Workamping in the Redwoods: Living, Growing & Finding Community Among Giants

We arrived at Redwoods River Resort in the middle of their busiest weekend of the year—Fourth of July. The campground was packed, the energy was wild, and as we jumped right into work, I couldn’t help but think, What did we just sign up for? But as the weeks passed, we settled in, and this place—this magical redwood grove—became home.

The resort had been around for over 25 years, and many of the guests had been coming since childhood. Now, they were bringing their own families, continuing a tradition that made this place feel special. Norm, the campground’s beloved bigfoot mascot, stood proudly in the pub, and guests could take home t-shirts that read, “I Partied with Bigfoot at Harrison’s Pub.” But Norm wasn’t the only star of the show—Lola, the owners’ dog, was just as much a mascot as Norm was.

Lola was everywhere—on stickers, t-shirts, and in the hearts of every guest who met her. The resort even had a hole in the fence where she could poke her head through, and around it, they painted a mini Bigfoot, making it look like she was part of the legendary creature. People would take photos with “Lola the Bigfoot” every single day—she was the true queen of Redwoods River.

The campground itself was breathtaking. Every morning, mist drifted through the redwoods, making the entire place feel like something out of a dream. The property had access to the Eel River, and on our days off, we spent hours floating in the cool water, swimming, and launching off the rope swing. Some days, we’d drive into town for breakfast before heading to a quiet redwood grove, sitting in peaceful stillness beneath the towering trees.

Grocery shopping was an event in itself—the nearest store was an hour away, so we’d make a day of it. We’d turn our supply runs into adventures, using the opportunity to explore new areas or revisit our favorite places. And when the busy season wound down, the campground became quiet, giving us time to slow down and soak it all in. We had a beautiful autumn heatwave, and after every shift, we’d head to the now-empty pool, finally able to enjoy it for ourselves.

James thrived in his role here, working outside every day as the owner’s right-hand man. He built a three-tier deck for the outdoor seating area, and by the following summer, guests were enjoying it for the first time—gathering, laughing, and sharing meals together. James was so proud, and rightfully so—his work became a permanent part of this place.

The Heart of Redwoods River: The People Who Made It Home

But beyond the work, beyond the stunning scenery, it was the people who made this experience unforgettable. When we first arrived, we kept to ourselves. It was overwhelming jumping into a workplace mid-season when everyone had already formed friendships. But Teresa never gave up on us. She kept inviting us to hang out, and we’d always find some reason to say no. Eventually, we gave in—and I’m so glad we did, because she became one of my best friends at Redwoods River.

Teresa and her husband, Dan, ran Friday night karaoke and the Ice Cream Social, calling themselves Techno T & Disco Dan. Dan’s music was a constant presence—he’d drive around the campground with his tunes bumping, and anytime there was a get-together, he was in charge of the playlist.

Keira was the party planner. She was the one who always found an excuse for us to get together—and she loved a theme. She put so much heart into our little events, even making adorable invites with her Cricut. Her husband, Phil, introduced me to Ishmael—a book I now recommend to everyone—but our conversations went far beyond that. We spent countless hours talking in the office, diving into discussions about life, books, and everything in between.

And Jen, Anthony, James, and I bonded after the massive winter storm that left the campground in chaos. We worked side by side on cleanup, and Jen even watched Bishop for us when my family surprised James and me (along with my sister and nephews) with a trip to Disney World. Jen was always baking in the clubhouse, and I loved when she’d show up at our door with fresh treats.

A local mother and son worked with us at the resort, and over time, we became like family. James took Jonathan under his wing, mentoring him and turning everyday tasks into adventures—from tractor rides to life talks that helped him through the challenges of being a teenager. Michelle and I bonded deeply, sharing stories and supporting each other, and finding comfort in knowing we had someone to lean on.

The owners (Jack, Sandy & Billie) welcomed us in and made us feel like part of their family. They celebrated our birthdays, lent us their car when we needed it, and showed us so much kindness. James formed a strong bond with Jack, who he worked alongside every day—through rain, snow, and long hours, they built more than just decks and projects, they built a friendship. 

Meanwhile, Sandy and I found plenty to laugh about as we tackled the daily chaos of RMS. Whether it was troubleshooting the reservation system or dealing with difficult guests, we were in it together—stress and all. We did our best to handle every challenge with a laugh and a positive attitude, making even the most frustrating days a little bit lighter.

Amidst the busyness of work, I also found moments of quiet connection. I walked Vhanna, Billie's dog, after every shift, soaking in the quiet magic of the redwoods, letting the stillness of the forest be my reset after a long day. Then, I’d spend hours unwinding in her apartment, laughing, sharing stories, and talking about life, memories, and the things that truly matter. In a lifestyle where we’re always moving, always meeting new people, it was special to have friends—to feel truly connected to people and to a place.

Redwoods River Resort wasn’t just a job—it was a community, a chapter of our lives, and a place that will always feel like home.

Want to dive deeper into our time on the Sonoma Coast? Read the full story of our workamping experience at Fort Ross Lodge & Store here!

