10 Jaw-Dropping Things to Do in Redwoods National and State Parks
Did you know that Coastal California is home to some of the tallest trees in the word? Well it is! But seeing the tallest trees in the world is only one of the incredible things to do in Redwoods National Park.
The park is home to incredible lush and tall forests, dense fern canyons, epic coastal views, and lots of wildlife.
Redwoods National Park is joined with nearby Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and Del Norte State Park. These parks make up Redwoods National and State Parks. The parks are cooperated by the National Park System and the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
In June of 2021, we spend a whole month in California’s Sierra Mountains. When it was time to leave, we started our long road trip back to Texas by first heading to the California Coast and Redwoods National Park. Our timing was excellent. We were able to escape one of California’s extreme heatwaves in the temperate Coastal Redwood forests. The temperatures in this part of the state are fairly cool and mild most of the year. So it was a fabulous break from the heatwaves that California was experiencing in late June and July.
And I must say that the couple of days that we spent in Redwoods National Park were some of the best days that we spent in California. The beauty, wonder, and ruggedness we witnessed in California’s Coastal Redwoods was hard to match. I truly cannot wait to go back and spend more time in this amazing national park.
In this post, you’ll find some of the best things to do in Redwoods National and State Parks, including redwood hikes, scenic drives, and fern-covered canyons.
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How to Get to Redwood National and State Parks
The closest major airport to Redwoods National and State Parks is San Francisco International Airport about 5 hours south of the park.
If you’re going to be flying in to California to visit these parks, you will definitely need your own rental car to get around the parks.
Entrance Fees to Redwoods National and State Parks
Redwoods National Park is actually FREE to visit!
However, the adjacent California State Parks like Prairie Creek Redwoods and Jedidiah Smith, do require a daily fee for entry but they do honor the federal America the Beautiful Pass.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
The coastal and rainforest climates of the California Redwoods makes for constant year-round temperatures that range roughly in the 40s – 60s. Winter seasons are very wet and rainy. Summers are a bit more dry but still with cool temperatures throughout the year.
On a daily basis, you can expect to see lots of fog, especially in the mornings. During our visit in July, we’d wake up to dense fog conditions in the morning. But by the afternoon, the sun would burn off the layer of fog.
Weather Averages in Redwoods National Park
California’s Redwoods are beautiful anytime of year and you really can’t go wrong with when you visit. Although the temperatures in the summer season are more pleasant, the moodiness in the colder months is also special.
In any case, you should be prepared with the proper clothing any time of year that you visit. Lots of layers and good shoes that can handle the wet conditions are recommended. You’ll find a more comprehensive packing list at the end of this article.
Where to Stay in Redwoods National Park
There are not many places to stay near Redwoods National Park. However, you will find a couple of convenient hotels in Klamath, like the Holiday Inn Express Redwood National Park.
Other than Klamath, Eureka and Crescent City are located at opposite ends of the park and offer a few hotel options.
Since there are not many places to stay in the area, hotel accommodations fill up very quickly, especially in the summer months, so plan to book ahead to ensure you can find a place to stay.
Camping in Redwoods National Park
Since hotel accommodations are limited in and near the parks, the best way to stay close to the action is to stay at a nearby campground.
Some great campgrounds IN the National Park to consider are:
If you’re unable to get a spot in one of these campgrounds, read my blog post on tips to finding amazing national park campsites.
If you’re ok with staying at a non-national park campground, check out Kamp Klamath, a commercial campground conveniently located in Klamath. Kamp Klamath is a fairly basic campground surrounded by redwood trees near the mouth of the Klamath River. This campground does offer a hot shower and laundry services – something that you won’t find at a national park campground.
WARNING: Redwoods National Park is still in bear country and a few of the campgrounds have had an increasing number of bear sightings recently. Be vigilant by properly storing your food and knowing what to do if you see a bear in or near your campsite.
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Where to Eat
There are very limited food options available in and near Redwoods National Park. I would suggest that you bring a cooler packed with all of your favorite picnic and camping foods with you.
There are a few good restaurants in Crescent City, like SeaQuake Brewing, that we were looking forward to checking out but the three hour wait time wasn’t going to work for us. They have great reviews online and do take reservations though!
