Best Tent Camping near Smith River, CA

We were travelling up the coast into the night and not finding somewhere to tent camp when we stopped here. There was a sign that said not to camp without registering but the office was closed. A nice couple gave us the wifi password and we called the number on the sign. They were very helpful and told us where the tent sites were and to pay in the morning. We camped in a big meadow by the creek with not a single other camper there in the tent area. My son loved discovering a newt and slug by the creek in the morning. We also made use of the showers and laundry services. Price was 45 for tent site, which wasn't cheap but reasonable.

All the campsites along 101 for miles were taken and we saw the sign to this place...

Wow! We were surprised that they had a single tent camping site left. They were surprised too in fact. Anyway, the place is a legit resort. Its some 50 acres and the tent campsites reside away from the RV area a little ways. Enough to seem secluded. They situated the place perfectly. My words cannot describe the elegance. Its a great natural setting. They set you up with a map. $25 a night but well worth it. Your closest neighbor is like 50-75 yards away at least. Soft grass ground, picnic table, fire pit. We got a site placed right behind two large ponds huge meadows. It was great. Very clean. Staff are mostly there to run the main store and RV area and are very accommodating if you need assistance. Again, the buildings and RVs are a little walk (out of sight) of the tent camping area. Showers if you need them. Beach is a short 1/4 mile walk across 101. Water available. If you’re looking for deep forest rough camping this isnt it. If you’re looking for easy going camping and beauty, this is just the place.

This RV Resort has tent sites, RV sites, Yurt, 2 Cabin appartments to rent for vacations. The park has basketball court, recreational room with pool table, TV with cable, books and board games, laundry room $1.25 to wash & $.25 to dry, rest rooms and showers $0.50 a token for 6 minutes of hot water. Come see for yourself, enjoy the Redwoods and about 15 to 25 minutes to town of Crescent City and ocean. Smith River is close by as well.

I have stayed at Jedediah Redwoods 3 times, and each time I find something new to appreciate. The campground itself is one of the most well kept I have been to. I have stayed in both the campsites tent camping and in one of the cabins. The campground is located right next to the river, great for taking a stroll down after dinner or early in the morning. Not the most private campsite but the stunning river, great trails, and amazing location far outweigh that. 

I recommend taking the waterfall trail, some of the largest redwoods I have ever seen were on that trail and it was incredibly peaceful. You must spend some time sitting next to the Smith river, it is bright blue and there is a trail that hugs it with many access points. 

The cabins were extremely nice. They have a little electric fire place heater that heats up the cabin nicely, and this cabin easily fits 6. Quite spacious, as well as convenient counter space. I would highly recommend!

There’s a spot for nearly everyone here! The showers and bathrooms are in the center of the campground, so it’s a bit of a walk from the tent sites near the entrance so plan for that. The tent sites have water and power hookups, which is great!

The closed Mill Creek day-use area has access to trails through old growth redwoods. This Mill Creek campground has limited access to a few short trails. See notes below. 

WARNING: Trestle Loop Trail is not a loop (since 2018 according to CH). The first bridge when hiking clockwise is in excellent condition. The second crossing is at a wide section of creek without any bridge or trail markers. The third crossing is impassible due to a ~6ft abrupt drop. Aug 2019 there was a single laminated sign on the trail floor stating "Stay on trail," an A-frame marker tied to a tree by caution tape over 100ft away from the abrupt drop.

Caution: The campground map dated 2006, rev 2019 is missing important campground details and vaguely marks the path of the Trestle Trail.

Most disappointing, this campground has no old growth redwoods and no immediate hiking access to old growth, rivers, lakes, or beaches and ocean.

The map provided on paper, PDF, and on signs is inaccurate. The good: There are many potable water sources on both north and south loops, not just one as on the map. Some of the bad: 

1/ Several camp sites have stairs. 

2/ Many camp sites are generously graveled making tent camping less comfortable and difficult to drive stakes.

3/ Site 27 is currently (summer 2019) the end of the Trestle Trail. Expect guests passing through.

4/ Camp sites vary significantly. This could be a positive if documented accurately: Some are stacked with one entrance path deeper into the forest. Some have stairs leading to tent sites above road grade. Some have both such as 5, 6, and 7. Recommendation: Read each site detail on ReserveCalifornia carefully or ask the camp staff at the entrance kiosk.

5/ A few sites are inaccurately placed on the map such as site 20 which is on the main loop, not on the side road.

6/ The map is missing trail details such as another creek crossing and switchbacks on the west side which would be helpful progress indicators.

7/ Especially for RVs and trailers: The campground map makes no mention of the poor entrance road conditions. In addition to a steep grade and tight turns there are several small sections of uneven roadway due to slides. A small section is washed out and only graveled. There are also abrupt speed bumps near the kiosk.

8/ The campground map includes info for some nearby trails, but only the Trestle Trail is indicated on the map. Nearby trails are accessible only from the WEST entrance to the Trestle Trail across from camp site 8.

This campground is lovely! The bathrooms are decent and maintained and it’s very child friendly with a sweet playground as well as a basketball hoop and some great picture spots around the onsite pizza place! It has in-ground fire pits and the tent camping wasn’t crowded at all last time we went but the tent camping is in an open field (no natural foliage/ trees to act as barriers between sites if noise and/or proximity to others is a concern but I can’t imagine it being a problem most of the time) I highly recommend them if in need of a pit stop or a place to stay around the area for any reason. 😊

Great RV resort in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. Very clean and nice sized RV and Tent sites.

This is a great spot right in the redwoods. For only $15 a night tent camping, you really can’t beat it. Fresh water, bathrooms and fire pits with tables. Everything you could need. Camp hosts are friendly! Truly a magical place to stay

Across from Stone Lagoon and Dry Lagoon Beach along Highway 101. This campground accommodates tent camping and RV full hook-up. Herd of Roosevelt Elk live there and are frequently in the campground. Beautiful grounds and open all year.

This is a surreal place. Stayed 2 nights. Tent camping spots were great everything was nicely maintained. Foot traffic was a bit heavy from noon-4pm. To stand amongst this beautiful trees it is very breathtaking. Hiking trails were great and maintained. The scouts trail was the busiest by far.

This camp ground has relatively small tent sites. Bathrooms were adequate. Showers were pay to use which lost it 1 star. However the people were great. And the bear lock boxes were great.

Loooooved this campground. There's a meadow area for RVS and a forested area for smaller rvs/vans and tents. Some tent sites have electrical outlets, all tent sites have a spigot. BIG bathrooms with flush toilets, hot coin showers, laundry room. Laundry room has a soap machine AND a change machine. Hosts are super nice and the facilities are really clean. The grounds are beautiful, there's a lovely large lake with a little footpath around it - I saw otters in the lake and elk in the front meadow! Great base to explore the redwoods, Trinidad, Patrick's Point and Eureka. I got some TMobile service near the road but the wifi didn't work for me. Solo female traveler approved, super chill. There were a few open spaces even over the weekend.

Have stayed at Loeb many times over the past 37 years -- tent camping, cabin camping, and now tent-trailering -- and it has been fun every time.

The showers are great. Short walk to the super-clean Chetco River for swimming and salamander-camping. Twenty minute drive to the ocean beaches. Good hosts. Fun watching kids ride their bikes around and around. Grassy park-lawn section for croquet or bocce ball.

Our son-in-law took us to this campground where we stayed over night over the 4th of July holiday in 2018. On this occasion we were tent camping. It was a quiet and enjoyable camp. the amenities were clean and well maintained. We will be going back there when we are in the area again.