Last Friday around 5:30pm I got the camping itch.
I had finished all my cooking and writing for the week, had just gotten home from teaching a yoga class, and had fallen asleep the night before with ” Camping in Northern California” open by my side. You see, I didn’t grow up camping, and only recently (in the past year and a half) discovered how much I love it.
Okay, let me clarify: I love camping when it involves an air mattress, hot water and red wine. I camp how I want!
It definitely helps that I live driving distance from amazing state and national parks. Oh, California! How I love you (but I still hate your income tax).
Anyway, I called up Adam who was still at the office in San Francisco and asked him if we had any plans this weekend. “Nope,” he said, “for the first weekend in a long time, we have zero plans. What were you thinking?”
“Wanna go camping?” I asked. “In the BIG trees?”
{pause}
“All the way up in Humbolt?” Adam asked. I bit my lip because I knew it was a long shot, and might not even be worth it, since Humbolt is a little over three hours from my house and all the sites were probably booked up anyway this late in the summer.
“I’ll be there by 8.”
So I quickly proceeded to fill the cooler with ice, hot dogs, cheddar cheese and beer and pack up my bag. We ended up leaving my house around 9pm and arrived at our site at 12:30 in the morning.
IT WAS SO WORTH IT.
Trust me, do yourselves a favor and skip Disney World to come see the giant trees instead. Give your family an experience they will never forget.
We ended up landing the last spot available for Friday and Saturday night, and it was perfect. We camped at Hidden Springs Campground, at the south end of Humbolt Redwoods State Park. When we arrived in the middle of the night, we blew up the air mattress in my Honda Civic as to not wake our neighbors.
Don’t ask.
And yes, I am that girl. I also sleep with ear plugs in my ears and a zero-light eye mask strapped on my face….why do you ask?
We finally got all set up and got to bed around 1:45 in the morning. And wouldn’t you know I had to get up and pee twice that night? That’s what I get for guzzling Vitamin Water on the late-night drive over.
The next morning, we were exhausted…naturally…but it was worth it to wake up in the middle of the forest and have two full days ahead of us to explore. Adam built a fire and I broke in my new coffee percolator (aka “ol’ perc”) with my favorite Dunkin Donuts coffee. I cooked up bacon and eggs over the fire and then we set out to explore all day!
We ate a pb&j lunch on a 1,600 year old fallen redwood tree (aka “ol’ larson”) and then found a beautiful beach leading to the Eel River. Adam taught me how to skip stones, and we waded in the crystal clear water for about an hour. It was magical.
If you visit Humbolt Redwoods State Park, be SURE to check out the Visitor’s Center! Yes, it was a little touristy and I almost got puked on by a carsick dog, but they have a cool little theater inside with a film all about the area, as well as some neat exhibits. I can’t wait to someday bring my kids back here — the junior ranger program looked fantastic.
All day long we snacked on gummy bears and local sweet n’ spicy beef jerky. It made perfect fuel for numerous short walks in various redwood groves. It’s hard to wrap your mind around the fact that some of these old trees have been around since Christ was alive.
Adam took a short nap.
And I forged on….thankful for my sugar buzz from all the Haribo gummies I consumed!
We headed back to camp around five o’clock, and I scrounged all my quarters together to take a ten minute hot shower. The bathroom facilities at Hidden Springs were top notch! Like I said, I’m the type that really appreciates hot water while camping, and this totally fit the bill. Restrooms were clean and very well maintained. I was very happy!
For dinner, we made our absolute favorite camping meal of all time: chili cheese dogs.
For detail recipe instructions on how to make the PERFECT chili cheese dog, please refer to this post. (<–don’t forget the tabasco!)
You’re welcome.
Is there anything better in this life than a chili cheese dog?
Well indeed, there is!
A chili cheese dog with a cold beer…preferably from Deschutes.
For our ‘dogs, we used smoked chicken + gruyere sausages, Amy’s chili and wheat bread with honey mustard and Tabasco. I bet you can guess who went grocery shopping for dinner supplies.
Then, on Sunday, we broke down camp and headed home the “scenic way”…aka the way that guarantees car sickness but rewards travelers with jaw-dropping views of the Pacific through the redwood forest after 40 miles on a winding mountain road.
