portola redwoods state park camping

Redwood National And State Parks is a usa National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is located on the North Coast of the state of California. The park protects several groves of massive redwood trees, which can live for 2000 years, grow to heights of up to 367 feet, and be as wide as 22 feet at the base of the trunk. Created by Congress to protect lands adjacent to three California state parks (Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park) in 1968 with the creation of Redwood National Park.In 1994, the CaliforniaDepartment of Parks and Recreation  and the National Park Service agreed to jointly manage the four-park area for maximum resource protection.

The trails are especially beautiful in the early morning hours or on days of light to medium fog. In the early morning, the sun's angle through the trees produces long beams of light, creating a dramatic theatre of light and shadow and ever-changing shades of green. In the light fog, the forests become a dreamscape of incredible mystery and beauty.

    * Hiouchi Information Center, US Highway 199 at Hiouchi, Phone (707) 458-3209. Open from mid-June to mid-September, 9AM-5PM. Closed in the winter. Ranger-led walks, junior ranger programs, and evening campfire programs held in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, across the street. Programs occur during the summer season. Redwood National and State Parks' Junior Ranger activity newspapers are available here. Inside: Coast redwood, wildlife, and preservation history exhibits. 12-minute film on the redwoods. Outside: "Trees of the coast redwood forest" pace with waysides. Book store, picnic area, and restrooms.

    * Jedediah Smith Visitor Center, US Highway 101 at Hiouchi, Phone (707) 465-2144. Open from May 20 to September 30 from 9AM-5PM. Open winters on Friday/Saturday/Sunday from 10AM to 6PM. Closed in the winter. Ranger-led walks, junior ranger programs, and evening campfire programs occur during the summer. Redwood National and State Parks' Junior Ranger activity newspapers are available here. Coast redwood, history, and wildlife exhibits. Nature museum, gift shop, campground, dump station, picnic area, and restrooms. Many trails start here.

    * Crescent City Inerformation Cent, 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, Phone: (707) 465-7306. Open March - October from 9SM-5PM. Open November - February from 9AM to 4PM. Closures: Thanksgiving, December 25th, and New Year's Day. Junior Ranger activity newspapers are available here. Gift shop, picnic area, and restrooms.

    * Prairie Creek Visitor Center, just off US Highway 101, along Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, Phone: (707) 465-7354. Open daily March - October from 9AM-5PM. Open W-Su November - February from 10AM-5PM. Closures: Thanksgiving, December 25th, New Year's Eve, and Easter. Ranger-led walks, junior ranger programs, and evening campfire programs held in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park during the summer season. Redwood National and State Parks' Junior Ranger activity newspapers are available here. Coast redwood forest, wildlife, and history exhibits. Video room available. Nature museum, gift shop, campground, dump station, picnic area, and restrooms. 70 miles of trails begin here.

    * Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center, US Highway 101 at Orick, Phone: (707) 465-7765. Open March - October from 9AM-5PM. Open November - February from 9AM-4PM. Closures: Thanksgiving, December 25th, and New Year's Day. Patio talks and coast walks occur during the summer. Redwood National and State Parks' Junior Ranger activity newspapers are available here. Many exhibits in the visitor center on coast redwoods and watersheds: early technologies! kid friendly! Video room with many films available. Gift shop, picnic area, and restrooms.

Camping

There are no campgrounds within Redwood National Park, but the nearby state parks do have campgrounds:

    * Mill Creek Campground, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Ph: (800) 444-7275. Open from May 1 to August 14. Mill Creek campground is located 7 miles south of Crescent City on US Highway 101. 145 RV or tent sites, trailer length up to 27 feet, RVs up to 31 feet. Amenities include showers, restrooms, four loop trails, hiker/biker sites, dump station, fire pits, no hookups, handicap access, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and evening campfire programs.

    * Jedediah Smith Campground, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Ph: (800) 444-7275. Open year-round. Jedediah Smith campground is located on Highway 199 at Hiouchi. 106 RV or tent sites, RV length up to 36 feet, trailers up to 31 feet. Facilities/amenities include nature center, bookstore, no hookups, showers, restrooms, river sites, picnic area, many miles of trails, hiker/biker sites, dump station, fire pits, handicap access, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and young naturalists programs, and evening campfire programs. There is a group site for 50. For site-specific information, call (707) 464-6101 ext 5113.

    * Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Open year round. Camp along the windswept Pacific Ocean with the coast redwood forest as a backdrop. To reach Gold Bluffs Beach campground travel three miles north of Orick on US Highway 101, the turn west on Davison Road and continue for four miles (gravel road). 25 RV or 29 tent sites, trailers prohibited, RV length up to 24 feet and 8 feet wide. Amenities include solar showers, restrooms, access to over 70 miles of trails, Fern Canyon, hiker/biker sites, fire pits, no hookups, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and evening campfire programs.

