81 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Petrolia, California spans primitive beach camping on the Lost Coast to riverside tent and RV sites with running water and showers. A.W. Way County Park sits alongside the Mattole River, offering tent and RV sites with basic amenities including drinking water, showers, and toilet facilities. Just a few miles from Petrolia, Mattole Campground provides beach access camping at the northern terminus of the Lost Coast Trail, with primitive tent and RV sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Camp Mattole offers additional camping options in the area, though with limited facilities.
The journey to reach Petrolia's camping destinations involves navigating winding, sometimes rough roads through remote terrain. Mattole Road, which connects to the area from either Ferndale or Humboldt Redwoods State Park, features steep grades and sections of unpaved surface. "The road from Ferndale (Mattole road) is paved but very rough in some places. Took me three hours to go 30 miles due to my rig being old and having to be very cautious in it," noted one camper. Most campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though winter conditions can make access challenging. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the region, requiring campers to plan ahead for supplies, as the nearest substantial stores are in Eureka or Fortuna, about 1-2 hours away depending on road conditions.
The Lost Coast camping experience offers remarkable coastal scenery and solitude. Mattole Campground sits near the beach where campers can fall asleep to ocean sounds, though sites provide minimal privacy and are exposed to coastal winds. Several visitors highlight the remote, undeveloped nature of the area as its primary appeal. River access at A.W. Way County Park provides family-friendly camping with flat sites frequented by local wildlife. Many campgrounds in the region operate on a first-come, first-served basis and fill quickly during summer months. Visitors consistently mention the need to be self-sufficient with water and supplies, as most camping areas have limited amenities, with Mattole Campground notably lacking potable water. The region's mix of tent and RV sites serves as a gateway to exploring the rugged Lost Coast Trail and surrounding wilderness areas.
"Could probably get water in Petrolia too. Plan ahead for that! Plan ahead for lots of sun — we camped in mid-July and had a full day of sun!"
"As Humboldt locals, we like to be away from the crowds, in the most beautiful natural areas in California. This is the trail head to the famous Lost Coast Trail, and just a stunning beach campground."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"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"
"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"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"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"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"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."
"I love the remoteness of this place, it is California's lost coast. Not for the faint of heart as you have to haul your own water in. The other people camping were really fabulous. Super laid back."
"Because of recent rains and some soggy areas I had to overnight campers close to me. 30 amp and 50 amp power and water at each side."
"Close to Ferndale, which is Must See. Access from Fernbridge of of 101 as the other roads are very twisty for all but the smallest RVs. Camp host was great! Short drive into Eureka."
from $20 - $45 / night
Check Availability
ScoutDidn't spend the night, stopped here for a day visit to the beach. Not worth the $30 a night, especially with the state parks in the area being $35 with flush toilets and showers. Right off the highway and vault toilets were near full to the brim. Maybe decent in a pinch but honestly I'd rather spend a night at the Trinity Rest Stop for free.
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
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.
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.
TravelerNice simple county park on the beach 200ft from highway 101. 10 spots with picnic tables and fire rings. 10 or so spots for 35ft rvs, pull thru. Pit toilet and no other amenities. Broad open beach with lots of driftwood.
The Petrolia area sits at the southern end of the Lost Coast region, where the King Range meets the Pacific Ocean. This remote section of Northern California experiences a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and wet winters, receiving over 100 inches of annual rainfall in parts of the King Range. Camping near Petrolia offers access to both the Mattole River watershed and coastal beach camping opportunities, with most sites operating on a first-come basis.
River swimming: A.W. Way County Park provides access to the Mattole River for swimming during summer months. "This is a very family friendly lazy river camping area. Camp sites are flat. Deer and skunks frequent the area," notes a camper at A.W. Way County Park.
Redwood hikes: Visitors can explore ancient forests near several campgrounds within an hour's drive. "There is a redwood grove hiking trail behind the campsites that takes you from one end of the campground to the other. You can also walk across Avenue of the Giants from the entrance to a trail that leads you down to the South Fork Eel River," explains a camper at Hidden Springs Campground.
Lost Coast Trail: The northern terminus of this wilderness backpacking route begins near Mattole Campground. "This area is just unbelievably gorgeous. Some rough roads but well worth it," states one camper about the surrounding terrain.
Coastal solitude: The remote beach location attracts those seeking quiet camping. "I stopped in at this site as I thought it was dispersed. It's ran by the BLM so it was $15. Sites are level, there is trash bins and paths to the ocean. I was here in June and it was still pretty chilly and windy," reports a visitor to Mattole Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds in the region offer animal sighting opportunities. "We saw wild turkeys, a baby fox, deer, and our neighbors saw bears! A really cool spot to camp! Large campsites," shares a camper from Albee Creek Campground.
Peaceful atmosphere: The distance from major population centers creates a tranquil environment. "Our site felt secluded, but was only about 30 yards from one of the bathrooms. The best part was that we were right on the Avenue of the Giants, and there was plenty to do," notes a camper about Hidden Springs Campground.
Weather conditions: Coastal winds can be intense, particularly at beach campgrounds. "Be prepared for weather changes and cooler weather, it can change rapidly. Be prepared to be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves crashing against the shore!" advises a Mattole Campground visitor.
Road accessibility: The roads to Petrolia and surrounding areas require careful navigation. "The journey to Mattole Campground was like entering another dimension. I drove in on a mild, sunny day in late July and as I began to make my way into the King Range I was spellbound with the magnitude of the beauty," reports one camper.
Limited supplies: There are few options for purchasing essentials near camping areas. "It's a good 25 minute drive each way to Myers Flat for provisions so stop on the way," recommends a visitor to Burlington Campground.
River-focused sites: For families with children, riverside camping provides natural entertainment. "Great campground for families. Has an old apple orchard that bears frequently forage. A beautiful and quiet park," mentions a visitor to Albee Creek Campground.
Bear safety: Store food properly as bears are active in several campground areas. "The large meadow in front of the camp sites has tall grass that helps hide the deer and bears that like to come out and eat from the fruit trees that produce during the summer time," explains a camper about seasonal wildlife patterns.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programs and visitor centers. "The highlight of the Burlington campground is that it's right by the Visitors Center so you have easy access to the wifi, free coffee in the morning, and lots of educational opportunities," notes one visitor.
Overnight options: RVers passing through the area have several choices for single-night stays. "Stayed in parking lot for an over night stay heading up the coast. Safe, easy, cheep. 14.00 for parking lot around $30 for hook ups in grass area," reports a visitor to Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale.
Size limitations: Many campgrounds near Petrolia have restrictions on larger RVs. "This campground can only accommodate smaller trailers in only a few spots. 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!" explains a camper with a 25-foot trailer at Albee Creek Campground.
Water quality considerations: Some RV parks in the region have mineral-heavy 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," cautions an RVer about local water conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Petrolia, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Petrolia, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 81 campgrounds and RV parks near Petrolia, CA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Petrolia, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Petrolia, CA is Mattole Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 21 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Petrolia, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Petrolia, CA.
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