Memories from the Redwoods

• ✨ Forest Walks & Redwoods Magic – After long shifts at the resort, the forest behind our RV site became our sanctuary. We’d take Bishop for walks, breathing in the cool, damp air and grounding ourselves under the towering trees. It was the best way to decompress and leave the worries of the day behind.

• ✨ Teresa's Endless Kitchen Creations – Teresa was always cooking up something—literally. She’d show up during my shift with her latest creation, whether it was pizza on a tortilla or some masterpiece she threw together with whatever she had on hand. She was always feeding everyone, making sure no one went hungry.

• ✨ An Unforgettable Celebrity Encounter – A celebrity from a famous ‘90s sitcom stayed at Redwoods River Resort, and I completely embarrassed myself when I helped him in the store. I was so nervous, I blurted out something ridiculous—but hey, at least it makes me laugh every time I think about it!

• ✨ Baking Nights & Movies Under the Stars – We’d gather in the clubhouse with our fellow workampers, baking treats, playing games, and sharing stories around the campfire. Some nights, we set up an outdoor projector and watched movies under the stars, bundled up in blankets as the towering trees and shadowy forest around us made the perfect eerie backdrop for a horror film.

• ✨ Weddings at Redwoods River – Every wedding was unique, and it was magical to watch them come to life from the ground up. Some couples rented out the entire resort, one even had a pool party, and many times, their families would cook big meals and share them with us. It always felt special to play a small part in their celebrations.

• ✨ A Halloween Party for the Ages – Halloween at Redwoods River was unforgettable. James and I showed up in theme with the forest—I was a raccoon, and he was a Chicago Cub. The night was filled with costumes, laughter, and music echoing through the campground. We had a costume contest, danced late into the night in the pub, and soaked in every last moment with friends who had become family. It was one of those nights that felt like pure magic—one we never wanted to end.

• ✨ A Birthday That Meant Everything – My 35th birthday at Redwoods River was one of the most special birthdays I’ve ever had. The owners surprised me with a cake and threw a party for me down at the pub. Our best friends from the summer crew and new friends from the arriving winter crew all came to celebrate—they truly went out of their way to make me feel loved.

• ✨ Surviving the Winter Storm – A massive storm knocked out power for ten days, bringing down over 30 trees and leaving the campground in chaos. On top of it all, James and I got COVID. We stayed in the lodge with fellow workampers, bundling up, sharing meals by candlelight, and working side by side to rebuild. Despite the challenges, those days felt special—coming together to restore the place we had all come to love.

• ✨Keira’s Gift: The Hat That Never Left My Head – One day, I complimented my coworker Keira on her crocheted hat, and without hesitation, she took it off and gave it to me. She had made it herself, which made it even more special. That hat never left my head for the entire winter season—staff even joked that they had never seen me without it. 

• ✨ Movie Nights & Vhanna in the Sink – When the owners went on vacation, James stayed at their apartment to watch Vhanna. One night, we had a movie night with our friends Jen & Anthony, watching Face/Off while Jen, always baking, brought lemon squares. James also gave Vhanna a bath in the kitchen sink, and the photo of her bug-eyed expression still cracks me up.

• ✨ Jonathan’s Graduation – Michelle and Jonathan, a local mother and son who worked with us at the resort, became like family to us. When they invited us to Jonathan’s graduation, we felt truly honored. Watching him walk across the stage was such a special moment—one that reminded us how much this place and the people had come to feel like home. We were so incredibly proud of him and grateful to celebrate such an important milestone alongside them.

• ✨ Blackberry Picking & Homemade Jam – During the quiet winter season, I got really into cooking. By summer, I started noticing the blackberry bushes all over the campground. I’d go out and pick fresh berries, then turn them into homemade jam—a simple but special way to savor the season.

• ✨James’ 40th Birthday Bash – During our final summer at Redwoods River, James, Phil, and Billie all had milestone birthdays, so we threw a huge party! They even made photo cutouts of each birthday honoree and put them on the cake. We had a potluck feast, took turns smashing a piñata, and played a real-life Mario Kart game with RC cars. It was such a fun, unforgettable night of laughter and celebration.

These are just a few of the unforgettable moments we experienced while workamping at Redwoods River Resort. If you’d like to hear more about what it was really like to live and work on the Sonoma Coast, check out the full story here.  

Leaving the Redwoods: A Heartfelt Goodbye

Saying goodbye to Redwoods River Resort was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I sobbed for days after we left, overcome with the feeling that I was leaving behind something truly magical. Living under the redwoods felt like being wrapped in a constant embrace—like living inside a big hug. The towering trees, the quiet stillness of the forest, and the deep sense of home I felt there made it nearly impossible to leave.

Even now, I think about it all the time. That experience changed me, and I know one day we’ll find our way back. We’ve even talked about eventually buying property with redwoods, creating a space where we can always return to that feeling of peace, grounding, and magic.

Have you ever workamped, or is it something you’d try? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I'd love to hear your experiences! If you’re curious about workamping in general, check out my post here. And if you want to hear more about what it was like to work and live along the breathtaking Highway 1 coastline, read the full story here. ✨