Whenever I tell people about our Humboldt Redwoods State park RV holiday, I start with this. Close your eyes and picture a massive, magical slice of ancient redwood forest. It’s over 53,000 acres of land and home to one of the largest old-growth redwood forests on Earth.
Located in northern California along the Eel River, it’s perfect for a family get-away. We spent a long weekend there, three nights. This guide covers everything you need to know about a Humboldt Redwoods State Park RV Holiday.
Road-Trip: From San Francisco to the Redwoods
We left from San Francisco early in the morning and drove north on U.S. Highway 101. That’s the standard and most scenic route. It takes roughly 6–7 hours, depending on traffic and how often you stop (we stopped a few times for snacks, coffee, and a quick stretch).
As you head north, the landscape slowly transforms: rolling hills, more and more firs and pines, and eventually those towering coastal redwoods. By the time you reach the Avenue of the Giants, you’re driving through old-growth forest on either side. It feels surreal. A seismic shift from city life!
Our RV Base: Burlington Campground
Since we were doing an RV-camping holiday, we booked a site at Burlington Campground. It’s one of the more developed campgrounds inside Redwood Redwoods. Burlington has 57 family-style campsites, and it’s right next to the park’s Visitor Center and near the Avenue of the Giants.
Booking
We reserved it online via the official system. The park uses a site-specific reservation model. You’ll need to pick your exact campsite when you book.
RV Campsite Fees
It cost us just $35 per night. A real money saver if you’re on a budget. This is the standard rate for family RV and tent sites. And, we booked in for a total of three nights. So, it worked out at $105 in total.
No Hook-Ups
Heads-up, the park doesn’t have RV hookups (no hook-up for electricity or sewer). And, there’s no dump-station onsite. You’ll need to factor this into your plans.
Facilities
Our site came with a picnic table, a fire ring, and a food-locker to store food. Keep it safe from critters. Showers were available and are coin-operated . And, there were flush toilets and potable water nearby. All your basic needs are catered for.
Pets
Also good to know: pets are allowed in developed areas. You can take them into the campground and parking lots as long as they’re always on leash. But they aren’t allowed on the hiking trails or in old-growth groves. So, they are pretty much restricted.
What We Did: Exploring the Forest & Trails
We spent our long weekend mostly wandering under the redwoods, hiking a few trails, and just relaxing at camp.
Founder’s Grove & the Dyerville Giant
On the first morning we drove along the Avenue of the Giants and visited Founders Grove. It’s a short, easy half-mile loop, perfect for the whole family. Along the way you walk through towering redwoods. They really take your breath away.
The highlight was the Dyerville Giant. A fallen redwood that once stood over 300 feet tall. It fell in 1991. It is still incredible just to walk next to it and place your hands on it.
The trail gave us a real sense of scale. Seeing those massive trunks, thick bark, and the high canopy, towering above you is hard to put into words. Some of those trees have stood for a thousand years.
Rockefeller Forest & Rockefeller Loop
On day two we explored deep into Rockefeller Forest. It’s the largest stand of old-growth coastal redwoods in the world. The forest feels like the heart of Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
We took the smaller Rockefeller Loop Trail. It’s just about 0.6–0.7 miles long. It winds through some of the tallest, densest redwoods you’ll ever see. The forest felt ancient, quiet, almost sacred. The light filtering through the canopy is magical. It’s something you don’t forget.
Lazy Afternoons & Riverside Walks
When we weren’t hiking, we hung out around the campground. Cooking meals, making a fire with the kids, and roasting marshmallows. Telling stories under the stars is a memory I will never forget.
We even took a gentle stroll by the river near the campground one evening. Listening to the water and wildlife high in the canopy branches. We even heard an owl. That’s an experience unique to a Humboldt Redwoods State Park RV Holiday.
What to Bring & What You Need to Know
Supplies
Since the park doesn’t have RV hookups or a dump station you need some basic supplies. Make sure you take enough water to see you through. Otherwise you’ll be relying on the potable water at the campground
Cash & Quarters
You’ll need quarters for the coin operated showers. And, cash is always good if you need to top up on food or another essentials.