    * Elk Prairie Campground, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Ph: (800) 444-7275. Open year round. Elk Prairie campground is located 50 miles north of Eureka, CA on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway just off US Highway 101. Sites: 75 RV or tents, trailer length up to 24 feet, RVs up to 27 feet. Facilities/amenities include nature center, bookstore, no hookups, showers, restrooms, picnic area, over 70 miles of trails, hiker/biker sites, dump station, fire pits, handicap access, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and evening campfire programs. For site-specific information, call (707) 464-6101 ext 5301.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is a United States National Park that is located primarily in the Southern California Desert, with a small portion extending into Nevada. Many achievable visitors ignore the park due to the misconception that it is just a lifeless, empty landscape, but this 3.4 million acre (14,000 km2) park is not exclusively the largest park in the continental united states but also arguably one of the most striking specimens of Mother Earth. Nearly every major geological era is elegantly exposed here in what sometimes appears to be one of her greatest tapestries, gloriously presenting her full spectrum.

The valley itself is 130 miles (210 km) long, between six and 13 miles (10-21 km) wide and is surrounded by steep mountain ranges: the Panamint mountains to the west, and the Black, Funeral, and Grapevine mountains to the east. Its three million acres of wilderness and rich cultural history make it a lifetime's work to explore completely that the valley has to

Hiking. There are numerous trails within the park, ranging in difficulty from short loops to overnight, mountain treks. Always bring sufficient water when hiking in Death Valley; the heat can kill.

Photography. The odd geologic formations in the park are great for early morning and late evening photography, although during the day the harsh sun tends to wash out most photographs. During March and April the wildflowers within the valley bloom, making it a particularly photogenic time of year

Stargazing. The clear desert air, scarcity of clouds, and a great lack of nearby light pollution makes Death Valley an ideal spot for stargazing.Ideally come during a new moon to fully appreciate the darkness of the night sky.
 
Four-wheel driving. Death Valley has numerous high-clearance roads that offer a challenge for four-wheel drive enthusiasts. Driving off-road is not permitted.

Bicycling. Bicycles are allowed on all roads in the park, including the many rough, trail-like backcountry roads that attract four-wheel drive enthusiasts. As with motor vehicles, riding off-road is not permitted.
 
Scotty's Castle Tours. Tours of the home of an eccentric resident of Death Valley are offered daily from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, departing at least once an hour and lasting for fifty minutes. Costs are $11 per person (discounts for seniors and children) and there may be a wait for tickets, so try to purchase them several hours in advance of your preferred tour time. Note that tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Badwater ultramarathon. Only for the truly insane, the 135 mile course from Badwater (elevation -282 feet) to the Mt. Whitney trailhead (elevation 8360 feet) is billed as the world's toughest race. Adding to the difficulty, the race is held annually during July, the hottest month of the year. In 2004, 72 people toed the starting line, and 57 battered, burned, and exhausted souls officially finished by crossing the finish line within 60 hours (the course record is just over 25 hours). For those with a death wish, more info can be found at

Within the park

There are 4 in-park lodging facilities in Death Valley National Park.

Furnace Creek Inn.This inn advertises itself as a first class, AAA Four Diamond historic resort with 66 rooms and full amenities. Rates range from $250-$370 per room with $20 per each additional person. Closed during summer season.

Furnace Creek Ranch.Located in Furnace Creek, this establishment is the ranch style family oriented version of the above Inn with 224 rooms and rates ranging from $105 to $174 depending on the season and type of room.

Panamint Springs Resort.Located outside of the park, this resort is the most economical lodging option. The rooms are small and very out dated.Rates range from $79 to $149.

Stovepipe Wells Village. Motel-style lodging in Stovepipe Wells. The rooms are not fancy, and the running water in some rooms is not potable, but it is a perfectly comfortable and convenient place to stay. Rates tend to be cheaper than at Furnace Creek ($111 for a Deluxe room). Beware of the restaurant at Stovepipe Wells, though; it tends to be wannabe fancy and overpriced. Call early for reservations at the lodge.

Outside of the park

Death Valley Junction is the closest town outside of Death Valley, about thirty minutes away from the visitor's center it has one hotel, and a theatre.Beatty is a town outside (northeast) of Death Valley. It's a very cheap option.Lone Pine is two hours west of the park in California.
Shoshone is an hour southeast of the park in California

Camping

Furnace Creek (Year round). Located 196 feet below sea level, Furnace Creek has 136 sites with water, tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, and dump station. No showers, but nearby Furnace Creek Ranch offers pool and shower for $5 per day. Furnace Creek is $18 per night during the winter season and $12 a night during the summer.

