Tent campsites near Redcrest, California require varying levels of preparedness depending on location and season. Most primitive campsites in this region sit at elevations between 200-2,000 feet, with coastal areas experiencing fog and inland areas reaching 90°F during summer months. Winter brings significant rainfall to the region, with most dispersed sites becoming difficult to access between November and March.
What to do
Hiking the Lost Coast Trail: The King Range Conservation Area offers tent campers access to one of California's most remote coastal trails. According to one camper, "Black sand beaches, cliffside camping, pristine wilderness and you have it all to yourself! Gorgeous hike, a little rough due to sand and rocks but well worth the effort."
Beach camping: Usal Beach Campground provides direct beach access with options for tent camping. "The morning drive out was gorgeous. Camped on the beach with the woods to our backs. Saw some coyotes when setting up camp, but they didn't mind us. Most beautiful sunrise in the morning and saw mama and baby bear prints on the sand," reports one visitor.
River activities: A.W. Way County Park offers tent sites near the Mattole River. One camper notes, "This is a very family friendly lazy river camping area. Camp sites are flat. Deer and skunks frequent the area. dog-friendly. River is usually low on water in the summer months."
What campers like
Privacy and space: Wuss Camp provides well-separated tent sites around a meadow. "The sites are widely dispersed and circle around a beautiful meadow. Bathrooms and shower are easily found and clean. The hosts were kind and helpful," one camper shares.
Wildlife viewing: The tent camping areas throughout the region offer excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. At King Range Conservation Area, campers should "Watch out for rattlesnakes in the areas were you will camp. Saw several all over."
Seclusion: Remote tent camping locations like Horse Mountain Campground provide solitude not found at more developed sites. "It's an old abandoned camp that is now free to use because it is no longer maintained. There are a few picnic tables and lots of trees. Road around camp is still drivable. It's a good alternative to the nearby Tolkan if you are looking for something more remote."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many primitive tent sites requires careful driving. For Usal Beach, one visitor warns: "The road itself is rough and could be very unsettling for anyone trying to do this trip in a vehicle without good off-road clearance. The ruts can be big and cause bottoming out of street cars."
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds operate only part of the year. Baxter Environmental Camp in Humboldt Redwoods State Park operates from "mid-May to late September" according to its listing information.
Facility variations: Tent camping options range from basic to primitive. Nadelos Campground offers limited amenities with "Pit toilets were fine by pit toilet standards. We visited in the spring and it was pretty buggy, but not unmanageably so."
Tips for camping with families
Safety considerations: At Williams Grove Group Camp, security awareness is important. One camper advises, "We were there as a group with Cubscouts and Boy Scouts and on the 2nd night had about $500 worth of food and gear stolen while we were sleeping. Definitely lock up or put away your gear at night."
Water access planning: Bring sufficient water for tent camping trips. During certain periods at King Range, "there was no water available because illegal pot growers had 'poached' the park's water for their crops, forcing the BLM to shut down the water system."
Weather preparation: Coastal tent sites experience significant temperature fluctuations. At Camp Mattole, conditions can be "Wonderfully remote. Excellent weather in August. Chilly at night if wind starts to blow. I love the remoteness of this place, it is California's lost coast."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for smaller rigs: Though primarily for tent camping, some sites accommodate small RVs. Cuneo Creek Horse Camp in Humboldt Redwoods State Park requires careful consideration as one visitor notes it's "A long drive between Garberville and Honey Dew. Great drive but not worth the trip" unless you have horses.
Showering facilities: RVers using tent sites should note varying shower availability. Some campers recommend bringing "lots of change" for coin-operated showers where available, while at primitive tent camping locations, no shower facilities exist.
Seasonal access: Fall and spring offer the best access periods for RVs attempting to reach more remote tent camping areas. One camper at Usal Beach suggests, "I recommend 4x4 during the wet seasons and some recovery gear just in case."
