Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Elk Prairie Campground, located within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, offers a quintessential Northern California experience. This rustic, nature-focused destination is tucked away in an old-growth forest, providing travelers with a rare chance to wake up surrounded by massive redwood trees. It is the perfect retreat for those who prioritize tranquil, natural settings over modern luxury resorts, offering a true immersion into the coastal ecosystem.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Situated near Orick, CA, this park is nestled in the heart of a temperate rainforest. The surroundings are defined by <strong>towering ancient redwoods</strong> and lush ferns that blanket the forest floor. The site is uniquely positioned where the mountains meet the Pacific coastline, providing a dramatic backdrop for your stay. You are perfectly placed to explore the northern reaches of the Redwood National and State Parks complex.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>The campground is designed for smaller rigs and tent camping, as it lacks large-scale commercial hookups. You will find <strong>potable water</strong>, flush toilets, and fire rings available for all guests. There are no electrical or sewer hookups, making it an ideal spot for dry camping or boondocking enthusiasts. The park provides <strong>picnic tables</strong> at each site, allowing you to enjoy meals beneath the canopy of the forest floor.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>The area is a hub for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing. Visitors often head to the open prairie, where <strong>Roosevelt elk</strong> are frequently spotted grazing in the morning and evening light. Numerous trails, such as the Prairie Creek Trail, are accessible directly from the campground. For those interested in the coast, Gold Bluffs Beach is a short drive away, offering miles of rugged shoreline and unique tide pool exploration opportunities.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>Elk Prairie is best suited for nature lovers and <strong>independent RVers</strong> who prefer a quiet, primitive environment over resort-style amenities. It is a fantastic choice for photographers, hikers, and those who want to disconnect from technology to reconnect with the wilderness. If you are comfortable managing your own resources without full hookups, this park offers an unforgettable, intimate experience within the world-famous redwood forests of California.</p>



Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is a state park in Humboldt County, California, located along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The park is notable for its old-growth coast redwood forests, containing some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world. The park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including Roosevelt elk, black bears, and a variety of birds. The park is located near the town of Orick, California, and is easily accessible from U.S. Highway 101. Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and beachcombing.

Prairie Creek Redwoods/Elk Prairie

Experience the giants at Elk Prairie Campground in Orick, CA. Perfect for nature lovers, this rustic park offers a true, immersive redwood forest retreat.

Elk Prairie Campground, Orick, CA - RV Camping Guide

This is a really gorgeous park. I enjoyed all parts of it.

Tallest trees in the world. I mean, come on this is RedWoods. The park is so incredibly well kept, bring a jacket. It does get cool. There are different length of trails to walk on ranging from a mile on up either way you will be transported into a completely new world.

A beautiful park. We hiked James Irvine trail to the Fern Canyon, walked on the beach and came back via Miners Ridge trail. Long hike, but we weren't able to get a parking reservation for Fern Canyon.

Gorgeous. Went today. Big Tree trail was fabulous, following the creek, falling leaves everywhere, ferns everywhere, so much moss and greenery. Thick forest that provided shelter from the rain. The air was damp and cool and smelled lovely. Exactly as I imagined the redwoods would be. Saw Bear scat but no bears.

Wow so beautiful the trail was easy with a few obstacles one of the best hikes we have been on in the redwoods kid friendly five finger ferns waterfalls on moss. We saw elk just walking out of the parking lot at the beach. You do need a permit easy on line to get.

Great park! The information center when you first arrive is extremely helpful. Parking can be tight at some of the trails but parking along the main road has plenty of space. Big Tree wayside was my favorite. There's a good number of people at the beginning of the trail but once you start walking more than 10 minutes you're by yourself. Its absolutely gorgeous.

This park has so much to offer. From camping to hiking to wildlife viewing it's all right here.
I've been visiting here for over 40 years.

The staff at the information center can help you find the best activity to match your interests. But I'd recommend Trillium Falls or a hike along the trails adjacent to the Drury Parkway to get a taste. If you want more, and have the time, hike or drive to Fern Canyon. Personally, I like to hike the James Irvine Trail to get there. The trail will take you through some majestic and ancient groves of redwoods.

The Elk Prairie campground is a good place to camp. Some of the facilities are a bit old. But the location is hard to beat.

You'll likely see Roosevelt Elk in the prairie meadow. Give them plenty of space. Particularly during calving season (May-June) they can be aggressive.

It really ranks as one of the best state parks you will ever visit.  Where else can you possibly see giant elk on the beach next to ocean waves.  Fern canyon is a once in a lifetime experience. Plus, giant redwoods on a scenic drive. It has a wonderful combination of views, drives, trails, and wildlife.   Overall, the best stops in the greater Redwood park system.

Amazing camping spot and hiking spot. Booked it just for Fern Canyon and it didn't disappoint. Went twice just to see what we missed. Was worth it both times. The first time we went hiking not too many people the second time, more than before. Be prepared for the cold water. Bring boots if you go in the winter and spring months. Summer months probably less water, but I'd still bring them.

So many tourists spots were closed due to bumb-cyclones or seasonal things.  I was so disappointed until got to Prairie Creek area, where saw elk family gathering to feed.

They are so majestic and regal.  Stopped in Elk Meadow park and hiked up to a small water fall.  Saw large redwood surrounding the area so this trip was not wasted.

I gave only 3 stars bc the campgrounds were SMALL. Barely enough room for a two man tent. And as you can see, you’re right on the road. Good thing my friends didn’t show up bc there wouldn’t have been room for another small tent. So keep in mind if you like privacy this is not the place to camp. Otherwise, it was very pretty and the elk was a lovely sight to see. The bathroom was well-maintained and heated

This campground is really nice! We stayed three nights in a spacious tent spot near the meadow, which was all that was left. We thought we were getting a poor site, but when we woke in the mornings we walked up the small ridge to see deer and Roosevelt elk grazing. Quail and rabbits were hopping around a thicket next to us too.

I was surprised that the bathrooms had heat and warm water for washing, which was such a blessing with the cold early-Spring temps.
The camp hosts were really friendly. Trails right from the park are lovely and it's a short drive to many other beach and trail areas. We felt like this was an excellent central location to explore from and we'd definitely stay here again.

Stayed 5 nights with my boyfriend and parents in cabin 1, it was perfect! Close enough to the general store to run out and pick things up, beautiful trails for all levels just outside the campgrounds, and a gorgeous visitors center with lots of great affordable finds. Just know to bring your own bedding and chairs

Reviews

Prairie Creek Redwoods/Elk Prairie