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Redwood Creek, part of the Backcountry list, is the only area in the park where dispersed camping is allowed.
Dave Van de Mark
Find Your Perfect Campsite: Developed or Backcountry?
Camping is the only way to stay overnight in Redwood National and State Parks. Whether you prefer the convenience of a developed campground with essential amenities or the solitude of backcountry camping along miles of scenic trails, there’s an option for every type of camper. With the right preparation, your overnight stay can be a rewarding and unforgettable experience.
Family of six gather around a campground picnic table.
NPS: John Chao
Overnight Camping in the Park
Choose between developed campgrounds with easy access to amenities or backcountry campsites for a more remote experience.
The park has four developed campgrounds managed by California State Parks. These campgrounds offer essential amenities for tent and RV campers. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially in summer.
To protect the park’s trees, hammocks, ropes, and similar equipment are not allowed, as they can strip bark and cause long-term damage.
Backcountry Camping Regulations
Camping is limited to the designated campsites and to eight (8) persons per site. Camping outside designated campsites or more than eight (8) persons per site is prohibited.
Group sites are limited to twenty (20) persons.
All backcountry camping requires a permit and is done so by online reservation only. Backcountry camping without a permit is prohibited.
Backcountry horse camping requires a permit and is only allowed at Little Bald Hills Camp and Elam Camp. Backcountry horse camping without a permit is prohibited.
Saving a campsite for another party is prohibited.
Campsite overnight stay limits are 5 consecutive nights and 15 nights in a calendar year. Camping in the same site over 5 consecutive nights and 15 nights in a calendar year is prohibited.
Campers and all tents and other camping equipment must vacate at least 14 days between each multi-day (2-5 days) stay.
In all areas within the park, all food, lawfully taken fish, garbage and equipment used to store food (e.g., ice chests) must be stored in one of the following ways:
Inside a vehicle with all doors, windows and trunk lids closed, OR
Inside a camping unit that is constructed of solid non-pliable material, OR
Suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet horizontally from a post, tree trunk or other object (Note: Climbing of trees is prohibited), OR
Inside a building, OR
Inside a commercially available portable bear-resistant food storage container that is specifically designed and constructed to prevent access by bears and other wildlife, OR
In developed campgrounds, inside a food storage locker where provided.
For purposes of this section, food is defined as items to be consumed, drinks, pet food, toiletries and soaps. Garbage is defined as food wastes, empty food containers, trash and recyclables.
This restriction does not apply to food that is being transported, consumed or prepared for consumption
The lighting or maintaining of fires is generally prohibited, except as authorized in the following designated areas and/or receptacles, and under the conditions noted:
All fires are prohibited during periods of very high or extreme fire danger as posted according to the park’s Fire Management Plan.
Campfires are permitted in park-provided grills or designated sites in all campgrounds, picnic areas and backcountry campsites. Holders of a valid backcountry camping permit for Redwood Creek may build a fire only on the gravel bars, per conditions of the permit.
Moving a grill or fire ring from its original location is prohibited.
Where grills are provided, all burning material must be fully contained within the grill.
The burning of trash or food waste is prohibited within the park.
Fires may be built on beach wave slopes, but not on vegetation
The following animals are designated as pack animals for purposes of transporting equipment:
Horses, ponies, mules, burros, goats, yaks, and llamas
The use of horses or pack animals is allowed on the following trails, routes or areas:
The Mill Creek and Rellim Ridge Horse Trails and the Little Bald Hills trail in Del Norte County.
The established and marked Orick Horse trails on the west side of Redwood Creek and within the streambed of Redwood Creek up to the first footbridge/trail crossing of Redwood Creek.
Crescent, Gold Bluff, Hidden (Humboldt County) and Freshwater Beaches.
Other conditions concerning the use of horses or pack animals:
A horse or pack animal may not graze or otherwise eat park vegetation.
A horse or pack animal must be picketed, properly tied to a hitching post or within a corral when unattended overnight.