Other than Crescent City, you’ll find more restaurants further south in Eureka.
There is one small grocery store, Orick Market, that is located not too far from the visitor center. This is a good place to pick up last-minute essentials but they do have a very limited selection.
Map of Things to do in Redwoods National and State Parks
You’ll find that things to do in Redwoods National and State Parks are spread out and it can take you up to an hour to get to where you want to go in the park. So it’s helpful to use a map to pre-plan out your activities and find activities that are closer together.
If you’re planning to spend two days in the park, I’d recommend taking one day to see everything on the north end of the park like Jedidiah Smith, Stout Grove, and the Coastal Drive. The second day see the attractions on the Southern end, like Tall Trees Trail, Fern Canyon, Elk Meadow, and Lady Bird Grove.
10 Things to Do in Redwoods National and State Parks
#1 – Tall Trees Trail
The Tall Trees Trail is the most exclusive and unique thing to do in all of Redwoods National Park and is the #1 thing you should do on your visit.
This 4.5 mile round-trip trail is only open to 50 visitors per day making it the perfect spot to escape the crowds and enjoy the grandeur of the Redwood Trees. Although the park only allows a small number of visitors to hike this trail each day, it’s really not hard to obtain permits if you plan ahead.
Tall Trees Trail is definitely not the only spot in the park to see the magnificent Redwoods Trees, but it was one of my favorites! The whole experience of being one of the only visitors, being send a “secret” gate code by the NPS to unlock access to the road, and the magic of the tall trees and lush ferns made this a hike that will not be forgotten.
Obtaining permits from the NPS for this hike was seamless and free but must be done no later than 2 days in advance, so please plan ahead and get your permits! You won’t regret it.
Things to know ahead of time for Tall Trees Trail:
- You need to obtain FREE permits ahead of time, you can do this online at the national park website.
- The road to Tall Trees Trail is a 15 mile dirt road, it is passable for most vehicles in good weather.
- The drive to the trailhead, hike, and drive back to the visitor center will take at least 4 hours total, so plan accordingly.
- Although the trail isn’t too strenuous, it does drop 800 feet in elevation that you will have to climb on the WAY BACK.
#2 – Lady Bird Grove Trail
If you were unable to get permits to hike Tall Trees Trail, or are just looking for another great hike, check out the Lady Bird Grove Trail. This 1.3 mile easy trail is also a perfect substitution if you don’t have 4 hours to devote to the Tall Trees Trail.
The Lady Bird Grove Trail is one of the most accessible trails in the park and is perfect for those of all skill levels and families.
The parking lot at the trailhead is pretty small so either plan to arrive early or wait a bit for a parking spot. But on the plus side, the small parking lot does keep the crowds on the trail at bay.
#3 – Redwood Creek Overlook
After checking out Tall Trees Trail, stop by the Redwood Creek Overlook on your way back to the visitor center for a vast and terrific view of the Redwood Creek below. If the day is clear, you’ll be able to see quite a bit but if it’s overcast, keep on driving, there won’t be much visible.
#4 – Watch the Elk at Elk Meadow
Redwoods National Park is home to the Roosevelt Elk. Although the Elk may wander around the park, be seen in the forests and the beach, they are most commonly seen in a couple of places, including Elk Meadow.
As we drove past Elk Meadow for the first time, we noticed an “ELK CROSSING” road sign that is very common in this part of California. But we weren’t expecting an Elk to be standing in the middle of the road when we came around the bend in the road! The RV behind us also nearly collided with an Elk that was trying to cross the road.
Take it from us, if you see an “ELK CROSSING” sign posted in Redwoods, it’s legit. Slow down and you’re actually likely to see a few Elk.
You’re not guaranteed to see Elk in Redwoods’ Elk Meadow, but it is one of their favorite places to eat and rest. So you’re chances are pretty high.
Although Elk may appear calm, they are wild animals. Keep your distance when watching these animals. If you get too close they may feel challenged or threatened and then kick with their sharp hooves. The NPS suggests stay at least 100 feet away from the herd of elk.
Bring a pair of binoculars or telephoto camera lens to be able to get an up-close view of the beautiful creatures without encroaching on their space.
