127 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping opportunities near Arcata, California range from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites across coastal and forested landscapes. The area includes Emerald Forest Cabins & RV in Trinidad, offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations, while Clam Beach County Park provides more rustic camping with beach access. Several campgrounds in the area feature amenities like showers, picnic tables, and fire rings, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Public lands near the city support both tent and RV camping, with Lacks Creek BLM area offering free dispersed camping about 20 miles east of Arcata.
Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer months when coastal fog provides relief from inland heat. Road access varies throughout the region, with some areas requiring careful navigation. "This is a small campground on a very beautiful Lagoon next to the ocean," noted one camper about Big Lagoon County Park. Weather conditions can change rapidly along the coast, with morning fog common even during summer months. Travelers should be prepared for cool temperatures year-round, especially at night. Cell service is limited in more remote areas, particularly at dispersed camping locations. Campgrounds closer to Arcata and Eureka typically offer more amenities and better connectivity than those in more remote coastal or forest settings.
Campers report high satisfaction with sites offering ocean or redwood forest views. The region's unique combination of coastal access and proximity to redwood forests creates distinctive camping experiences. "Amazing campground nestled amongst the heart of the Redwood Trees. Lots of shade throughout area but limited privacy due to proximity of sites and road noise," shared one visitor about a nearby redwood campground. Several visitors mentioned shoreline views and water access as key highlights of coastal campgrounds. Noise levels vary significantly, with some campgrounds experiencing highway noise or airport sounds, particularly at Clam Beach. Wildlife viewing opportunities include Roosevelt elk, which can sometimes be seen wandering through campgrounds. Campgrounds with both beach access and forest settings tend to receive the highest ratings from visitors seeking diverse outdoor experiences.
"It was a little muddy when we visited but California was smack dab in the middle of a very wet season. Our campsite was level and secluded."
"The highway was loud but we happened to get a spot right next to it. Bathrooms and showers were very clean. We came in around 9 and paid for a spot without having to talk to someone."
"Great place easy access to everything has on site bathrooms as well as running water, $30 a night, has fire rings and a hike to the beach near by if u need a spot to camp for the night or a few nights"
"Pit toilets, no hookups. 2minutes from highway. Nearby airport with a few passenger flights during our 18hr stay. Great beach walking."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"This was our first time trying out a casino parking lot to stay in, and it was a nice treat to be able to walk from the RV to dinner."
"Blue Lake Casino has an RV lot at their site."
from $33 / night
Check Availability"Close to lots of hiking."
"This location had several sites available, tent, and cabins, as well."
from $200 / night
Check Availability"There is even access to them from the parking lot. Was here over a weekend, and it was pretty back with ATV and Side by side riders and rigs."
"For a boat ramp camping site near town, this place is special. Remote from town but water 360 degrees. You can hear the ocean while looking at the towns across the water."
"Arcata, CA. Quiet, clean campground. Bathrooms fair (men’s stall floor flooded with about 3” water👀). Women’s ok."
"Try to park so your steps don’t land over grass when it’s rainy or you’ll track mud in your rv. We’ll return and we enjoyed our stay."
from $64 - $68 / night
Check Availability"Camped here for one night mid September, slept in a car, great view and found the 3 spacious camping spots with a picnic table, fire pit (with a grill rack), and an unsmelly bathroom a short walk away."
"When you get to the area where apple maps says park and walk, just take the pine ridge or whatever trail a couple more miles up."
"It is quite open to the parking lot for the Agate beach trail and doesn't have much seclusion, so you're really out in the open."
"General: Five campgrounds – Agate, Abalone, Penn (tents only), and two group campgrounds (Red Alder and Beach Creek) situated just north of Trinidad. "
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Walking distance to target and a gas station with diesel. Very well kept yards, bathrooms, showers and laundry. Plus the full hookups are so convenient."
from $70 / night
Check Availability"Patrick's point camp ground is one of my favorite state parks in California."
"It’s tucked near Humboldt Bay within the Redwoods. It’s an absolutely beautiful campground, but it’s certainly busy!"
from $35 / night
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ScoutWe got here pretty late at night, there were a bunch of campsites available. Our host, Dude was super nice and helpful. The bathrooms were kept clean. Didn’t really see any bugs, but we did encounter a couple skunks and raccoons. They left us alone and scurried off. Even though there isn’t any swimming at the beach, it was still nice to walk along the shore. Would definitely stay here again.
