Forum Discussion

tickmoh's avatar
tickmoh
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013

First timer RV SFO - Redwood NP

We are planning for renting RV ( 3 couples with one baby) from SFO - Redwood national park and back.

Please advice how will be the road conditions , curvy or easy to drive. Its mostly 101 ...

Suggest some good RV campgrounds.. ( we love forest ,creeks , vineyards like every one else)

we will start on wednes afternoon and have to come back on sunday.

Please give your thoughts /suggestions on RV campgrounds...
Wed night - camp somewhere near clover dale or on the way ..some vineyards
Thu night - some where near humbolt
Friday night- somewhwre near redwood
Sat night - back on 101 -- somehwre may be near lake mendocino
sunday morning - back to SFO

every stop can be 3-4 hours apart.
  • Weekends can be tough finding a spot in the public parks. There are some beauties. I love Prairie Creek. As far as private parks go, these are ones we've used that were very good at the time. Ancient Redwoods, Mad River, Sounds of the Sea, Golden Rule RV Park (next to the ranch of Seabiscuit). Private parks make reservations easy. Read reviews of parks at rvparkreviews.com. Good advice about 299. And under no circumstances should anyone but a very experienced RV in a rig in top-notch shape go to Shelter Cove.
  • Klamath River RV Park in Klamath. Ancient Redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants.

    First time RV driver...stay OFF 299 especially on the weekends....too many cars and way too many motorcycles....all going A LOT faster than you will want to be going.....Dennis

    Klamath River RV Park
    Ancient Redwoods RV Park
  • We would highly recommend staying at Ancient Redwoods RV in Redcrest, right on 101 in the midst of the giants! There are many areas of redwoods along 101, not just one, but we found this one to be easily accessible with some gorgeous easy walks through the redwoods.
  • 101 is mostly freeway until you hit Willits then it goes to a pretty nice 2 lane. Then all the way to Eureka it's sometimes two lane and sometimes freeway.


    Not really where you want to camp but, we really like to camp in Hidden Springs. Nice place for hiking and right by the river.

    Lake Mendocino camp is very nice also. The water is VERY low because of the lack of rain this year though. Still very nice place to camp.

    Be sure to see the Samoa Cookhouse. Not really my thing food wise but that is just me. Lots of history in that place.

    Have fun and be safe.
  • From SFO to Cloverdale is a nice short run. There are 3 campgrounds near there, Dutcher Creek. It is small and is a good overnight stop,there is Fritz Winery near by you will see the signs to it if you get off at Dutcher Creek exit then turn left you will see the sign. Don't be afraid of the small road in,I took my RV in and there is a large parking area.

    There is the also the KOA it is farther off the road and not easy to get to.

    I would suggest looking at Yelp on these and make up your mind. Also Camp Ground Reviews

    As for the next day the Redwood are not far away,an easy 2 1/2 hr driveup 101.
    I would suggest Burlington Campground on the Avenue of the Giants,next to the visitor center,

    As seen here space 17

    In the middle of the week you will have the place to yourself.It is a nice 2 day stay
    If you exit at Myers Flat on the way to Burlington there is a Winery on the left.
    There is also Ancient Redwoods RV park but it is a treeless parking lot but you can walk to the forest.
    Hope this helps.