In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
From Crescent City via Eureka and Ferndale to the Avenue of the Giants: around 450 kilometres through the tallest forests on Earth, with a detour to California’s most remote coast.
The spirit of the route
The forest has stood here for millennia. Coast redwoods grow more than 100 metres tall, their trunks as wide as rooms, and in the fog drifting in from the Pacific, water drips from ferns and redwood sorrel. Highway 101 leads through the forests of Jedediah Smith and Prairie Creek, where Roosevelt elk graze in the meadows and Fern Canyon, with its green walls, looks like a film set. Further south Eureka opens up with Victorian houses, Ferndale with its colourful wooden façades, and the Avenue of the Giants winds for 50 kilometres beneath the trees. From the sliding door you smell resin, sea and damp earth. If you are looking for the road on the Lost Coast that leads via Mattole to Petrolia and Honeydew, you must enter an area without mobile reception and with steep, narrow sections; it is not suitable for large motorhomes.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Crescent City to Orick (approx. 90 km)
- The drive
- From Crescent City take US-101 south; at Klamath the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway leads through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (motorhomes allowed, bends and tree trunks at the roadside), then back onto US-101 to Orick. Beyond Crescent City lies the Last Chance Grade, an unstable stretch of road with possible roadworks, lane narrowing and closures; check traffic conditions before you set off. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours; with stops, a full day.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: Stout Memorial Grove, circular trails through old-growth forest, the Smith River with clear water; Howland Hill Road is unpaved and unsuitable for motorhomes, so check access beforehand.
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and Elk Prairie: Roosevelt elk in the meadow, hiking trails through the redwoods; circular trails straight from the car park.
- Fern Canyon at Gold Bluffs Beach: a narrow gorge with fern walls; access via Davison Road (eight miles of gravel with stream fords), on which, according to the NPS, motorhomes over 24 ft and trailers are not allowed; day visitors need a reservation through the Redwood Parks Conservancy (12 USD according to the NPS, cash only; check dates and season beforehand).
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (Hiouchi): sites beneath redwoods on the Smith River, coin showers, dump station, no electricity; vehicle length limits are strict (in places only around 25 ft) and must be checked before booking. Elk Prairie Campground in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park: sites at the forest edge, showers, dump station; vehicle lengths are limited, so check exact values with ReserveCalifornia. Book through ReserveCalifornia, up to six months ahead, booked up early in summer.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the Redwood National and State Parks, overnighting in a vehicle outside campgrounds is prohibited; also on the coast and on car parks. In the Six Rivers National Forest dispersed camping is possible on forest roads; check access roads and fire bans beforehand.
- Insider tip for campers
- The Last Chance Grade is a permanently landslide-prone section of US-101 south of Crescent City; a tunnel bypass is planned (construction start, according to Caltrans, at the earliest around 2031), and until then repairs, waiting times and closures are possible. Check reports on Caltrans QuickMap. On the Newton B. Drury Parkway, heed the signs on vehicle lengths.
2Stage 2: Orick to Eureka (approx. 80 km)
- The drive
- From Orick head south on US-101 along the coast, past Humboldt Lagoons State Park and Trinidad, then through Arcata and over Humboldt Bay to Eureka. Two lanes, 55 mph, with stops in coastal towns. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours; a full day with sightseeing.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Trinidad and Trinidad Head: a small harbour town with a viewpoint, fishing boats and hiking trails; parking for motorhomes at the harbour is limited.
- Arcata Plaza and Arcata Marsh: a university town with a town square, bird watching in the marsh; check car parks.
- Eureka Old Town: Victorian buildings, the Carson Mansion, a harbour promenade; the Samoa Peninsula with dunes and beach.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Patrick’s Point State Park near Trinidad: a campground on a coastal hill with forest, showers, dump station; check vehicle lengths. Alternatively private RV parks in Arcata and Eureka (the BLM’s Samoa Dunes Recreation Area is mainly a day-use area, and camping there is not confirmed). Humboldt Redwoods offers further sites further south. Reserve through ReserveCalifornia.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On the coast and in the towns, overnighting in a vehicle is prohibited; in Eureka, Arcata and Trinidad police and rangers patrol. On BLM land and in the Six Rivers National Forest dispersed camping is in places possible, but not near the coast. Heed fire bans.
