Where to Stay When Visiting the Redwood National Park
The Redwood National Park is split into four sections, roughly covering 150 miles across California. We have lodging recommendations for each park and every budget covered, including camping suggestions.
We’ve listed the parks in order from north to south. If you’d like itinerary recommendations, check out this blog.
Already know where you want to visit? Click on a park below to skip to that section:
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
If you’re visiting the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, you’ll likely stay in Crescent City or Hiouchi. Crescent City, just a half hour outside the park, offers amenities like restaurants, beach access, and various of lodging. Hiouchi is closer to the park, but you won’t have many amenities there.
Crescent City
Mid-range:
Stay in this sweet, but simple hotel in Crescent City. Upgrade to get a private balcony and enjoy beautiful sunsets right from your room.
Budget:
Located in Crescent City, this hotel is clean and features a continental breakfast and onsite laundry.
Camping:
Located three miles north of Crescent City, the Florence Keller Regional Park is in a great location for quick drives into town or the Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. Unlike many of the other national park campgrounds, this regional park can accommodate vehicles up to 32 feet.
Hiouchi
Mid-range:
Deluxe cabins
Choose between a one or two-bedroom cabin surrounded by the forest for a peaceful stay.
Budget:
Located a mile away from the Jedediah Smith Campground, stay here to be as close as you can get to the Redwoods in a hotel!
Camping:
Located ten miles east of Hiouchi, this campground is smaller and offers river access. You’ll find more campgrounds as you continue east on the Redwood Highway here, but all of them, including Panther Flat Campground, have complaints about the road noise.
Within the park
Cabins at Jedediah Smith Campground
Please note that these cabins tend to book up months in advance. Guests are required to bring their own sleeping pads and bedding. Bathrooms are nearby.
Camping:
Open year round — stay here for easy access to hiking trails, swimming, and fishing.
Del Norte Redwoods State Park
If you’d like to stay north of the Del Norte Redwoods State Park, stay at one of the lodging recommendations for Crescent City mentioned above. If you’d like to stay south of the park, we’d recommend staying in Klamath.
Klamath
Mid-range:
Stay at the Requa Inn for a peaceful stay with great views of the Klamath River. The inn has a vintage and cozy feel.
Within the park
Camping:
Located on the northern side of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, this campground is only ten minutes away from Crescent City. It’s the perfect spot to stay in any weather because the tree cover provides great shade and rain protection.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
The Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is about ten miles south of the Del Norte Redwoods State Park. If you’d like to stay between the two, check out our recommendations for Klamath in the Del Norte Redwoods State Park section above.
The town of Orick, just south of the park, offers very few lodging and restaurant options, so we suggest driving 30 minutes to Trinidad or 50 minutes to Eureka to have better options.
Trinidad
Luxury:
This hotel offers a variety of rooms that sleep between two, with one home sleeping up to twelve. We love the large windows, natural light, and ocean views here.
This is a very homey feeling stay, with a fantastic breakfast included. Best of all, it’s located across the street from the Trinidad Bay Memorial Park, with great views of the Trinidad Harbor and walking paths down to the beach.
Mid-range:
These cabins sleep between three and six, come with kitchens or kitchenettes, and a few have jetted tubs.
Each cabin comes with a kitchenette and sleeps between two and ten. This would be a great spot for groups.
Camping:
This is a first-come, first-served campground. Some campsites have waterfront views. Consider renting a kayak or going on a tour with Kayak Trinidad while you’re here.
Eureka
Mid-range:
Located a ten-minute drive north of Eureka, stay here for a relaxing stay inspired by Fern Canyon. You’re going to love to the private outdoor soaking tubs and sauna here!
The town of Eureka is known for having elaborate Victorian houses, and this inn is one of the historic buildings full of character despite being in a rough part of town. On the plus side, it’s within walking distance of Los Bagels.
Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn
Located on the southern end of town, this hotel is just half a mile from downtown restaurants. Plus, they have a great outdoor space.
Within the park
Cabins at Elk Prairie Campground
Again, these cabins tend to book up months in advance. Guests are required to bring their own sleeping pads and bedding. Bathrooms are nearby.
Camping:
Located off the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, this campground is in a great location. It’s near the elk refuge, but campsites are tucked away in the forest.
Getting here is the hardest part — access is on a narrow, steep, dirt road. The campsites are small and don’t have a ton of parking space, so it’s best for tents. If you’re lucky, you’ll see elk!
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
We recommend staying 45 minutes north of the Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Eureka (find recommendations for Eureka in the Prairie Creek section above), in Scotia which is about 15 minutes north of the Humboldt Redwoods State Park, or to the south in Benbow, about a ten-minute drive away.
Scotia
Luxury:
Although technically located in Ferndale, twenty minutes from Scotia, this Victorian gem is worth a mention. Visiting feels like a walk back in time. Upper floors are accessible by stairs only.
Located in Rio Dell, the town across the river from Scotia, this remodeled barn has two bedrooms and sleeps up to six.
Mid-range:
Located on the northern end of the Humboldt Redwoods State Park is the Scotia Lodge. It’s a restored historic lodge. The only downside is that there is no elevator — request a room on a lower floor if you’ll have heavy luggage or have difficulty with stairs.
Budget:
The Humboldt Gables Motel is a well-loved family-run business in Rio Dell, just fifteen minutes north of the Humboldt Redwood State Park. It’s not fancy, but it’s clean and comfortable.
Located off the infamous Avenue of Giants, stay here to be in the heart of the redwoods. We love that their cabins have kitchens, charcoal BBQs, and picnic tables.
Benbow
Luxury:
This is another restored historic property that guests cannot say enough positive things about! We love the optional breakfast and outdoor seating.
Camping:
This is a small gem of a campground. It has river access for fishing and swimming, but reviews mentioned poison oak is in the area, so make sure you stay on trails.
Within the park
Camping:
Humboldt Redwoods State Park Campgrounds
Click here for a list of campgrounds within the Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Our favorite is the Hamilton Barn and Baxter Environmental Camps, which offer walk-in sites. Do not confuse walk-in sites with first-come, first-serve sites, though. These sites are still reservable, but the campsites are 50 to 200 yards from the parking area and campground roads, making them more private and serene.
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