Panther Flat Campground
Panther Flat Campground sits in the vast Six Rivers National Forest in northern California. This shady, secluded campground is just steps from the Smith River, which is famous for its bright blue waters and scenic pathway through the forest.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 38 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
38 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 004 | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 005 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 006 | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 007 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 009 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 010 | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 011 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers multiple single-family sites and at least one double site, available for tent and RV camping. It is one of the most modern campgrounds in the area and has some of the largest parking aprons. Campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible flush toilets, coin-operated hot showers and drinking water are provided. The Visitor Center at the Gasquet Ranger Station provides free maps and brochures of the area.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Six Rivers National Forest |
| Fees | Family campsites accommodate up to eight people per site, with a maximum of two vehicles. The fee is $15 per site per night. This fee includes one vehicle; a $5 fee is charged for the second vehicle. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Highway 101 north of Crescent City, California, take highway 199 east for 16 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Gasquet, California |
| Coordinates | 41.8431° N, 123.9306° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedPatterson Rx
33 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRoots & Shoots Rx: Or
35 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSrf 2026 Rx Implementation
43 mi from the campground · 500 acres
- PrescribedLeary Rx
46 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 8.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Rogue Outdoor Store ↗ | 46.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Campsites Panther Flat Campground California
Worth a stop
California's Redwood National Park and the Pacific Ocean are within 20 miles of the campground. Annual events include Gasquet Raft Race in July and Del Norte County Fair in August.
- 7.2 miForks River Access And Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 11.7 miDoe Flat Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.5 miSourdough Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.9 miElk Camp Ridge ↗8.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.3 miDarlingtonia ↗0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miFrench Hill2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.1 miStony Creek0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.9 miPatrick Creek Trail ↗0.2 mi trail · hiking, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests begins about 5.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.3 miRogue River-Siskiyou National Forests ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,852,705 acres
- 7 miSiskiyou Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 179,847 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Gasquet Ranger Station Historic DistrictHistoric district · Gasquet · 1.8 mi
Natural features
Set in a mature forest of Douglas fir, cedar and Pacific madrone trees, the campground is a short walk from the pristine Smith River. The river boasts up to Class 5 whitewater rapids. The region, thick with vegetation, is also freckled with huckleberry shrubs. The Six Rivers National Forest lies east of Eureka in northwestern California, stretching southward from the Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the famed "Redwood Highway," parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The Forest is just east of the Redwood National Park.
Recreation
Popular activities include swimming, sunbathing, rafting and fishing in the Smith River. Anglers enjoy healthy fishing populations of salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout. Visitors also enjoy hiking, horseback riding and biking in the area. There are no trailheads in the campground, but Elk Camp Ridge, High Dome and French Hill trailheads are all within 10 miles of the site. A Botanical trail to a unique Darlingtonia bog is just a mile away.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Panther Flat Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Panther Flat Campground?
Family campsites accommodate up to eight people per site, with a maximum of two vehicles. The fee is $15 per site per night. This fee includes one vehicle; a $5 fee is charged for the second vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Panther Flat Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Panther Flat Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Panther Flat Campground have?
39 sites, including 38 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Panther Flat Campground?
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Panther Flat Campground?
Accessible flush toilets, coin-operated hot showers and drinking water are provided.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Panther Flat Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Panther Flat Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Panther Flat Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Panther Flat Campground?
Popular activities include swimming, sunbathing, rafting and fishing in the Smith River. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Panther Flat Campground?
Gasquet, California. California's Redwood National Park and the Pacific Ocean are within 20 miles of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Panther Flat Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Grassy Flat Campground (2.3 mi, partly first-come), Patrick Creek Campground (4.8 mi), and Jedediah Smith Campground (8.7 mi, seasonal).
Source: Campgrounds nearby