An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .gov A
.gov website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A
lock (
) or https:// means you've safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
Redwood Creek Dispersed Camping Permits for Whitewater River Users
A foggy and beautiful day on Redwood Creek.
NPS Photo / Ally Gran
Whitewater River Use along Redwood Creek
Please be respectful of private landowners at launch and exit points outside of the National Park boundary.
Please consider uploading a float plan along with your permit application and contacting the park upon your safe exit from the river. Note that Search and Rescue operations would not be initiated based on float plans.
Conditions in Redwood Creek change rapidly and are likely to include submerged logs, large boulders, and other water hazards.
Be prepared for your safety and the safety of your group.
Dispersed Camping Rules & Regulations
Designated Sites
Dispersed tent camping is not allowed within 1/4 mile of Tall Trees Grove.
Closest areas to camp are 1.5 miles north of the Redwood Creek Trailhead.
Maximum group size is eight (8) people; larger groups require multiple permits and must camp at least 1/4-mi. apart.
Maximum of 50 people per night are allowed to disperse camp on the gravel bar.
Food Security & Bears - All food items, cooking utensils, bathroom items, or anything with a smell must always be kept secure by either hanging them from a tree or storing in a bear can (unless actively using or cooking). Never feed wildlife!
Water - No treated water source is available. Drink filtered/purified water from Redwood Creek tributaries, not from the main channel itself.
Fires - Remember to completely put out your fire before leaving it and dismantle your fire ring. Up to 50 lbs. of dead and downed wood per day per campsite may be collected from gravel bars.
Disposal of Garbage and Human Waste - Pack out or dig a hole at least 6 inches deep for solid human waste. Do not leave human waste exposed or left on leaf litter. Be sure you are at least 200 feet from any water source, campsite, or trail. Pack out all trash/garbage.
Practicing Leave No Trace Principles is required on the gravel bar. Please pack out what you packed in, including toilet paper!
PLEASE remember to lock your vehicle, take valuables with you, and leave nothing in sight. This trailhead has a history of being a bad break-in spot.
Apply for a Permit
Dispersed camping on Redwood Creek gravel bar during high flow is very limited with the majority of the gravel bar only being available to whitewater rafting groups. Permits must be requested by 9:00 am PST at least two days prior to when you would like to backcountry camp on your rafting trip. The earliest that permit can be requested is 4 weeks prior to your trip. For example, if you want to raft/camp on January 27th, you need to apply by 9:00 am PST on January 25th to receive your permit. Permit requests are typically downloaded once daily in the morning, so plan accordingly.
Apply online. This weblink is provided by the Park's nonprofit partner, Redwood Park Conservancy.
Permit can be reserved until 2pm the day of your trip.
To add multiple days, select 'Add A Time' when selecting your dates.
You will recieve an email immediately with your confirmation. This is your backcountry permit. Be sure to print this email, screenshot it to your phone, or download a copy to your phone to have with you in the park.
Please reach out to Redw_Permits@nps.gov if you have any questions. Please refrain from contacting the park's help line - they may not be able to assist you.
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.