#5 – Gold Bluffs Beach
Did you know that Redwoods National and State Parks also has great beaches? In Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, you’ll find Gold Bluffs Beach.
This beautiful beach is surrounded by Redwood-topped bluffs that make for a picture-perfect view everywhere you look when the fog isn’t rolling in. Fog isn’t a rarity on the California Coast and even if it’s clear skies elsewhere in the park, it’s still very likely that the beach will be covered in fog.
You may even see an Elk that has wandered away from Elk Meadow down by the beach.
Bring plenty of layers because it is chilly down by the water!
The dirt road to Gold Bluffs Beach is a 5 mile trip off of CA 101. It’s a bit rough and can be navigated by most vehicles during good weather. Check with the NPS rangers for current road conditions.
Gold Bluffs Beach also has a campground if you’re wanting to camp on the beach! There are 26 campgrounds, that are best suited for tents, in the campground that are reservable Memorial Day – Labor Day and first come-first serve outside of those dates.
#6 – Fern Canyon
Easily one of the most magical things to do in Redwoods National Parks is Fern Canyon. You can’t miss this one! Fern Canyon is properly named as it is densely lined with beautiful ferns.
You may even recognize this lush green canyon from the iconic movie, Jurassic Park. It really does give off pre-historic jungle vibes.
Usually before setting out on a hike, I’ve got some sort of idea of what to expect of the trail views. But this one completely blew all expectations out of the water! Fern Canyon felt other-worldly, straight out of a storybook.
Bring water-proof shoes or be ok with getting your feet wet. The canyon has many streams running through it that are crossable with wooden planks. But there are many places where the water is running higher and you just might get a little wet.
We saw all kinds of people thoroughly enjoy this trail, from toddlers to grandparents. This one really is fun for the whole family!
In order the get the Fern Canyon, you’ll need to pay an entry fee to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (or gain free entry with your America the Beautiful Pass). And the road to Fern Canyon is a rough dirt road with a few water crossings. We were able to navigate the road with no issues in our 2-wheel drive mid-size SUV. And others were doing just fine in their sedans.
But please, check with the rangers at the visitor center ahead of time for road conditions. After a lot of rain, the roads may become impassable.
#7 – Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
Redwoods National and State Parks has few different scenic drives, one of the best is the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.
Many different hiking trails start and end off of the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. A couple of trails to check out are:
- Big Tree Loop Trail – A quick 0.3 mile trail that takes hikers to a view of one of the tallest trees in Redwoods National Park.
- Cathedral Trees Trail to Prairie Loop Trail – This longer 2.9 mile loop trail is the perfect trail that will also take you past the Big Tree and loop around through the magical Redwood forest.
You can also check out any of the trailheads off of Newton B. Drury Scenic Drive. Just pull over when you feel like it, pick a trail, and venture into the forest for short ways. It’s all amazing around here and you can’t go wrong with any trail that you do off of the scenic road!
You’ll also get that same sense of wonder from the road. The grandeur of the trees here is so impressive.
#8 – Coastal Drive
Located close to Klamath, is the Coastal Drive and the High Bluffs Overlook. This short drive and overlook boast incredible view of the Northern California Coast.
This quick stop in Redwoods National Park is definitely a must. The views here are absolutely incredible.
Keep your eyes peeled or bring a pair of binoculars to search for migrating whales off the coast.
These views really made me nostalgic about my road trip on the Oregon Coast last summer. The views here are so similar to the spectacular cliff and coastal views that are so common in Oregon. If you want to read more about that itinerary, click here.
#9 – Stout Memorial Grove – Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park
Another one of the must-see groves in Redwoods National Park is Stout Memorial Grove. Stout Grove is located on the northern end of the Park in Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park. Here, you’ll find Stout Tree, the tallest tree in the Stout Grove and sitting at over 325 feet tall.
Stout Memorial Grove was donated to the state park by Clara Stout after her husband died in 1927. This made it the first memorial grove in the national park.
Stout Grove was probably the most crowded spot we visited in all of the Redwoods and it’s easy to see why. This 0.7 mile trail is an easy walk through an absolutely beautiful grove of Redwoods trees near a river.
