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Smith River, California provides access to several campground options in proximity to both coastal beaches and old-growth redwoods. Developed campgrounds like Ramblin' Redwoods Campground and Howonquet Village and Resort accommodate tent campers, RVs, and cabin seekers. The area's camping landscape encompasses sites nestled among towering redwoods, ocean-adjacent properties, and riverside locations along the Smith River. Most campgrounds maintain year-round operation, though weather conditions vary significantly with the coastal climate.
Campground facilities range from basic to full-hookup sites with amenities. Many locations offer water and electrical connections, while others provide more primitive experiences. As one camper noted, "Camping at Rambling Redwoods offers a unique experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in nature, surrounded by the majestic Redwoods." Access roads are generally well-maintained and suitable for most vehicles, though some waterfront sites may have restrictions for larger RVs. The Smith River area experiences typical Pacific Northwest coastal weather patterns with mild summers and wet winters, making spring through fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
The region's campgrounds offer distinctive environmental features that distinguish individual locations. Riverside camping provides opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing, with several reviews mentioning otters, seals, and birds at the Smith River mouth. Forested sites deliver shade and seclusion, though proximity to Highway 101 can introduce traffic noise at some locations. A review about Howonquet Village noted, "The beach is a short walk away, and you can walk all the way along the beach along the Smith River to where it meets the ocean. There is an amazing amount of wildlife and tide pools here." Campground selection typically involves balancing desired amenities against location, with waterfront and redwood settings commanding premium rates but delivering memorable natural experiences.
"The beach is a ten minute walk and both walks we took were breath taking! Everyone we met were very friendly and had great knowledge of the park seeing that it was our first time."
"Just outside of Brookings,Oregon on Rt. 101, this well kept campground was a welcome two day layover during the rainy weather that’s typical of the PNW during mid-November."
from $31 - $87 / night
Check Availability"You camp in the redwoods, with the large and gentle smith river right next to you."
"Sites are spacious and most are very private, easy to walk down to the gorgeous Smith River and numerous hiking trails through the park and to nearby Hiouchi (you can walk to breakfast or lunch and a great"
from $35 - $100 / night
Check Availability"It’s in a new grove of redwoods but there are stumps of old grove redwoods near some of the campsites that are huge."
"Traveling around the country and we’ve come to the end of our time in California . We stopped here for a quick overnight stay and ended up staying two days in our Promaster van."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"A little bit far from the southern redwoods in California on the 101 but worth the drive."
"Clean campground, our spot was near the play area, dog park and office. They have some area tucked into the redwoods. They have some farm animals!"
"This campground is close to so many amazing adventures like beaches near Crecent City, Smith River and Jebidiah Redwoods Parks."
"Next. To us. Some other sites that aren't adjoined like this would be amazing I think. However, the bathrooms were decent."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"This RV Psrk is surrounded by beach, the harbor and the Chetco River. What a prized location. Park your RV on beachfront property, with the harbor behind and the Chetco River at the end of the park."
"There are pros and cons to this location. Pros is literally on the beach. At night, I can hear the waves. Great onshore cool breezes. Lots of walking and amazing sunsets."
"What a great place close to giant redwoods, the smith river and the beach! They say its the most popular camping site in the northern redwoods but we must have missed the croud!"
"Trees everywhere and Smith river access is minutes away. Campground has all the things needed to make your stay great. Clean bathrooms, lots of space, picnic table and fire pit."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"The Chetco River is just steps away for fishing or water play. Nice trail nearby that winds through a young Redwood Forest. The trail along the River is really nice too."
"One of the best places we have camped at in the Oregon Coast and so close to amazing attractions. The bathrooms have flush potty’s, the showers are no fee, and super nice."
from $26 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Camping at Rambling Redwoods offers a unique experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in nature, surrounded by the majestic Redwoods."
"Some spots are close enough to hear highway noise but it wasn’t bad. There are couple great trails through Redwoods. We were there during COVID and forest fires so most activities were closed."
from $999 / night
Check Availability"Great location in heart of Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park with easy access to the Smith River. Very clean and medium spacious RV sites."
