Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground offers something unique within Redwood National and State Parks: It’s the only drive-up beach campground within the four-park network. Backed by golden-hued bluffs covered in coast redwood forest on one side and 10 miles of sandy beach and the Pacific Ocean on the other, the seaside camp offers a stunning setting to spend a few nights enjoying the redwood coast. Interestingly, gold was discovered here among the sand in the early 1850s, giving the area it's name. Miners tried harvesting the gold, but it was quickly abandoned after futile efforts. Today the area draws tourists exploring Nothern California's redwood coast.

The campground is situated among coastal dunes with 25 sites spread around a loop, and nine sites lie on the ocean side nearly on the beach itself. The camp has showers and flushing toilets but no hookups. Note that due to the 6-mile unpaved and windy Davison access road, trailers are prohibited from entering the Gold Bluffs Beach area, including the campground. Campground vehicles may not exceed 24 feet in length or 8 feet in width. During the busy summer season, reservations are required between May 15 and September 28. The campground is available the rest of the year on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground is a great place to access the verdant hanging fern and moss gardens found in Fern Canyon. Located just over a mile up the road, Fern Canyon is open year round from 9 a.m. until dusk. Seasonal footbridges are installed during summer only; expect to get wet hiking the canyon during other times of the year.