Mahogany Flat (Closed in winter). Mahogany Flat is located at 8,200 feet in the Panamint Mountains and is accessible to high clearance vehicles only. Depending upon road conditions, 4-wheel drive may be necessary. The campground has 10 sites, tables, fireplaces, and pit toilets. Mahogany
Flat is free.

Mesquite Spring (Year Round). Located at 1,800 feet 3 miles from Scotty's Castle, Mesquite Spring has 30 sites with water, tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, and a dump station. The fee is $12 a night.

Stovepipe Wells (Closed in summer). Located at sea level, Stovepipe Wells has 190 sites with water, some tables, some fireplaces, flush toilets, and dump station. $12 per night.

Stovepipe Wells RV Campground (Year Round). This RV campground is managed by the Stovepipe Wells Resort. It has 14 sites with full hook-ups and no tables or fireplaces. A swimming pool and showers are available. No Reservations, first come first served, and the sites are $23 a night.

Sunset (Closed in summer). Located at 190 feet below sea level, Sunset has 1000 sites with water, flush toilets, and dump station. NO Fires Allowed. Sunset is $12 per night.

Texas Spring (Closed in summer). Located at sea level, Texas Spring has 92 sites with water, tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, and dump station. Texas Spring is first come first served with self registration. From March 17th through April 15th, Texas Spring is designated primarily for tent camping with a limited number of RV sites. The fee is $14 per night. For the summer, reservations for the two Texas Springs campground group sites are available by calling (760) 786-3247.

Thorndike (Closed in winter). Thorndike is located at 7,400 feet in the Panamint Mountains and is accessible to high clearance vehicles only. Depending on road conditions, 4-wheel drive may be necessary. Thorndike has 6 sites, tables, fireplaces, and pit toilets. Thorndike is free. ATTN: Due to extreme fire danger, campfires are prohibited at Thorndike Campground until further notice!

Wildrose (Year round). Located at 4,100 feet in the Panamint Mountains, Wildrose has 23 sites, with tables, fireplaces, and pit toilets. Drinking water is available during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Although it is windy enough that you'll need to take care to secure your campsite, it is still high enough in elevation that it presents more pleasant weather for camping than the valley floor. Being farther away from the more popular reas of the park induces a quieter setting as well. Wildrose is a free campground.

cheap camping tents

There are completely kinds of manufacturers of tents out there. Some make tents that are exactly the same as a tent by a different manufacturer. Some are different. One of your prime considerations for picking a tent should be the name of the company that manufactures it. North Face for example is an extremely well known manufacturer of tents and different camping equipment as well. We completely cognize though, that they able to be prohibitively expensive to buy for your average every day family camping type of person. Well, you should cognize that if you consider purchaseing at the end of season or even last year's stock, you able to buy good quality gear like this for a dramatic amount of money off the original price.

North Face is a true leader in the world of camping tents. They make everything from solo tents to base camp expedition tents that have withstood many of the harshest climates known to man. You able to be assured that when you buy one of their tents that it is a quality piece of gear that has the interest of the user in mind. They're water-proof, stable, roomy enough to use, yet small enough to pack, very they're a perfect tent, depending on what you plan to use it for. Their tents generally tend to be more suited to individuals that might have the intention of hiking and backpacking, or canoe camping, kayak camping etc. Basically people who are likely to be moving around and carrying their gear at the same time.

For most folks a tent from companies like Coleman or Woods will suffice. These tents are generally made with the family environment in mind. Their materials might not be as "light weight" as many of the materials you would find on a North Face tent, but if properly cared for they able to last you for years. Also note that they frequently will have fewer poles in the structure of the tent. One might argue that this will save grams of weight and maybe even that it's easier to pack but the real truth is that when a tent has fewer poles, it becomes less stable. Most of the time this won't be an issue at completely but I've been in a Woods tent in a bad storm and cognize first hand how much they able to blow around in the wind. I able to remember the sides coming in right on top of me. This doesn't happen with tents from a manufacturer like North Face as they plan for these kinds of elements. On the different hand, severe wind storms are not the 'norm' and wouldn't occur regularly, so they're normally not a interest to most campers.

You need to be sure your tent is water proof. Many have taped seams for extra protection. Some tents have peg-out vestibules to help you stow gear without it actually being in the tent. It's been my general observation that when sizing a tent for a group of people, you should always buy with in extra person in mind. That is to say, if two people are going camping then a three person tent would be the smallest tent you would likely want to take. I've used two person tents with two people in them in the past but the quarters are extremely tight, especially when trying to get into your sleeping bag or changing etc.

With the multitude of tents available to us these days you are certain to find the best one for your trip. All you very need to cognize which tent is the best for what think and go from there. You able to save money by purchaseing end of season or last year's stock to get the best quality for the money.