The redwoods charge no entrance fee, but the campgrounds are old and tight. Learn each campground’s length limit and which scenic roads your rig can’t use before you book.
Redwood National and State Parks is a joint area managed by the National Park Service and California State Parks. The NPS says no entrance fee is charged. Day-use fees apply only at select areas.
The four developed campgrounds are all run by California State Parks and list tight length limits: 25 feet for motorhomes at Jedediah Smith, 28 at Mill Creek, 27 at Elk Prairie and 24 at Gold Bluffs Beach. The NPS says many sites were built before the 1940s and size limits are strictly upheld. Plan around those numbers and the roads below.
| Entrance fee | None. Day-use fees apply only at select areas; Prairie Creek vehicle day use is $8 |
|---|---|
| Campground fee | $35 per night at all four campgrounds |
| Hookups | None listed at any campground |
| Reservations | Strongly recommended. Reserve California, up to six months ahead |
| Dump stations | Jedediah Smith and Mill Creek. None at Elk Prairie or Gold Bluffs Beach |
| Showers | Flush toilets and showers at all four |
| Fern Canyon permit | Required for Gold Bluffs Beach day use and the Fern Canyon trailhead May 15 to Sept. 15 |
These are the NPS figures. Treat them as the working limit.
Summer is the busiest and driest, but fog is common on the coast.
| Time of year | What to expect |
|---|---|
| May to September | Best weather. Fern Canyon permit required May 15 to Sept. 15. Reserve early. |
| October to November | Quieter. Mill Creek may be closed for the season. |
| December to March | Wetter, with the most closures. Jedediah Smith, Elk Prairie and Gold Bluffs Beach stay open. |
| April | Mill Creek reopens in spring; confirm dates. |
All four campgrounds charge $35 and list short length limits. The NPS lists no hookups.
Best for: A year-round base on the northern end of the parks.
Watch out: Tight lengths; Howland Hill Road won’t take an RV.
Best for: The largest campground and the longest motorhome limit.
Watch out: Seasonal.
Best for: A central base in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
Watch out: No dump station.
Best for: Beachfront camping near Fern Canyon.
Watch out: The Davison Road approach limits rigs to 24 ft and 8 ft wide.
Private RV parks in Crescent City, Klamath and Orick are outside the parks. We did not verify specific ones; ask about hookups and length.
Plans keep the rig on roads it can use.
First visit.
More variety.
Buffer days.
A scenic road through old-growth redwoods. The NPS lists no RV restriction; commercial vehicles are not permitted.
A canyon of ferns reached via Davison Road. Permit required May 15 to Sept. 15.
A meadow near the campground where elk are often seen.
Use a tow car for backroads. Several scenic roads are closed or not advised for motorhomes.
Reserve early. The NPS strongly recommends reservations.
Match site length. Limits are strictly upheld.
Crescent City and Orick have fuel and groceries. Dump stations are at Jedediah Smith and Mill Creek only.
Only fees from official pages are listed.
| Item | What we found | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance | None | Day-use fees apply at select areas. |
| Prairie Creek day use | $8 per vehicle | — |
| Campsite | $35 per night | All four campgrounds. |
Fees are the amounts listed by the managing agency when this guide was checked. Use the budget worksheet to add fuel, groceries and contingency.
No. Day-use fees apply only at select areas.
Motorhomes up to 24–28 feet depending on the campground; trailers up to 21–24 feet; none at Gold Bluffs Beach.
The NPS says motorhomes, RVs and trailers will not fit.
None are listed.
Yes, May 15 to Sept. 15 for Gold Bluffs Beach day use and Fern Canyon.
Rules were checked October 15, 2026. Fees, closures and availability will change, so use the official pages below as the source of truth.