Reynolds Wayside Campground
🏆 Redwood Country Campground — Small wayside campground among coastal redwoods in Humboldt County
Reynolds Wayside Campground is a small roadside campground nestled among coastal redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt County. The campground provides a simple overnight stop for travelers exploring the Humboldt Redwoods region, with sites shaded by towering old-growth redwoods along the South Fork Eel River.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Humboldt County, CA (Avenue of the Giants) |
| Camping Fee | $15-25/night |
| Sites | Small, first-come first-served |
| Setting | Old-growth redwood canopy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reserve a site?
Reynolds Wayside is typically first-come, first-served. The small campground fills early during summer. Consider having a backup plan during peak season.
How old are coast redwoods?
Individual coast redwoods can live 2,000+ years — some trees standing today were saplings during the Roman Empire. They’re the tallest organisms on Earth, reaching 380+ feet. They reproduce both by seed and by sprouting from their root systems — creating “fairy rings” of younger trees around ancient stumps.
⛺ Visit Reynolds Wayside Campground
Sleep under old-growth redwoods — small campground on the Avenue of the Giants.
About Reynolds Wayside
Reynolds Wayside Campground is a small, primitive camping area along the Smith River in Del Norte County — California’s far northwest corner. The Smith River is the state’s last major undammed river, running crystal-clear through old-growth redwood forest. The water is so pure it appears turquoise-blue.
Things to Do
Camping (primitive sites), fishing for steelhead and salmon in the Smith River (one of California’s premier fishing rivers), swimming in the clear river pools, and kayaking. Jedediah Smith Redwoods and Redwood National Park are minutes away.
Insider Tips
Redwood camping: Reynolds Wayside offers primitive camping among towering coast redwoods in Humboldt County. Pro tip: The campground sits along the Avenue of the Giants — the legendary 31-mile drive through old-growth redwood groves. Old growth: These trees can be 2,000+ years old and over 350 feet tall — walking among them is one of the most humbling experiences in nature.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Warmest and driest. Fall: Mushroom season in the redwood duff. Spring: Rhododendron bloom under the redwoods. Winter: Fewer visitors — dramatic atmosphere in rain.
Wildlife & Nature
Reynolds Wayside Campground — along the North Coast in Humboldt County — provides basic camping in a redwood and Douglas fir forest. The campground — a simple roadside stop — offers a peaceful forest experience. Steller’s jays are bold campsite visitors. Gray squirrels forage for acorns. Pileated woodpeckers drum on the tall conifers. Black bears may visit (store food properly).
Nearby Attractions
Humboldt Redwoods SP — nearby — has the Avenue of the Giants (31 miles through old-growth redwoods). Garberville — nearby — has the gateway to the Lost Coast. Eureka — 40 miles north — has Victorian Old Town. Ferndale — 35 miles north — has “The Cream City” Victorian architecture.
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