Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

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Scenic Views

Quick Facts

16 ft

Price

$3 - $8/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

16 ft

Price

$3 - $8/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

$3.00 - $8.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fees for camping reservations vary by reservation method and site type. Specific fees include a recreation use fee, reservation fee, and cancellation...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

1-800-444-7275redw_information@nps.gov

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What Campers Say

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Limited Reviews

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"User reviews for Gold Bluffs Beach Campground are not provided in the source materials. However, it is rated 4.4 for general sentiment."

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Campground Map

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

Driving directionsTo reach Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, take the Davison Road / HWY 101 turn-off, which is 3 miles north of Orick, CA. Davison Road continues for ten miles of dirt and gravel. The campground is located a six to seven hour drive north of San Francisco.

Access is on a narrow, single-lane dirt road. Recreational vehicles are not advised, and trailers are prohibited.

Nearby places

Orick (3 miles, approximately 10 minutes), Eureka (approximately 40 miles, about 50 minutes by car), Crescent City (approximately 33 miles, about 45 minutes by car)

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies are available in Orick, CA, which is 3 miles away and offers basic groceries and fuel. For more extensive supplies, Eureka (approximately 40 miles away) offers a larger selection.

Best Time to Camp at Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

Embrace the moody beauty of the North Coast, where Pacific storms deliver dramatic seascapes and nourish the lush rainforest ecosystem. Expect temperatures hovering between a crisp 44°F and a mild 54°F, perfect for cozy campfire evenings and invigorating morning beach walks. Ocean winds can gust up to 29 mph, filling the air with salt spray and the rhythmic crash of waves. During peak rain periods, the landscape transforms into a mystical realm of cascading waterfalls and emerald-green ferns, while morning fog creates an ethereal atmosphere that photographers dream about.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Cool, moody summers with beach and trails available; marine layer common.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Mild temps and dramatic seascapes make fall attractive for visits and hiking.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring offers lush rainforest, likely good wildlife activity and pleasant hiking weather.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Pacific storms yield dramatic views but colder, windier conditions can reduce comfort.

Planning Tips

About Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

Tucked away where ancient redwoods meet the thundering Pacific, Gold Bluffs Beach Campground offers an extraordinary escape into California's wild coastal frontier. Here, morning mist rolls in from the ocean as Roosevelt elk graze peacefully along the shoreline, creating scenes straight from a nature documentary. Your basecamp provides direct access to the legendary Fern Canyon—where prehistoric-looking walls drip with five-finger ferns—and serves as your gateway to 70 miles of trails winding through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The journey here requires navigating narrow dirt roads that wind through towering forests, making this hidden gem accessible only to tents and small vehicles, preserving its pristine, uncrowded character.

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground is oriented towards tent camping. Its location in a natural, undeveloped beach setting underscores its appeal to primitive campers.

Historical SignificanceThis sacred coastline has sheltered indigenous peoples for thousands of years, with the land holding deep cultural significance for local Native American tribes who stewarded these forests long before they became part of the renowned Redwood National and State Parks system. Today, these protected lands safeguard some of Earth's tallest living things—ancient redwood groves that have stood sentinel here for centuries, creating cathedral-like forests that humble all who walk beneath their canopy.

Weather and SeasonsEmbrace the moody beauty of the North Coast, where Pacific storms deliver dramatic seascapes and nourish the lush rainforest ecosystem. Expect temperatures hovering between a crisp 44°F and a mild 54°F, perfect for cozy campfire evenings and invigorating morning beach walks. Ocean winds can gust up to 29 mph, filling the air with salt spray and the rhythmic crash of waves. During peak rain periods, the landscape transforms into a mystical realm of cascading waterfalls and emerald-green ferns, while morning fog creates an ethereal atmosphere that photographers dream about.

ElevationPerched at sea level where forest meets ocean, the campground offers the unique experience of falling asleep to both crashing waves and wind-whispered secrets from towering redwoods above.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to find massive Roosevelt elk silhouetted against the morning surf, their breath visible in the cool coastal air. Gold Bluffs Beach stretches endlessly in both directions, its dark sand contrasting dramatically with white-capped waves and verdant cliffsides draped in coastal vegetation. Just steps from your tent, tidepools reveal miniature worlds at low tide, while the temperate rainforest behind camp erupts with sword ferns, moss-covered maples, and streams that tumble toward the sea. This rare convergence of ecosystems creates an ever-changing canvas of natural beauty.

Geological RegionNestled within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park's coastal wonderland, Gold Bluffs Beach occupies a remarkable geological intersection where tectonic forces have sculpted dramatic bluffs and hidden canyons. This dynamic landscape showcases millions of years of Earth's artistry—from gold-flecked sand deposits that give the beach its name to the ancient sedimentary cliffs that shelter one of the planet's most biodiverse temperate rainforests. Here, the raw power of the Pacific has carved out a sanctuary where elk roam freely between forest and shore, creating an ecosystem found nowhere else on Earth.

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Reserving a campsite

Guests Allowed Per Site

Unknown

Groups

Group camping information is not provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online, via contact centers, or in person. Additional services like Scan & Pay are available for first-come, first-served sites.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up and first-come, first-served sites are available but are unstaffed at remote locations.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations before the day of check-in incur a $10 fee. Late cancellations forfeit the first night's fees. No-show reservations incur a $20 fee plus forfeiture of the first night's fees. Reservations cannot be modified or canceled after the check-in date unless allowed by facility-specific rules.

AccessibilityNo specific details on accessibility features were found.

Site SizeCampground information mentions minimal development with no explicit mention of individual site sizes.

PrivacyPrivacy levels for campsites are not described.

Recommended SitesSites closer to the beach offer the best views but may be exposed to wind and weather.

Activities you can enjoy

The campground is ideally suited for nature and adventure enthusiasts. Its proximity to the beach, Fern Canyon, and extensive hiking and biking trails offers a variety of outdoor activities.

HikingHiking opportunities include access to 70 miles of trails within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, ranging from coastal walks to forested routes. Specific trail details are not provided.

BikingOver 70 miles of biking trails are accessible, offering diverse terrain for cycling enthusiasts.

Wildlife viewingVisitors have the opportunity to observe Roosevelt elk grazing in their natural habitat, a highlight of the campground.

Beach activitiesThe campground's beachfront location allows for activities such as sunbathing and beachcombing, though specific details are not provided.

Winter Activities

Water Sports