I begged Adam to stop at Hendy Woods on the way home because I had heard a lot about it and thought it might be a great stop for our next camping adventure. It was amazing, but what was even more amazing was the apple farm right next door!
They actually had an honor system for all their juices, jams and balsamic vinegars. I put two bucks in the cash box and got a glass of ice cold fresh apple juice from the orchard.
It was the perfect end to our spontaneous camping weekend.
As much as I love camping, it sure was nice to sleep in my own bed on Sunday night with Dexter curled up next to me. We want to make one more weekend camping trip this summer and I think it’s going to be to Sequoia National Forest over near Yosemite. I can’t wait!
Here are the facts again:
We Stayed: Hidden Springs Campground at Humbolt State Park, spot 105, which I highly recommend
We Ate: Bacon, eggs, toast, beef jerky, red gummy bears, chili cheese dogs, lots of grapes
We Explored: Founder’s Grove, “Big Tree Area” near Albee Campground, Avenue of the Giants, some random swimming hole that I probably couldn’t find again if I tried
Jen
July 31, 2012 at 3:44 amWhat did you do with your hair in that last pic?! I love it. And you look so tall in the pic with the purple shirt! I thought you were only 5’2 or something.
I’m also so jealous of how spontaneous you are – so wish I had that trait!
jenna
July 31, 2012 at 9:03 amI braided it, slept on it, then threw an 80’s style headband in it for a little extra oomph!
kristen
July 31, 2012 at 4:59 pmhi jenna! i blew up that pic to see your hair closer (i always need ideas for *camping hair* ha!) anyway…your gray dress looks sooo cute! is it a recent purchase?
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
July 31, 2012 at 3:50 amWow, such gorgeous pictures!! I’m not really a camping fan, but perhaps I’d like camping YOUR way! 😉 I’m also the girl who sleeps with ear plugs and sometimes an eye mask … but I also complete the look with my mouth guard to prevent grinding. It’s super sexy! 😉
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
July 31, 2012 at 3:58 amLooks like an absolutely gorgeous area! You are blessed to be relatively close to it . . . sigh. Beautiful! 🙂
Mo
July 31, 2012 at 4:15 amGorgeous! Next year I’m transferring to Sonoma State University…and I have to say the camping and hiking destinations in that area definitely influenced my decision 🙂 Love these kinds of posts.
P.s. Have you ever had Humbolt Fog cheese? Delicious with red pepper garlic jam…
jenna
July 31, 2012 at 9:03 amYES! I adore humbolt fog cheese! Amazing drizzled with truffle honey…
Kay
July 31, 2012 at 4:21 amWhat a wonderful trip, Jenna & Adam! My husband loves Dunkin Donuts coffee, too! 🙂 Great spontaneous trip, looks like you had an amazing time!
Jen
July 31, 2012 at 4:35 amAw, Jenna, just about the time I decide I’m completely committed to my transplanted Georgia home of the last 10 years you go and make me SO homesick for my NorCal upbringing! We grew up visiting the redwoods, Bodega Bay, the tidepools along the whole coast and wandering Napa Valley. It is indeed a beautiful place to bring up kids.
Desiree
July 31, 2012 at 8:07 amAgree, this post makes me a bit homesick. I grew up in the Vallejo/Benicia area and now live outside Atlanta, GA. I have many memories going to places like Bodega Bay, Lake Tahoe, visiting the Redwoods and everything in between. My brother just graduated from Humbolt a few years ago. Your camping trip looked like a wonderful time. I hope to bring my husband and kids there sometime.
Anne
July 31, 2012 at 4:49 amWow! I am so jealous of you living so close to such amazing weekend getaways! I am from Florida originally but grew up spending my summers in Utah and Colorado. Your weekend jaunts inspire me to take advantage of my new home of North Carolina!
I went to Northern California for the first time last fall and couldnt have loved it more!
P.S. That Apple Farm = my definition of heavan!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
July 31, 2012 at 4:51 amYou guys have the most beautiful scenery in California! I was out hiking again this weekend here in southern Ontario, but our trees are nowhere near as cool as yours! Looks like you two had a great time. Northern California is definitely near the top of my must-visit list!
