The 6 Best Areas Where To Stay In Redwood National Park
Planning a trip to Redwood National Park in California? Then hop on because Iâm about to tell you all the details regarding accommodations, prices, and other crucial things in this post!
Firstly letâs start with the most important things, which some of you might not know. Redwood National Park has 3 other state parks nearby: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Together they form the
Redwoods National and State Parks.
Most people focus on the main destination: Redwood National Park, which is known for its massive redwoods trees. This place is pretty magnificent! I mean, the park is home to the worldâs oldest redwood groves and the worldâs tallest tree.
Many movies like Star Wars and Jurassic Park were filmed here, and once you see its beauty, youâll understand why!
Now letâs check out where to stay in Redwood National Park! Iâve made a list of the best hotels and cabins near the park. Unfortunately, there arenât any accommodations inside the actual park, except a few campgrounds, but those are located in the other state parks , which Iâll talk about later.
I highly recommend booking your hotels in advance, this is California after all, and the redwoods trees are super popular so the accommodations are usually booked out!
Letâs hit the road!
Explore More Of California’s Best Outdoor Destinations
Visiting the Big Trees: If you’ve come to see the redwoods, there is no better way to experience them than by hitting the hiking trails in the Redwood National and State Parks. Once you’ve visited the redwoods, it’s hard not to wonder about a visit to the giant sequoias. If you have the time, it’s definitely worth taking a couple of days and driving to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, both of which are home to sequoias, as well as other fascinating sites. For camping options in these areas, see our articles on Best Campgrounds in Kings Canyon National Park and Best Campgrounds in Sequoia National Park.
Lake Tahoe and Yosemite: Other must-see outdoor destinations in this region include Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park. Explore Lake Tahoe with our articles on the Best Hikes near South Lake Tahoe and Best Campgrounds near South Lake Tahoe. If you haven’t been to Yosemite, be sure to include this park on your itinerary. Hit Yosemite’s hiking trails and then discover where to camp in Yosemite. If you’re looking for more ideas on sightseeing and activities, see our article on Things to Do in Yosemite.
Frequently Asked Questions About Redwood National Park
ðï¸ Where should you stay when visiting the redwoods?
If you want to visit the redwoods trees, you should stay in one of the towns near the Redwoods National and State Parks. Arcata is one of the best ones and it offers excellent accommodations such as the Classic Craftsman cabin.
ð What is the closest town to Redwood National Park?
Arcata and Eureka are 2 of the nearest towns to Redwood National Park. Both are located only a 1-hour car drive away. You will find many great places to stay in these towns, like Classic Craftsman and Carter House Inn.
ð How many days do you need in Redwood National Park?
You will need between 2 â 3 days in Redwood National Park, that way you can explore the forest, the towns, and the nearby areas.
ð² Can you stay in Redwood National Forest?
No, you canât stay inside the Redwood National Forest, only in nearby towns. However, you can stay in the campgrounds which are located in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, the parks that are joint together with Redwood.
Iâm so in love with this place, these redwoods trees that are over 2000 years world are so magical! I hope this post helped you decide where to stay in Redwood National Park, and which area and hotel to pick for your trip.
I know there are many hotel options in the post, so to help you decide quicker, I choose my top 2 favorite ones, both located in Arcata:
Safe Travels
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Backcountry Camps South Of The Klamath River
- 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 miles. From east access, 4.5 miles.
- Difficulty Level:Easy from the west. East access is strenuous and climbs approximately 800 feet. Free backcountry camping permit required.
GOLD BLUFFS BEACH Hike and Bike site
One “Hike/Bike” site located behind sites #19 and #20 at theGold Bluffs Beach Campgroundhas been designated as a backcountry campsite. Abackcountry permitis required, available online)
Camping Near Redwood National Park Find A Free Campsite
Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we’ve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phone’s GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.
Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.
This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, we’ll all have more places to go camping.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
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Bonus : The Best Cabins Near Redwood National Park
Fancy a rustic cabin for your trip to the Redwoods in one of the towns nearby the park? Come along then, because Iâve made a list of the best options! All of them have great reviews and are equipped with all the amenities you need.
