Best Tent Camping near Orleans, CA

Well let’s see where do I start? The coast”ocean” is about 500 yards away. There is absolutely nothing to do here. It’s being remodeled/renovated because it’s a new owner. The on property store has limited supplies. I asked for plasticware they didn’t have it. I asked for allergy pills, they didn’t have it. I asked for ice, guess what? Didn’t have it. I just left the store and drove into town which takes about seven minutes. Can’t go for a walk around the camp because somebody just murdered somebody today and he was seen behind this camp in the forest. Of all days right? Doesn’t matter if you could walk around there’s nothing to see but people that I’ve been here probably months on end and it’s just “boring“ and it’s overpriced for boring. I stayed at humbug in Oregon after 101 it was $18 a night it was the best place I’ve ever been, and I love tent camping. the website says Wi-Fi, let me tell you something there is No!!!!! WI-FI The bathrooms are locked and they give you a code to open them. What the heck is that about right? The tent sites are very odd it’s a strip of grass with a picnic bench every 5 yards. it’s not fenced. There’s no trees or shrubs separating anybody it’s just very “odd“ you’ll be camping 25 feet from the next guy. I had to turn my tent facing the fence because any other way people can look in. A little privacy would be nice in a place like this but you won’t get it. You better have unlimited data on your phone plan because you’re going be using all your data out here because there’s absolutely nothing to do. Sit in your tent or at the table and hopefully have somebody with you or you better love movies “a lot “

There’s a spot for nearly everyone here! The showers and bathrooms are in the center of the campground, so it’s a bit of a walk from the tent sites near the entrance so plan for that. The tent sites have water and power hookups, which is great!

The closed Mill Creek day-use area has access to trails through old growth redwoods. This Mill Creek campground has limited access to a few short trails. See notes below. 

WARNING: Trestle Loop Trail is not a loop (since 2018 according to CH). The first bridge when hiking clockwise is in excellent condition. The second crossing is at a wide section of creek without any bridge or trail markers. The third crossing is impassible due to a ~6ft abrupt drop. Aug 2019 there was a single laminated sign on the trail floor stating "Stay on trail," an A-frame marker tied to a tree by caution tape over 100ft away from the abrupt drop.

Caution: The campground map dated 2006, rev 2019 is missing important campground details and vaguely marks the path of the Trestle Trail.

Most disappointing, this campground has no old growth redwoods and no immediate hiking access to old growth, rivers, lakes, or beaches and ocean.

The map provided on paper, PDF, and on signs is inaccurate. The good: There are many potable water sources on both north and south loops, not just one as on the map. Some of the bad: 

1/ Several camp sites have stairs. 

2/ Many camp sites are generously graveled making tent camping less comfortable and difficult to drive stakes.

3/ Site 27 is currently (summer 2019) the end of the Trestle Trail. Expect guests passing through.

4/ Camp sites vary significantly. This could be a positive if documented accurately: Some are stacked with one entrance path deeper into the forest. Some have stairs leading to tent sites above road grade. Some have both such as 5, 6, and 7. Recommendation: Read each site detail on ReserveCalifornia carefully or ask the camp staff at the entrance kiosk.

5/ A few sites are inaccurately placed on the map such as site 20 which is on the main loop, not on the side road.

6/ The map is missing trail details such as another creek crossing and switchbacks on the west side which would be helpful progress indicators.

7/ Especially for RVs and trailers: The campground map makes no mention of the poor entrance road conditions. In addition to a steep grade and tight turns there are several small sections of uneven roadway due to slides. A small section is washed out and only graveled. There are also abrupt speed bumps near the kiosk.

8/ The campground map includes info for some nearby trails, but only the Trestle Trail is indicated on the map. Nearby trails are accessible only from the WEST entrance to the Trestle Trail across from camp site 8.

Big parking lot picnic benches and one group tent site

This campground is lovely! The bathrooms are decent and maintained and it’s very child friendly with a sweet playground as well as a basketball hoop and some great picture spots around the onsite pizza place! It has in-ground fire pits and the tent camping wasn’t crowded at all last time we went but the tent camping is in an open field (no natural foliage/ trees to act as barriers between sites if noise and/or proximity to others is a concern but I can’t imagine it being a problem most of the time) I highly recommend them if in need of a pit stop or a place to stay around the area for any reason. 😊

Great RV resort in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. Very clean and nice sized RV and Tent sites.

Across from Stone Lagoon and Dry Lagoon Beach along Highway 101. This campground accommodates tent camping and RV full hook-up. Herd of Roosevelt Elk live there and are frequently in the campground. Beautiful grounds and open all year.