Madison
July 31, 2012 at 4:55 amGosh, that sounds like so much fun! I am planning on going on a camping weekend sometime soon too. AND my definition of camping is: restrooms close, air mattress and car within walking distance (in case a bear comes). So, I am right there with ya!
Anne
July 31, 2012 at 5:12 amAw, I love deschutes! We always buy some of their beer when we’re out west 🙂
Lily O' Dare @ Candied-Life
July 31, 2012 at 5:22 amhaha picturing the air mattress blowing up in your civivc is really funny! how considerate. what a fun trip, & the red gummy bears are the best! this post is so great, i hope to do some camping soon! the car sickness route is usually always worth it 🙂 glad you all had such a great weekend and thanks for sharing.
Devon | the food bitch blog
July 31, 2012 at 5:23 amI can sooo do camping if there’s wine involved & no bugs. Maybe on my next trip to CA, I’ll have to plan this is… if I can get a certain someone to detach himself from his iPad long enough.
Molly @ RDexposed
July 31, 2012 at 5:29 amI love that you are drinking beer! I searched for Deschutes that last time that I was in CA. No luck.
jenna
July 31, 2012 at 9:02 amI feel like a real grown-up!
Lisa
July 31, 2012 at 5:37 amThis post makes me eager to head out West! It’s so beautiful and a completely different world than over here on the east coast.
Elisabeth
July 31, 2012 at 5:39 amLooks like a beautiful camping trip! I love Haribo bears, by the way 🙂
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots
July 31, 2012 at 6:28 amThe place looks absolutely beautiful!! I have never been camping but I sure do love hiking!
Mel
July 31, 2012 at 6:37 amSounds wonderful! You’re doing the state of California a big favor in terms of promoting tourism! If I didn’t already know how awesome Nor Cal is, you’d certainly have me convinced.
jenna
July 31, 2012 at 9:02 amI probably should just go work for California Tourism. Haha 🙂
joelle (on a pink typewriter)
July 31, 2012 at 6:46 amThis looks amazing! I want to go SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO bad! I’m heading up your way over Labor Day wkend and I am going to try and convince my best friend we need to do some camping haha you know, instead of wine tasting and eating at every restaurant in SF.
Neiko
July 31, 2012 at 6:49 amOh my god those trees are solo massive!! They were absolutely gorgeous!! I definitely miss living in California and am really regretting never taking advantage of going camping at such a beautiul site!!
Sarah
July 31, 2012 at 7:00 amI ran past Deschutes brewery this morning. 🙂
jenna
July 31, 2012 at 9:01 amjealous!
Karen
July 31, 2012 at 7:05 amOMG! You ate Haribos?! They are only my boyfriends FAVORITE vacation food! He fell in love with them in Italy (I think he ate a bag a day during our two week vacation). They have the best selection over in Europe. A lot harder to find here in Atlantic Canada. He did track down some good ones when we were in Hawaii. Maybe I’ll be able to convince him to go to California, now that I know there are Haribos there!
P.S. You are so brave going camping! I’d be scared of bears or mountain lions or other such wild beasts.
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh
July 31, 2012 at 7:13 amThat looks like a slice of heaven on Earth! Glad you had a great time! Being spontaneous rocks!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma)
July 31, 2012 at 7:15 amYour camping trip sounds awesome. I used to camp at Hendy Woods as a kid every summer. Such good memories. Although, I don’t remember an apple orchard. haha.
Carolyn
July 31, 2012 at 7:32 amFood posts are always nice, but I LOVE it when you post about your travels too! Now I have the camping bug! I grew up in NJ but one summer the family trekked out to Cali for some Redwoods camping. I think that was my favorite family vaca ever. Hope to go back someday!
Carissa
July 31, 2012 at 7:42 amThose trees are absolutely gorgeous. I wish we had more parks like that around us. You’re inspiring me to fit in a camping trip before the end of summer!
Kelly
July 31, 2012 at 7:45 amYour camping trip sounded so wonderful and is making me very excited for our camping trip we are going on in two weeks! We are going camping near Crater Lake, Oregon. When we lived in Southern Oregon we went over to the Redwoods and went camping and it is one of my favorite memories. Your descriptions and pictures make me want to go back!