Some are even located near the beach, so without further ado, here are the best cabins to stay near the Redwoods:
Luxury
Mid Range
- Rose Garden Bungalow â So many roses! Iâm already in love with this place! The accommodation is situated in Garfield town, a 1h and 20 minutes drive south from Redwoods, and it can accommodate up to 4 people. The bungalow has a kitchen and living room/bedroom area. When you come back from visiting the redwoods, you can just chill. The place is pretty secluded, so you donât have to worry about noise or other things. The joys of staying in a small town!
If You Are In A Hurry
If you want to book your accommodations now, quickly browse this list with the best hotels, all located in Arcata:
airbnb
Hampton Inn & Suites
Best affordable accommodation in the center
This map will help you visualize better all the areas where to stay in Redwood National Park that I will be talking about in this post:
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Wildlife In Redwood National Park
Theres plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife in Redwood National and State Parks! Thanks to the parks location along the Pacific Ocean, there are unparalleled opportunities to see marine life. Plus, the park is home to the impressive Roosevelt Elk, some of the largest mammals in the deer family.
Heres some of the best wildlife you can see in Redwood:
- Roosevelt Elk live in herds in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The best times to spot the elk are during mating season in the fall and calving season in May and June. Newton B. Drury Scenic Drive, Gold Bluffs Beach, and Ball Hills Road are all great places to spot elk. Just remember to give them plenty of distance and watch from a safe distance.
- Whale Watching is a popular activity in the park from November to December and March to April. Some of the best viewpoints for whale watching include Klamath River Overlook, Crescent Beach Overlook, High Bluff Overlook, and Gold Bluffs Beach.
- Tidepools provide unique opportunities to spot small marine life, like sea anemones and starfish. One of the best places to search for tidepools is at Enderts Beach, a short walk down the Coastal Trail from Crescent Beach Overlook.
This Is A Crumb Clean Park
Big Basin Redwoods SP, Big Basin Tent Cabins, Little Basin Redwoods SP, and the Backpack Trail Camps are Crumb Clean. Feeding wildlife is prohibited by law. Dispose of all trash properly and don’t leave it out in your campsite where animals can get to it. Recycle glass, plastic, and aluminum.
Visitors are required to watch this short video about the impact your food has on park wildlife.
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Getting To Redwood National Park From Oregon
If you choose to fly into Portland, you can catch scenic parts of the Oregon Coast on your way down to Redwood National Park. Head south on I-5 from Portland, cutting over to the Pacific Coast Highway in Albany, Oregon. This route adds about 2 hours to your trip.
If youre flying into Medford, consider looping in a side trip to Crater Lake before or after your trip to Redwood National and State Parks.
Nearby Parks For After Visiting Redwood National Park
Tucked away in Northern California, Redwood National Park is secluded from major cities. But theres plenty of additional opportunities to make a road trip out of your trip to the redwoods.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Located 4 hours from Redwood National Park, youll find Northern Californias other national park: Lassen Volcanic National Park. A visit to Lassen is the perfect way to explore Californias volcanic activity on hiking trails and camping along the serene waters of Manzanita Lake.
Crater Lake National Park
A 4-hour drive north from Lassen Volcanic along the famed Volcanic Legacy Scenic Highway takes you to Crater Lake, easily one of the most impressive natural wonders in the Pacific Northwest. Driving directly from Redwood, it takes about 5.5 hours to get to Crater Lake.
Crater Lake was formed when a volcano imploded over 7,000 years ago. The massive lake holds some of the bluest, purest, clear water in the world. The scenic Rim Drive at Crater Lake belongs at the top of your bucket list.
Avenue of the Giants
One of the most popular scenic drives through redwoods lies a few hours south of Redwood National Park in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The popular drive called Avenue of the Giants runs parallel to Highway 101.
If youre traveling to the redwoods from the Bay Area, this scenic drive is the perfect detour. Dont miss exploring the Dyerville Giant and a short hike along the Founder Grove Loop trail.
