Portola Redwoods State Park Campground
9000 Portola State Park Rd, La Honda, CA 94020
Overview
Portola Redwoods State Park is located within San Mateo County. The campground features 53 single sites that can accommodate trailers and RVs up to 21 and 24 feet, respectively. For tents, there are also 4 hike-in family sites, 6 trail camps, and 4 group sites that can accommodate 25–50 people.
The main campground offers picnic tables, flush toilets, paid showers, and drinking water. There is also a visitor center and a campfire center as well as several day-use areas close to the campground.
Dogs are allowed within the campground and picnic areas. They can also be taken on the Upper and Lower Escape roads, but they are not allowed on any hiking trails or in structures like the visitor center.
Portola Redwoods State Park Campground is usually open April through October, but temporary closures are possible based on droughts and fire risk.
Best Campsites at Portola Redwoods State Park Campground
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Portola Redwoods State Park Campground.
Closest to Amenities: Sites #20–23
- Next to water, restrooms, and showers
- Close to overflow parking
- Short distance to reach trail systems
- Downside: farther from visitor center and camp host
Most Private: Site #52
- Close to water, accessible restrooms, and showers
- More standoff distance from neighboring sites
- Short distance to overflow parking
Best for Hikers or Dog Owners: Sites #29, #39
- Located at the end of the loop with slightly more standoff from neighboring sites
- Quick access to the Upper and Lower Escape roads (dog friendly)
- Close to water
- Downside: farther from showers, restrooms, and parking
Unique Experiences
- Take your four-legged friend on the Lower and Upper Escape roads for some exercise and beautiful views of the nearby forest.
- Bring a book or a crossword puzzle to lounge on the couches in the visitor center and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace.
- Go bicycling on Old Haul Road via the Service Road for a scenic ride through the redwoods and nearby Memorial County Park.
Portola Redwoods State Park Campground Campground Rules
Pet Friendly
YesMax Trailer/RV Length
21 feet for trailers. 24 feet for RVs and campersMax People per Site
8 for standard or hike-in sites. 25–50 for group sitesMax Vehicles per Site
2–3 for standard or hike-in sites. 6–12 for group sitesFires Allowed
YesPortola Redwoods State Park Campground Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
YesReservations for standard sites and hike-in family sites are available by phone at 1-800-444-7275 or via the online portal on www.reservecalifornia.com. A $7.99 booking fee will apply to all reservations.
Standard and hike-in sites can accommodate up to 8 guests and 2–3 vehicles for $35 per night. No hookups or upgrades are available.
Group Camping Reservations
Group camping reservations can also be made on www.reservecalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-7275. Group sites start at $335 per night and can accommodate 25–50 people and 6–12 vehicles based on selection.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
Cancellations should be made through www.reservecalifornia.com or by phone at 1-800-444-7275. The initial reservation fee is nonrefundable, and an additional $7.99 cancellation fee will apply. Cancellations requested after 6 p.m. the day before arrival will be assessed as a further penalty equal to the cost of one night’s stay.
Portola Redwoods State Park Campground Campground Cost
Standard Campsite
$35Group Sites
$335Activities
Backpacking
Bike Trails
Photography
Swimming
Hiking
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Grills
Campfire Rings
Potable Water
Visitors/Rec Center
Picnic Tables
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Portola Redwoods State Park Campground
Portola Redwoods State Park’s campground is a middle-of-the-road option that balances amenities with affordability and flexibility. Although there are no hookups, the main campground features flush toilets, drinking water, paid showers, a campfire center, a camp host, and a visitor center.
This campground also stands out because of its multiple group camps, trail campsites, and hike-in family sites. This allows guests to adjust their experiences based on their personal circumstances and preferences.
Lastly, Portola Redwoods State Park allows dogs on two roads and in the campground itself. Guests who enjoy walking their dogs while hiking will enjoy this additional perk.
Huckleberry Campground
Located in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Huckleberry Campground features 33 campsites, several of which are walk-in and tent-only sites. RVs, trailers, and vehicles are limited to 24–27 feet. There are also three dozen tent cabins, including a package with sleeping bags, a cooler, a cooking stove, and a bag of ice per night. A handful of sites are open all year, but the remainder of the campground shuts down seasonally at varying points. Unlike at Portola Redwoods, this campground has a dump station.
Please note that this campground is closed indefinitely due to fire damage.
Francis Beach Campground
Francis Beach is in a markedly different environment since it’s along the ocean instead of by a lake or in redwood forests. This campground offers 48 mixed-use campsites that can accommodate tents or RVs/trailers up to 40 feet and 4 tent-only sites. Approximately half of the sites have electrical hookups at a rate of $50 per night, and there’s a paid dump station within the campground.
This makes Francis Beach better for those who enjoy additional amenities and luxuries. The Sweetwood group site is also cheaper at $165 per night compared to the group site at Portola Redwoods.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
The campground at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is larger in size compared to Portola Redwoods. It has 103 sites that can fit tents, RVs up to 35 feet, and trailers up to 31 feet. Amenities and pricing are comparable to Portola Redwoods, but there are no group campsites at this location. This campground closes for the winter months.
Coyote Point Campground
Located at New Hogan Lake, Coyote Point is distinctly different from Portola Redwoods because it’s a group site. This campground can fit RVs or trailers up to 60 feet. Reservation limits are 10–50 people and up to 18 vehicles. Amenities are quite basic and only include a barbecue, fire pit, and picnic table. This is also a lakefront site.