Sonia the Mexigarian
July 31, 2012 at 8:56 amCrater Lake is goregous!! Some intense hiking trails and spectacular views. I have been itching to go back to Oregon 🙂
Ginny
July 31, 2012 at 7:47 amGummy bears are the BEST! That sounds like such fun—definitely
Made me want to camp!
Sharla
July 31, 2012 at 7:53 amLoved this post – we visited Sequoia in May:
http://shupagirl.blogspot.com/2012/05/giants-of-forest.html
So amazing and beautiful!! You will love it too 🙂
linda
July 31, 2012 at 7:55 amI love your spontaneity. You’re my kind of camper. Adam is a very lucky man to go camping with a chef. The pictures are gorgeous. I hope they encourage more people to support our national parks and take their children. Hopefully, the children grow up and want to do the same with the next generation.
Samantha
July 31, 2012 at 7:56 amI love love love the redwoods, most amazing trees ever! I want to live under them! looks like an awesome camping trip!
domonique @ a bowl full of simple
July 31, 2012 at 7:57 amGreat post about your weekend! The trees in Sequoia are amazing! The valley will be congested through Labor Day, just a heads up. But definitely worth it! Love the chili dogs too.
laura
July 31, 2012 at 8:04 amyou two are so cute… and definitely a match-made in heaven!!
when you say you’ll bring your kids back… do you think you’ll live on the west coast forever, or return to your and adam’s southern roots?
so much fun…love the spontaneity! enjoy it while you still have *limited* responsibilities! {i.e. no kids!}
jenna
July 31, 2012 at 9:01 amWho’s to know?! We love California but miss our families back in the South. I guess time will tell!
Lindsay
July 31, 2012 at 8:11 amThis looks like so much fun! I am so jealous that you live so close to some of the most amazing sights in the country.
Thank you so much for sharing it!
Ali O
July 31, 2012 at 8:12 amThankyouthankyouthankyou for this post!!!! I actually went to college at Humboldt State University in Arcata. Some of my best memories of that time were of exploring the county while going to school there. I love it there and miss it so much. I hope that some day soon I’ll be able to take my husband there to show him this magical place. If you never never been all the way up to Arcata, you need to go! And visit Ferndale, CA on the way…..and then drive past and go up north to explore Fern Canyon (I forgot, have you been there yet?) Northern Cali is amazing. Oh and don’t forget about swinging through Eureka to have something from Lost Coast Brewery!
Cheri
July 31, 2012 at 8:38 amI second this! It sounds cheesy, but going to Victorian Ferndale really is like stepping back in time. And if you go to Lost Coast, you must try the Tangerine Wheat!
Sonia the Mexigarian
July 31, 2012 at 8:54 amI third it! My sister lives in Arcata and Fern Canyon is unbelievable!! I am partial to the Six Rivers Brewery, though Lost Coast is very good. 😉
Oh, and kayaking out on the bay!
K
July 31, 2012 at 11:10 amFern Canyon is my favorite in the spring! I love me some Lost Coast, especially Down Town Brown! Where it’s really at though is Mad River Brewery in McKinleyville! I’m loving all the Nor Cal love this post is generating! Next time head further up Jenna! There’s still so much up above where you were! Ever heard of Del Norte County? We have redwoods growing two miles from the beach! There’s a lot that you give up civilization-wise to live up here (no Trader Joes, Whole Foods, or Target!) The biodiversity is worth it though. I love where I live. 🙂
Jax
July 31, 2012 at 8:15 amI <3 camping and when I visited Humboldt for the first time I completely fell in love. So much that I went ahead and applied, got accepted and was THIS close to transfering to HSU… until the practical side of me sadly gave in and admitted to the fact that they don't have my major. It's definitely super magical up there. Thanks for all the pics, I miss it up there! <3
Tasha the clean eating mama
July 31, 2012 at 8:27 amI love the redwoods! Highway 101 is the best drive through California!
