The best camping near Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area adventure.

Discover the serene beauty of Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area.

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Community favorites near Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area

Top-rated campgrounds near Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area

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Bayside Cabin

1 site · Lodging5 acres · Arcata, CA

Come stay in our cozy little cabin tucked in an alder forest. Only a few minutes drive from downtown Arcata, it’s like being in the middle of the woods, right in town. This is a quiet neighborhood and is bike-friendly for getting around town. Feel free to ask us for recommendations on places to eat, get a drink, or find an adventure in Arcata and surrounding areas. We are located less than 40 minutes from Redwood National and State Parks where you can find incredible hiking trails!

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Sustainable Ecovillage

5 sites · Lodging160 acres · Gasquet, CA

The Smith River Complex Fire took our property on August 16th, 2023. Updates on our progress here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fucaTaOwf5c PLEASE NOTE, 4WD is required in order to access the sites. Please message me if you have any questions prior to booking. Sustainable Ecovillage is an off-grid project for sustainable living. If you are looking for a unique experience and up for rustic accommodations among goats, chickens, a permaculture food forest with a few off-grid perks, we welcome you to join us in our mountainous, wilderness paradise! Our 160-acre property is surrounded by about a million acres of National Forest. Our neighborhood is all made of trees, huckleberry bushes and animals. We love it here. It is very remote, peaceful, and functionally sustainable in its focus. The closest neighbor is a Buddhist Hermitage about a mile up the forestry road. Also, supposedly, Sasquatch live here! (it is the epicenter for documented sightings). Most visitors to the area are interested in spending time in the redwoods – we are about 30-45 minutes from the nearest entrance to Jedediah Smith Park, home of Stout Grove and other beautiful redwood hikes. Driving into Crescent City, about 45-60 minutes, winds you right through the "gentle giants" on your way to or from Redwood National Park. We are self-sufficient, and sustainable in a relatively primitive set-up, especially after the fire this year. It's mountainous and remote, and we have a community agreement about no smoking (of any kind) on our land.

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Mystic Forest Campground

22 sites · Lodging, Tents50 acres · Klamath, CA

Mystic Forest is a small, family-run campground between Klamath, CA, and Crescent City. We have 50 acres of beautiful forest sprinkled with redwood trees. We have restrooms, showers, laundry facility, a game room, a mini golf course, horseshoes, and a half-mile trail. We are pet-friendly. At the office you can find some grocery and redwoods souvenirs.

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Wendy & John Farm

6 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Ferndale, CA

For Ferndale, the village: check out https://www.visitferndale.com/souvenir-edition About our property: There is a gentle spirit throughout these beautiful 80 acres of evergreen forests and pastures. What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping), extra stuff if you need or want it (fresh bread, soup, cobbler; free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit), etc. Or total solitude if you want it. Bring your (most breeds) dogs if you wish. Starlink internet means you can Zoom in the forest. Walk to the beach along a no-shoulder country road (or drive). Teach your toddler how to build a dam in the shallow creek. Read. There are no visible neighbors, no ambient light or sound. The air is clean and clear and the water is potable from an artesian spring on the property. No electricity at the sites, no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.) My aunt and uncle bought the property in 1947 from the first European settler, Paolo Gabrielli, who immigrated in early 1914 from northern Italy with slips of his grapevine in the lining of his coat. (The grapevine still grows over the back deck.) Paolo's wife Felicita and their three children stayed behind; they were to follow within the year. In the country outside of Ferndale, California, Paolo purchased the property one mile from the ocean and built a Tyrolean-style house, a chicken house (with a grappa still under the main floor), an outhouse, a corral, and a barn. He purchased 7 cows. And then, it was August 1914, and the War to End All Wars broke out in Europe. Felicita and the children, living in their village on the Austrian border, were interned in a prison camp in Austria with the rest of the village's residents. The Gabriellis' young daughter died there. Six years passed before Felicita and her sons, Virgil and Louis, were able to join Paolo in America. In 1938, Virgil--Fr. Gino--became the first Ferndale boy to serve Mass in his hometown church. Felicita died in 1940, and Paolo closed the dairy and moved into Ferndale. In 2013, we invited the people who had been children in the 1920s and '30s and who had come to this ranch after Sunday Mass to gather with other Italian families for polenta, wine, and music. These old-timers came to our house with photographs and maps and Mass cards and diaries, and shared their memories of a childhood in this place that still embraced them. What can you expect? Quiet, beauty, birdsong, ocean roar, widely spaced campsites (only 5 on the 5 acres set aside for camping), extra stuff to purchase if you need or want it (fresh bread, soup, cobbler). Free firewood, local tips on travel and where to hike or what to visit. Or total solitude. Bring your (most breeds) dogs if you wish (males must be neutered). Starlink internet means you can Zoom in the forest. Walk to the beach along a no-shoulder country road (or drive). Read. There are no visible neighbors, no ambient light or sound. The air is clean and clear and the water is potable from an artesian spring on the property. No electricity at the sites, no generators allowed. (Charge your electronics at the farmhouse.)

