Where to Stay in Redwood: Inside the Park, Nearby Towns, and Campgrounds

By Victoria Boissonade · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Redwood

Redwood National and State Parks stretch along nearly 62 miles of Northern California coast, from Del Norte County to the outskirts of Eureka. That distance changes everything when you're choosing a place to stay. You aren't sleeping in “a” park; you're choosing a base in a huge corridor.

The quick answer. Plan on at least two or three nights. For total immersion, camping in the park at Jedediah Smith, Elk Prairie, or Gold Bluffs Beach is hard to beat. If you want a roof over your head, Crescent City to the north and Eureka to the south are the two most convenient town bases. Most visitors combine one night camping and one night in town, depending on their itinerary. The day-by-day Redwood itineraries give you practical frameworks for putting that itinerary together.

Where to stay: towns, lodges and campgrounds (4)

All Gateway townsLodgesCampgrounds

• Campground Elk Prairie Campground - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park see NPS · 75 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Jedediah Smith Campground - Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park see NPS · 86 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Mill Creek Campground - Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park see NPS · 145 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Gold Bluffs Beach Campground - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park see NPS · 26 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

⚠ Gateway town & Lodge data is undergoing editorial review.

Should You Stay in the Park or Outside It?

The choice isn't about budget, since the park campgrounds are affordable. It's about pace and your tolerance for the weather.

Staying in the park means waking up to Steller's jays with the morning fog filtering through the giant redwoods. It also means accepting cool, damp nights year-round. Nighttime temperatures regularly drop below 50°F, even in July, and dew can settle into your tent without warning. Temperatures here range from 45°F to 64°F year-round, and rainfall from October through April can easily reach 59 inches across the region. Come prepared.

Staying outside the park gives you more comfort and simpler logistics, especially if you're traveling with family or on a tight schedule. Crescent City and Eureka have restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations within easy driving distance.

Our take: if you've got two nights, spend one camping in the park and the other in town. You'll get both experiences without giving anything up. Our Weather page explains the best weather windows for each month.

Where to Stay in Redwood: Lodges and Park Accommodations

Redwood doesn't have a large hotel lodge inside the park like Yellowstone National Park or Yosemite. It does have one worthwhile forest-cabin option, and the guide to Redwood's traditional accommodations covers the reservation details.

Elk Meadow Cabins

Located near Orick in the southern part of Redwood National Park, these wooden cabins sit among the coastal redwoods and a meadow frequented by Roosevelt elk. We stayed here on a visit in April, when elk come down into the meadow early in the morning. It's hard to imagine a more effective wake-up call.

The cabins are managed by a private concessioner, Redwood Adventures. They include equipped kitchenettes, several bedrooms, and covered spaces. It's a good option for families or groups that want to skip camping without giving up the forest.

One thing to keep in mind. Aside from this option, lodging inside the park itself remains very limited. Plan primarily on campgrounds.

Camping in Redwood: The Park Campgrounds

This is where Redwood really stands out. The four campgrounds jointly managed by California State Parks and the NPS each have their own character. Most sites are reserved through Recreation.gov.

Jedediah Smith Campground

The northernmost campground sits along the Smith River, about 9 miles from Crescent City. Some of the park's largest trees grow right nearby along the Boy Scout Tree Trail. The campground has electric hookups for RVs and standard tent sites beneath the forest canopy. Book as soon as the calendar opens, six months ahead on Recreation.gov, for summer stays.

Elk Prairie Campground

In the heart of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, this campground opens directly onto a meadow frequented by Roosevelt elk. You'll have wildlife within binocular range when you wake up. It's close to Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, a scenic road closed to heavy trucks that runs through nearly untouched forests. Some sites are reservable, while others are first-come, first-served.

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

This is the wildest of the four. Set between golden sand cliffs and the Pacific Ocean, this Prairie Creek campground is accessible only by an unpaved road with limited clearance. Large trailers and high-end motorhomes won't make it through. Expect primitive sites, available showers, and near-constant coastal fog. It's for visitors looking for a raw experience rather than comfort. During the busy season, you'll need a permit to access the Fern Canyon area. Check conditions on the NPS website before you leave.

