Willow Creek sits at the confluence of the Trinity and Klamath Rivers in Northern California at approximately 600 feet elevation. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F and mild, wet winters. Camping options span from basic tent sites to upscale glamping accommodations, with most forest service campgrounds open May through October due to seasonal road closures.
What to do
**River activities: Enjoy fishing, swimming, and kayaking on the Trinity River. Strawhouse Resorts and Cafe provides direct river access for guests. A visitor notes, "The site is right on the Trinity River running right through it."
**Hiking trails: Access Six Rivers National Forest trails with varying difficulty levels. At Boise Creek, "It's about a 1/4 mile hike down there. Creek is absolutely beautiful. Not great for swimming but good for a quick dip in the pools," according to Claire B.
**Bigfoot exploration: Visit the Bigfoot Museum in downtown Willow Creek. One camper at Boise Creek mentioned, "Haven't gotten to see Bigfoot yet, but definitely will get a picture if I do. It was quite interesting because ash from the wild fires were floating into the camp and covering everything."
What campers like
**Natural swimming spots: Find secluded pools for cooling off during hot summer days. One camper described Boise Creek: "The bathrooms are really nice. Sites big for tent camping. Creek is absolutely beautiful."
**Affordable camping options: Most forest service campgrounds charge modest fees. At Boise Creek, "Camping fee is $10 per night, cash only. They do not have the QR code to scan to pay like some do," reports Jules S.
**Convenient location: Willow Creek provides easy access to both wilderness and town amenities. James C. states about Boise Creek, "Town is also 1 mile away where there is gas, coffee, grocery store, etc. it's the big foot capital of the US!"
What you should know
**Road noise: Several campgrounds sit near Highway 299, creating noise issues. A Boise Creek camper warns, "Very close to Willow Creek which is convenient, but once night falls, beware, or bring very good earplugs... It's like sleeping next to the gods themselves, if they had sleep apnea."
**Limited services: Cell coverage varies significantly throughout the area. Hayden Flat Campground visitor Rory R. commented, "Camped here on a Monday night and no one stopped in. Love it when that happens. Clean bathrooms and running water."
**Fire regulations: Restrictions change seasonally based on conditions. Gene Q. noted about Hayden Flat, "This site was nice. Along the water with a little area for fishing or playing for the kids. The site had a restroom and trashcans. Lots of shade. Only drawback is it's next to 299."
Tips for camping with families
**Kid-friendly swimming: Find shallow water areas appropriate for children. At Slide Creek Campground, "This is a absolute beautiful hidden gem in Trinity County located just five or so miles outside of high and palm there is a two campsite campground with bathroom and the most breathtaking views you could ever imagine with the south for Trinity River running right through it plenty of hiking plenty of fishing."
**Wildlife viewing opportunities: Bring binoculars for bird watching along riverbanks. DirtyMountainBoy A. reports that Slide Creek offers "plenty of hiking plenty of fishing and plenty of beautiful scenery."
**Off-grid glamping: Consider yurt camping for families new to outdoor experiences. Radio Ranch provides four custom yurts with drinking water and toilet facilities, offering glamping in Willow Creek, California without completely roughing it.
Tips from RVers
**Limited hookups: Many sites offer basic facilities only. At Kamp Klamath RV Park, "Very well maintained campground with clean amenities and has everything you may need," according to Lauren C.
**Narrow access roads: Large rigs should research sites carefully before booking. Christina H. states about Kamp Klamath, "We only stayed one night with 24f RV. No problem getting here. Used the laundry, worked very well. Friendly helpful staff."
**Weather considerations: The region can experience extreme temperature shifts. Mike M. warns about Kamp Klamath, "Beware this is considered a rain forest so your rig will really get a water test at the right times of the year."