5 Best Hotels in Redwood National and State Parks, California

From the porches of these restored former mill workers' cottages that can be booked whole or in part (as studios occupying former garages), you often see Roosevelt elk meandering in the namesake meadow—or right outside the window. The furnishings are pleasantly modern, if functional. The cabins have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, full kitchens, washers and dryers, and porches with grills. Most have attached studio units (without full kitchens) you can book separately or combine to create a four-bedroom, two-bath rental. On the grounds are a communal fire pit and an outdoor hot tub. The cabins, on the edge of Prairie Creek State Park, provide an excellent base for Redwood National and State Parks hiking.

A short drive from the middle section of Redwood National and State Parks, this serene 1914 inn overlooks the Klamath River a mile east of where it meets the ocean. Numerous trails and scenic drives, among them the dramatic Klamath River Overlook, lie within easy reach. All the guest rooms are furnished with antiques, and some have claw-foot tubs. The excellent restaurant, open June–October, serves breakfast (not included in the room rate) and dinner. If seating is available, nonguests can reserve a spot for dinner 24 hours ahead.

Operated by and adjacent to the joyfully kitschy Trees of Mystery roadside attraction, this casual mid-century motel has simply furnished rooms brightened with paintings and, in some cases, wall-length photographic murals of local redwoods and coastal scenes. It's a handy base for exploring Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and the trails and overlooks around Klamath. The seasonal on-site restaurant serves basic American grub.

This clean, comfortable, reasonably priced hotel doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but its water's-edge location makes up for it. The guest rooms are fairly spacious, and deluxe suites have whirlpool tubs, gas fireplaces, and expansive ocean views. The owners operate two other reliable properties in town, the Bay View Inn and Lighthouse Inn.

An enthusiastic family's work-in-progress restoration of a roadside motor lodge, this property on the edge of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park charms travelers with sanded and varnished original oak flooring and rough-hewn decorative touches. Guest rooms contain microwaves, refrigerators, coffeemakers, smart TVs, and comfortable beds and pillows. Two-room suites sleep up to six people, convenient for families and larger groups.