Mill Creek Campground

In Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, about 20 minutes south of Crescent City. The largest of the four, it makes a good base for exploring the central part of the corridor. Some areas close in winter, depending on conditions. During the off-season, from October through May, check availability before making the drive.

For specific requirements for RVs and camper vans, including length limits and road access, the Redwood RV camping guide covers each campground in detail.

Where to Stay Around Redwood: Gateway Towns

The park stretches about 62 miles from north to south. Choose your base according to the area you most want to explore.

Crescent City

The closest town to the park's northern section, about 9 miles from Jedediah Smith Campground. This small seaside town of about 7,500 residents has the essentials: budget and midrange hotels, a few seafood restaurants, and a lighthouse you can visit on an island accessible at low tide. The atmosphere is local, not touristy. It's ideal if you're entering from Oregon to the north or focusing your itinerary on Jedediah Smith and Del Norte Coast.

Trinidad

A tiny, highly photogenic coastal village halfway between Crescent City and Eureka. The area's B&Bs and small seaside hotels are decent, and the view of the bay from Trinidad Lighthouse is worth a stop. It's a good option if you're focusing your visit on the central part of the park, including Prairie Creek and Gold Bluffs Beach.

Eureka

The region's largest city, with about 28,000 residents, roughly 43 miles south of the park. It offers a wider range of accommodations, varied restaurants, and an Old Town district filled with wooden Victorian homes. If you're arriving from San Francisco after a 6- to 7-hour drive of about 323 miles, Eureka makes a logical first stop before heading back north toward the park the next morning.

The practical downside is the drive. It takes 45 minutes to an hour from Eureka to reach the areas richest in coastal redwoods.

Arcata

Just north of Eureka, this college town has a different feel. It's livelier, with a handful of good cafés and bars. It's a good base for travelers who want to alternate forest time with local life without moving far from the park's southern section.

When to Book Your Redwood Accommodations

Redwood doesn't draw Yellowstone National Park or Yosemite crowds, but the park campgrounds fill up in July and August. As a rule, reserve campsites on Recreation.gov at least two or three months before a summer stay. The most sought-after sites, especially at Gold Bluffs Beach, go within minutes of reservations opening six months in advance.

For hotels in Crescent City and Eureka, booking four to six weeks ahead is enough outside the peak season. In July and August, aim for two months ahead instead.

Fall, from September through October, is an appealing window. Crowds thin out, prices drop, and rainfall remains moderate before the winter rains arrive. The guide to the best times to visit Redwood explains the advantages of each season.

Lodging Budget: How Much Does It Cost to Stay in Redwood?

Camping remains the cheapest option and, in our experience, the most memorable. Thirty-five dollars a night to sleep beneath trees that rise more than 295 feet is hard to beat.

Our Recommendations by Traveler Type

First visit, packed itinerary: Stay in Crescent City for the north or Eureka for the south, depending on your route. You'll save time on logistics and can string together trails without worrying about resupplying.

Family with young children: Choose Elk Prairie Campground or Elk Meadow Cabins, both in Prairie Creek. The elk in the meadow make an impression on kids, and the trails and roads are easy to navigate. The Redwood family travel guide lists age-appropriate activities.

Solo travelers or couples seeking a nature immersion: Choose Gold Bluffs Beach for its combination of cliffs, beach, and redwoods. Bring waterproof clothing and a good sleeping bag. Nights stay cool and damp even in summer.

Tight budget: Any state campground in the park. The quality of the immediate surroundings has little to do with the price.

RV or camper van: Jedediah Smith and Elk Prairie accept standard-size motorized vehicles. Avoid Gold Bluffs Beach if your rig is longer than 26 feet or taller than 8 feet. Our RV page explains the exact restrictions for each campground.

To turn all this into a coherent itinerary, our complete Redwood guide gives you the big picture, while our Itinerary & Length of Stay page offers frameworks based on how much time you have.

Frequently Asked Questions