ScoutWe stayed in site #11 which happens to be right next to the bathrooms/showers which I thought would be annoying but wasn't at all. The restrooms weren't visible from the site as there was a giant hedge barrier between the little building and our site. The bathrooms themselves were spic and span and had no odor. Probably the only annoying thing was people who would slam the doors to the restrooms - but I blame the lame human beings who give no thought about the amount of noise they create, not the setup. The site was set back off of the small lane that was Penn campground. Penn is the smallest of the 3 or 4 campgrounds at Sue-Meg and I think the nicest. Also, RV's are not allowed so we didn't have to listen to generators running in the evenings/mornings.
Back to the restrooms...in the end it was nice being so close to the restrooms/showers as other campsites had to make quite a trek to use the facilities. AND, like I said, they were some of the cleanest restrooms and shower rooms I have ever been to at a campground.
The ranger staff were all super friendly and knowledgeable. Birds aplenty and they will wake you before first light. Will definitely camp here again. I made reservations back in February for a mid-June weekend, and many of the sites were already reserved - FYI.
My only complaint is the wood we purchased from the host was wet and our first fire was unsatisfactory and smokey.
ScoutNice parking lot with a limited ocean view and it’s only $20 for up to 3 days stay. On top of that the casino gives you a $10 free play, for us, times 2 people. Then you get another $10 the next day for a total of $20 free play each. We won $16.25 making our stay less than $4 lol. Oh and bonus, they have a few water spigots.
GuideWe spent two weeks at E-Ne-Nuck at site 10 which was the best option for our solar and star-link which was extremely limited at the campground from all the trees. No cell service at all. Pit toilets, trash & recycling offered. No water. Local dogs would roam and come say hi frequently which was the majority of the traffic for our visit. We saw three other campers our whole stay the end of May & early June. The fireplace was a different experience than a campfire but a few sites have actual fire rings.
TravelerDef come here if you are trying to camp around the Redwoods. Some rangers gave us a backcountry pass to camp in the park, but then later ticketed us. Just pay the $30 to say here. It has its own beach, plus there’s water and bathrooms
GuideWe’ve stayed at this campground a few times now. The front office staff is very friendly and accommodating, always helpful. Easy in and easy out. Bathrooms are in decent shape for an older campground. Showers are 50 cents for 5 minutes. Also very dog friendly. We will be back again when heading up or down the coast.
TravelerStop by this place you boondocker (and fisherman too). Alkens Recreation Area is a GEM! It's free, it has the Klamath nearby, it's got a sunny location, it's away from the coastal climate. It get cool - cold. A nice combination of weather. There are individual campsites with nice concrete tables. Great for meals with the kids or grilling a steak on the Barbie. A short drive or walk grants you access to the River or Alkans Creek for an opportunity to have that pan fried fish. Be warned, there is no water (except in the river), no dump., no toilets, etc. but has been real pleasant for a couple of old fogies in a camp trailer with a 4X.
RangerPulled in on Wednesday night in mid May and there were plenty of sites left. Was windy at first but it eventually calmed down. Decent amount of activity around as it is a trailhead as well.
Really cool to see wildlife on the beach and an easy walk over the berm to the waters edge.
TravelerLovely little Park run by a lovely young couple. Very clean very well attended to.
Dispersed camping near Arcata, California ranges from forested sites to coastal spots, with elevations varying from sea level to around 3,000 feet in the eastern mountains. The area frequently experiences dense coastal fog with temperatures averaging 50-60°F year-round. Campers can find both established campgrounds and free BLM land about 20 miles east of town that's popular with mountain bikers and hikers.
Mountain biking at Lacks Creek BLM: This free dispersed camping area sits approximately 20 miles east of Arcata on BLM land with several designated campsites. "Nice spot for an overnight stay. The views on your way are amazing," reports one camper at Lacks Creek BLM. Another adds, "Clean, with a beautiful view. The whole BLM management area is well developed and has signs to guide you. Campsites have picnic tables and fire rings."
Beach exploration at Sue-meg State Park: Located north of Trinidad, this park offers camping with coastal hiking trails and beach access. "Each site has fire place, picnic table. Water within steps to each site. Clean bathrooms. Showers are coin or token operated," notes one visitor to Agate Campground. The park features multiple campground loops with varying proximity to beach access points.
Exploring Yurok tribal history: Some campgrounds provide access to cultural sites. "There's plenty of hiking and things to see inside the park including Sumeg village...an old historic site that the Yurok tribe used back in the day," explains a camper about Abalone Campground at Sue-meg State Park. The reconstructed Yurok village offers visitors insights into indigenous history.
Privacy in redwood settings: Many campsites near Arcata feature redwood tree cover. "This is a really cool campground for tent campers. The sights are engulfed by giant redwoods and surrounded by ferns, moss and rainforest," writes one visitor about Emerald Forest Cabins & RV. The tent camping areas typically offer more secluded settings than RV sites.
