Where Can You Sleep Among the Redwoods?

Where is the best camping in Redwood National Park?

There are 4 developed campgrounds within Redwood National and State Parks. Each offers the best camping in Redwood with unique experiences and beauty. We were able to stay at 3 of them as one had already closed for the season, but I’m sure it is just as amazing. Staying at these campgrounds gave us the chance to stay immersed within Redwoods since there are no other accommodations in the park.

This trip was our first time “van life-ing”. We rented a 19’ camper van from Outdoorsy.com.

I cannot say enough about our hosts. They were amazing and all of the comforts of home were right there for us. We had running water in the van, although we chose to shower at the campgrounds when possible. The couch pulled out into a full-size bed that Garrett and I shared while the kids climbed up into the pop-up to sleep. We never got hot or cold during the night either, which is a common problem with tent camping. There was a lovely table that fit all four of us for card games.

We cooked both in the van and over the fire at the campgrounds, so we had the best of both worlds. We didn’t eat any meals inside as we wanted to enjoy the scenery.

Since coming home, the kids have asked over and over when we get to do it again. I think they were ready to give it all up and really live the van life! We loved this adventure so much that we will definitely do it again.

To pick our campsites, we used campsitephotos.com along with the National Park’s website. This allowed us to pick a site with a great view and near the amenities we wanted for each night.

Check out each of the campgrounds below. Double check what is offered and remember reservations and a fee are needed at each campground. Bring quarters for showers if you are planning on utilizing them. Click here to make your reservations.

Elk Prairie Campground

Elk Prairie Campground is the best campground for easy access to hiking trails and witnessing Roosevelt Elk right at Elk Prairie.

With a visitor center right there, you also have access to ranger-led programs. This campground is open year-round with staff onsite. There are showers with flush toilets and potable water, but no dump station, so plan accordingly. At the visitor center, you can buy firewood, but there is no camp store or ice.

Download all of your maps before you get there because cell service is non-existent and there is no internet.

There are also cabins for rent, which sleep 6, but make sure you read all the details! There are no mattresses on the beds, and while there is electricity, there is no running water.

We stayed at camp site 52 which was secluded, backed up to the woods. We were literally in the middle of tall redwoods on every side. Across the road was a creek that the kids enjoyed playing in. This site was also close enough to the showers to be convenient but not so close that people were walking by all the time.

For us, this was the best camping in Redwood for wildlife viewing. We watched elk bedded down and deer grazing early morning in the fog as we left for our day of hiking.

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

We absolutely loved Gold Bluffs Beach. Our family would say this is the best camping in Redwood! We saw elk as we walked to Fern Canyon from our campground, watched seals playing in the surf while the kids built sand castles, and were mesmerized by the whale feeding just off the shore.

Getting there is an adventure in and of itself. The dirt road is narrow and windy with lots of potholes and blind corners. Our 19’ van made it, but the park service does not advise RVs over 24’ or trailers.

This campground also has showers with flush toilets and potable water along with cell phone service and internet at the bathrooms! The host sells firewood while they are there, but the campground is generally open year-round.

We stayed at site 14, right on the beach. We stepped out of our van onto sand, and we could hear the surf all night long. This site was also conveniently located near the showers and host, but not so close that it was annoying.

Your camping fee gives you have access to Fern Canyon, and there are a lot of other hiking trails right in the area as well.

Mill Creek Campground

Mill Creek Campground is the next campground headed north, located in Del Norte Coast Redwoods SP. We did not have the opportunity to stay here as it had already closed for the season.

Mill Creek runs right along this campground, hence the name. This area is noted for younger redwoods and maple trees. Since these are younger trees (but still massive!), there is more undergrowth like ferns and moss covering the trees. It looks absolutely dreamy.

All amenities are seasonal from mid-May to the beginning of October. There are showers with flush toilets and potable water. This campground is standard as far as no cell service or internet.

Jedediah Smith Campground

Jedediah Smith Campground also ranks highly for best camping in Redwood. This campground is in an old-growth redwood grove with magnificent views of the Smith River that is open year-round.

Our camping site #56 backed right up to the river. While Garrett was cooking dinner, I took the kids down to play. While a little cold for swimming, it was perfect for skipping rocks.

Again, this site was conveniently located, just a short flight of stairs up to the showers with flush toilets. This campground has potable water as well as a dump station, which the others don’t.

Bottom Line: The Best Camping in Redwood National Park: Where Can You Sleep Among the Redwoods?

The answer is any of the 4 campgrounds! We had an amazing time at Prairie Creek, Gold Bluffs Beach, and Jedediah Smith, so I can’t imagine Mill Creek would be any different. If you are looking for wildlife, reserve a spot at Prairie Creek. Gold Bluffs Beach is great for a change of scenery. And Jedediah Smith is right along the beautiful Smith River, but still in the middle of an old-growth grove.

Next time, we will be staying at Mill Creek because I want to be surrounded by ferns, too!