Redwood National Park Guide
Where the ancient giants touch the sky
Overview
Tucked along the fog-kissed coast of northern California, Redwood National and State Parks protect the tallest living things on Earth. Here, coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) soar to heights exceeding 380 feet — taller than a 35-story skyscraper — in forests that have stood for millions of years. The park spans roughly 139,000 acres across Del Norte and Humboldt counties, encompassing old-growth redwood groves, wild rivers, 40 miles of rugged Pacific coastline, and prairies rich with Roosevelt elk.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, Redwood is jointly managed by the National Park Service and California State Parks, giving visitors access to an extraordinary mosaic of ecosystems in a single destination.
Essential Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern California, along US-101 |
| Nearest Towns | Crescent City, Orick, Klamath |
| Park Designation | National & State Parks (jointly managed) |
| Total Area | ~139,000 acres |
| Entrance Fee | Free (state park day-use fees apply in some areas) |
| Open | Year-round, 24 hours |
Getting There
By Car: The park is best accessed via US Highway 101, which runs directly through it. From San Francisco, the drive north takes approximately 5–6 hours (roughly 325 miles). From Portland, Oregon, expect about 4.5 hours heading south.
Nearest Airports:
- Arcata/Eureka Airport (ACV) — 75 miles south of the park center; the most convenient option with connections through San Francisco and Los Angeles.
- Del Norte County Airport (CEC) — Small regional airport near Crescent City.
- Portland International (PDX) — A viable option for visitors flying from the east or north.
By Bus: Greyhound serves Crescent City from Portland and San Francisco, though a rental car is strongly recommended once you arrive.
When to Visit
Redwood is a year-round destination, but each season offers a different experience.
Spring (March–May): Wildflowers carpet the prairies and rhododendrons burst into bloom beneath the canopy. Rivers run full, wildlife is active, and crowds are manageable. Expect some rain — pack layers.
Summer (June–August): Peak season brings warm inland temperatures and morning coastal fog that often burns off by afternoon. Trails are at their best, campgrounds fill fast, and wildlife sightings — especially Roosevelt elk — are frequent. Book accommodations and campsites months in advance.
Fall (September–November): Many visitors consider this the finest time to visit. Crowds thin, temperatures remain mild, and the light filtering through the canopy takes on a golden quality. Banana slugs emerge after autumn rains.
Winter (December–February): The park is quiet and deeply atmospheric. Rainfall is heavy (up to 100 inches annually in some areas), mushrooms proliferate, and you may have entire groves to yourself. Some roads and trails may close temporarily due to weather.
Pro tip: The coast redwoods thrive on fog. The misty, grey mornings that frustrate beachgoers are exactly what makes this forest magical — embrace them.
Major Areas of the Park
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Home to some of the most awe-inspiring old-growth groves and the largest free-roaming Roosevelt elk herd in California. The Fern Canyon — where 50-foot walls draped in five-finger ferns close in on a shallow creek — is one of the most photographed spots in the park and featured in Jurassic Park 2. The Elk Prairie Campground puts you steps from open meadows where elk gather at dawn and dusk.
Jediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Often called the crown jewel of the redwood parks, Jediah Smith (or “Jed Smith”) protects the largest uncut old-growth redwood grove in existence. The Stout Grove is a cathedral of ancient trees that stops visitors cold. The Smith River — the longest undammed wild river in California — runs cold and jade-green through the park, offering some of the best steelhead and salmon fishing in the state.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Where towering redwoods meet the Pacific in dramatic fashion. The Damnation Creek Trail is one of the most spectacular — and strenuous — hikes in the park system, plunging through old-growth forest to a wild, rocky cove. Crescent Beach offers a long stretch of sand for tide-pooling and beachcombing.
Redwood National Park (Core Area)
The federally managed corridor connecting the state parks, including the Tall Trees Grove, home to some of the world’s tallest measured trees. Access to Tall Trees requires a free permit, which limits visitors and keeps the experience intimate. The Lady Bird Johnson Grove, a short loop near Orick, is an accessible and deeply moving introduction to old-growth redwoods.
Top Trails
1. Fern Canyon Loop
Distance: 1 mile loop | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Location: Prairie Creek
The must-do short hike. Wade through a shallow creek (waterproof shoes recommended) as towering walls of emerald ferns close in overhead. Magical in all seasons, ethereal in morning fog.
2. Stout Grove Loop
Distance: 1 mile loop | Difficulty: Easy | Location: Jed Smith
One of the most accessible routes to a true old-growth grove. The trees here are among the widest in the park. Arrive early for solitude.
3. Damnation Creek Trail
Distance: 4 miles round-trip | Difficulty: Strenuous | Location: Del Norte
A demanding but unforgettable trail descending 1,000 feet through pristine old-growth to an isolated coastal cove. The juxtaposition of ancient forest and crashing Pacific surf is unlike anything else in the park.