Beach access: Coastal campgrounds provide direct paths to shorelines. "The beach is large with sand dunes, marsh, beach grass, and drift wood. Wooded hills and shrubs surround the campground," explains a camper at Clam Beach County Park. This combination of forest and beach environments distinguishes camping in the Arcata area.
Casino camping convenience: Several RV sites offer gaming amenities. "Casino has about 10 designated parking spaces for RVs in the back of the parking lot," notes one visitor to Blue Lake Casino. Many casino campgrounds provide additional benefits: "$10 per night, max stay of 2 nights. Free water and dump station! They also give you $10 of free table credits and $10 to play on slots plus coupons for their restaurants."
Road conditions vary dramatically: Access to some sites requires careful navigation. "Takes about 35 minutes to get to the top but it's worth it," says one camper about Lacks Creek BLM. Another warns, "Road is narrow and steep with low hanging trees. The further I got down it the more uncomfortable I got. Ended up turning around while I still had a chance to."
Proximity to highways affects noise levels: Many campgrounds experience traffic noise. One camper at Samoa Boat Ramp County Park reports, "3 stars due to proximity to freeway, you can see and hear vehicles; as well as lack of privacy. Also near a local airport, the campground directly under takeoff path." Consider site selection carefully if seeking quiet.
Weather changes rapidly: Coastal fog creates unpredictable conditions. "It was pretty gloomy but it added to the scene. It's a little Erie, it was amazing," notes one Clam Beach visitor. Most coastal campgrounds experience morning fog even during summer months, with conditions typically clearing by afternoon.
Group-friendly sites: Some campgrounds accommodate larger family gatherings. "Spacious, well maintained grounds with friendly and helpful staff," notes a camper at Mad River Rapids RV Park. This location offers full hookups and easy access to amenities for families needing comfort.
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds feature play areas. "Additionally there is a Video Arcade, Horseshoe pit, dog park, celebration hall with board games/puzzles, a mini mart, playground, gazebo, and multiple bath/shower houses and laundry facilities," reports an Emerald Forest visitor. Campgrounds with these facilities provide entertainment options during inclement weather.
Safety considerations: Campground security varies by location. "We were there for four nights. It sucked," reports one candid camper. "We've camped here at least 4 times now. It's small but there's only ever been a couple other campers while we were there," explains another about Clam Beach, showing how experiences can differ by timing and location.
Dump station availability: RVers should note which locations offer dump services. "It was $11 for the night - had to join the Blue Lake Casino Players Club but was free to join and we got 20% off meals, $10 gambling chips, $10 gambling machine credit and a mini Redwood Tree planting kit," reports a visitor to Blue Lake Casino. Free dump stations are limited in the area.
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. "The spots are best suited for trailers, with little dirt area to pitch a tent," notes a Samoa Boat Ramp visitor. Many coastal sites feature sandy or uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks.
RV length restrictions: Larger rigs face limitations at certain campgrounds. "We stopped here intending to stay the night on our way north but just couldn't justify spending $30 for a literal parking spot (for RVs)," explains one RVer about Clam Beach. Always call ahead to confirm actual site dimensions for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RV camping available in Arcata, California?
Mad River Rapids RV Park in Arcata offers quiet, clean RV camping with bathroom facilities. The park is conveniently located with a Mexican restaurant at the entrance. For those seeking fairground camping, Humboldt County Fairgrounds provides RV sites with good spacing on a large grassy area. The fairgrounds feature clean, heated bathrooms with free showers, and the shower combination is changed weekly for security. Additional RV options in the area include Shoreline RV Park near Eureka and Redwood Coast Cabins & RV Resort, both offering full hookups and big-rig-friendly sites.
Where are the best campgrounds near Arcata, CA?
The Arcata area offers several excellent camping options. Big Lagoon County Park stands out with beautiful long stretches of beach, stillwater for recreation, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities as part of the largest lagoon system in the country. For redwood enthusiasts, Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Campground provides amazing sites nestled among towering redwoods with nice hiking trails and basic shower amenities. Other notable options include Sue-meg State Park (formerly Patrick's Point) with its trails and Agate Beach access, and Burlington Campground in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, known for spacious sites and excellent shade.
What amenities do Arcata beach campgrounds offer?
Agate Campground — Sue-meg State Park (formerly Patrick's Point) offers access to beautiful trails and Agate Beach. While individual sites vary in quality, the campground provides basic amenities within a stunning coastal setting. For a different beach experience, Clam Beach County Park offers more rustic camping with beach access and basic facilities. Most beach campgrounds in the area provide picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms. Shower facilities vary by location, with some offering hot showers for a small fee. Beach campgrounds typically feature magnificent views, beach access for recreation, and wildlife viewing opportunities, though they may have limited privacy and can be windy.
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