Off the 199 | Wild Camping

United States

Details

Verified:
8 months ago
Altitude:
64.0 masl
Website:
None
Contributor:
josereynoso.r

Amenities

Electricity:
No
Wifi:
No
Kitchen:
No
Restaurant:
No
Showers:
No
Water:
Natural Source
Toilets:
No
Big Rig Friendly:
No
Tent Friendly:
Yes
Pet Friendly:
Yes

Something not right?

Description

On the right. Looks like a pull off but there is a road down. Sign: Cooper Flat. Great boondocking spot right off the 199 about 4 miles up from Hiouchi on the right. There are three designated spots for vehicles/campsites. Middle spot by the stream will fit a big van and can get level here. Other spots no-go on leveling a vehicle. Tight, steep drive down or up the gravely access road.

Simple hike to the Smith river to the right of the third site. Great views and swimming. Mind the algae bloom and stay out of the pools with it.

No amenities but a porta-potty occasionally at the top of the access road.

Photos

Why? By checking in after you’ve visited a place you let others know this place is still functional. You can also add or correct any information.

Add To Favorites

Latest Check-Ins

Beautiful Spot! One other van got there about the same time we did around 7 or so. Road in is a little steep and rocky but our lower clearance 2WD Ford Transit made down and back up just fine, walked the road first just to make sure though. We parked in the middle spot and we perfectly level, the other van was at the last spot which isn’t the easiest to pull into but they found a level spot too. First spot would best suit an SUV.
The trail down the the river is to the right of that spot and once you get down to the rocks if you go the left a little bit there’s a great spot to swim! Or a gorgeous swim hole near the first spot, really pretty in the morning sun!
Unfortunately someone before left a disgusting bag of trash at the site the seemed to have been a little torn apart by wildlife. Please be respectful and leave no trace. We packed out the trash with us but it was gross.

Report Check-In

Lovely spot, had it all to myself. Lovely river access and the amount of bugs that comes along with that. A bear did come to visit while I was quiet in my bed, so pack up foods well and come prepared for a possible wildlife encounter!

Report Check-In

a lovely, lush forest spot just east of Jedediah Smith SP. we were the only ones here midweek in June. like previous comments— the middle spot allows a van to be most level. the peaceful sound of the creek is wonderful (you will also hear road noise). only complaint: literal human feces throughout the area. PLEASEEE dig a 6-8 inch hole, at least 100 feet away from water, before using the bathroom—cover your poop AND toilet paper back up! this is how places get shut down to dispersed camping. :( no at&t or verizon.

Report Check-In

Truly beautiful camp spot right by a babbling creek. Walked down to the Smith River for an incredible view of the turquoise, fast flowing rapids as well as some shallow swimming holes that would be perfect on a hot summer's day. There is also a nice trail going east across the creek too. Beware, road going in is steep and narrow and there is little room to turn around at the campsites. Easily doable if you don't mind scratches on your vehicle and doing 10 point turns.

Report Check-In

Nice spot. River is gorgeous.

poison ivy/poison oak: watch for it anywhere that isn’t cleared (i.e. on trails, at edge of woods). If you take the rocky trail down to river from middle of this site, you can avoid ivy/oak pretty easily, as trail is well-cleared.

River toxic algae blooms: can make swimming/drinking dangerous. I’d look out for bright green algae in pools and maybe check at nearby state park/visitors centers about the current state of algae blooms in the river if you want to be sure whether it’s currently safe to swim/drink.

Report Check-In

As described, highway noise can be heard and headlights occasionally hit the middle campsite. Two spots were full by the time we got there around 10pm on a Tuesday night in July, but we weren't bothered. It was mostly clean and quiet.

Report Check-In

Amazing spot with a cheeky lil swimming hole

Report Check-In

great private and quiet spot. tiny bit of road noise but the creek sounds covers that. flat in middle spot

Report Check-In

Amazingly private. The first spot down the hill has its own swimming hole! No Verizon

Report Check-In

Nice little spot with acces to river, absolutely stunning if you walk out to the big river - past people have kind of trashed the place, but there's still room for 2-3 cars. No service

Report Check-In

great spot. Saturday night Mid-March we were the only ones there. it was pouring rain, it felt magical to be sleeping in the redwoods forest. when the rain stoped we heard the little river running near the spot.
the way in is steep but the ground is solid and despite of the rain we didn't have any issues going out with our ford e350 (no 4wd). highly recommend stop. i guess it gets super busy in summer though.

Report Check-In

Very small and shaded place. We got out 25ft RV in the middle spot. Felt like we were parked in the center of everything. We had a neighbor but overall great place to stop for a night or two. No service with T-Mobile or Verizon.

Report Check-In

As mentioned by many this place is definitely a hidden gem! The pull out has a fairly steep dirt road into a fairly level space. We stayed in the first spot as you arrive at the bottom of the hill. We had a private pond with a freshwater stream right behind us. The highway noise is the biggest complaint but there are more spots further from the road they just are not as level or shaded. I’d say it’s luxurious because it’s free!

•lots of shade
•private river access to crystal clear water
•few places to hike
•zero internet for Verizon
•most camper vans will fit maybe a “C” class or short bus

*please keep it clean and be respectful, this is truly a spectacular spot. Let’s not ruin it for others to experience. Peace, love and harmony

Report Check-In

Great boondocking spot right off the 199 about 4 miles up from Hiouchi on the right. There are three designated spots for vehicles/campsites. Middle spot by the stream will fit a big van and can get level here. Other spots no-go on leveling a vehicle. Tight, steep drive down or up the gravely access road.

