Fishing the Smith River and swimming in its clear current draw campers to Ruby VanDeventer County Park, a small county-run site set within a grove of redwood trees along the riverbank outside Crescent City, California. The river is accessible to anyone who shows up, not just registered campers, so expect foot traffic along the water. Sites are close together with little separation between them, and several sit directly adjacent to the road, which means car noise from vehicles passing through is a consistent presence.
The campground works well as a last-minute stop. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis, though reservations are available, and the fee runs $5 to $20 per night. Firewood bundles sell on-site for $10 each. One thing worth noting: wooded sites lose daylight noticeably faster than spots along the river's edge, so campers who prefer longer evening light should aim for sites closer to the water.
"Bathrooms are clean and well maintained, person in charge is friendly and is always around," notes Jorge G.. There are no showers and no hookups. RVs up to 20 feet can access the site, and the campground is ADA accessible with cell service available. Nearby alternatives include Ramblin' Redwoods Campground & RV Park to the northwest and Crescent City Campground to the southwest. Ruby VanDeventer suits anglers, paddlers, and campers who prioritize river access over site privacy.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsRuby VanDeventer County Park is located in California near Fort Dick
Address
4705 North Bank Road
Crescent City, CA 95531
Coordinates
41.85267284 N
124.12102354 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/9/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 17 usersLast on 7/21/26
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/21/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/9/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 17 usersLast on 7/21/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/21/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