Katie
July 31, 2012 at 8:42 amthis is such a cute post!! i wish i lived on the west coast so i could do sick camping trips like this all the time!
mary @ what's cookin with mary
July 31, 2012 at 8:43 amWe love love love King’s Canyon (Sentinel Camp Ground)! Clean bathrooms (but no hot water) & all the river and trees you can soak up. SO wonderful playing in that freezing water … after a bottle of wine ;0)
Sonia the Mexigarian
July 31, 2012 at 8:51 amI LOVE love love the redwoods. When I visit my sister in Arcata, I always roll down the windows and just breathe in the frsh air when driving through there. 🙂 I haven’t camped since last year! (was an avid camper with my family until I married, ha!)
I love how spontaneous you are and are able to do that!! Glad you got to enjoy the redwoods 🙂
Christine @ Take with Food
July 31, 2012 at 8:56 amBeautiful pics of what sounds like a relaxing and fabulous trip! I started camping about 7 years ago, but in New England – no tall redwoods here 🙁 One of my favorite places is only 40 minutes away and is only $12 a night. Hardly any planning needed. Air mattress, clean bathrooms, etc are necessary. It’s great to know that you can camp without having to remove completely from the niceties in life. A great way to enjoy nature comfortably! I’m totally hooked!
For the past two years, my boyfriend & I have gotten suckered into going to an event at the end of the fall that involves camping in mid-New Hampshire. Both years it was ~30 degrees at night! It was cold to say the least. We’re sticking to camping earlier in the season this year 😛
Caroline L.
July 31, 2012 at 9:08 amOh wow, that looks like so much fun. I’ve never been up to the redwoods, but this year (I’m in Palo Alto for college) we’ve decided to explore all of the surrounding areas a lot more – Santa Cruz, Carmel, etc. And this looks amazing!
Andrea @ The Skinny Chronicles
July 31, 2012 at 9:10 amWelcome to Humboldt County! I’ve lived here for ten years and love it! No place better! Hard to believe living so close to those big trees is possible. So special. I am glad you enjoyed your spontaneous visit!
jenna
July 31, 2012 at 9:23 amloved this post! is it cold there? you are wearing long sleeves? my family would go crazy for this camp site! those trees are amazing! this is going on our to visit list for sure!
K
July 31, 2012 at 11:15 amHaha! Yes. The redwoods create their own fog and keep the temperature lower than the surrounding geographic areas. Coastal California is pretty temperate. In the same way that Angelenos joke about Summer year round, we pretty much have Autumn year round north of the bay area.
K
July 31, 2012 at 11:24 amSorry! Rereading that I realized I sound completely pretentious! I didn’t mean to step on any toes! I am just really excited to see my home area showcased. 🙂
Natalie @ will jog for food
July 31, 2012 at 9:54 amHow fun!! I went camping in Big Basin Redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains but the Redwoods in Humboldt look WAY bigger 🙂
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
July 31, 2012 at 9:58 amI love camping! I’m going the week after next for a few days for the first time in a couple years, I’m definitely looking forward to it!
Definitely with you on the hot water. Absolutely required for me.
Rachel @ My Happily Ever After
July 31, 2012 at 10:03 amthat sounds like so much fun! i’m in so cal but now i’m inspired to make a trip up for a weekend soon!
Michelle
July 31, 2012 at 10:17 amRandom, but your pants look like great hiking pants- where did you get then? Thanks! So glad that you had such a wonderful camping trip!!
jenna
July 31, 2012 at 10:33 amREI…but a long time ago! They are super comfy.
Cait's Plate
July 31, 2012 at 10:20 amI’ve never been to the Redwoods but I would LOVE to go.
Odelsa
July 31, 2012 at 11:14 amYou had me at “…do yourselves a favor and skip Disney World to come see the giant trees instead. Give your family an experience they will never forget.”
As a mother of 4 active boys I totally agree. This post was awesome and YAY for hot water and an air mattress!
Moni Meals
July 31, 2012 at 11:18 amAMAZING! I’m going to have to agree, and say forget Disneyland..go here. Wow!
Kate
July 31, 2012 at 11:28 amWine is definitely a camping necessity! Thank you for being considerate enough to blow up your mattress in the car, though it sounds super awkward 🙂
Rebecca
July 31, 2012 at 11:30 amLove that part of the country! We stopped at the same apple farm! ! Delicious apple juice!