- Insider tip for campers
- Eureka has a harbour with fish restaurants and several supermarkets, a good place to refuel and shop. In Eureka and Arcata many multi-storey car parks are unsuitable for motorhomes; heed height restrictions. Coastal fog can last all day in summer.
3Stage 3: Eureka to Ferndale (approx. 35 km)
- The drive
- From Eureka take US-101 south, and at Fernbridge turn off onto the road to Ferndale (Ferndale Road). A well-built country road through the pastureland of the Eel River Valley, 35–55 mph. Pure driving time is about 30 minutes; allow half a day for Ferndale and the surrounding area.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Ferndale Main Street: Victorian wooden façades, shops, galleries and small cafés; parking on the main street and on the side streets.
- Fernbridge: a historic concrete bridge over the Eel River, a viewpoint, a photo stop.
- Centerville Beach and Cape Mendocino (Mattole Road): coastal stretches with surf and pastures; Mattole Road becomes narrow and steep, only short detours with a camper.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale: simple sites on the fairgrounds with electricity and water in the summer months; check availability and season with the county. Alternatively private RV parks in Fortuna and Eureka. Further south is Humboldt Redwoods State Park with larger sites.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Ferndale and on the coast, overnighting in a vehicle is restricted or prohibited; Ferndale has its own rules. Dispersed camping is only available in the King Range National Conservation Area (BLM) and the Six Rivers National Forest, with access unsuitable for large campers.
- Insider tip for campers
- Mattole Road from Ferndale to Petrolia is narrow, steep and winding; large motorhomes and trailers should not drive it. If you want to experience the Lost Coast, plan on a smaller vehicle or a day trip by car. Fill up and top up water in Ferndale; beyond Ferndale there are hardly any shops.
4Stage 4: Ferndale to Weott und Myers Flat (approx. 90 km)
- The drive
- From Ferndale return to US-101 and head south to the Avenue of the Giants (SR 254), a 31-mile road running parallel to the 101 through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Two lanes, 25–45 mph, with many viewpoints and hiking stops; mostly doable for larger motorhomes, but at narrow points beneath trunks watch height and width. Pure driving time is about 2 hours with stops.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Founders Grove and Rockefeller Forest: the largest continuous old-growth forest of coast redwoods, circular trails through the trees, seating at the Dyerville Giant (fell in 1991); visitor centre in Weott.
- Avenue of the Giants: a scenic drive through the giant trees with stops at hiking trails, springs and picnic areas.
- Myers Flat and Garberville: small places along the 101 with shops and cafés; trees at the roadside.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Burlington Campground (Humboldt Redwoods State Park) in Weott at the visitor centre: sites beneath redwoods, showers, dump station, no electricity; check vehicle lengths beforehand. Albee Creek Campground in Bull Creek Flats: simple sites in the forest, limited length, narrow access. Hidden Springs Campground near Myers Flat: sites on the Eel River with showers. Reserve through ReserveCalifornia, up to six months ahead.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Humboldt Redwoods State Park, overnighting in a vehicle outside campgrounds is prohibited; on the Avenue of the Giants a no-overnight-parking rule applies. In the Six Rivers National Forest and the Mendocino National Forest dispersed camping is in places possible, but not near the park.
- Insider tip for campers
- On the Avenue of the Giants do not stop where signs forbid it; roadside parking is often narrow. The route is an alternative to the 101 and popular with motorhomes; check conditions and closures with the state park before you go. Fill up and stock up in Garberville and Redway.