#10 – Avenue of the Giants Scenic Drive
Avenue of the Giants Scenic Drive isn’t actually part of the national park but it’s definitely worth seeing on your visit to Redwoods National Park. Avenue of the Giants is located near Humbuldt Redwoods State Park about an hour south of the national park.
The scenic drive runs parallel to CA 101 and so it makes a great scenic route for those traveling either to or from the park and want to take a more scenic route. If you’re heading south after you leave the park, you definitely need to check this scenic drive out!
Avenue of the Giants will take you by some of the most impressive Redwood trees. It’s actually known as one of the finest forest drives in the world.
What to Pack for a Trip to Redwoods National Park
1. Good Hiking Shoes
The trails in Redwoods National and State Parks are wet, muddy, with lots of tree roots.
It’s super important to wear sturdy hiking shoes or sandals on the trails. I wear brands like Merrell Moab 2 Mid Ventilator, Teva Universal Trail (trail sandal), and Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof. My husband, who is very prone to ankle injuries, wears Salomon X Ultra Low GTX and swears by them.
I love being able to switch between a solid hiking boot and a trail sandal with excellent traction on the easier or wet trails. I’m very prone to blisters and having different shoes to change into makes a world of difference.
2. Water Bottle & Hydration pack
It’s important to stay hydrated on hiking trails. Even if the conditions are wet & rainy and you may not think about drinking water.
To keep your drink extra cold, go with a Hydroflask, which is vacuum-sealed and keeps your liquids cold for up to 24 hours. If you’re looking for something a bit more lightweight, go with the traditional Nalgene.
On longer hikes, fill up your Ospry Hydraulics Reservoir to keep your water easily accessible & hands free. My favorite day pack that accommodates a hydration bladder is the Osprey Mira 22 Hydration Pack.
3. Trail Snacks & Groceries
If you’re planning to do a lot of hiking in Redwoods you’ll need a lot of snacks. Make sure you bring enough energy-boosting food to get you through the day.
Some of our favorite trail snacks are the traditional PB&J, grapes, trail mixes, Go Macro Bars, and RX Bars.
Food in Redwoods National and State Parks is hard to come by. Bring extra groceries of your favorite picnic and camping meals so that you don’t go hungry or have to rely on gas station food.
4. Moisture-Wicking Clothes
The climate in the Redwoods is wet and humid. Make sure to choose moisture-wicking clothing (aka NOT cotton), to pull the sweat away from your body and stay cool and dry while hiking.
These Icebreaker T-Shirts have been a favorite of mine recently, they’re excellent at keeping you dry. And the best part is that they don’t stink even after a long sweaty day on the trail!
6. Lots of Layers (including a Rain Jacket)
Depending on when you visit Redwoods, you may encounter cooler temperatures than you expected. Especially during an early morning or late evening hike. Don’t forget to pack a jacket for your trip to California’s Coast & Redwoods.
A rain jacket is absolutely essential. Redwoods National Park is essentially a rain forest, meaning a lot of rain.
7. Essential Camping Gear
If you’re planning to camp in the park there’s a few camping essentials that you’ll need, starting with a tent. We use two different tents, this 6-person Kelty Discovery Dome Tent when we can drive up to our campsite and this 2-person Marmot Tungsten Tent when we have to hike to our campsite.
Sleep is so important to us, even when we’re sleeping in a tent. In order to get the most comfortable sleep we can, we use the Winner Outfitter Sleeping bag, REI Flash 3-Season Sleeping Pad, and Therm-a-rest ProLite Plus Sleeping Pad. If you don’t want to bring you pillow from home, consider the Coccon Ultralight Air-Core Pillow which is super lightweight & it’s super comfortable.
If it’s not fire season in California, a campfire is essential when camping. Firewood can be purchased in the park at the nearby camp store. These Coleman Rugged Telescoping Cooking Forks are super helpful for roasting marshmallows or cooking hot dogs.
Don’t forget a cooler to keep your food cool. We love our Coleman Steel Belted Cooler and take it with us on just about every adventure. It’s been all around the country with us.
If you’re looking to visit other nationals parks in California, click here for a list of all other California National Park blog posts.
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