Driving a 31ft RV thru Avenue of the Giants & Jedediah Smith State Park

[natasha163]

Planning our next trip to the usa. We will be travelling in a 31 ft c class motorhome.

Does anyone have experience driving any of the following in a motorhome of similar or larger size.....

Avenue Of The Giants
Redwood National Park
Jedediah Smith State Park

and

In particular Howland Hill Road ( I think this in a dirt road in Jedediah Smith SP to get to some great trees/views, but looking at some pics, dont think this is doable in an rv at all, and have read "absolutely is not wide enough for RV's so don't even try it!! " Would this drive be worth renting a rental car for the day to see scout grove and play with the kids by the river?)

Any help would be appreciated on this, especially any side roads to avoid.

Thanks in advance. Can't wait to see these big trees! ;D

I would also appreciate any suggestions for natural feel campgrounds around the redwoods area, especially near the beach (and preferrably not in town and a resort style rv park)

 

[beaverfever]

avenue of the giants and jedediah smith park are no problem
howland  hill road is a no no in a rv  http://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/drives.htm
you might look at klamath river rv park .nice park right on the water.
so much to see and do in this area a car would be a worthwhile investment. we did it once without a toad and regretted it

 

[JCZ]

I agree, you're just not going to enjoy it nearly as much in a large RV as you would in a car.  Many places that you'll want to stop and just walk through that beautiful forest is only large enough for one or two cars to get off the road.

If you're looking for a rustic campground literally in the redwoods (no hook ups but they do have water and restrooms throughout) is the Burlington Campground in the California State Park system.  They do have a number of sites large enough for RVs in the 30+ range.  They also have a nice little museum there.

Another one is Humboldt Redwood State Park.....  http://humboldtredwoods.org/

Again, neither of these are resort type RV parks but more the rustic, literally under the trees type campgrounds that have spaces big enough for RVs.

If you want a very nice resort style RV park (gold course, pool, hot tub, game room, etc.), along the river is Benbow RV Park (note.....is a few miles south of Ave. of The Giants and not in the trees)....  http://www.benbowinn.com/index.php/rv-resort

Here's a sneak preview.....


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8040/8028362045_662b01660f_c.jpg

In this picture you can see on the tree trunks, how high the water got when the river flooded in the past....

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8028366951_33dc30d407_c.jpg

Looking up or looking around.....these trees have a way of making us feel really, really small....

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There are a number of ways to get down to the river but many have a sign posted "4x4 recommended beyond this point".  Going down I thought that was highly exagerated (just wasn't that steep or rugged)....coming back up, the ground is so loose that even in 4x4, the tires just spin in the soft dirt of the banks.  I'm surprised that they let vehicles down in there.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/8028384453_85e67bbf3e_c.jpg

By the way, a large campground that's very affordable but not on the Ave. of The Giants (maybe 8 miles south) is the Richardson Grove RV Park and campgrounds.  They have a few pull throughs out front that they use for the overnighters or you can ask for a spot in the woods.  They have locations in both areas that have full hook ups.  They're located directly across the Hwy. from the Grandfather Tree (the large diameter tree in the photo above....it's free) and the One Log Home (it's $1 donation).

 

[pixurit]

I can only comment on the Avenue of Giants.  The drive is spectacular.

The first pic is through the windshield on a rainy day, notice how close the trees are to the side of the road.

The second pic is my 32' w/toad beside the road.

I tried to set up at Humboldt Redwood State Park after dark on a rainy March night.  There was absolutely no-one there (no campers, no staff) so I headed to Richardson Grove RV Park and did the self registration at the office/store.  Their sites in the woods are excellent.

 

[ArdraF]

these trees have a way of making us feel really, really small....

JCZ - So true!  We once took another couple up to the redwoods.  The fellow was one of those people who is seldom at a loss for words.  All he could say was "Oh, wow!"  "Oh, wow!"  "Oh, wow!"  Thanks for bringing back a wonderful memory of a good friend who is no longer with us.

By the way, we stayed at the Benbow in that time and really enjoyed it.  We've also stayed at Richardson Grove which is good when you're in an RV.

ArdraF

 

[JCZ]

Several recommendations here for Richardson Grove RV Park.  We stayed there for three days.  Even thow we'll be staying at the Burlington Campground in the Ave. of The Giants the next time.....thought I'd post these photos for you, just to give you an idea.

