you will pass a single designated camp site( was occupied when I came up). and a ways on past it you will find the Lacks campground! nice little campground and my only complaint is people! Please pack your trash out. the fire pits arent garbage containers. Fruit boxes to soup and beer cans were in almost every fire ring. That’s just irresponsible and is the kind of crap that leads to more and more of these places being closed?
TravelerIt was great very peaceful. Only saw one person in the whole time I realize I’m probably going in the off-season thing I went in the middle of November.
ScoutGreat spot. The site is very secluded and well maintained. Note the gps coordinates take you to the right of the sign at the top of the hill after you turn off the main road. I would recommend going straight. Just follow it to the end. There is three fire pits and a bathroom. That is okay. But it will do. Note there is no trash can on site and the closest gas station is probably an hour from the camp site. After you drive down the dirt roads. They are a little road but any vehicle could make it.
TravelerAwesome pull outs on easy terrain. Lots of hiking and mountain bike trails too. Quiet, well maintained spots. Mosquitoes are bad this time of year so prepare well!
Can easily drive a van or pick up. I saw one large trailer here, but there are only 1-2 spots, as corners are too tight as you get higher.
Traveler
I was planning on staying here but had no service for miles with Verizon. Not just spotty service, literally nothing until I drove back down 15 minutes and camped on a road turnout. It seems nice especially since there's a bathroom and picnic tables as it's a trailhead. I drove out after dark and the road was a little rough but nothing we couldn't handle. It's 40 minutes from 299. If you don't mind being without service or have a different carrier it would be a nice secluded spot.
RangerPretty far drive off a dirt road. The camp spot does have fire rings. There’s a nice running/bike path right in the camp ground. However, there are a lot of ticks. Be careful if you have any animals.
Also saw wild horses driving up!
Drive east on Highway 299 for 17.8 miles from Highway 101. Turn left at the Redwood Valley turn off(Bair Road) and travel 3.9 miles. Make a right turn at the sign that reads"Hoopa- 22 miles", and travel 5.9 miles up this windy gravel road. The entrance is a left turn.
LegendParadise!! Dispersed Camping at it's finest. Nothing but a Firepit. The Vacation finally started.. Dead battery on car, snowed in, running low on water. Haven't seen someone in along time. This is Paradise! Finally I can relax and start my vacation. Dogs and I are staying warm in a tent. I keep the fire going and I stay warm and dry. If you want an amazing place to camp, bike, hike have some great privacy with a breathtaking view. This is the place for you. The gravel road was intense and make sure you have Chains or 4x4. Or just don't visit the day before an epic snow storm. I give this place five Stars cause of what it is, Paradise!!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near McKinleyville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near McKinleyville, CA is Lacks Creek BLM with a 4.9-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near McKinleyville, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near McKinleyville, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
