Top Camping Options Near Essex, CA: Discover Scenic Spots & Outdoor Adventures
Nestled in the scenic allure of Northern California, Essex is an exceptional gateway for camping enthusiasts, offering diverse options ranging from RV parks to tent camping and dispersed sites. Just a stone's throw from the breathtaking landscapes of the Mojave National Preserve, RV campers can enjoy amenities at nearby sites like the scenic Cima Campground, where towering Joshua trees and stunning desert vistas await. For those seeking a more traditional experience, tent camping at the nearby Kelso Dunes Campground provides an opportunity to explore the imposing sand dunes, vibrant wildflower blooms, and captivating sunset views. Adventure seekers can also embrace the freedom of dispersed camping within the vast expanses of the Preserve, where rugged beauty and solitude reign supreme. With the iconic East Mojave Heritage Trail nearby, nature lovers can soak in the area's rich biodiversity while navigating its diverse terrain. Whether you prefer the comfort of an RV, the simplicity of tent camping, or the adventure of more remote sites, Essex, CA, serves as an ideal base for a memorable outdoor experience.

















Penn Campground is part of Sue-meg State Park in California (31 min north of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 219 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 31 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include accessible, restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
Abalone Campground is part of Sue-meg State Park in California (32 min north of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 219 feet. There are a total of 60 campsites including 6 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the end of September. 54 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 24 and 31 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, accessible, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Agate Campground is part of Sue-meg State Park in California (35 min north of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 219 feet. There are a total of 39 campsites including 4 yurts. The campground is open all year. 35 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 31 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $35.00 to $80.00. Some amenities include shower, accessible, swimming, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Boise Creek Campground is located in the Lower Trinity Ranger District, Six Rivers National Forest (59 min east of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 888 feet. There are a total of 17 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. 14 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 95 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, trash dumpster. Activities include fishing.
River Campground is part of Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park in California (48 min southeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 388 feet. There are a total of 27 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. 26 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $35.00 to $90.00. Some amenities include shower, accessible, picnic table, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Fish Lake Campground is located in the Orleans Ranger District, Six Rivers National Forest (1 hr 52 min northeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 1,773 feet. There are a total of 24 campsites including 23 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid June to the end of September. Max equipment length is 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include fishing.
Elk Prairie Campground is part of Redwood National Park in California (56 min north of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 120 feet. There are a total of 65 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 27 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, accessible, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Gold Bluffs Campground is part of Redwood National Park in California (1 hr 10 min north of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 17 feet. There are a total of 24 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, accessible, swimming, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Albee Creek Campground is part of Humboldt Redwoods State Park in California (1 hr 1 min south of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 300 feet. There are a total of 37 campsites including 14 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the beginning of September. 23 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Pearch Creek Campground is located in the Orleans Ranger District, Six Rivers National Forest (1 hr 54 min northeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 675 feet. There are a total of 9 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 24 and 38 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom. Activities include fishing.
Burlington Campground is part of Humboldt Redwoods State Park in California (53 min southeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 193 feet. There are a total of 54 campsites including 17 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 37 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Nordheimer Group Sites Campground is located in the Ukonom Ranger District, Six Rivers National Forest (2 hrs 30 min northeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 1,163 feet. The campground is closed until further notice. No reservations are being accepted at this time. Please check the official campground website for more information.
Hidden Springs Campground is part of Humboldt Redwoods State Park in California (53 min southeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 398 feet. There are a total of 124 campsites including 44 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 80 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Oak Bottom Campground is located in the Ukonom Ranger District, Six Rivers National Forest (2 hrs 4 min northeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 807 feet. There are a total of 26 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of June to the beginning of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 23 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Mad River Campground is located in the Mad River Ranger District, Six Rivers National Forest (1 hr 37 min southeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 2,533 feet. There are a total of 35 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. Max equipment length is 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $12.00 per night. Activities include hiking trails.
Fir Cove Campground is located in the Mad River Ranger District, Six Rivers National Forest (1 hr 49 min southeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 2,763 feet. There are a total of 14 campsites including 8 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. Max equipment length is 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $12.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Dillon Creek Campground is located in the Ukonom Ranger District, Six Rivers National Forest (2 hrs 6 min south of Grants Pass, OR) with an elevation of 882 feet. There are a total of 21 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 35 feet. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Forest Glen Guard Station is located in the Hayfork Ranger District, Shasta-Trinity National Forest (1 hr 48 min west of Redding, CA) with an elevation of 2,508 feet. The site is normally open from mid April to the beginning of December. Prices start at $75.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, hiking trails, floating sports.
Mill Creek Campground is part of Redwood National Park in California (1 hr 33 min north of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 994 feet. There are a total of 136 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. 128 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 21 and 28 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, accessible, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
East Weaver Group is located in the Weaverville Ranger District, Shasta-Trinity National Forest (1 hr 2 min west of Redding, CA) with an elevation of 2,692 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. Prices start at $110.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Benbow Campground is part of Benbow State Recreation Area in California (1 hr 21 min southeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 403 feet. There are a total of 68 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, accessible, swimming, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Jedediah Smith Campground is part of Redwood National Park in California (1 hr 29 min southwest of Grants Pass, OR) with an elevation of 123 feet. There are a total of 81 campsites including 6 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 75 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 11 and 25 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, accessible, boat ramp, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Stoney Group Shasta-trinity is located in the Weaverville Ranger District, Shasta-Trinity National Forest (1 hr 8 min northwest of Redding, CA) with an elevation of 2,417 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. Prices start at $120.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Tannery Campground is located in the Weaverville Ranger District, Shasta-Trinity National Forest (1 hr 9 min northwest of Redding, CA) with an elevation of 2,384 feet. There are a total of 63 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $23.00 to $46.00. Some amenities include swimming, amphitheater. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Fawn Campground is located in the Weaverville Ranger District, Shasta-Trinity National Forest (1 hr 10 min northwest of Redding, CA) with an elevation of 2,446 feet. There are a total of 2 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $140.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Huckleberry Campground is part of Richardson Grove State Park in California (1 hr 15 min southeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 512 feet. There are a total of 33 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Hidden Horse Equestrian Campground is located in the Scott River Ranger District, Klamath National Forest (2 hrs 16 min northwest of Redding, CA) with an elevation of 5,841 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of June to mid October. Prices start at $10.00 per night.
Madrone Campground is part of Richardson Grove State Park in California (1 hr 15 min southeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 512 feet. There are a total of 35 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 33 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Carter Meadows Horse Group is located in the Scott River Ranger District, Klamath National Forest (2 hrs 14 min northwest of Redding, CA) with an elevation of 5,843 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of June to mid October. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Oak Flat Campground is part of Richardson Grove State Park in California (1 hr 16 min southeast of Eureka, CA) with an elevation of 512 feet. There are a total of 83 campsites including 25 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 58 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.