Richardson Grove Sp Campground

Open — Madrone Campground is currently open for walk-in camping with self-registration at the park entrance (cash or check only). All three campgrounds (Madrone, Huckleberry, and Dawn Redwood Group Camp) become reservable and fully open the week before Memorial Day weekend. Huckleberry and Dawn Redwood close after Labor Day weekend Sunday. Hazardous weather with wind speeds over 55 mph may cause temporary closures.

About

Established in 1922 and named after California's 25th governor, Richardson Grove State Park encompasses 1,800 acres of spectacular coast redwood forest along the South Fork Eel River. Located seven miles south of Garberville on Highway 101, this park marks the first significant encounter with old-growth redwoods when traveling north. The park features three distinct campgrounds—Madrone, Huckleberry, and Dawn Redwood Group Camp—offering over 160 family campsites nestled among second-growth forest with some impressive lowland redwoods. Visitors enjoy nine miles of hiking trails including the gentle Grove Nature Trail that winds through 120 acres of original old-growth forest saved in 1922. Notable attractions include a walk-through tree, the bat tree, and a chandelier tree with multiple trunks branching above the ground. Summer brings swimming and wading in the nationally designated Wild and Scenic River, while winter offers catch-and-release fishing for salmon and steelhead. The park is most active in summer with a staffed visitor center, campfire programs, Junior Ranger activities, and guided nature walks. Due to the narrow, winding highway through old-growth redwoods, the park has strict size limits: RVs are limited to 30 feet and trailers to 24 feet maximum. Day use areas are open year-round from dawn to dusk.

Directions

The park is located 7 miles south of Garberville on Highway 101.

Nearby Campgrounds