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By the way, if you're going to spend a few days in this area and rent a car, I'd like to suggest a drive over to Shelter Cove on the Lost Coast.  We headed out by way of Garberville Airport and took a really neat back road up over the mountain to Shelter Cove.  Much of it was a one lane road and barely paved but worth the drive.  Here are the pics...

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Oooppppsss...sorry.  I kind of get carried away with my hobby photography.

 

[boogieman2]

We live in Shelter Cove and have owned a 22' Rialta, 35' Pace Arrow and now a 34' Dolphin Class A.  No problem driving any one of them with a 4 door Suzuki Sidekick toad behind.  We drive SLOW, it takes 40-45 minutes to drive the 20 miles from HWY 101 to the "Cove" in good wether.  There are a few sharp hairpin turns, A few steep grades up and down, one lane road for about 200' in 1 spot.  You cannot ride your brakes long - if they start to heat up stop and cool them down.  I have seen 40' MH with toads here but not many.  Your class C would be fine.

Right now we are having a storm. Forecast for up to 1.9" of rain tomorrow, wind gusts to 35.  Another storm behind that - could see 10" total rain in a few days.  When the storms are over in a couple days or so should be fine but you don't want to drive Briceland Road in a storm - Branches, trees, rocks could be in the road.  Also pot holes begin to appear with the rains so you must watch the puddles.

DO NOT take the road adjacent to Garberville Airport to come to Shelter Cove as someone suggested - you will not be a happy camper if you do. It is in bad shape, lots of single lane, needs repair.  Instead you turn off HWY 101 at Garberville (2nd Garberville exit coming from the South). You will turn left at stop and go 2 miles to Redway where you take Briceland Road for 20 miles to Shelter Cove. Follow the signs toShelter Cove.

Once on Briceland Road just a mile or so from Redway you will drive thru a beautiful redwood forest to get here. 

Most of the businesses are closed for the season here in the Cove now.  There is a Deli, specialty coffee shop off North end of runway, a small general store that is well stocked (you will pass it on your left coming down a 2 mile grade).  Stop there if you need anything - prices are better than the Delli.

The campground is open I think - I'd call ahead to verify. I inquired a couple weeks ago for price for 35' MH with full hookups seems like it was $40 per day?  If I know when you're coming I may stop by and say Hi.  If you prefer you can find places to boondock overnight here if you prefer.

Be sure to fill your tank in Willits at the Safeway gas station (near Ukiah) - best prices in the whole area.  Also just across the street at the Chevron try their "Aztec Grill" for delicious, all fresh, Mexican food.  There are several "Aztec Grills" at other Chevron gas stations from just above Santa Rosa to Eureka.  If you like Mexican food they are outstanding.

When would you be in Shelter Cove?  It's a fun place to discover and few people know it's here.



 

 

[JCZ]

We live in Shelter Cove and have owned a 22' Rialta, 35' Pace Arrow and now a 34' Dolphin Class A.  No problem driving any one of them with a 4 door Suzuki Sidekick toad behind.  We drive SLOW, it takes 40-45 minutes to drive the 20 miles from HWY 101 to the "Cove" in good wether.  There are a few sharp hairpin turns, A few steep grades up and down, one lane road for about 200' in 1 spot.  You cannot ride your brakes long - if they start to heat up stop and cool them down.  I have seen 40' MH with toads here but not many.  Your class C would be fine.

Right now we are having a storm. Forecast for up to 1.9" of rain tomorrow, wind gusts to 35.  Another storm behind that - could see 10" total rain in a few days.  When the storms are over in a couple days or so should be fine but you don't want to drive Briceland Road in a storm - Branches, trees, rocks could be in the road.  Also pot holes begin to appear with the rains so you must watch the puddles.

DO NOT take the road adjacent to Garberville Airport to come to Shelter Cove as someone suggested - you will not be a happy camper if you do. It is in bad shape, lots of single lane, needs repair.  Instead you turn off HWY 101 at Garberville (2nd Garberville exit coming from the South). You will turn left at stop and go 2 miles to Redway where you take Briceland Road for 20 miles to Shelter Cove. Follow the signs toShelter Cove.