5Stage 5: Myers Flat to Garberville (approx. 45 km)
- The drive
- From Myers Flat take the Avenue of the Giants south, then return to US-101 to Garberville. A well-built road, 55–65 mph. Pure driving time is about 1 hour. Richardson Grove, with its narrow point, lies about 8 miles south of Garberville (stage 6).
- Highlights & must-sees
- Richardson Grove State Park: older redwoods right by the road, short hikes; check car parks.
- Benbow and Garberville: small places with shops and cafés; streets with trees, congestion possible in summer.
- King Range and Shelter Cove: a coastal stretch of the Lost Coast, reached via Shelter Cove Road (steep, winding); small vehicles only.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Richardson Grove State Park: a campground beneath redwoods on the Eel River, showers, dump station; vehicle lengths limited, book early. Alternatively Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area near Leggett (sites on the river, showers). Reserve through ReserveCalifornia.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the Six Rivers National Forest and the Mendocino National Forest dispersed camping is in places possible; in the King Range National Conservation Area there are simple BLM campgrounds, with access suitable only for small vehicles. Heed fire bans.
- Insider tip for campers
- The narrow point in Richardson Grove (road between old trees, 35 mph) is closed to trucks over 65 ft overall length (STAA trucks); it can be driven by motorhomes of normal size, but check current restrictions and roadworks with Caltrans before you go. Fill up in Garberville, use the dump station and stock up.
6Stage 6: Garberville to Leggett (approx. 45 km)
- The drive
- From Garberville take US-101 south via Redway, Richardson Grove and Leggett; a winding route through forest sections, 45–65 mph. Pure driving time is about 1 hour. At Leggett SR 1 branches off to the coast towards Westport (steep, winding).
- Highlights & must-sees
- Drive-Thru Tree Park in Leggett: a redwood with a drive-through (small vehicles only), viewpoints and hiking trails; privately run entry, so check prices and opening.
- Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area: hiking trails on the Eel River, redwoods and swimming spots.
- Eel River: kayak and fishing tours in summer; check access points.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area: sites beneath trees on the river, showers, dump station, limited length; book early through ReserveCalifornia. Alternatively Richardson Grove State Park or sites in the Mendocino National Forest. Check vehicle lengths.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the Mendocino National Forest dispersed camping on forest roads is in places possible; in the redwood area, overnighting in a vehicle outside campgrounds is restricted. Heed fire bans.
- Insider tip for campers
- Leggett is the gateway to the Mendocino Coast and the vineyards of Sonoma; if you are continuing, plan to go south via SR 1 or US-101. Fill up and use the dump station; the route has only a few shops.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- Overnighting in a vehicle outside designated campgrounds is prohibited or restricted in the Redwood National and State Parks, on the coast, on car parks and in towns such as Eureka, Arcata and Trinidad; rangers, sheriffs and police patrol.
- Dispersed camping is legal on much land in the Six Rivers, Mendocino and Klamath National Forests and Bureau of Land Management land (King Range NCA), mostly for up to 14 days in one place; many access roads are unsuitable for large campers. Check wildfire and fire bans beforehand.
- Rest areas and supermarket car parks sometimes allow overnighting only briefly; if in doubt, ask in the shop. Caltrans rest areas allow parking only for a limited time.
- Wildlife: black bears, cougars, elk and sea lions occur here; keep food in the vehicle or in bear-proof containers at night, and keep rubbish closed. Keep at least 100 yards (91 m) from bears, 25 yards (23 m) from elk and sea lions; feeding is prohibited.
- Useful apps and sites: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt, Recreation.gov (BLM and Forest Service sites), ReserveCalifornia (state parks), Caltrans QuickMap and 1-800-427-7623 (road conditions), Cal Fire (fire status).
- If you cannot get a site, you have three options: private RV parks (Crescent City, Trinidad, Eureka, Fortuna, Garberville, Leggett), short-notice sites on the parks’ websites and individual nights in towns with hotels.
