Unlike mountains, rock-strewn coasts and canyons, forests don’t tend to excite or impress many people. That is, until they visit a place like Redwood National and State Parks in northern California.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this complex of three state parks and a national park preserves one of the last remaining coast redwood forests on Earth.
These giant trees are the tallest trees in the world, often reaching heights of over 350 feet (106 meters).
Walking among them is like walking in a fairy-tale land. Everything is bigger here, from the trees to the ferns and rhododendrons, while you feel like you’ve been shrunk to a gnome-like size.
Contents
- 9 Best Hikes in Redwood National Park & State Parks
- Overview of the Redwood National and State Parks
- Easy Hikes in Redwood National and State Parks
- Moderate Hikes in Redwood National and State Parks
- Strenuous Hikes in Redwood National and State Parks
- Where to Stay Near Redwood National Park
- Wildlife Safety While Hiking in the Redwoods
- Redwood National Park Hiking FAQs
- Redwood National Park Hiking Trails Map
- More National Park Hikes
9 Best Hikes in Redwood National Park & State Parks
There’s plenty to see and do in in the Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) complex, including a plethora of wildlife and some amazingly scenic roads. But the very best thing to do, however, is hiking.
“Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.”
Søren Kierkegaard
Hitting the Redwood trails is the best way to see and experience the Redwood National Park and State Parks.
Although these parks are rather remote—about 6 hours south of Portland, Oregon and 5 hours north of San Francisco, California—once you’re there, all trails are super-accessible.
Many are located along either U.S. 101 or one of the parks’ scenic drives.
In this post, you’ll find what I think are the best hikes in Redwood National Park and State Parks. First, though, let me give you a brief overview of the four parks that make it this unique park system.
Overview of the Redwood National and State Parks
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (north) – Old-growth redwood groves and the gorgeous Smith River, Howland Hill Road, a fun campground and the Hiouchi Visitor Center
- Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park (north) – Redwood wilderness, secluded beaches and beach overlooks, and the largest campground in the Redwood parks complex
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (south) – Lots of attractions, including the beautiful Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, Fern Canyon, Gold Bluffs Beach and campground, prairies with Roosevelt elk herds, pristine redwood forest and the Prairie Creek Visitor Center
- Redwood National Park (south) – Popular trails like Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Tall Trees Grove, but mainly (almost) inaccessible redwood forests, and the scenic Bald Hills Road
There are amazing hikes in all these Redwood parks. Below, I’ve described my personal favorites.
You’ll find the short and easy Redwood trails first, followed by a couple of slightly longer moderate hikes. Lastly, there a few highly recommended strenuous hikes, including the absolute best full-day hike in the redwoods.
Easy Hikes in Redwood National and State Parks
Revelation Trail
Designed specifically for people who are visually impaired, the Revelation Trail is one of the most extraordinary and immersive hikes in Redwood National and State Parks. Although only 0.3 miles long, it’s one of the top things to do in Redwood National Park.
When walking on this forest path, you are encouraged to use and engage all your senses.
In order to experience the redwood forest to the fullest, you “can touch the rough bark of a redwood and then compare it to the soft feel of a moss-covered fir or spruce, while sounds of the creek murmur in the background. The sharp aroma of California bay and tart taste of redwood sorrel allow for a more complete understanding of the ecosystem.”
- Distance: 0.3 miles (loop)
- Time: 20 minutes
- Park: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Trailhead: Outside of Prairie Creek Visitor Center, near the southern end of the amazing Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
Stout Memorial Grove Trail
When coming from the north down U.S. 101, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is the first park you’ll get to. And the Stout Memorial Grove Trail is the perfect introduction to the mighty redwoods.
This 44-acre stand of colossal 300-foot old-growth redwoods is the heart of this popular state park.
Set on the south bank of the Smith River, which is perfect for swimming, picnicking and kayaking, the Stout Memorial Grove can be explored on a fun little loop trail.
Due to seasonal floods, the growth of understory trees, bushes and plants is inhibited, which allows you to see, admire and appreciate the full size of these sylvan giants.
There are two ways to access the loop trail: year round from the small parking area at the east end of Howland Hill Road, or in summer across the hiker’s footbridge over the Smith River from the state park’s campground.
This was our very first hike in the redwood park complex and I can’t imagine a better first impression. After the long drive to get there, it’s the perfect little leg-stretcher.
- Distance: 0.5 miles (loop)
- Time: 30 minutes
- Park: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Trailhead: East end of Howland Hill Road (year round) or Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground (summer only)
Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
If you’re looking for short Redwood National Park trails, it doesn’t get any better than the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail. This pleasant 1.5-mile loop trail meanders through an upland stand of old-growth redwoods.
