Highway access → arrival
Arrival: Orick Horse Trailhead parking at the Rodeo Grounds, 1000 Drydens Road; continue on foot under the NPS backcountry permit.
Approach: From US-101 at Orick Elementary School, take Drydens Road east for one mile and turn left at the wooden fence into the Horse Camp / Rodeo Grounds parking. The operator identifies day-use parking here.
NPS lists Elam Camp open. This is trailhead parking, followed by a permitted hike or permitted horse trip, not a drive-in campground. Do not drive to a campsite or ford Redwood Creek. Check overnight parking requirements with the operator.
Official directions & access ↗A three-site permit-only camp in the Redwood Creek backcountry, reached by a long trail approach from the Orick Horse Trailhead during winter conditions. Creek crossings and seasonal access require current planning.
Access details
- Parking
- Use the official trailhead and permit instructions; do not route a vehicle to the backcountry camp coordinate.
- Viewpoint
- The route enters upland forest and the Redwood Creek watershed.
- Trail
- NPS documents a winter approach of about 7.5 miles from the Orick Horse Trailhead and seasonal creek-crossing limits.
- Public water access
- Creek crossings are not visitor swimming access.
- Water conditions
- A free online permit is required. Treat collected water and check current crossing, fire, and food-storage rules.
Plan from the official source
Redwood National and State Parks is the manager or primary source for this entry. Check its current page for changing hours, fees, reservations, road restrictions, and closures.
Open NPS Redwood backcountry campsites ↗