Redwood National Park: Seeking Tidbits of Info/Recommendations
 

Hello, Fodorite Friends! For anyone wanting to see the Redwoods, I have been quick to recommend areas closer to San Francisco, such as Avenue of the Giants or Armstrong Redwoods State Park. Although having been in the Redwoods a bit as a kid and on a few brief pass-throughs as an adult, I'd really like to spend more time getting to know the area called Redwood National Park. My husband and I will spend 1 -2 weeks, heading north on Hwy 101, during August (I know, the busiest time...) for a budget-minded, largely outdoor adventure. We'll mix easy, minimalist tent camping with an occasional motel room. (picnics and cafes for meals) . We'd like to keep the trip spontaneous but realized we'd be better off with some plans and reservations due to high season.
Plans so far:
* Drive directly to Myers Flat area to set up camp in Burlington Campground, Humboldt Redwoods State Park (2 nights) . Hiking.
* Drive to Klamath, Ca with stops at the Visitor Center in Orick and perhaps a hiking trail or two. 2 nights at Ravenwood Motel in Klamath. Hiking, hiking, hiking.
* Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park - 2 nights camping. More hiking.
* Oregon Caves National Monument. Possibly spend 1 night in the old Lodge.
After that, we'll possibly head over to Crater Lake, or Willamette Pass, or South on I-5 to explore other places unknown to us, possible Trinity Alps or ???
If anyone has any recommendations for hiking/walking trails, places to eat, places to stay, things to see and do, we'd really appreciate it.
I promise to write a report when we return, as I notice there really isn't a lot of detailed information about this area.
Thanks for any help.

Oh. Looks like Jedediah Smith is out. The only campsites available are Disabled Access. Still looking forward to any suggestions.

Recommend the Fern Canyon trail at Prairie Creek State Park and the Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail. Do try to visit Jedediah Smith to drive Howland Hill Road (gravel-not recommended for trailers) and enjoy stroll in the Stout Grove.

Just got back from that area and I really recommend Prairie Creek Redwoods state park. We stayed at the Elk Prairie campground, which was perfect for us. The campground is very wooded with lots of vegetation between sites, so plenty of privacy. There are bathrooms and showers with hot water :) There are plenty of nice trails leading right from the campground.

Fern Canyon is terrific - one of the neatest places I've ever been. Definitely recommend it. The campground near there is right off the beach, which is nice, although it is more windy there.

If you like beer, Mad River Brewing in Blue Lake is great. We also liked Eel River in Fortuna and Lost Coast in Eureka.

"Looks like Jedediah Smith is out."

You might check out Panther Flat Campground. It's just up the road from Jed Smith near Gasquet. It's a very nice USFS campground that takes reservations.

The problem with August is that these campgrounds are overrun with kids. The families come more for the Smith River than the redwoods. September is a much more quiet time and would be a better choice if it's just the two of you.

I am going to Prairie Creek with my Nephew on a Monday, july 28. I hope to do tidepooling early in the morning, see elk somewhere, see fern canyon, and see of course trees. My biggest question is where to see the trees in this area? Prairie Creek itself, Lady Bird, or try for a permit to the Tall Trees Grove?? The low tide is at 6:45am, so that gives us the rest of the day to explore. We are actually going to be at Lassen for two days before we see the redwoods. My wife, daughter, and I did the Stout Grove and Howland Road a year ago and have been to about 1/2 of the national parks. This will be my nephews first national park and first time to see the ocean. He is just excited about flying. Anyway, any ideas for the best trees in the area? They all seem tall, so maybe where the larger in diameter trees are?

Otis, I wish we could go in September, but that is impossible. August is the only month we can make this trip, and we're aware it might be a bit of a zoo up there. But we love to hike; usually, you don't see that many people once you are 300 yds. from the road. Thanks for the tip on Panther Flat Campground. I'll check it out.

Novembermoon, I read your trip report. Enjoyed the details. I'm guessing we won't be spending much time in the Eureka/Arcata area but I did write down the names of the restaurants/brew pubs you mentioned, just in case. Do you think we'd have any trouble in a Prius driving those roads that cross the creek?

I do need to collect a list of cafes/restaurants. etc. with decent food in the area between Orick and Crescent City as I don't plan to cook on this trip. I'm trying to reduce the packing-for-camping stress - had plenty of that when the kids were young.

Spirobulldog, I doubt you'll be back before we leave on our trip, so I won't get the benefit of your trip report. I don't think you'll have any trouble seeing trees, though! It's not like going to Yosemite and looking for the redwood grove. You will be in the thick of the thickest, tallest trees you've ever seen! I'm pretty familiar with the Avenue of the Giants area but not so much with this one. Usually a stop at the visitor center and a chat with the ranger will help you quickly sort out your priorities. (By the way, how are you getting from Lassen to Redwoods? Interesting routes).
So my list of hikes shall include:
Fern Canyon
Tall Trees Grove
Lady Bird Johnson Grove
Stout Canyon
and a drive on Howland Hill Rd. (DH wants to know if this is a loop or out-and-back)?
Any others??
Thanks for your help!

We drove the Howland Road- coming from Oregon Caves area, and then on into Crescent City. The Stout Grove Trail is really short, but very nice. We didn't go any further south than that and really only spent a few hours in the park. We normally spend 2-3 days in each National Park, but we were going back up the Oregon Coast and just wanted to see a little of it, so I am returning to see more.

I don't think you'll have any trouble on the Gold Bluffs beach road in a Prius. There were all sorts of cars down there. Our Mazda3 can't have much higher clearance than a Prius and the places where you have to ford the creek are very well maintained.

For crowds and hiking - we were out on July 4th weekend and found what you usually find: 300 yards from the parking lot, the people really thin out. We didn't run into too many people on our hikes.

For places to eat, I heard that 6 Rivers Brewery has good food. We didn't make it there, but it is between Arcata and Orick, so might work for you.

Places we dined on recent trip

Good Harvest Restaurant in Crescent City - I thought food and service were good

Seascape Restaurant in Trinidad - nice waterfront

Poppa Joes in Ferndale - an old bar- good food - fun atmosphere

Scotia Inn - in Scotia - stayed here for 2 nights - very nice

Managed to get 1 night in Jedediah Smith.
Still looking for restaurant suggestions near Klamath and now also in range of Jedediah Smith - for dinners.
And Myers Flat as well. Last time we were in Myers Flat there wasn't much and it was on the dreadful side.

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