Petrolia's glamping options extend into surrounding areas along Northern California's rugged coastline. Located where the King Range meets the Pacific Ocean, Petrolia sits at the western edge of Humboldt County. The region experiences mild coastal temperatures with summer highs rarely exceeding 75°F, creating optimal camping conditions even during peak summer months. Winter brings significant rainfall with seasonal closures at some campgrounds from October through April.
What to do
Beach exploration: King Range Conservation Area offers direct access to the pristine Lost Coast Trail. One camper noted, "A pay by the day and rangers will enforce. Dress in layers. Nestled in with large pieces of driftwood trees acting as berms between your campsite and the beach sand. Short walk to the ocean or mouth of the Mattole River."
Fishing opportunities: Bailey Canyon Campground provides lakeside camping with excellent fishing access. A visitor shared, "Caught bass and catfish. Watched Osprey diving for fish in the early morn right from my campsite. Bald eagles, Herons and Hawks were also a joy to watch."
River swimming: When temperatures rise, many campgrounds offer river access for cooling off. As one camper at Redwoods River Resort noted, "The best part of this place is the river, it's a steep walk down the hill to get there, but it's totally worth it."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The diverse ecosystems around Petrolia support abundant wildlife. At Bailey Canyon Campground, campers enjoy "watching Osprey diving for fish in the early morn right from my campsite. Bald eagles, Herons and Hawks were also a joy to watch."
Proximity to Victorian architecture: Humboldt County Fairgrounds camping offers access to nearby historical towns. As one camper mentioned, "Walked around Ferndale and had great Mexican food. The coffee shop in town was super cool and cozy."
Peaceful settings: Despite being near attractions, many campgrounds maintain tranquility. A reviewer at Richardson Grove RV and Campground appreciated that "The huge oaks are worth it alone. The host was attentive and very helpful. It's a bit down in the heels but things worked well enough and the setting is gorgeous!"
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings more campers to the area. At Richardson Grove RV and Campground, "It's a large campground and great for large groups our group is usually about 60+ people. During the July hot days we like to cross HWY 101 and go take a dip in the eel river."
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have issues with water systems. At Stafford RV Park, a camper reported, "The water jug we had filled with their water was full of rusty red residue at the bottom, ick. And that water is what we used to fill our onboard RV tank (and that's with using a filter)."
Cell service limitations: Digital connectivity is sparse throughout the region. A camper at Richardson Grove noted, "Just don't count on wifi or cell connection. It's 1960 here."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Lakes and rivers provide natural swimming areas for children. At Bailey Canyon, "Kids enjoyed swimming catching frogs, turtles and baby catfish with their hands."
Playground amenities: Redwoods River Resort offers dedicated recreation areas. A visitor mentioned, "We really enjoyed the play ground and all the outdoor games. The campground needs some updating/TLC."
Safety considerations: Remote locations require preparation. At King Range Conservation Area, "Seismic area, so the sand on the river is never the same if you go more than once a year. Bathrooms near the campground. No showers. No electricity."
Tips from RVers
Arrival timing: Avoiding night arrivals helps navigate unfamiliar campgrounds. At Redwood Coast Cabins & RV Resort, "I must admit, we arrived after dark and left by 8 am. The folks were great on the phone and set us up for a after hours arrival."
Hookup reliability: Electric systems may not be consistent at some locations. One camper at Redwood Coast Cabins noted, "The WiFi worked good until the last day. The 15A outlet worked until the last day."
Dump station quality: Facility maintenance varies widely between campgrounds. A reviewer at Humboldt County Fairgrounds warned, "I suggest requesting a spot with full hookups. The largest downside to this place is the RV dump station inside the fairgrounds. It's the worst one that I've ever used."