Loooooved this campground. There's a meadow area for RVS and a forested area for smaller rvs/vans and tents. Some tent sites have electrical outlets, all tent sites have a spigot. BIG bathrooms with flush toilets, hot coin showers, laundry room. Laundry room has a soap machine AND a change machine. Hosts are super nice and the facilities are really clean. The grounds are beautiful, there's a lovely large lake with a little footpath around it - I saw otters in the lake and elk in the front meadow! Great base to explore the redwoods, Trinidad, Patrick's Point and Eureka. I got some TMobile service near the road but the wifi didn't work for me. Solo female traveler approved, super chill. There were a few open spaces even over the weekend.

This is a great spot right in the redwoods. For only $15 a night tent camping, you really can’t beat it. Fresh water, bathrooms and fire pits with tables. Everything you could need. Camp hosts are friendly! Truly a magical place to stay

This camp ground has relatively small tent sites. Bathrooms were adequate. Showers were pay to use which lost it 1 star. However the people were great. And the bear lock boxes were great.

This is a surreal place. Stayed 2 nights. Tent camping spots were great everything was nicely maintained. Foot traffic was a bit heavy from noon-4pm. To stand amongst this beautiful trees it is very breathtaking. Hiking trails were great and maintained. The scouts trail was the busiest by far.

Beautiful RV park nestled in the California redwoods. 1 mile away from Trees of Mystery. Full hook ups for Rv's, tent camping area as well. The family won't get bored here! They have hiking trails, horseshoes and an adorable little 18 hole mini golf course to boot! Just a mile down the road is Trees of Mystery, a few miles the other direction is a casino, jet boat rides up the Klamath River , scenic drives abound including an elk reserve, and it's approximately 25 minutes to the coast. Wonderful little general store and the nicest couple who run the park.

New fifth wheel with a sliding hitch was giving me issues with a back in site. The staff escorted the took the time to work with me to get the rig parked perfectly in the spot (great that he is a big rig driver!). The is a great location in the middle of the redwoods. Definately a ton of tent camping and lots of trails.

Nothing compares to camping out amongst Sequoias. It's a great site. Coin showers are little cold, but run the sink faucets until they're hot and then start your shower. Your neighbors will be very close, but the foliage makes you feel slightly secluded at night especially. Each site is compact for tent camping... You'll be able to fit two 4-person tents comfortably. Firewood is $10 per person. Access to some amazing redwoods hiking trails are a short walk through the grounds. I didn't have cell service at all. Bring walkies for the trails.

We stayed here one night last year. We’d hoped to stay at Patrick’s Point State Park, but it was full. The woman who set us up with a tent site here was super friendly and helpful. She offered advice for where to eat in the area and points of interest.

My daughters and I checked out the Bay Area and hiked the Trinidad Head. It was a beautiful afternoon. We had dinner at the Trinidad Bay Eatery and Gallery which was nice with a friendly server and good American fare.

After we returned we looked at the little arcade area in the cabins area. It reminded me in a nostalgic way of the arcade area in the 80’s movie Starfighter. Very fun.

Although it wasn’t quite dark yet when we headed back to our site, it was VERY dark in the back area with the tent sites fue to heavy tree cover. Finding our spot was difficult in the dark. The path is winding and doesn’t exactly match the campground map and the ground was very uneven. I was glad we have four wheel drive.

The campsite was also very uneven and had a steep drop off to a creek bed on the side. Luckily we’d planned to car camp and only had to fold down the sleeping area in our vehicle. I can’t imagine trying to set up a tent on that site in the pitch blackness. I’m not sure that the site had any amenities like a picnic table or water or a fire ring. I couldn’t see anything!

Overall I’d stay here again, but I’d get there way before dark and set up camp first before adventuring in the area. I love the Trinidad/Eureka area. There’s lots to do and see. I gave the three stars because the tent site area ground is so uneven and so unlit.

We saw the sign on the highway for this campground and stopped. The owner recently acquired the plot and has been putting work into it since then. It was a great spot to stop, close to the national park, river access as well and reasonably priced. For a tent site, it was $38/night. Bathrooms were clean, showers worked well and the overall space was clean

Located right on the Klamath River, this campground is right next to redwood national park. With all the campgrounds in the park completely booked, we were lucky to slide into the spot on a Saturday night. It was pretty expensive for a tent site ($35), where we parked our truck camper. However the staff were extraordinarily nice, facilities were clean, and the crowd was subdued.