Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is a 31,261-acre state park and campground in California. Forming part of the Redwood National and State Parks, the park is home to an impressive old-growth forest of coast redwoods, eight miles of rugged Pacific coastline, and gorgeous hiking, biking and horse riding trails.
When it comes to scenery, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park exceeds expectations. Surrounded by ancient redwoods, rhododendrons and often shrouded in mysterious fog, the views here are particularly dramatic.
If you’re planning on staying at Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park overnight, the park has an RV-friendly campground as well as a backcountry camp you can hike to. Tucked well away from the highway, it’s a very peaceful spot for a weekend away. Although there aren’t any redwoods in the campground itself, it still offers plenty of shade. The groves are a drive away from the campground.
Campers can enjoy getting out into nature on a hike through Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Other activities include horse riding and mountain biking along the watershed’s old logging roads. These roads are open to the public on weekends from 09h00 to 17h00. They can get confusing though, so bring a GPS!
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is located along Highway 101, south of Crescent City in California. It’s not a built-up part like many of the others so you shouldn’t expect to find a main entrance gate or a visitor center. It’s free to enter!
Once inside the park, it’s about a two mile drive to the campground. Keep an eye out for low hanging branches.
After you’ve set up your RV camp, you can get around the park on foot, bike or horseback.
Parking is available at various points within the park, including at the campground if you’re staying overnight.
Mill Creek Campground is a drive-in campground for tents and RVs or trailers up to 31 feet in length. There are no hookups for RVs but there is a dump station and water filling station available. There are six ADA campsites that can be reserved in advance.
Open from May to September, each campsite has a fire pit, picnic table, and food storage locker. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance.
DeMartin Backcountry Camp is a wilderness hike or bike-in campground tucked away along the Coastal Trail. Open all year round, this backcountry camp is reached via a three mile hike. Each site comes with a picnic table, fire pit and food storage locker. Facilities include one outhouse.
While it’s free to stay here, you will need to get a permit from the Hiouchi Visitor Center in Crescent City or Kuchel Visitor Center in Orick. These sites are available on a first come, first served basis.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park offers a variety of trails for hiking enthusiasts. Take to the four-mile Damnation Creek Trail which descends 1,100 feet through old-growth redwoods down to a small rocky beach. Alternatively, you can take the 12.6-mile Coastal Trail – the DeMartin Section that leads through redwood groves and woodlands. Another section of the trail – the Last Chance Section – is a 13-mile hike that climbs through a forest towards an old-growth redwood grove.
Day visitors and campers alike can enjoy exploring the many old logging roads around Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. As the roads are mainly dirt and gravel, wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty - and prepare to get covered in dust! This network of trails is popular for hikers and bikers who are welcome to enter the park free of charge from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekends. Just make sure you’re out by 5 PM or you may get locked in.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is a great spot for nature lovers. While there’s no visitor center located within the park, the park ranger hosts educational talks at the campfire center on weekend evenings. The campfire center can be found in the middle of the campground loops. It’s a great way to learn more about these fascinating redwoods and the fauna and flora within the park.
When the main campground is closed, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park offers a backcountry camping option for hiking enthusiasts. It’s about a three-mile hike along the coastal trail to reach the camp. As it takes a bit of energy to get there – you’ll have to carry everything you need with you – the camp is not often crowded. The Coastal Trail and Damnation Creek Trail offer more opportunities for winter strolls.
Mill Creek has a backcountry camp that you can hike or bike into. It’s the perfect refuge for long-distance mountain bikers and if nobody else arrives, you’ll have the wilderness all to yourself. The hike/bike camp is available on a first come, first served basis. You’ll love tearing through the park on the old logging trails – perfect for mountain bikers.
If you can handle the cold, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is a great spot for horseback riding during the off season. There are far fewer crowds here so you’re likely to have most of the trails to yourself. Keep in mind that the gates are open from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekends and if you’re not staying overnight in the backcountry camp (open year round), you’ll need to get out before the gates close.