- If you are checked, stay friendly, leave the car park and do not argue. Fines on rental motorhomes are usually passed on.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Dump stations are found in state parks (Jedediah Smith, Elk Prairie, Patrick’s Point, Burlington, Richardson Grove, Standish-Hickey) and RV parks for a fee; sanidumps.com provides an overview.
- Tap water in California is drinkable; you will find water stations in state parks and RV parks. Always filter or boil water from streams and rivers.
- Never drain grey water onto the ground or into streams; empty chemical toilets only at dump stations.
- Propane is available from filling stations, DIY stores and propane dealers in Crescent City, Eureka, Fortuna and Garberville. European gas bottles need an adapter; rental motorhomes have fixed US tanks.
- Fuel: filling stations in Crescent City, Klamath, Arcata, Eureka, Fortuna, Garberville and Leggett; on the Lost Coast and in Humboldt Redwoods only a few. Fill up before detours.
- Shopping: supermarkets in Crescent City, Eureka, Arcata and Fortuna; in Orick, Weott and Myers Flat only small shops with higher prices.
- Electricity: sites with hookups offer 30 and 50 A at 120 V; most Redwood state park sites have no electricity. Generators are allowed in state parks only at set times.
- Laundry and waste: coin laundries in Crescent City, Eureka, Arcata and Garberville; bins at campgrounds, often bear-proofed.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits in mph: on US-101 the limit is mostly 55–65 mph, 25–35 in towns, 35–45 on winding forest sections; in California, vehicles with trailers are limited to 55 mph at most under CVC 22406. Slow vehicles must pull over under CVC 21656 when five or more vehicles are following.
- Tolls and fees: no toll on US-101. Day-use fees in state parks are roughly 5–10 USD per vehicle; the America the Beautiful Pass is valid for federal land, but not in California state parks; Redwood National and State Parks charge no general entry fee for driving through and hiking, but check current rules.
- Parks and entry fees: campground prices in 2026 are roughly in the range of 35–60 USD per night depending on site type and season; premium sites and hookups cost more. For Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach, day visitors need a reservation (Redwood Parks Conservancy, 12 USD according to the NPS).
- Dimensions and lengths: many state park sites are limited to 24–35 ft; Elk Prairie and Gold Bluffs Beach in places shorter. The legal maximum height is 14 ft (4.27 m). Watch height restrictions in small car parks and multi-storey car parks; redwood roads have low branches and narrow points.
- Reservations: state parks up to six months ahead through ReserveCalifornia (rolling window), federal land through Recreation.gov. Flexible dates pay off because sites often become free at short notice.
- Weather and season: coastal fog and rain shape the climate; summer 12–20 °C, winter with rain and storms. The best time is May to October; landslides and closures on the 101 are possible in rain (Last Chance Grade).
- Traffic law for travellers: a right turn on red is allowed after a complete stop unless a sign forbids it; at junctions with stop signs, the order of arrival applies. Phones at the wheel only hands-free, and open alcohol containers in the vehicle are prohibited. A German driving licence is sufficient for tourists.
- Campsite rules: many state parks limit the length of stay (often 15 nights), quiet hours are usually 10 pm to 6 am, and fires are allowed only in the fire rings and only when there is no fire ban. When booking, pay attention to vehicle and trailer length.
- Emergency: 911; mobile reception drops out on the Lost Coast, in the King Range and in places in Humboldt Redwoods. Keep your distance from bears and elk, and never underestimate sneaker waves on beaches.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Rain jacket and warm layers – coastal fog and rain are frequent even in summer, with 8–12 °C at night.
- Levelling ramps level 2–3 – state park sites beneath redwoods are often slightly sloping and soft.
- Bear-proof containers and bear spray for food and rubbish on campgrounds in the forests.
- Offline maps and printed reservations – there is often no reception on the Lost Coast and in the redwoods.
- Binoculars for elk, sea lions and seabirds; a tide app for beach walks.
- Small change and dollar bills for showers, dump stations and small car park machines.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
