Est. 1968 | California | 138,999 acres

Home to the tallest trees on earth, Redwood National Park transports visitors back in time to a prehistoric wilderness with bigger-than-life plants, wild riverways, and abundant wildlife. This forest and coastland of northern California is a cooperative partnership between three California state parks and one national park. Families can find a myriad of activities to enjoy in a playground of forested trails under a 300-foot canopy of the iconic coastal redwoods.

Redwood National and State Parks span 50 miles of the northern California coastline. With no entrance stations (and no entrance fees) Highway 101 is the region’s only route through the parks from Hiouchi Visitor Center in the north to Kuchel Visitor Center in the south, with the Prairie Creek Visitor Center in the middle. The best way to see redwood trees is to exit Highway 101 and take the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, a 10-mile scenic bypass through old growth redwood groves along the gentle Prairie Creek.

Several other roads also venture off the beaten path throughout the park. Howland Hill Road in the north reaches notable hiking trails among redwoods, Davison Road grants access to beach attractions and Bald Hills Road leads up into the high country, offering a wide range of experiences throughout all levels of Redwood National Park.

Must-see highlights in Redwood

1. Tall Trees Trail—Hike below towering old growth redwoods and chase toads in Redwood Creek in this remote trek off Bald Hills Road. Due to tight roads and small parking lots, Tall Trees Trail is only accessible by permit, reserved online. From these parking lots, the trail descends 800 feet to Redwood Creek in a 4.5-mile roundtrip loop. Plan to spend 4 hours reaching and hiking this remote backcountry trail.
2. Fern Canyon Loop Trail—Made famous for its debut in Jurassic Park, this canyon features 30-foot cliffs covered in green ferns. Be prepared for wet feet as you walk up the canyon along Home Creek, climbing over fallen trees and under mossy overhangs in the company of verdant ferns all around. At the far side of the canyon, ascend a staircase to the top of the canyon and back to the entry point to complete the loop. In good weather, this area is ideal for children to splash, climb and explore in the wonder of the canyon. Like Tall Trees, the road to the trailhead is unpaved, and requires advance reservation permits to park in the tiny beachfront parking lot. Arrive before 10 a.m. for your choice of parking. For those without permits, Fern Canyon can be reached via 5 miles along the James Irvine Trail from the Prairie Creek Visitor Center.
3. Trillium Falls—Tucked behind the spacious Elk Meadows day use area, Trillium Falls cascades over moss-covered rocks in the shade of redwood, Douglas fir and maple trees. Though only 10 feet tall, the meandering waterway create a cool cozy scene. The damp forest floor hosts voles, salamanders and banana slugs. Look for white trillium blooms and berry patches in the spring and summer.
4. Gold Bluffs Beach—En route to Fern Canyon, Davison Road skirts along the shore of Gold Bluffs Beach. Park in any one of the several lots near Gold Bluffs Campground to access the beach. Stroll the sandy coastline beneath forested golden cliffs and keep an eye out for elusive snow plovers as they nest among the beach grass in the summer. Day use permits are required May 15–September 15 to mitigate the amount of traffic along Davison Road and the beach. Permits must be reserved at least a day beforehand. Day-of reservations are not accepted.
5. Karl Knapp and Foothills Trail Loop—Starting at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, the Karl Knapp Trail (also called Prairie Creek Trail) heads along Prairie Creek on a meandering path of ferns and redwoods. Cross bridges and tunnel through fallen redwoods as you search for banana slugs and spawning salmon from the creek’s banks. After 1 mile, cross the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and catch Foothills Trail back to the visitor center. Along the way, stop at Big Tree Wayside to touch the largest, tallest redwood in the park. As you return, look for elk grazing in the meadows outside the visitor center.

Best time to visit Redwood

Generally, there is no bad time to visit Redwood National Park. The weather along California’s northern coast is relatively temperate, with highs hovering between 50ºF and 70ºF throughout the year.