Lantern / Flashlight
This is essential for nighttime trips. Or even just a trip to the toilets or campground store.
Warm Clothing
Depending on time of year, it can get chilly when the sun goes down. Make sure you bring plenty of layers and warm clothing.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park – What Makes It Special?
What struck me most about our stay at Humboldt Redwoods is how peaceful and humbling it felt. Those towering redwoods are like ancient silent sentinels. They make you feel small, very small. But in a good way. There’s something timeless about being among them.
Even though the campground is home with water, showers, and toilets you still feel deeply connected to nature. Night-time around the fire, or a dawn hike before anyone else wakes up made me appreciate how wild and real the forest is.
Because the campground is inside the forest, you often hear birds, owls, maybe even the occasional rustle that might be a deer or other creature. You might even catch glimpses of the wildlife.
And the trails are amazing. Short or long they give you different experiences. You can choose a quick stroll under giant trunks in Founders Grove. Or, go for a deeper immersion where the trees tower all around you in Rockefeller Forest.
Is It Pet Friendly? Yes, with Rules
We brought along our family dog. He loved the forest smells, the moss, and the gentle forest sounds. The park is pet-friendly in the developed campground areas. But your dog must be kept on a leash. Also, they cannot be taken on trails or into the old-growth groves.
We made sure to keep him leashed and only in the campground or parking/road areas. At night he stayed inside the RV with us. That’s a requirement.
Booking Tips & What We Learned
We booked 3 months in advance, outside peak summer season. Which was enough to get a spot. We used the park’s official online reservation system. Point of note, RVs longer than 24 feet are not officially accommodated. You’ll need to check the rules carefully before booking.
Also, because there’s no dump station or electrical hookup you need to plan a “dump and refill” stop either before you go into the park or after you leave.
We found that arriving early in the day for the trails made a big difference. Especially for Founders Grove and Rockefeller Forest. They get busy in late morning and afternoon. Parking and trailhead space is limited. Get there early to avoid crowds and parking headaches.
Reflecting on Our Long Weekend
At the end of our three night stay I feel great. Highlights include, lying in our RV at Burlington Campground listening to the soft rustle of redwoods as the sun began to rise. We spent most days walking among trees older than any of us. Much older! You feel tiny but connected. It puts things in perspective.
We laughed at how our city brains struggled to adjust. Where else do you get to eat pizza by firelight, fall asleep to wood-smoke and forest patter? Then, wake up to the smell of damp earth and pine?
I loved watching my family’s faces when we first stood beside the Dyerville Giant. My 12 year-old’s jaws dropped. And, I loved how the forest made us all slow down, breathe deeper, talk softer.
The best part? Realizing that these trees have stood for centuries. We are just visitors for a weekend. And when we leave, the forest will still stand. Tall, unchanged, timeless. I highly recommend a Humboldt Redwoods State Park RV Holiday.
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Humboldt Redwoods State Park For Beginners
Here’s what you need to know, a quick overview.
Park Size
The park spans 53,000 acres. That’s over 80 square miles, (or 209 square kilometers) – pretty gigantic. That makes it the third-largest park in California.
Old-Growth Forest: It protects 17,000 acres of contiguous, ancient old-growth coast redwoods, which is the largest expanse of ancient redwoods left in the world.
Hiking Trails
Humboldt has a host of extensive hiking networks. There’s over 100 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horse trekking.
Visitor Numbers
It’s a very popular park. It attracts 600,000 visitors annually. It is one of California’s most popular natural attractions.
Avenue of the Giants
This is the primary scenic route. It is a 32-mile-long avenue that runs directly through the forest.
Tallest Trees
The park is home to some of the world’s tallest redwoods. The Stratosphere Giant was once the world’s tallest tree, And, Rockefeller Forest contains multiple size-champions.
Park History
The park was established in 1921, largely through land purchases organized by the Save the Redwoods League and generous donations, most notably from the Rockefeller family.
Natural Beauty
The park combines natural beauty with a little history. You’re walking where old-growth forests have stood long before modern highways, and in many parts you get a sense of how vast and wild California’s forests once were.
We love Humboldt Redwoods. We go here at least every other year. It’s up there with Yesomite.