It runs past the site where Lady Bird Johnson, who actively fought for the protection and creation of natural habitats during her time as First Lady, dedicated Redwood National Park in 1968. A plaque commemorates that important day.
In addition to massive redwoods, this forest also consists of tanoak and Douglas fir, as well as azaleas and rhododendrons that add some beautiful color to the scenery in spring.
- Distance: 1.5 miles (loop)
- Time: 45 minutes
- Park: Redwood National Park
- Trailhead: About 2.5 miles up Bald Hills Road, which is 1 mile north of Orick, off U.S. 101.
Fern Canyon Loop Trail
Although you won’t find any towering redwoods here, Fern Canyon is still one of the most iconic locations in the Redwood National and State Parks. Flanked by 50-foot-high walls, this mini-canyon is covered in verdant ferns.
Due to its prehistory appearance, Fern Canyon has served as filming location for scenes in The Lost World: Jurassic Park and the BBC’s Walking With Dinosaurs series.
The Fern Canyon Trail runs through this breathtaking canyon, along and across bubbling Home Creek. You can explore the canyon on a 0.5-mile out-and-back hike or a slightly longer 1-mile loop hike.
Prepare to climb through log jams created by winter floods and to get your feet wet!
Fern Canyon is at the end of unpaved Davison Road, which has some very steep sections and is unsuitable for large RVs and trailers. The road passes beautiful Gold Bluffs Beach and Campground on the way (see below).
- Distance: 1 mile (loop)
- Time: 30 minutes
- Park: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Trailhead: Fern Canyon parking lot at the end of Davison Road
Moderate Hikes in Redwood National and State Parks
Elk Prairie Trail
Although not often mentioned in overviews of the best hikes in Redwood National Park and State Parks, I definitely think you’d miss out on something by skipping the Elk Prairie Trail.
This easy-to-moderate trail loops around Elk Prairie at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, which is one of the parks’ most heavily populated Roosevelt elk areas.
When you hike the 2.8-mile Elk Prairie Trail in late-afternoon, you’re almost guaranteed to see these majestic mammals in their natural environment.
The trail runs through a stand of enormous redwoods, while skirting Elk Prairie, offering you the chance to explore two different kinds of landscapes.
It’s important to note that Roosevelt elk are large wild animals and can be dangerous. You may see them grazing in the prairie, but you can also encounter them on the trail—keen observers will notice evidence of browsing and the rubbing of antlers on trees all along this trail. See below for more information about Roosevelt elk safety.
- Distance: 2.8 miles (loop)
- Time: 1 hour
- Park: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Trailhead: Elk Prairie Campground or access via the Cathedral Trees Trail
Tall Trees Grove Trail
Made famous by a National Geographic Magazine article in 1963, the Tall Trees Grove played a vital role in the establishment of Redwood National Park several years later.
Thanks to its sheltered location, abundant water sources and fertile soil, the grove has many redwoods that are higher than 350 feet (106 meters). The tallest tree on Earth—Hyperion—is, however, not located here. Its location is kept secret to protect it.
Situated in the heart of Redwood National Park, the Tall Trees Trail is one of the most popular redwood hikes. Getting there is not easy, though, and requires some planning.
First, you need to get a free permit, which is issued on a first-come first-served basis and contains a code to open the locked gate on the access road.
It’s at least a 1-hour drive from the nearest visitor center to the trailhead, including about 6.5 miles on a steep, unpaved forest road.
Even though the Tall Trees Trail is only 4 miles in total, the whole trip takes about four hours. It’s quite a lot of effort to do this Redwood National Park hike, but hiking among these massive trees is amazing. This is, after all, a world-famous location.
If, however, you don’t want to spend time on getting a permit and driving two hours there and back, (most of) the other hikes in Redwood National Park and State Parks in this list are more accessible and offer a similar experience.
- Distance: 4 miles (semi-loop)
- Time: 2 hours (4 hours for the whole trip, including driving)
- Park: Redwood National Park
- Trailhead: About 6.5 miles up Bald Hills Road, then another 6.5 miles on the unpaved Tall Trees Access Road
Strenuous Hikes in Redwood National and State Parks
Damnation Creek Trail
Without question one of the best hikes in Redwood National and State Parks is the Damnation Creek Trail. Its trailhead situated at a small pullout on U.S. 101 in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, this hike is easily missed, but oh-so-worth it.
Unlike many of the shorter Redwood trails, which typically loop around a redwood grove, this longer day hike takes you through a magnificent old-growth redwood forest, down to the Pacific coast.
It’s one of my personal favorite (longer) day hikes in the Redwood parks complex.