"Smith River is close by as well."
from $42 - $79 / night
Check Availability
GuideSpent the night at Cave Creek Campground the night before doing a cave tour. It’s small, the sites are spread out, pit toilets were clean. A pretty chill night over all. I wouldn’t stay for multiple nights but it was great for what we needed
GuideThis campground is amazing! It was quiet and peaceful, and our campsite felt very secluded even though there were other campsites nearby. Bathrooms were well-maintained.
Other items of note: It's a fairly short drive to/from Crescent City (about 15 minutes) and there's no cell service in the campground. Pets are allowed on the paved areas.
GuideSmall spots and not many but very pretty and I love the little stream nearby
GuideNot really sure where the coordinates took me, but there is a campsite not far after you cross $8 bridge. It's free and has a pit toilet, some tables, and some fire rings. There is a place to park and a path down to the river. There is a much better beach by the river however on the other side of $8 bridge behind the bathrooms, as the one by the actual campground is very rocky. I camped there 2 nights and it was pretty peaceful. There were some homeless people living there, but they were super friendly and invited me over for dinner. There are some people that like to drive up and down the road super fast, so be aware of that. Another camper also told me to be careful going farther up the road because that's where a lot of drug addicts and thieves hang out. He had been there for about 3 weeks and was stolen from when not camping near the designated bathroom and campsite. Overall, the river, night sky, and friendly company made the stay worth it. Otherwise, it can get pretty hot there with not much to do.
GuideNot a bad place to camp, but it gets boring after a few days. Lots of people there when we went and there are some who live there. Everyone keeps to themselves though. A lot of people come down during the day to kayak, etc. The river is nice and clear. There isn't much shade during the day so it can get pretty hot. Very minimal cell service for Xfinity and Verizon. Pretty close to Brookings, so you can go on day trips to town or the beach. You can explore up or down the river, but not much else to do. There is one bathroom, but filled with spiders and there were two dumpsters. The road getting down isn't too bad except for the drop off at the end, so go slow.
GuideFor only $20 a night I thought this place was great. Super quiet, beautiful river views, great for dark night skies, flush toilets, trash, recycling, coin showers. Was a great overnight.
GuideThis is by far my most favorite campground and state park. Sites are spacious and most are very private, easy to walk down to the gorgeous Smith River and numerous hiking trails through the park and to nearby Hiouchi (you can walk to breakfast or lunch and a great little cafe there!). Just magical here.
GuideThere are some easy to navigate for big rigs up by office. While others may be a little difficult further back. Cabins and tent areas ok. Ck in with friendly staff. Showers restrooms clean and hot water. WiFi was pretty much not there at site 503 (small 30 amp w/water hookup). Nice division in our site. But it's the smallest site for 24 or under feet. Cell phone service for our Att and Verizon was a one to two bar(not great).
GuideThe owner is up and above friendly. Very scenic area that offers one of the most beautiful views of the red woods and the scenic drive down the Newton B Drury Scenic PKWY that is just a few miles south of the park. There is a casino a few miles away. The park has WIFI that has been reported as spotty. We were on site 13 and had a WiFi repeater about three feet from camper. So we had good enough signal.
Smith River camping offers access to both dense redwood forests and coastal areas along a stretch of northern California where the Smith River meets the Pacific Ocean. Elevations vary from sea level at coastal areas to around 150 feet inland, with the region experiencing typical Pacific Northwest weather patterns including summer fog and winter rain. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though visitors often find spring through fall offers the most comfortable conditions with daytime temperatures averaging 55-65°F.
River swimming and fishing spots: The Smith River provides excellent swimming holes and fishing opportunities throughout the warmer months. At Panther Flat Campground, visitors can access the river directly from camp. As one camper notes, "Trees everywhere and Smith river access is minutes away... Bring blankets, it gets pretty cool overnight especially since trees keep area shaded and the river is so close."
Redwood forest hiking: Extensive trail networks wind through old-growth redwood forests, with options ranging from short, accessible loops to more challenging day hikes. A visitor to Jedediah Smith Campground shared, "There's a cool hiking trail right from the day use area / boat ramp area that takes you to this other amazing Redwoods hiking trail up the road."