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Ossia Village Farm

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Crescent City, CA

Wake up to bird songs and wildflowers, fall asleep to the distant sound of waves hitting Kellogg Beach. Ossia Village Farm is a 5-acre collaborative homestead on a retired hydrangea farm. Enjoy the on-site U-Pick veggie and flower gardens, bike to the beach or the Smith river, drive 10 minutes to the Redwoods, schedule a lesson with our resident surf instructor. Amenities include flushing toilets, drinking water, electric hot water kettle, camp kitchen (bring your own stove and dishes), charcoal grill, tub and shower. Please contact host for access to washer and dryer.

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Ramblin' Redwoods Campground

80 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Crescent City, CA

Experience the thrill of RV or tent camping under a canopy of soaring spruce, hemlock, Douglas fir, and Redwoods; the world’s tallest trees towering overhead. The 78-mile stretch of US-101 from Eureka to Crescent City, CA was dubbed “The Redwood Highway” for good reason. The Ramblin’ Redwoods Campground and RV Park is located minutes from Redwood National; State Parks, Redwood National Forest, Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park,Tolowa Dunes State Park and the wild and scenic Smith River.

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The Forest Fairy Woods

4 sites · Lodging4 acres · Trinidad, CA

Welcome to my home: My Dad moved here when I was 4, and lived here til he passed away, so this land is very special to me. I've been rebuilding the structures and pouring my heart and soul into it since September of 2019, and I'm very proud of how far it's come. It's definitely a labor of love, and I truly believe I'll be making additions here for the rest of my life. People have been camping in the meadow in the summers since the 1950's, and I'm happy to carry on the tradition, by opening it up to you. There was a fire on the property in 1901 which cleared out the forest and left the burnt out stumps which you'll see by the shower. There's one old growth redwood on the property, behind the glampy tent, but everything else in roughly 120 years old. EXTRAS: If I'm around, I can show you the trails on the property. Extra blankets and towel rentals are available for a small fee, when available.

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Camp Prairie

2 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Mc Kinleyville, CA

We have seven beautiful acres just outside of the small town of McKinleyville. Our wooded property is about a mile from Clam Beach and surrounded by idyllic horse ranches, sleepy country roads, and lazy cows grazing in the fog. The site is below towering fir trees draped with hanging lichen and full of bird song.

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Klamath’s best kept secret

20 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Klamath, CA

We have been a family owned RV Park/Campground for over 40 years. This is a very rustic, old-fashioned campground located at the end of a neighborhood next to the river. As mentioned this is also a RV Park so there will be RVs on site. It is an open field campground dispersed with trees. Neighbors will be present. The river access is right over the levee just a few minutes walk from your campsite. Fishing on the river is allowed but you need a license. We are near the woods and river so wildlife is present. Please make sure your food is put away nightly to discourage critters from coming into camp. The campground is just a short drive from a selection of hiking or biking trails. As well as other attractions like the Jet Boat Tours and Trees of Mystery. Located at the end of a glen cell service in this area can be spotty or non existent depending on the carrier. Wifi is available near main house but is limited to emails, messaging and mapping your next adventure. We welcome people of all seasons. Just ask that you are kind and respectful to each other. Well Behaved Pets Are Allowed. Children and Laughter are Always Welcome. We look forward to your visit. August and September there will be fisher persons in the campground. So be warned of early morning engine noise as they head out to the river for fishing. Electric cars that want to charge there is a $10 fee at time of service. Must make arrangements ahead of a time because 50 amp services are limited. Plus you need to bring your own adapters.