The trail runs 1,100 feet down a westward-facing slope, which makes it ideal for a late-afternoon hike—later in the day, the sun lights up the forest beautifully.
I like this trail so much because it offers the chance to experience two of the parks’ major features: the giant redwood forest and the rugged, rocky coast.
Note that, in this case, the first part of the hike is the easy part. The challenge awaits on the steep 1,100-foot ascent back up from the coast.
Although Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park has fewer points of interest than its three neighbors, this hike makes it absolutely worth visiting.
Thanks to its location, it’s also a great place to stop and do a hike on the way between Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in the north and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park / Redwood National Park in the south.
- Distance: 4 miles (out and back)
- Time: 2 hours (or more if you’d like to spend some time at the beach)
- Park: Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
- Trailhead: Small, unmarked parking area at mile marker 16 on the southbound side of U.S. 101
Miner’s Ridge, James Irvine and Fern Canyon Trails Loop
Although hiking the Miner’s Ridge Trail, James Irvine Trail and Fern Canyon Trail loop is a full-day commitment, it’s 100% worth it.
In fact, on this 12-mile loop, you get to experience the absolute best of Redwood National Park and State Parks, in all their diversity and beauty.
Calling this the greatest long day hike in the redwoods is not an exaggeration at all. Its greatness lies in the sheer variety of scenery you’ll get to enjoy.
You’ll hike from Elk Prairie through a spectacular old-growth redwood forest, wander through famous Fern Canyon, and also include a section of the Coastal Trail on Gold Bluffs Beach.
Many hikers start this loop at the top, at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, hiking down to the coast on the James Irvine Trail and back up on the Miner’s Ridge Trail.
However, if you managed to get a site at the Gold Bluffs Beach Campground—easily one of the best national park campgrounds we’ve ever stayed at—you can conveniently start your hike there, too.
From prairie and forest to beach and canyon, this fantastic loop hike is without question one of the best redwood hikes.
- Distance: 12 miles (loop)
- Time: 5-6 hours
- Park: Prairie Creek Redwood State Park
- Trailhead: Golf Bluffs Beach Campground or Prairie Creek Visitor Center
Coastal Trail
Although Redwood National and State Parks are best known for their towering redwoods, you can experience an entirely different side of the park complex on the Coastal Trail.
Running from Crescent Beach to Elk Meadow, this fantastic 70-mile trail parallels the rugged Pacific coast and is one of the best national park backpacking trips.
Along the way, hikers can explore tidepools, walk alongside redwood-topped cliffs and across sandy beaches. Wildlife abounds here, from sea gulls, starfish, crabs and sea lions to Roosevelt elk and the occasional black bear.
There are five backcountry campgrounds along the trail, located conveniently within a day’s walk from one another.
The trail also passes by Gold Bluffs Beach and its campground, one of my favorite areas in the entire Redwood National and State Parks complex.
If backpacking in Redwood National Park is not on your itinerary, you can choose from several Coastal Trail sections, all of which make for a pleasant half-day hike.
- Distance: 70 miles (total one-way hike), multiple shorter sections possible as well
- Time: From a couple of hours (day hikes) to a week (the full thing)
- Park: Redwood National Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Trailhead: Elk Meadow (south) or Crescent Beach (north)
Where to Stay Near Redwood National Park
Accommodation
There’s plenty of accommodation in the towns surrounding the Redwood National and State Parks complex, from motels and cabins to oceanfront B&Bs and hotels.
Major towns in the area are Crescent City, Orick, Trinidad, and Eureka.
Campgrounds
That said, however, I always recommend staying at a park campground. This way, you’ll be much closer to the action and attractions, sleeping in nature and fully experiencing the park you’re visiting.
In the Redwood National and State Parks, too, camping is the way to go. There are four developed campgrounds in the parks complex:
- Jedediah Smith Campground
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- 86 sites
- Flush toilets and showers
- No hookups or sewer
- Mill Creek Campground
- Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
- 145 sites
- Flush toilets and showers
- No hookups or sewer
- Elk Prairie Campground
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- 75 sites
- Flush toilets and showers
- No hookups or sewer
- Gold Bluffs Beach Campground
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- 26 sites
- Flush toilets and solar showers
- No hookups or sewer, trailers prohibited
All these Redwood campgrounds have something going for them, from Jedediah Smith’s easy access to the pristine Smith River to Roosevelt elk viewing at Elk Prairie. The very best of them all, however, is Gold Bluffs Beach.
Set in beautiful sand dunes right behind sandy Gold Bluffs Beach, this small campground feels really remote.
It’s a slow, steep and bumpy 30-minute drive down Davison Road. (Note that large RVs and trailers are prohibited on this unpaved road and, as such, at the campground.)