Sarah
July 31, 2012 at 12:14 pmI’m jealous! Living in Austin, we rarely camp. Cactus don’t render me breathless in quite the same way as redwoods. Nor do scorpions. No, wait, actually they do, but not in the same way. Maybe a trip to California is needed?
Hayley
July 31, 2012 at 12:19 pmOh my goodness, we always camp at Richardson Grove on the Eel River (about 15 minutes south of Garberville) and i LOVE it, so much so that i would be depressed for like a month after returning home. i did the junior rangers program growing up and was convinced i was going to be a full fledged park ranger when i got older. hasn’t happened yet, but it’s still a goal 🙂
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
July 31, 2012 at 12:19 pmAbsolutely gorgeous! Your way of camping sounds much better than the usual way I go. Think no showers, bathrooms and lots of bugs. 🙂
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
July 31, 2012 at 12:51 pmThose trees are crazy and completely gorgeous!
Anne Wakefield
July 31, 2012 at 1:24 pmLove this post!! You and Adam are too cute and fun, quite man to leave work on a Friday and drive three hours to camp!! I have to say those chicken and gruyere sausages sounds ahhhhmazing!
Tracey Evans
July 31, 2012 at 2:10 pmThroughly enjoyed reading this! The trees are just breath taking! I’m in GA and now I want to come to California! What brand are the chicken and gruyere sausages? I need those!! 🙂
Christa
July 31, 2012 at 2:36 pmSince you’ve been camping a number of times now, what you recommend for hiking boots, pants, etc? Obviously it’ll depend on climate, but especially if you have a boot recommendation, I’d love to hear it. Thanks!
kim@hungryhealthygirl
July 31, 2012 at 2:43 pmLooks like a fun low-key vacation and those trees are amazing!!
Emily @ Life on Food
July 31, 2012 at 3:03 pmThose trees are ginormous!
Kristina
July 31, 2012 at 4:49 pmIm so glad you had a good time. I’m from Humboldt and love the Hidden Springs campground!! My grandma took me on special camping trips there! Next time you head North you should make a stop in Trinidad. There are the most beautiful beaches there. 😉
Averie @ Averie Cooks
July 31, 2012 at 5:07 pmThe redwoods and their sheer size – every time I am in Marin or nearby, I just marvel at them! I feel so grounded and connected being around them; something about all those deep roots just makes me feel grounded and more centered- crazy but true.
Ashley
July 31, 2012 at 5:08 pmYou make me wish I lived in California!
Courtney Craig
July 31, 2012 at 5:12 pmWe did that windy drive a few years back when we first moved from Chicago to LA. Our dog was “surfing” (aka “standing up” swaying side-to-side) in the backseat of our SUV because she was SO carsick. I got a little carsick too. Oh, but I do remember the pretty views of the Pacific…
Sounds like a fun weekend! I also <3 Humbolt!
kristen @ verbs and vignettes
July 31, 2012 at 6:40 pmyour weekend. looks. beautiful.
i’ve only been camping twice, i think. definitely only enjoy it when there’s a toilet that offers a “flush.” but i love the feeling of just being away with whoever you’re with. i’ve also been jonesing to try a hike again (only did that once)! there are some really nice parks in eastern PA, that are only a couple of hours away. i wonder if i could talk my boyfriend into trying it… maybe we’ll start with a hotel *near* a park.
luv what you do
July 31, 2012 at 8:11 pmOMG! That first pictures is incredible! I haven’t been camping in awhile and I miss it! I hope to go again soon!
Chenise
July 31, 2012 at 8:21 pmThis looks beautiful, I’m writing this down as one of the things I want to do before I die: Camp in the Redwoods. Ok so on to a more important question……Are there any bears up there?
Lexi @ You, Me, & A World to See
July 31, 2012 at 9:27 pmNope, there’s nothing better than a chili cheese dog 🙂
Emily
August 1, 2012 at 3:39 amI have never been camping, but now I want to! That looks like so much fun and I’m pretty sure I would love camping the way you do it!
Jessica
August 1, 2012 at 5:18 amThis is a beautiful post, Jenna. You are one inspiring lady!
Katie D.
