Equestrian camping near Six Rivers National Forest offers both designated horse facilities and wilderness trails suitable for riders exploring northern California's diverse terrain. Located in a region with steep, forested mountains and numerous river systems, the area experiences significant rainfall between October and April that creates lush vegetation and occasionally challenging trail conditions. Trail access typically improves by late spring when seasonal moisture diminishes.
What to do
Explore beach dunes via ATV: The BLM Samoa Sand Dunes near Samoa Boat Ramp County Park provide direct access to coastal dune riding. "Driving right up to the beach and water is something I didn't know I NEEDED to do. Absolutely beautiful place and the people were all friendly!" reports Taylor.
Observe Roosevelt elk herds: The coastal meadows at Elk Country RV Resort & Campground offer reliable wildlife viewing opportunities. "There's a heard of elk that roam the campground which is pretty cool," notes Stefanie W. The resort spans both meadow and forest sections, with Nicole B. explaining, "We stayed on the 'meadow' side where the elk roam through your campsite. The 'forest' side is quite dark as you are camping in the redwoods."
Backpack into marble wilderness: For experienced hikers, the remote trails from Lovers Camp Trailhead lead to pristine alpine terrain. "We just finished a backpacking trip in marble valley and sky high lakes area, both accessible about 5+ miles from the Lovers Camp Trailhead. It was absolutely beautiful! So much to do in that area and such great views," shares Erin.
What campers like
Remote dispersed camping sites: The elevated positions at Lacks Creek BLM provide solitude with scenic payoffs. "Wildly peaceful. Read the description in the bio, follow the directions, and you'll find yourself able to choose from a handful of campsites... the second campsite you can drive to is on the left and you have an insane view of the trees. The sunset was absolutely incredible," describes Leah H.
Access to secluded beaches: Coastal locations offer unique recreation opportunities without crowds. Gabriel T. found Lacks Creek BLM provided "Nice spot for an overnight stay. The views on your way are amazing." While at Elk Country RV Resort, Erin A. appreciated that "It's a 2 min drive (or mile walk) to a beautiful and secluded beach."
Fishing access: The Trinity River watershed provides multiple angling options for campers. At Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, Corey L. found "great little mom and pop rv campground" where they "fished Lewiston lake less than 10 min. away and Whiskeytown Lake about 20-25 min. away with great luck."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many forest access roads require careful navigation. At Lacks Creek BLM, richard B. advises "the gps was wrong it took me past the turn off and sent me to private property with a locked gate so at the top of the hill look for a clearly marked sign on the left turn up the hill." Some sites are challenging for larger vehicles, as Jules S. discovered: "Tried to camp here with a 20ft travel trailer and I turned around before I even made it to the gravel road. Road is narrow and steep with low hanging trees."
Amenities differ between sites: Philpot Campground offers a minimalist camping experience. DirtyMountainBoy A. notes it's a "super sweet secluded spot right off Highway 36... secluded with beautiful green forest all around and there's a bunch of campsites no power no water but great hunting and trails."
Weather impacts accessibility: Late summer brings increased visitor traffic. Marasha L. found Lacks Creek BLM "Shockingly packed" in September, noting "chunks of the gravel road were under construction; some blind, narrow turns, but nothing too intense; and dips, washouts, and big exposed rocks, so drive with care."
Tips for camping with families
Look for multi-activity options: Sites with water access expand recreational possibilities. Naomi H. recommends Elk Country RV Resort where "we went on some nice walks around the pond and watched the otter swim in the water. Conveniently located near several nice beaches as well."
Consider fairground camping for amenities: The Humboldt County Fairgrounds offers reliable facilities with proximity to attractions. Michael W. notes Redwood Acres is "Located in the city limits mere minutes from just about anything you may need and very centrally located for many sea shore and forest park locations."
Choose campsites with adequate spacing: Spacing between sites varies considerably between locations. At Lacks Creek BLM, Luke D. found "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."
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions apply: Many forest campgrounds have limited turning space. For Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, Tara D. reports "Our 35 foot fifth wheel easily navigated the space," while Jason D. cautions "Biggest I would put in here would be about a 30 foot trailer. You have to disconnect your tow vehicle."
Consider staying at fairgrounds during events: The Humboldt County Fairgrounds offers a practical base for exploring. D37 notes it has "Plenty of room for all RV's large to small. 30 & 50 amp power and water. Clean restrooms, heated and free" and is "Close to Ferndale, which is Must See."
Check dump station conditions: Infrastructure quality varies at different locations. At Humboldt County Fairgrounds, D37 warns "It's by far the worst RV dump that I've used. It works, but needs a complete rebuild. I suggest requesting a spot with full hookups."