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This a fee campground with 10 camp units. Can accomodate up to a 22 foot trailer.
From Junction City, CA, take State Rt. 299 west H1 miles to campground sign at Wheel Gulch Rd. Turn right onto Wheel Gulch Rd. into campground.
Nice campground. The only spot where I have seen rangers clean up the grounds. Employees do come in with leaf blowers once in a while. Too close to the road so can be noisy. This is why it receives 3 stars. $8-$10 a night, no hook-ups. Swimming is just a short walking distance. Has plenty of history due to the 1964 flood.
one of the best primitive campgrounds out there.
clean quiet and 8 bucks a day.
Beautiful campground on the Smith river! There is garbage and sunken toilets for amenities but that is it. Nestled in the redwood forest this campground in 40 mins from any kind of tourism. With about 26 sites that were all huge we only had 5 neighbors in 10 days. We have a 24 foot travel trailer and 10 person tent and there was still tons of room. The firepit and cooking grate were the best we've ever used. Lots of trails for hiking and horses as we saw. The river is pristine! So clear and thousands of fry from the 6 varieties of fish species in the river. On one end of the second to last bridge is a fresh water spring that shoots out of the hill side and is the tastiest water we have ever drank. We filled up 5 gallon totes and our trailer several times. What a great place!
Opens in May. 4 stars due to price but it is 20-25 miles from Rt 199. $8 a night, $4 if you have a park pass. Has 2 pull through sites but most sites can fit most rigs. Tarred road, rock gravel park spot, some have grass spot for tent. Nice fire pits with cooking grill. Nice and clean tables. Campground and bathrooms was spotless. Offers pit (vault) toilets and garbage cans. Pay with cash or check with the honor system. Access to the river (Path will be too far and too steep for most people who wish to kayak). This is snake, bear and big cat country. Dogs are to stay on a leash. Want free dispersed camping? That is permitted along the main road and there are 3 areas (Sand Camp, Stevens Creek and ?, just call Hiouchi National Forest Headquarters) with pit toilets. Free areas require you to remove your own trash. There is No phone service.
Although this campground is a bit out of the way, you get the immense benefit of the campground, almost all to yourself. There are some really cool sites here that I haven't seen many other places. Sites that have pathways to fully private fire pits and picnic tables as well as areas to pitch tents. The campground also has a trail down to the river with a little swimming area. Definitely worth the drive.