I loved feeling secluded, our tent pitched between a soft beach and towering cliffs.
Additionally, Gold Bluffs Beach offers access to some of the best trails in the Redwood park complex, including Fern Canyon, which is only a mile down the road, the Miner’s Ridge Trail and the Coastal Trail, which basically runs through this campground.
Misty mornings and golden sunsets only add to the magic of staying at this small and remote campground.
Wildlife Safety While Hiking in the Redwoods
I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much wildlife so easily as I have during my visit to the redwoods.
On our first day in the parks alone, we saw a snake, a bobcat, a skunk, a huge owl and Roosevelt elk. Later on, that list was expanded with sightings of deer, brown pelicans and even a marbled murrelet, one of the the parks’ most iconic bird species.
We didn’t see any bears or mountain lions (cougars) on our hikes in Redwood National Park and State Parks, though, but we always kept our bear spray ready. There are plenty of signs warning hikers about these animals’ presence. Although they’re rarely seen, encounters do happen.
So, below, you’ll find some of my wildlife safety guides. Please read them through, so you know what to do when you encounter large wildlife in the redwoods, such as Roosevelt elk (which you’re almost guaranteed to see), black bears or cougars.
Roosevelt Elk
The largest subspecies of North American elk, Roosevelt elk are abundant in the Redwood National and State Parks.
The best locations to see these majestic mammals are in the southern parks—Prairie Creek State Park and Redwood National Park. You might see them from your car or encounter them while hiking in the redwoods.
Prime viewing locations include:
- Elk Prairie
- Elk Meadow
- Gold Bluffs Beach
- Bald Hills Road
Staying safe around Roosevelt elk is not a complicated thing to do. Basically, it’s important to remember that they are wild animals. Even though they may appear accustomed to human presence and rather relaxed, attacks are not uncommon.
During the calving season, usually in May and June, elk cows will vigilantly protect their young, while bull elk will aggressively guard their harem in the fall mating season.
Never approach wild elk! Enjoy viewing them from a safe distance, using binoculars or a telephoto lens for taking photos. Stay at least 30 yards away.
Black Bears
Mountain Lions
Redwood National Park Hiking FAQs
Are Pets Allowed on the Trails?
Because of the sheer abundance of wildlife in Redwood National Park and State Parks, pets are not allowed on any trails.
Pets are, however, allowed in many other areas. These include all campgrounds, beaches like Crescent Beach, Gold Bluffs Beach and Freshwater Beach, and two gravel roads: Cal Barrel Road and Walker Road.
You can read more information about pets in the redwoods here.
What Are the Best Hikes in Redwood National Park and State Parks If My Time Is Limited?
First of all, I recommend dedicating at least two full days to this stunning park complex. If your time is limited, however, here are my suggestions for hikes in Redwood National Park and State Parks.
- 1 hour: Lady Bird Johnson Grove / Stout Memorial Grove
- 2 hours: Fern Canyon Loop / Elk Prairie Loop
- Half a day: Damnation Creek Trail / Tall Trees Trail
- Full day: Miner’s Ridge, James Irvine and Fern Canyon Trails Loop
Are There Any ADA Accessible Redwood Trails?
Yes, there are several trails in the redwoods that are ADA accessible:
- Simpson-Reed Grove and Leiffer Loop in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Big Tree Wayside, Revelation Trail, Elk Prairie Trail and Foothills-Prairie Creek Loop in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Is There an Entrance Fee?
Is you might expect from a system of both national and state parks, this is not a basic “yes” or “no” answer.
No, there is no entrance fee to Redwood National Park. There are no entrance station in the national park—the park is free to visit.
Yes, there are entrance fees at the three California state parks. They are collected at the entrance stations of developed campgrounds.
However, this means that many areas in the state parks are still free to visit and hiking most of the redwood trails in this post is free. The only exception would be Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon, where you can only get via the entrance station on Davison Road.
Luckily, even though they’re California state parks, all three parks do accept the “America the Beautiful” passes.
Learn about fees and passes here.
Where Can I Get a Redwood National Park Map?
You can get a map of Redwood National and State Parks, as well as an information-packed newspaper, at all visitor centers:
- Crescent City Information Center (in Crescent City)
- Hiouchi Visitor Center (near Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park)
- Jedediah Smith Visitor Center (at Jedediah Smith Campground)
- Prairie Creek Visitor Center (near southern end of Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park)
- Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center (on U.S. 101 a couple of miles south of Orick)
Additionally, if you’re planning on doing some serious hiking in Redwood National and State Parks, this topographic trails map from National Geographic is a must-have item.
Redwood National Park Hiking Trails Map