Once on Briceland Road just a mile or so from Redway you will drive thru a beautiful redwood forest to get here. 

Most of the businesses are closed for the season here in the Cove now.  There is a Deli, specialty coffee shop off North end of runway, a small general store that is well stocked (you will pass it on your left coming down a 2 mile grade).  Stop there if you need anything - prices are better than the Delli.

The campground is open I think - I'd call ahead to verify. I inquired a couple weeks ago for price for 35' MH with full hookups seems like it was $40 per day?  If I know when you're coming I may stop by and say Hi.  If you prefer you can find places to boondock overnight here if you prefer.

Be sure to fill your tank in Willits at the Safeway gas station (near Ukiah) - best prices in the whole area.  Also just across the street at the Chevron try their "Aztec Grill" for delicious, all fresh, Mexican food.  There are several "Aztec Grills" at other Chevron gas stations from just above Santa Rosa to Eureka.  If you like Mexican food they are outstanding.

When would you be in Shelter Cove?  It's a fun place to discover and few people know it's here.

Boogie.....I suggested that route assuming that they were going to be in a rental car that they mentioned.  They wanted the back woods, rustic area and we loved that road.....although it freaked my wife every time we passed a sign that said "private property".  She kept saying......"we're going to get shot by one of these pot growers up here".   I explained that as long as we stayed on the paved road we'd be fine......that it is the land off to either side that's private.  It was a very nice (but long) drive with some incredable views that I'll bet not many get to see.


By the way Natasha.......Boogie has a nice corner lot in Shelter Cove that you can boondock on.

 

[boogieman2]

Hi JCZ - Didn't mean to contradict you on the road.  I just wouldn't want to see them try it now - it has gone down hill in recent years. I have taken it a couple times and it was in very bad condition.  Especially this time of year I would not want to use it at all.  Also if they took that road they would miss the redwood forest on the Briceland road and it's really a must see.

My suggestion is to drive the class C to the Cove from Garberville, no need for the rental car.  That way if they decided to stay for a day or 2 they are all set. We are getting pounded right now with strong winds and heavy rain off and on.  Hope they aren't coming right away, sounds like it will continue thru Sunday.  Usually we have weeks of nice weather from now thru January.  I have gone out fishing in a "T" shirt some years in January, almost nicer than summer - other years not so nice.

 

[JCZ]

It was just a couple of months ago that we were through there.  We went in on the airport road and came back out to Redway on Briceland.

It's all beautiful country up there but I do think they'll miss a lot if they're stuck in a motorhome and don't have the advantage of a smaller vehicle (a car) to do their site seeing in.  As somebody else posted above....they really regreated not having a car to tour in when they got to Ave. of The Giants.

 

[boogieman2]

JCZ - Now that we are getting serious rain the roads are quite different than in the dry season when you were here.  We've lived here 10 years and this time of year new pot holes appear out of nowhere that weren't there a few hours ago when it rains hard like it is right now.  We do our best not to drive after dark as it's harder to see.  It's possible to damage tires, bend wheels, etc. Otherwise it would be nice to make the loop like you did, but I'd be afraid of the possibility of getting stranded there and you cannot count on cell phone reception if you need help there.

Nice job on your pictures.  I would offer a place to stay on the lot we have for sale but the pad I just had graded is too soft now with the rain as I haven't had any gravel laid down yet. 

 

[JCZ]

Just funnin with you Boogie.  Good luck with selling your lot.....seems like that little community would be very desirable for somebody looking for a summer home location on the rugged north coast.

By the way, I posted some pics of Shelter Cove in your selling thread......photos of real interest that show the Cove in it's natural beauty. 

Back on topic.....Natasha, I'm not sure where you'd rent a car up there.  Possibly Garberville?  That's may be your biggest challenge.

 

[boogieman2]

Sorry - no car rentals in or near Garberville. 

 

[JCZ]

Sorry - no car rentals in or near Garberville.

Yea, I was afraid of that.  They'll have to get one in Eureka or Willits.

 

[natasha163]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Will definately check out some of the campgrounds and places mentioned, including shelter cove. Not travelling this year, planning for a 6 week trip next year.

Thank you for posting photos everyone, really helps get a feel for the place. Thankyou!