• Spring (April to June): This is one of the best times to visit, as the weather is mild, the park’s wildflowers are in bloom, and the crowds are relatively light. The forests are lush, and you can enjoy the peace and beauty of the park without the summer crowds.
• Summer (July to September): Summer brings the warmest and sunniest weather making it’s the best time for hiking and outdoor activities. Ocean temperatures tend to stay cool due to ocean breezes, which makes this a nice option for escaping hotter inland weather. The difference in temperature also generates fog and mist along the coastal forests. However, as the peak tourist season in the park, it can be crowded, especially in popular areas like Prairie Creek and Jedidiah Smith. Permits and reservations can also be competitive for places like Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon.
• Fall (October to November): As fall arrives mild weather, fewer tourists, and beautiful fall colors coincide in the park. The weather is still comfortable with highs in the 60ºFs, but be prepared to encounter more rain as you move into November. The elk rut occurs in September and October, so keep a safe distance from herds, males especially, during this time.
• Winter (December to March): Winter brings cooler, wetter weather, but it’s also the least crowded time of year. While some trails may be muddy and some roads close for weather conditions, the forests are still breathtaking. If you don’t mind the rain and colder temperatures, winter can offer a more serene and peaceful experience.

How long should I visit Redwood?

Redwood has an extensive reach up and down the coast offering many opportunities for exploration. That said, the highlights can be seen best in 2–3 days. Plan to spend a day or two hiking the inland trails and an additional day visiting the coastline. Elk Prairie is a perfect centrally-located basecamp. It offers easy access to many of the park highlights including a visitor center and the scenic bypass.

Getting to Redwood

Redwood has four main approaches. Highway 101 draws people from both the north and south along the coast. Otherwise, visitors can enter along Highway 199 from the northeast (converging with Highway 101 at Crescent City, CA) or follow Highway 299 from the southeast (feeding into Highway 101 near Arcata, CA). Bald Hills Road also approaches from the east, but as a primitive unpaved road it is highly discouraged.

For those flying into the area, Redwood National Park is serviced by three nearby airports. At a mere 4 miles from the park, Del Norte County Airport (CEC) in Crescent City is the closest, but this option is expensive and serviced by only one carrier from Oakland. Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) in McKinleyville is 25 miles from the park offering more flexibility with United Airline flights and more direct flights to major western cities, like Los Angeles and Denver. Perhaps the most cost-effective airport is the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) in Medford, Oregon. Though it is 100 miles away, it offers the most flight options at reasonable prices.

Where to stay in Redwood

Lodging—Aside from 8 rustic cabins (4 in Elk Prairie Campground and 4 in Jedidiah Smith Campground) the parks do not offer any lodging within their boundaries. However, accommodations can be found in nearby towns of Crescent City, Orick and Klamath and further outlying cities. Reservations are made through Redwood Parks Conservancy.

Campgrounds—Redwood National and State Parks collectively host 4 frontcountry campgrounds. Each campground has its perks, but Elk Prairie Campground is most conveniently located near a majority of the major attractions. Reservations can be booked through Redwood Parks Conservancy.

• Jedidiah Smith Campground—86 sites (RV and tent), open year-round
• Mill Creek Campground—145 sites (RV and tent), open year-round
• Elk Prairie Campground—75 sites (RV and tent), open year-round
• Gold Bluffs Beach Campground—26 sites (RV and tent), open year-round

When should I book?

Overnight accommodations within the park(s) can tend to book quickly; however, sparse openings are available 1 month in advance. If your schedule is flexible, it is not hard to find single night stays here and there. But if you are looking to book multiple nights and have specific dates in mind (especially holidays), consider reserving accommodations at least 4–6 months in advance.

Likewise, permits for day-use areas such as Tall Trees, Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon can fill quotas quickly, so make your plans as early as possible up to 6 months in advance. If your specific dates are full, check at 9 a.m. the day before as day-before permits are released on a rolling basis. Tall Trees issues 45 advance reservations and 20 day-before reservations. And because they are in the same area, Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon together issue 75 advance reservations and 100 day-before reservations. Any visitor with a Elk Prairie Campground or Gold Bluffs Beach Campground reservation does not need to reserve a Gold Bluffs Beach or Fern Canyon permit. Access to these areas are included in each campsite registration. Reservations are booked through Redwood Parks Conservancy.

How much should I budget?

A 3-day trip to Redwood booked 6 months in advance can cost roughly $800–$1,000 depending on your required needs. Here is a range of what to expect:

Roundtrip Airfare to Medford	$250–$400
Car Rental	$50–$75/day (not including taxes/fees)
Campsite	$35/night (not including taxes/fees)
Cabin	$80–$100/night
Meals	$10–$25/meal
Entrance Fee	Free
Tall Trees Permit	Free
Gold Bluffs Beach Permit	$12/vehicle

Packing list for Redwood

Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Redwood National Park, we wouldn’t want to be caught without hiking shoes, water shoes or durable sandals, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, layered clothing, and a water bottle.

Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into our trip to Redwood.

For more detailed information on Redwood National Park, visit the official park website.