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Redwood National and State Parks
Backcountry
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Seeing a park by automobile isn't for everybody. For those who crave quiet hours on the trail, a starlit sky at night, and sleeping to the sound of crashing waves, the parks have much to offer. - RNSP contains nearly 200 miles (320 km) of walking and hiking trails.
- These trails traverse a wide variety of natural habitats: old-growth redwood forests, mixed evergreen forests, coastal scrub, prairies, streams, marshes, and unspoiled beaches.
- Backpackers stay in designated campsites except along the Redwood Creek gravel bars.
- You can camp along Redwood Creek's gravel bars beyond the first seasonal bridge and no closer than within 1/4 mile of Tall Trees Grove.
- Enjoy the forest or ocean for 5 consecutive days; 15 in a calendar year.
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Permits: - Be sure to obtain a permit for camping and firewood collecting along Redwood Creek.
- Backpackers can collect up to 50 pounds of dead wood per day per campsite.
- Fires are permitted only in designated fire pits.
- Obtain your overnight backcountry permit at a park visitor center.
- Proper food storage when camping in bear country is required by law - be bear aware!
- Practice outdoor ethics
- Pets, firearms, and motorized vehicles are prohibited on park trails
- Overnight stay limited to five consecutive days, 15 days in a calendar year
- Bearproof food storage canisters are available at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center
- Make sure to stop by a visitor center for tick and poison oak information
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Northern Section
Little Bald Hills Trail begins off Howland Hill Road in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. 4-½ mile (7-km) trail to the camp features a strenuous, gradually ascending 1,800-foot (600 m) climb through old-growth forest and open prairies fringed by fir and pine trees. Five sites are available with picnic tables, fire pits, bearproof lockers, toilets, and a potable water spigot. Horse and bike accessible, with a corral and horse troughs.
Nickel Creek: This camp is located alongside the Coastal Trail, access from south or north. From the north, Enderts Beach Road provides the easiest and quickest access with an easy ½-mile (1-km) trail to the site. Five sites are available with picnic tables, fire pits, bearproof lockers, and toilets. Located ¼-mile (½-km) from the ocean alongside a stream, this campsite features a lush coastal environment and the beauty of nearby Enderts Beach. Purify water from the stream before drinking.
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Middle Section
DeMartin: Located along the Coastal Trail just south of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Accessible by a 3-mile (5-km) hike from the north or south, with trailheads located along Highway 101. The hike features a mixed conifer redwood forest. Ten sites are available with picnic tables, bearproof lockers, fire pits, and toilets. No nearby water is available, so bring your own. The camp offers ocean vistas from a high bluff.
Flint Ridge: Located just south of the Klamath River estuary along the Coastal Trail. Access from two trailheads along the Coastal Drive (exit just south of the Klamath River off Highway 101). From the west, hike a ½-mile (1-km), from the east hike 4-½ miles (7-km). This quiet section of the parks features outstanding wildlife viewing and one of the finest old-growth redwood stands. Ten sites are available with picnic tables, bearproof lockers, fire pits, and toilets. No nearby water is available, so bring your own.
Ossagon Creek: (Bikes okay) Located in the northern section of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, this camp is along the Coastal Trail and is accessible by several trailheads. Many loops of differing lengths are possible. Inquire at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center. Three sites are available with picnic tables, bearproof lockers, fire pits, and toilets. Purify water from the nearby creek before drinking. $$ There is a charge for Ossagon Creek backcountry camp. Pay at Prairie Creek Visitor Center.
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Southern Section
Miners Ridge: Located in the southern part of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, this camp is on a bluff above Gold Bluffs Beach. Access the camp by a 4-½ mile (12-km) hike from the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center. Inquire at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center. Three sites are available with picnic tables, bearproof lockers, fire pits, and toilets. Purify water from the nearby creek before drinking. $$ There is a charge for Miners Ridge backcountry camp. Pay at Prairie Creek Visitor Center.
Elam and 44 Camps: (Horse) Both located in the Redwood Creek area, these two camps feature four loop possibilities and access and facilities for both horses and hikers. Loops of 3 hours (seven miles, 11 km), 7 hours (14 miles, 21 km), 2-day (20 miles, 29 km) and 3-day (32 miles, 50 km) are your options from various trailheads, including the Orick Horse Trails and Redwood Creek Trail. Elam Camp is on the two shorter loops. Three sites are available with picnic tables, bearproof lockers, fire pits, toilets, non-potable water, and a corral. No more than 12 stock animals are permitted. 44 Camp is on the two longer loops. 44-camp is open to backpackers only until further notice. No stock allowed. No water available. Four sites with picnic tables, bearproof lockers, fire pits, toilets. Redwood Creek Gravel Bars Located along a stretch of Redwood Creek, the gravel bars offer the only area in the park where dispersed camping is permitted. Dispersed camping is permitted anywhere on the gravel bar between the first seasonal bridge and no closer than ¼-mile (½-km) of the Tall Trees Grove. Be sure to obtain a permit for camping and firewood collecting at a park visitor center.
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