Elam Backcountry Camp

Elam Backcountry Camp is a three-site overnight camp in second-growth redwoods near Redwood Creek. Hikers and horseback riders reach it by trail; each site allows up to eight people. Picnic tables, animal-safe food lockers, fire rings and an equestrian corral make it a useful waypoint on a multi-day trip.

A free backcountry permit is required. The Redwood Creek Trailhead approach is about three miles; longer routes come from Tall Trees and Orick. Seasonal footbridges may be out, and high water can make creek crossings dangerous or impossible, so check route conditions before setting out.

There is no treated water at camp. Pack drinking water or be ready to filter or purify water from the creek tributaries. Keep food and other scented gear in the animal-safe lockers, pack out your trash, and use only the designated fire rings when fires are allowed.

The camp’s three sites sit fairly close together, so expect shared space when other groups are there. The immediate forest is second-growth redwood; the nearby Overnight Loop climbs into old-growth trees. Horses also use this trail corridor, and the camp has a corral.