Backpacking Camps


California > Redwood National and State Parks

Redwood National Park has some trail camps that are best suited for short (one or maybe two night) backpacking trips. There haven’t been any good long-distance routes since the state parks closed their trail camps in 2014.

None of these camps are in old-growth redwoods.

Besides the camps listed here, most drive-in campgrounds in the state park system have hike/bike sites where long-distance cyclists and backpackers can drop in and camp without reservations.

★★★★★

Redwood Creek Dispersed Camping

Redwood National Park

Open all year · Free

A peaceful and secluded camping experience. There are no defined campsites and no facilities; just pick any spot on the wide, sunny gravel banks with views of redwood-carpeted hills.

★★★★

Flint Ridge Backcountry Camp

Redwood National Park

Open all year · Free

On a sunny shrub-covered hill by the sea. It’s only a five-minute walk from the parking lot, so it’s mostly used by non-backpackers.

★★★★

Little Bald Hills Backcountry Camp

Redwood National Park

Open all year · Free

This is a nice campground on a quiet, remote hilltop, but unless you just want a quiet place to camp there isn’t much reason to hike up here.

★★★

DeMartin Backcountry Camp

Redwood National Park

Open all year · Free

On a sunny plateau with patchy spruce and alder woodland but no redwoods.

Elam Backcountry Camp

Redwood National Park

Open all year · Free

Set among second-growth redwoods just off the Redwood Creek Trail, this camp was originally intended for equestrians.

44 Camp

Redwood National Park

Currently closed

On a heavily-logged hillside near the end of the Redwood Creek Trail. Huge stumps and dense second growth makes the area dark and gloomy.

Hike/bike site C in Jedediah Smith Campground

Wilson Beach


 

© 2021 David Baselt