Beach exploration and tide pools: Coastal beaches offer opportunities for beachcombing, tide pool exploration, and sunset views. At Beachfront RV Park, visitors can walk directly onto the sand. One reviewer mentioned, "The beach is a great. There are a ton of cool rock formations, including the Arch Rock and Goat Island, that is really cool to check out."
Secluded forest camping: Many campgrounds provide sites surrounded by dense redwood forest, creating natural privacy screens between campsites. At Florence Keller Regional Park, campers appreciate the natural setting: "Sites are very clean, fairly level and of varying sizes... each site has a picnic table and a fire pit and there were water spigots throughout the park."
River access from campsites: Several campgrounds offer direct access to the Smith River for swimming, fishing, and wildlife viewing. At Alfred A. Loeb State Park Campground, "The fresh water river leading to the ocean is awesome and kids can swim across with no problem. Another huge bonus is you are minutes away from the beach."
Hot showers and clean facilities: Despite the rustic setting, many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. A reviewer at Panther Flat Campground noted, "The showers were potentially one of the biggest surprises for a forest campground I had seen in the area... hot showers after a long day in the sometimes gloomy and drizzly Redwoods was a great asset."
Weather variability: The coastal influence creates foggy mornings, especially in summer months, with temperatures warming inland. Pack layers for comfort. At Mill Creek Campground, a visitor advised, "Be sure to bring mosquito repellent! Huge trees, slugs, and the ocean. Perfect campground."
Reservation requirements: During peak season (May-September), many campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. Some operate on first-come, first-served basis year-round. At Florence Keller Regional Park, "Self pay, no reservations... Overall nice and we would stay again."
Frequently Asked Questions
What permits or regulations do I need to know about for camping on the Smith River?
Camping on the Smith River typically requires permits or reservations depending on the location. At Jedidiah Smith Campground, reservations are highly recommended during peak season (summer months) as sites fill quickly. Bears are active in the area, so proper food storage is mandatory. For camping along the river itself, some areas may require wilderness permits. Most developed campgrounds charge fees ranging from $15-35 per night. For campgrounds within state or national parks, entrance fees apply in addition to camping fees. Fire restrictions are common during dry months, and campfires may only be permitted in designated fire rings. Always check with the Six Rivers National Forest office or California State Parks for current regulations before your trip.
What amenities are available at Smith River campsites?
Redwood Meadows RV Resort offers comprehensive amenities including tent sites, RV hookups, yurts, cabin apartments, a basketball court, recreational room with pool table and TV, laundry facilities ($1.25 wash, $0.25 dry), and pay showers ($0.50 for 6 minutes). Ruby VanDeventer County Park provides more basic amenities but features redwood groves and river access. Most Smith River campgrounds typically offer picnic tables, fire rings, and pit or flush toilets. Developed campgrounds in state parks provide coin-operated hot showers, potable water, and some cell service. Campgrounds within Redwood National Park also offer recycling facilities. Amenities vary widely between locations, with RV parks providing the most facilities and dispersed camping areas offering none.
Where are the best campgrounds along the Smith River in California?
Panther Flat Campground is highly rated for its proximity to giant redwoods and the Smith River, offering a less crowded experience while still providing access to northern California's natural attractions. Patrick Creek Campground is another excellent option with helpful hosts and weekend availability when state parks are full. Other notable campgrounds include Mill Creek Campground in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, which offers a quiet, family-friendly environment with large trees and beautiful views, and Grassy Flat Campground, which features 18 sites with good seclusion and privacy between campsites, plus river access via a trail.
Are there free or dispersed camping options near Smith River, CA?
Yes, there are dispersed camping options in the Smith River area. Sand Camp - Dispersed offers primitive camping opportunities along the river. Six Rivers National Forest also permits dispersed camping in designated areas with a 14-day stay limit. Big Flat Campground provides a more primitive experience while still having basic facilities. When dispersed camping, remember to follow Leave No Trace principles, camp at least 200 feet from water sources, and check current fire restrictions. Note that these areas typically lack facilities like toilets or potable water, so come prepared with supplies and a plan for waste disposal. Always verify current regulations with the local ranger district before your trip.
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