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13th St Treehouse

1 site · Lodging1 acres · Eureka, CA

Glamping in a tree! Inspired by the playful energy of a treehouse, and utilizing the foundational strength of the redwoods, to create a home above the forest floor. Nestled in a clump of redwoods trees that stand 100 feet. The deck outside is 40 feet off the forest floor by a creek on top of Coopers Gulch Park. you are in a forest canopy. Queen size bed and propane heat, small stove provided, storage cubbies, couch that folds out as a small bed, and desk area. We provide a kettle and a selection of teas. There is a solar powered battery unit with USB ports and appliance plugins. This is an “Off the Grid” experience, located at the end of a quiet street. Check out the great places to eat locally, or buy take-out to eat on the deck, you are one mile from downtown Eureka. There is a COMPOSTING TOILET outside. This Treehouse is a unique experience nestled in between four giant redwoods. Feel the connection to nature, listen to the birds sing, take in the lush green forest off of the deck. We hope you love your time here as much as we do!

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Whispering Redwood Creek

1 site · RV, Tent10 acres · Mc Kinleyville, CA

Nestled within the towering grandeur of California's Redwood Forest, Whispering Redwood Creek offers a serene and enchanting camping experience. This unique site, located at 451 Tip Top Ridge Rd, McKinleyville, invites you to immerse yourself in the profound silence of the forest, where the majestic redwoods not only touch the sky but also absorb the sounds of the world, creating an atmosphere of deep tranquility. Adjacent to a gently percolating creek, the campsite is a harmonious blend of nature's calm and modern convenience. Designed for ease, it features a pull-through arrangement that welcomes all, from the casual weekend camper to the seasoned adventurer. The site is equipped with its own private bathroom, complete with a toilet and running water, ensuring comfort and privacy. As you settle in, you'll find a picnic table waiting, perfect for al fresco meals or evening conversations. The entire campsite is enveloped in a 100% shaded area, courtesy of the immense canopy overhead. This natural umbrella not only provides cool, refreshing shade but also creates a unique, dappled light ambiance that shifts and plays throughout the day. At Whispering Redwood Creek, you're invited to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with the timeless rhythm of nature. Whether you're seeking a peaceful retreat to rejuvenate your spirit or a quiet base to explore the wonders of the Redwood Forest, this campsite promises an unforgettable stay, where the whispers of the ancient trees and the soft murmur of the creek become the soundtrack of your escape.

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Drive Way Getta Away…

1 site · RV1 acre · Arcata, CA

Quiet, with minimal traffic, this site offers walking distance access to downtown Arcata and the Arcata Community Forest. A mere 30-minute drive will take you to the breathtaking Redwood National Park, while CAL POLY Humboldt is just a 10-minute stroll away. Our site comfortably accommodates a 20ft transit/van/small RV, as showcased by the pictured van. Located off-street, it provides a safe and tranquil parking spot. Access to the site is through an alleyway, ensuring privacy and convenience for guests.

The best camping near Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

Nestled along the picturesque shores of Big Lagoon, Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area offers a tranquil escape into nature's embrace. Here, adventurers can indulge in a variety of activities such as fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and water sports like windsurfing. Although camping is not available within the park, its day-use facilities provide ample opportunities for picnics and beachside relaxation, making it a perfect spot for a day trip.

When to go

The best time to visit Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area is during the warmer months when the weather is ideal for outdoor activities. However, the area's climate can be unpredictable, so visitors are advised to come prepared with layered clothing to adapt to changing conditions.

Know before you go

Check the weather forecast before your visit, as conditions can change rapidly.
While dogs are allowed, they are not permitted on trails, so plan accordingly.
Accessible features are available; contact the park for specific information.
Remember to pack out all trash and leave no trace to preserve the park's natural beauty.
For any inquiries, reach out to the park directly at (707) 677-3570.