Lost Coast
Read More:Ultimate Lost Coast Road Trip Guide
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How Redwood National Park Is Organized
Redwood National Park can be a bit confusing. Unlike other parks, it isnt just a national park. When people refer to Redwood National Park, they generally mean Redwood
National and State Parks. This joint park is a unique partnership between 3 California State Parks and 1 national park:
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Redwood National Park
Together, these parks protect half of the worlds old-growth redwoods with nearly 40,000 acres of an old-growth redwood forest. The national park was established in 1968, but the partnered state parks have been protecting the redwoods since the 1920s.
At the southern end of the redwood parks, youll find Redwood National Park, the largest of the 4 parks. This federal land protects 71,000 acres and is home to the worlds tallest tree named Hyperion.
To the north, youll find the 3 state parks protected by the California government. The largest of the 3, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is half old-growth forest and half coastal trails.
Prairie Creek Redwoods is about half the size of Del Norte and is home to redwood groves where the majestic Roosevelt elk roam. The smallest and farthest north of the 3 state parks is Jedediah Smith Redwoods.
You can get your bearings on the park with this detailed Redwood National Park map.
Why Youll Love Giant Redwoods Rv And Camp
Giant Redwoods RV and Camp provides a welcoming environment to relax and enjoy a stroll amidst the Redwoods. This property offers private campsites equipped with sunshine, fire pits, and picnic tables, and the camp recently upgraded its Wi-Fi, cable and electrical boxes. Visitors can enjoy outdoor games, a playground, fenced dog park, and on-site convenient store the landscaping was also renovated, and over 300 redwoods were planted as part of a maintenance program.
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Camping Near Rocky Mountain National Park Find A Free Campsite
Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we’ve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phone’s GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.
Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.
This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, we’ll all have more places to go camping.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
Climb The Battery Point Lighthouse
Those interested in stunning nature views matched up with historical trivia must visit the Battery Point Lighthouse.
It is one of the oldest lighthouses on the California coast, and today it makes a unique historical spot in the park.
The park has an accompanying museum where you can see furniture, tools, and pictures over 150 years old. It is only open for visitors during the low tides to ensure their safety.
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Azalea Glen Rv Park Campground
Image Source:http://AzaleaGlen.com
A destination in and of itself, Azalea Glen RV Park Campground is a lovely setting boasting old-fashioned hospitality. Azalea Glen is located directly across from Patricks Point State Park. Beaches, ocean vistas, and magnificent sunsets are within walking distance of the campsite.
Top 10 Campgrounds And Rv Parksredwood National Park California
Redwood National Park is home to the tallest trees on planet Earth. National and state parks in this northern California area also preserve prairie lands, vast forests, waterways, and miles of the Pacific coastline. The untouched landscape is home to black bears and other wildlife. These protected lands are the perfect place to connect with nature and explore. The Redwood National Park area hosts an abundance of amazing RV Parks. Here youll find a compilation of 10 recommended RV Parks in the Redwood National Park, California area.
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Vacation Rentals & Airbnbs Near The Park
The region around Redwood National and State Parks also has home rentals and private campgrounds for those looking for a bit more space.
One of the best rentals near the parks is Elk Meadow Cabins in Orick, CA. These cabins are in the heart of the park, only minutes to top hiking trails and scenic drives. These cabins are known for the Roosevelt Elk that roam nearby. Youll have a good chance of spotting some if you stay here! Elk Meadow Cabins offers an array of lodging, from studio to 3 bedroom cabins.
For more unique stays and cabins near the park, check out Airbnb, VRBO, or Hipcamp.
Why Youll Love Emerald Forest Cabins And Rv
In the lush landscape of Trinidad, Emerald Forest Cabins and RV boasts courteous hosts whose only desire is for guests to enjoy a memorable experience. All sites are equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. This property stands alone in the area by offering in-room spa treatments, such as massages and scrubs. This is just an added bonus to this opportunity to slow down, relax, and enjoy the surroundings.
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