Simple hike to the Smith river to the right of the third site. Great views and swimming. Mind the algae bloom and stay out of the pools with it.

No amenities but a porta-potty occasionally at the top of the access road.

Report Check-In

Pretty and great river access but very crowded on the weekend and campsite ‘personal space’ doesn’t seem to be as much of a thing in California. Outhouse is available at the turnout above.

Report Check-In

This place is going on my TOP fav places to stay. Yes, it is close to the main road so there is traffic noise, but it's right by the creek so that cancels out most of the noise. We were able to snag the second parking spot and had to use level blocks. Hike up the stream to get a private spot to swim or hike down the stream to get for a larger swimming spot in the open. No Verizon reception at all.

Report Check-In

This place is absolutely stunning! The campsites are right off the road so there is road noise, but there is a babbling creek right next to the sites. On that note, there are quite a few mosquitos. The river access is super easy and there is even a beautiful trail for a stroll through the woods.

Report Check-In

Super cute place, the sounds of the creek are really enjoyable.

Report Check-In

3 spots, only one can get level (2nd spot, to the left of the tree in the ‘flats’ at the bottom, most rigs will have to back in to get level). 2nd spot can fit a Class B or up to 27’ C, the others are car or small pickup spots.

Weekday in mid-august and it was packed, with 2 more who came down and drove iff because it was full.

Still, a pretty corner. Some highway noise.

Road construction is right above this spot at the moment.

Report Check-In

Lovely spot for tents or tiny camper. Great creek and swimming! A hidden gem

Report Check-In

Cute little spot, must have been cleaned up since the last people. The dude who was mentioned in the previous one (6/21/2020) wasn’t there anymore. Really a hidden gem and would recommend if you are looking a spot near by. Beautiful river down the path - we saw 3 water snakes.

Report Check-In

A guy there that looks like he lives there out of his truck. Some garbage lying around. A bit trashed. 3 spots. Easy walk to river

Report Check-In

Great place! Follow little road down. Below the highway, about 50ft away so you can see cars (but they don’t see you). Right next to a creek. No cell service at all (Verizon). 2 big sports, and you can squeeze 2-3 smaller cars into the turnaround area.

Report Check-In

Great site! There's 3 small sites, just off the road. Some road noise at night. Nearby river was about 100m away and very beautiful. Too cold to swim in mid-June and was 50°F temp outside. Made a great overnight in the middle of the northern part of Redwoods.

Report Check-In

very cool little place. it does look like a turnover on the road, but there's a barely visible road down. all gravel and very short. it goes down right down to the river. we stayed there a night with no issues. there's enough room for multiple rigs. firepits too. we hiked down the river and it led us to a huge river. it also had some pools that we tried to stay in but it was too cold. I'm sure they're great it summer. it's a short hike. i had no cell service (cricket or atnt).

Report Check-In

Great little spot! I had it all to myself on a Friday night. You can hardly hear any vehicles with the creek and river being right there. I had a fire last night and a dip in the river to start my Saturday. A bit cold, but channel your Wim Hof and it’s all good.

Report Check-In

Amazing little spot just off the road, very little headlight or car noise. Flat spaces for 3-4 cars or vans, don’t think anything bigger could fit.

Report Check-In

Still magical and as described by previous posters. Stayed Sunday night 10/20/19 and had the place to myself.

Report Check-In

Magical spot indeed! About 3 parking spots here. Lovely short walk down to the river w pools, small waterfalls, & great igneous outcrop. Watch for frogs & tadpoles as you step.

Report Check-In

What a gem! As other people mentioned, make sure to walk out to the main river for a swim. Road noise ceases after dark for the most part.
Only annoying part was all the slugs & centipedes on the ground. Soooo many of them, had to watch our step.

Report Check-In

Cool spot right off the road very close to Jedediah Redwoods. Creek noise helps cancel out the road noise. Established fire rings and lovely walk down to rivers and pools.

Report Check-In

Every nice spot near the River
Un beau sport près de la rivière, par prudence aller voir a pied si il reste de la place car seulement 3 places et ensuite difficile de faire demi tour. Gratuit, aucune interdiction, en contre bas de la route donc sans bruit . Que pour les petits véhicules.

Report Check-In

Could have easily stayed another night. just off highway as described. pack out what you pack in. Bit of garbage laying around. magical pools indeed! very pet friendly area.

Report Check-In

A great one nighter. We didn't have a fire just slept.

Report Check-In

Had a nice evening at the river. Place seems to be very popular, several cars came by in the evening, but couldn't stay since all spots were already taken. Directly at highway so expect some noise throughout the day.

Report Check-In

3 private spots. A little trash left behind leads us to believe these spots will be closed soon. Fire pits in place. River was low so no magic pools.

Report Check-In

Excellent spot! Too small for big RVs to get down to; just right for 1-2 vehicles.

Report Check-In

Beautiful spot woth a nice fire pit! Enough space for 3 van (we were 2), I'm gonna stay one more day and enjoy a hike along the main river. Please, keep this spot clean, I'll give you a "karma point" if you do it 😉

Report Check-In

make sure you walk to the main river to find magical pools!!! we're ao grateful we found this place!

Report Check-In

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.