You can walk among some of the world’s tallest and oldest trees at the Redwood National and State Parks complex, which also features sand beaches and coastal cliffs, prairies and rivers.
Home to the tallest trees on Earth, many of which soar more than 350 feet above the forest floor below, the Redwood National and State Parks are unique in the world.
Jointly managed by California State Parks and the National Park Service, this four-park complex preserves some of the last remaining groves of coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). This is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve.
These are the four parks that comprise this coastal forest wonderland:
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Redwood National Park
When visiting Redwood National Park and its three adjacent state parks, you can walk underneath these enormous trees—some are several centuries old, while the oldest ones have been around since the fall of the Roman Empire.
In addition to walking in an ancient forest of giant trees, other popular activities in Redwood National Park and State Parks are beach camping, elk viewing and scenic drives.
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Highlights of Redwood National and State Parks
This Northern California park complex is about much more than the redwoods themselves. There are also large areas of native prairie, hills and a long stretch of pristine coastline, complete with cliffs and sand beaches.
I recommend visiting all four units—Redwood National Park and the three state parks—for a complete experience of what they’re about. Hiking in the redwood forest is, of course, on the top of every visitor’s list. However, spotting elk in prairies, tidepooling on the coast or even kayaking on the Smith River are all activities that highlight the amazing diversity of the region.
- Stout Memorial Grove, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Kayaking the Smith River, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Damnation Creek Trail, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
- Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Roosevelt elk at Elk Prairie, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Gold Bluffs Beach & Campground, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Miner’s Ridge-James Irvine Trail Loop, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Redwood National Park
- Bald Hills Road, Redwood National Park
- Tall Trees Grove, Redwood National Park
Accommodation Near Redwood National Park
There are several campgrounds scattered throughout the Redwood park complex, from large RV campgrounds in the woods to remote beach campsites.
If you don’t want to camp, however, you can also find lots of accommodation options in surrounding coastal towns, such as Eureka, Orick and Crescent City.
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Useful Info
Location: Northern California coast
Nearest Towns: Eureka, Orick and Crescent City
Area (Redwood National and State Parks combined): 206 square miles (131,983 acres)
Annual Visitors (2022): 458,400
Features: Towering redwood forests, prairies, rivers, wildlife, coastline with cliffs and beaches
Top Attractions: Stout Memorial Grove, Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, Elk Prairie, Gold Bluffs Beach, Fern Canyon, Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Tall Trees Grove
Popular Activities: Hiking, cycling, tidepooling, wildlife viewing, kayaking
Suggested Stay: 3 days / 2 nights
Campgrounds:
- Jedediah Smith Campground (86 sites, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park)
- Mill Creek Campground (145 sites, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park)
- Elk Prairie Campground (75 sites, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park)
- Gold Bluffs Beach Campground (26 sites, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park)
More Information: National Park Service
Nearby National Parks:
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