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Redwood National and State Parks
Backcountry: Designated Campsites

Free permits are now required for overnight use of all designated backcountry campsites (below) and are available from any visitor center.

 

NORTHERN SECTION (North of the Klamath River)

Little Bald Hills Camp (5 sites, horses and bikes allowed)

  • Location: Redwood National Park
  • Trailhead: Marked trailhead is on short access road off Howland Hill Road
  • Mileage to campground: 3.3 
  • Difficulty Level: Strenuous, gradual 1,800 foot rise in elevation
  • Description: Fire pits, bear proof lockers, toilet, picnic tables, non-potable water spigot, horse trough, and corral. No fee or permit required. Bring drinking water. Climb through old-growth forest to open prairies fringed by fir and pine trees.

Nickel Creek Camp (5 sites)

  • Location: Redwood National Park
  • Trailhead: Marked north access is at the end of Enderts Beach Road off Hwy 101. Marked south access is on east side of Hwy 101 at mile marker 15.6
  • Mileage to campground: 0.5 from north access; 6 from south access
  • Difficulty Level: North access is a steep quick descent. South access starts level and ends with a steep descent to the camping area.  
  • Description: Picnic tables, fire pits, bear proof lockers, and toilet. Located ¼-mile (½-km) from the ocean alongside a stream, this campsite features a lush coastal environment and the beauty of nearby Enderts Beach. Purify water from the stream before drinking. Free permit required, available from the Crescent City Information Center.

DeMartin Camp (10 sites)

  • Location: Redwood National Park
  • Trailhead: Marked north access is on east side of Hwy 101 at mile marker 15.6. Marked south access is at Redwood Hostel off Hwy 101. 
  • Mileage to campground: From north access, 3.4. From south access, 3.5.
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate, some steep grades and switchbacks.
  • Description: Picnic tables, bear proof food lockers, fire pits, and toilet. No fee or permit required. Bring your own water. The camp offers ocean vistas from a high bluff.

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Costal Trail, DeMartin Camp
NPS COllection
Costal Trail, DeMartin Camp
 
Coastal Trail, Flint Ridge

NPS Collection

Coastal Trail, Flint Ridge

SOUTHERN SECTION (South of the Klamath River)

Flint Ridge (11 sites)

  • Location: Redwood National Park
  • Trailhead: Marked west access is on the Coastal Drive. Marked east access is across from the Old Douglas Memorial Bridge site at junction of Alder Camp and Klamath Beach Road.
  • Mileage to Campground: From west access, 0.25. From east access, 4.5
  • Difficulty Level: East access is strenuous and climbs approximately 800 feet.
  • Description: Picnic tables, bear proof lockers, fire pits, and toilet. No fee or permit required. Bring your own water. This quiet section of the parks features outstanding wildlife viewing and one of the finest old-growth redwood stands.
 
Ossagon Creek Camp

NPS Collection

Ossagon Creek Camp.

Ossagon Creek (3 sites, bikes allowed)

Toilet facilities at Ossagon Creek backcountry camp are currently unavailable. Nearest restrooms located at Gold Bluffs Beach Campground—~4½-mile walk. Campers should adhere to Leave No Trace principles: pack out all toilet paper and hygiene products; pack out human waste or bury 6-8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails.

  • Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
  • Trailhead:  Hikers: There are several different access points for this camp. Inquire at any visitor center for trail recommendations and current conditions. Bicyclists: Access is only from  mile marker 132.9 on Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.
  • Mileage to campground: Hikers: Depending on which access you choose, mileages range from 1.7 to over 15 miles round trip. Bicyclists: 1.7 miles
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate hike, some steep grades with switchbacks.
  • Description: Three sites are available with picnic tables, bear proof lockers, and fire pits. Purify water from the nearby creek before drinking. Obtain permit and pay fee at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center station.
  • Parking: Overnight parking for trail access is available only at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center. Overnight parking is not allowed on the Newton B. Drury Scenic parkway.
 

Elam Creek  (3 sites, horses allowed) and 44 Camps (4 sites)

  • Location: Redwood National Park
  • Trailhead: Orick Rodeo Grounds
  • Mileage to campground: Loops of 3 hours (seven miles, 11 km), 7 hours (14 miles, 21 km), 2-day (20 miles, 29 km) and 3-day (32 miles, 50 km) are your options from the Orick Horse Trail. Elam Creek Camp is on the two shorter loops. On the two longer loops is 44 Camp-open to backpackers only until further notice.
  • Difficulty Level: Strenuous, numerous steep grades.
  • Description: Both located in the Redwood Creek area, these two camps feature four loop possibilities. Elam has picnic tables, bear proof lockers, fire pits, toilet, non-potable water, and a corral. No more than 12 stock animals are permitted. At 44-Camp, no water is available. There are picnic tables, bear proof lockers, fire pits, and a toilet. Free permit required.

Redwood Creek (dispersed)

  • Location: Redwood National Park
  • Trailhead: Marked trailhead and parking area is on Bald Hills Road off Hwy 101.
  • Mileage: 8
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate, some steep grades.
  • Description: Located along a stretch of Redwood Creek, the gravel bars offer the only area in the parks where dispersed camping is permitted. Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere on the gravel bars between the first seasonal bridge and no closer than ¼-mile (½-km) of the Tall Trees Grove. Be sure to obtain a permit for camping at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center
  • Winter Camping (December-May): Redwood Creek runs high and fast during the winter with unexpected flows and rising water. Gravel bars are rarely available for camping. Foot bridges across the creek are removed in September and are not installed for the summer until late May. Check at the visitor center before planning your trip for current conditions.

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Did You Know?

Did You Know?
The Columbia Lily, also known as Tiger Lily, colors the road sides and forest edges with brilliant yellow-orange blossoms from May through August. The stem is two to three feet tall and has several whorls of long, narrow leaves.

Last Updated: February 03, 2012 at 14:13 MST