Fort Dick, California sits at the northern edge of California's coastal redwood zone, with average elevations of 50-150 feet above sea level. The region receives over 70 inches of annual rainfall, creating ideal conditions for the towering redwoods that dominate the landscape. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F to 65°F, and many campgrounds near Fort Dick serve as gateways to Smith River recreation and old-growth forest exploration.
What to do
Explore hidden redwood trails: Multiple hiking paths run throughout Florence Keller Regional Park, offering a chance to experience second-growth redwoods. "The various nature trails in the campground were nice to stroll around in, and there was a small creek as well," notes one camper, who also observed "tires, hooks and such in the trees that were probably used as a ropes challenge course at some point."
Visit the Smith River swimming holes: Located just 15 minutes from Fort Dick, Panther Flat Campground provides direct access to swimming areas. "The Smith River is amazing and CLEAN," writes one visitor. The river is known for its clarity and emerald-green pools, which maintain cool temperatures even during summer months.
Explore tide pools at low tide: Coastal camping at Harris Beach State Park offers marine exploration opportunities. "During low tide, you can explore the tide pools. We saw hundreds of hermit crabs, anemone, starfish, sculpin, and more," shares one camper. For optimal tide pool exploration, check local tide charts and visit 1-2 hours before low tide.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Mill Creek Campground, the natural vegetation creates secluded camping spots. "There are a lot of sites in a pretty small area, but with the number of trees and dense undergrowth of ferns each site feels quite private," explains one visitor. Another camper adds, "The spots are fairly close together, but the nature of the vegetation made for 'walls' around the spots, which offered some privacy."
Convenience to multiple attractions: Many appreciate the strategic location of campgrounds near Fort Dick for accessing various outdoor destinations. A camper at Redwood Meadows RV Resort notes, "The location of this park is absolutely perfect. The redwoods are right down the road. Crescent City is super close for beach adventures. A short drive up the road for a river day."
Junior Ranger programs: Family activities abound at nearby campgrounds. "Great campsite for kids and family. There is a fantastic playground and the Rangers hold Junior Ranger activities twice a day," explains a visitor to Harris Beach State Park. These programs typically run during summer months and teach children about local ecosystems and wildlife.
What you should know
Shower costs and availability: Most campgrounds near Fort Dick use coin-operated showers. At Jedidiah Smith Campground, "Heated, tile bathrooms with hot water and coin-op showers (25 cents a minute) are a luxury." Meanwhile, Panther Flat Campground offers hot showers as a premium amenity not commonly found at forest service campgrounds.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly around Fort Dick. Florence Keller Regional Park offers "good cell reception with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile," while at Mill Creek Campground, one camper advises to "bring mosquito repellent" due to the moist forest conditions that foster insects.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill rapidly during peak season. A visitor to Redwood Meadows RV Resort explains, "Originally planned to stay for 4 days but ended up extending the trip a few extra days. Management was extremely helpful, polite, and accommodating." When camping without reservations, arrive early on weekdays when possible.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. Florence Keller Regional Park has "a big playground for the youngsters," while Harris Beach State Park includes "a fantastic playground and the Rangers hold Junior Ranger activities twice a day."
Safer swimming locations: For families with children, Panther Flat Campground offers Smith River access with moderate currents. One camper mentions it's "central to most things yet far enough away that we got a site around 1:30 pm during August. There is flush toilets, and pay showers."
Educational opportunities: Lighthouse Cove RV Park provides easy access to sea mammal education. "Easy walk to adjacent large city park with city pool, sea mammal rescue center, light-house, etc," notes one visitor. These facilities typically operate daily during summer months with reduced hours in off-season.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds near Fort Dick have limitations for larger vehicles. At Florence Keller Regional Park, "The campground road was paved but narrow in spots and the paved parking spots at each site varied in length. Bigger rigs would have a problem in this park."
Hookup availability: For those needing full amenities, several options exist. At Crescent City/Redwoods KOA, one RVer observed, "This was one of the best campsites we have had at a KOA. We were in a grove of redwoods and it was beautiful (forget Starlink at our site)."
Maneuverability challenges: When selecting a campsite near Fort Dick, consider turning radius requirements. At Redwood Meadows RV Resort, "The spots can be a little tricky to get into and those with larger rigs should contact the management office to ensure they can fit and maneuver properly but we saw plenty of huge Class As and triple axle 5th wheels."
