GOLD BLUFFS BEACH CAMPGROUND
OPEN: year-round
FEES: $35, $15 for primitive camping
AMENITIES: at beach campground- showers, bathrooms, running water; at environmental sites- picnic table, outhouse
A part of the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Gold Bluffs Beach Campground is first come, first served starting at 2pm. The main campground is nestled into the small grassy dunes that separate the forest and the ocean. It's cozy and idyllic feeling. You can watch the sunset over the water.
It's hard to get a spot here, but there is plenty of room. The rule is 2 cars/8 people per site, so if it's full, ask someone to share! The quarters are not too close, and by sharing the price of the site, they also benefit. If that doesn't float your boat, there are three "primitive" or "environmental" sites back along up the road and in the forest. They're cheaper and remote, with a single outhouse. Each site is fairly isolated and has a picnic table. They're wooded and get dark quickly, but they're peaceful and away from the crowd and cars- it's about a 300 meter walk from the car. The environmental sites are in black bear country. We camped in the environmental area, but if we were to return, we would try to get a site in the car camping area near the beach since it is so beautiful down there. Unfortunately, we do not have any photos of the environmental sites but the photos below were taken near the beach campground.
FEES: $35, $15 for primitive camping
AMENITIES: at beach campground- showers, bathrooms, running water; at environmental sites- picnic table, outhouse
A part of the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Gold Bluffs Beach Campground is first come, first served starting at 2pm. The main campground is nestled into the small grassy dunes that separate the forest and the ocean. It's cozy and idyllic feeling. You can watch the sunset over the water.
It's hard to get a spot here, but there is plenty of room. The rule is 2 cars/8 people per site, so if it's full, ask someone to share! The quarters are not too close, and by sharing the price of the site, they also benefit. If that doesn't float your boat, there are three "primitive" or "environmental" sites back along up the road and in the forest. They're cheaper and remote, with a single outhouse. Each site is fairly isolated and has a picnic table. They're wooded and get dark quickly, but they're peaceful and away from the crowd and cars- it's about a 300 meter walk from the car. The environmental sites are in black bear country. We camped in the environmental area, but if we were to return, we would try to get a site in the car camping area near the beach since it is so beautiful down there. Unfortunately, we do not have any photos of the environmental sites but the photos below were taken near the beach campground.
Directions: Gold Bluffs Beach Campground and Fern Canyon are accessed by Davison Road, which is located 3 miles north of Orick off of Highway 101. 50 miles from Eureka and Crescent City.
Helpful Links: Prarie Creek Redwoods State Park
Helpful Links: Prarie Creek Redwoods State Park
BAXTER ENVIRONMENTAL (HUMBOLDT REDWOODS STATE PARK)
OPEN: mid-May through late September
FEE: $20
AMENITIES: picnic tables, fire rings, bear lockers, chemical toilets, and untreated water
The environmental camp here is much nicer than the standard one, which is as you would imagine: jammed in with cars, and usually full. You can make a reservation for the two sites at Baxter though we went in late summer and didn't need one. You have to check in any of the open and staffed campgrounds in the park (i.e. Albee Creek, etc.) and receive code to open the gate at the environmental camping area. The sites are situated amongst the redwoods, but there is a clearing nearby (close to where the cars are parked) so there is plenty of access to daylight. The forest floor is flat and covered in pineneedles. A hill rises up on one side and all in all the site is nice and cozy. These sites are in black bear country.
This site has one incredible feature: a beautiful and brisk swimming hole. Maintenance crews dug holes in Bull Creek every 200 feet or so to create habitat for fish, and the result is an idyllic swim after a long hot car ride. There are also several hikes a person could stop at along the drive in. Baxter is a fun, versatile site. Unfortunately, we do not have any photos of the campground itself but there are photos of the swimming hole and hiking trails in the nearby forest.
FEE: $20
AMENITIES: picnic tables, fire rings, bear lockers, chemical toilets, and untreated water
The environmental camp here is much nicer than the standard one, which is as you would imagine: jammed in with cars, and usually full. You can make a reservation for the two sites at Baxter though we went in late summer and didn't need one. You have to check in any of the open and staffed campgrounds in the park (i.e. Albee Creek, etc.) and receive code to open the gate at the environmental camping area. The sites are situated amongst the redwoods, but there is a clearing nearby (close to where the cars are parked) so there is plenty of access to daylight. The forest floor is flat and covered in pineneedles. A hill rises up on one side and all in all the site is nice and cozy. These sites are in black bear country.
This site has one incredible feature: a beautiful and brisk swimming hole. Maintenance crews dug holes in Bull Creek every 200 feet or so to create habitat for fish, and the result is an idyllic swim after a long hot car ride. There are also several hikes a person could stop at along the drive in. Baxter is a fun, versatile site. Unfortunately, we do not have any photos of the campground itself but there are photos of the swimming hole and hiking trails in the nearby forest.
Directions: From the South: Humboldt Redwoods State Park Headquarters and Visitor Center are approximately 228 miles north of San Francisco and 20 miles north of Garberville. Take Highway 101 north. There are several exits for the park off of Highway 101, beginning with the Avenue of the Giants/Phillipsville Exit #645.
From the North: Humboldt Redwoods State Park Headquarters and Visitor Center are approximately 45 miles south of Eureka. Take Highway 101 south. There are several exits for the parkoff of Highway 101, beginning with the Avenue of the Giants/Pepperwood Exit #674.
Helpful Links: Humboldt Redwoods State Park
From the North: Humboldt Redwoods State Park Headquarters and Visitor Center are approximately 45 miles south of Eureka. Take Highway 101 south. There are several exits for the parkoff of Highway 101, beginning with the Avenue of the Giants/Pepperwood Exit #674.
Helpful Links: Humboldt Redwoods State Park