August 1, 2012 at 6:05 amYou should do a couple camp food posts! I’m going camping this weekend on Lake Huron (gotta love Michigan and the Great Lakes) and we are only cooking over the fire in our hobo pie makers and roasting sticks.
Julia H. @ Going Gulia
August 1, 2012 at 11:56 amThis looks like a nice campground! I actually used to go camping almost every summer in NorCal when I was younger–most of my relatives live in Sonoma, so we’d take camping trips when I visited from the East Coast. Ever hear of Benbow? That’s where we went most often–it’s a great spot!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
August 1, 2012 at 2:17 pmSounds like an amazing weekend! I have done Sequoia National Forest a couple times, but never this area. We will be taking a trip out there someday to show it to our son for sure!
Dawn F.
August 1, 2012 at 2:52 pmI love hearing about your camping adventures and love that your attitude is that you don’t have to have nasty camping food even if you’re camping – yes! Thx for your reviews on the places you go … the Bay area is always on our radar screen to potentially move to and if so, I’ll definitely come back and re-read your camping/trip posts!
Kristen
August 1, 2012 at 6:47 pmThanks for this post! I want to take my husband here so bad! We are in the Portland area now but grew up in Bend so cheers to the Deschutes 😉 !
safaribarbie
August 2, 2012 at 7:17 amWow, this looks like such a fantastic weekend trip….sounds like the kind of thing my husband and I would do 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Caroline E.
August 2, 2012 at 7:56 amI was also in Northern California this past weekend – in Petrolia for a memorial service. We normally go in from the south, through the redwoods where you camped, but this time we went in from Medford, OR. Redwoods up there too, but also a gorgeous view of the Lost Coast. Such beautiful country! Our “hills” in SC seem small after one of our visits to No. Ca. Your camping trip looked like a great time!
Friday Favorites | findyourway2011
August 3, 2012 at 5:46 am[…] Thanks to this post, camping in a redwood national park is on my bucket list. Anyone want to join […]
stephanie
August 3, 2012 at 8:53 pmGreat post!! One of my favs. 🙂
Notyet100
August 4, 2012 at 9:29 amThe place looks so serene
Sachi
August 6, 2012 at 11:04 amHi Jenna, we are headed up to Hidden Springs on your recommendation for Labor Day… wondering about the bear situation. I called the campground and the ranger said bears are not an issue in that area of the park, and they recommend simply storing food in the car. What do you think? Is that safe? Excited and looking forward to this adventure! Thank you for the fantastic post!
jenna
August 6, 2012 at 11:11 amWe never saw bears…or heard of anyone there seeing bears. That being said, it’s a state park and there are definitely bears around in the area. there are bear boxes at all the campsites, and I’d recommend storing your food in those or hiding it in the car out of plain view.
Sachi
August 6, 2012 at 6:26 pmThank you!
Kristina
August 7, 2012 at 2:14 pmAs you knock the state income tax, be aware that it helps fund the parks of which you are so fond!
melissa
August 12, 2012 at 12:33 pmBest. Post. Ever.
I wanna hug a tree now.
hiking vacations usa
May 31, 2013 at 9:10 pmI visit day-to-day some web sites and information sites
to read content, but this website gives feature based posts.
Steve
June 2, 2014 at 8:03 pmHello Jen, campsite 147 ..and now that we both gave away our special campsite #’s..we may never be able to get them again..lol..anyways was so jazzed reading your story with pics brought back some great memories camping with my son..been to Hidden Springs several times coming back home from Crater Lake ..or from somewhere on the Oregon Coast..I remember the first time a park ranger told us about this beautiful campground and how it would be so empty compared to the other ones close by..since it had been close due to renovations…and you know what i just fell so in love with it…and the hike to the eel River was nice..my son and I skipped stones for a good 2 hrs..anyways planning on going back this year..because life is short and never get enough chances to enjoy these special times..so thanks for your post..if I ever had any doubts about making this trip again..trust me you took them away..steve
CA
September 14, 2014 at 3:50 amHey there outstanding blog! Does running a blog like this take a lot of work?
I have no understanding of programming but I had been hoping
to start my own blog soon. Anyways, should you have any recommendations or tips for
new blog owners please share. I understand this is off subject however I
just wanted to ask. Many thanks!