4. James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon
Distance: 8.5 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Location: Prairie Creek
A longer traverse through the heart of old-growth, ending at Fern Canyon. One of the finest full-day hikes in the park system.
5. Tall Trees Grove Trail
Distance: 4 miles round-trip | Difficulty: Moderate | Location: Redwood NP
Requires a free permit (available at the Kuchel Visitor Center), which keeps the crowds away. The reward is an intimate encounter with some of the world’s tallest trees, often in near-solitude.
6. Boy Scout Tree Trail
Distance: 5.6 miles round-trip | Difficulty: Moderate | Location: Jed Smith
A less-traveled gem through primeval redwood forest to a massive double-trunked tree and a small, photogenic waterfall. Peaceful and often wonderfully quiet.
Wildlife
Redwood’s ecosystems support remarkable biodiversity.
Roosevelt Elk: The park’s most iconic large mammal. Herds of 50 or more can often be spotted grazing the prairies of Prairie Creek, particularly near the Elk Prairie area at dawn and dusk. Bulls carry massive antlers in summer and fall. Keep a minimum distance of 50 yards.
Black Bears: Present throughout the park. Store food properly — use bear canisters or bear boxes at campgrounds. Bears are rarely aggressive but should never be approached or fed.
Mountain Lions: Rarely seen, but resident in the park. Give any lion you spot a wide berth and do not run.
Marbled Murrelet: This enigmatic seabird nests in the old-growth canopy and dives to the ocean to feed. Listen for its distinctive call in the early morning forest.
Pacific Giant Salamander & Banana Slug: Two signature residents of the redwood understory, both visible after rain. The banana slug — neon yellow and up to 10 inches long — is a beloved park mascot.
Gray Whales & Harbor Seals: Visible from coastal overlooks, especially during the gray whale migration (December–April). Harbor seals haul out on beaches and river bars year-round.
Camping
| Campground | Location | Hookups | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jedediah Smith | Jed Smith SP | No | Stunning riverside setting; popular |
| Mill Creek | Del Norte SP | No | Quiet, forested; less crowded |
| Elk Prairie | Prairie Creek SP | No | Steps from elk meadows |
| Gold Bluffs Beach | Prairie Creek SP | No | Oceanfront; near Fern Canyon |
| Crescent City KOA | Near Crescent City | Yes | Private; full hookups |
Reservations for state park campgrounds can be made at reservecalifornia.com. Sites book out weeks in advance in summer — plan early.
Visitor Centers
- Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center (Orick) — The main NPS visitor center; start here for permits and orientation.
- Jedediah Smith Visitor Center (Hiouchi) — Gateway to Jed Smith’s groves.
- Crescent City Information Center — In downtown Crescent City; useful for Del Norte area exploration.
- Prairie Creek Visitor Center — Small but well-stocked; located at Elk Prairie.
Practical Tips
Dress for layers. Coastal temperatures can swing 30°F between a foggy morning and a sunny afternoon. A waterproof layer is essential year-round.
Wear waterproof footwear on short trails. Fern Canyon and many creek crossings require getting your feet wet — trail runners with quick-drain mesh or waterproof hiking boots make the difference between delight and misery.
Bring cash. Cell service is spotty throughout the park. Some fee stations and campgrounds don’t accept cards.
Download offline maps. Google Maps and AllTrails both allow offline downloads. Do this before you arrive — you’ll lose signal frequently.
Don’t touch or climb on the trees. The shallow root systems of redwoods are easily compacted by foot traffic. Stay on marked trails, especially near popular groves.
Respect the fog. Drive carefully on US-101, particularly on coastal stretches where fog can reduce visibility to near zero without warning.
Leave no trace. Pack out all trash. The park’s ecosystem is sensitive — even small impacts multiply when thousands of visitors pass through.
Nearby Attractions
- Trees of Mystery (Klamath) — A classic roadside attraction with a gondola ride through the redwood canopy and a notable Native American museum.
- Klamath River Overlook — A stunning viewpoint where the river meets the sea; watch for whales and sea lions.
- Battery Point Lighthouse (Crescent City) — A historic lighthouse accessible at low tide via a short causeway.
- Patrick’s Point State Park (Trinidad) — Dramatic headlands, tide pools, and a reconstructed Yurok village.
- Humboldt Lagoons State Park — Serene coastal lagoons excellent for kayaking and bird-watching.
A Note on the Trees
Standing beneath a coast redwood puts human time in perspective. These trees were already ancient when European explorers first arrived on the California coast. The oldest living redwoods exceed 2,000 years in age. They survived the dinosaurs’ extinction, multiple ice ages, and millennia of coastal storms.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, logging eliminated more than 95% of the original old-growth redwood forest. What remains — protected here and in a handful of other parks — is irreplaceable. The redwoods growing back in logged areas will need another thousand years to approach what was lost.
When you walk these forests, you are walking through one of the rarest ecosystems left on Earth.
Last updated: June 2026. Always check current conditions and permit requirements with the National Park Service at nps.gov/redw before your visit.
