Redwood National Park
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Redwood National Park - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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We’ve compiled the best of the best in Redwood National Park - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
The 9-mile, narrow, and partially unpaved Coastal Drive Loop takes about 45 minutes to traverse. Weaving through stands of redwoods, the road...
The 9-mile, narrow, and partially unpaved Coastal Drive Loop takes about 45 minutes to traverse. Weaving through stands of redwoods, the road yields close-up views of the Klamath River and expansive panoramas of the Pacific. Recurring landslides have closed sections of the original road; this loop, closed to trailers and RVs, is all that remains. Hikers access the Flint Ridge section of the Coastal Trail off the drive.
This gorgeous 70-mile trail, much of it along dramatic bluffs high above the crashing surf, can be tackled in both short, relatively easy sections...
This gorgeous 70-mile trail, much of it along dramatic bluffs high above the crashing surf, can be tackled in both short, relatively easy sections and longer, strenuous spans that entail backcountry overnight camping. Here are some of the most alluring smaller sections, listed in order from north to south, which are accessible at well-marked trailheads. The moderate-to-difficult DeMartin section (accessed from mile marker 15.6 on U.S. 101) leads south past 6 miles of old-growth redwoods and through sweeping prairie. It connects with the moderate 5½-mile-long Klamath section, which proceeds south from Wilson Creek Picnic Area to Klamath River Overlook, with a short detour to Hidden Beach and its tide pools, providing coastal views and whale-watching opportunities. If you're up for a real workout, hike the brutally difficult but stunning Flint Ridge section (accessed from the Old Douglas Memorial Bridge Site on Klamath Beach Rd.), with its 4½ miles of steep grades and numerous switchbacks past Marshall Pond and through stands of old-growth redwoods. There are additional spans at the northern and southern ends of the park. Moderate.
Enter another world and be surrounded by 50-foot canyon walls covered with sword, deer, and five-finger ferns. Allow an hour to explore the...
Enter another world and be surrounded by 50-foot canyon walls covered with sword, deer, and five-finger ferns. Allow an hour to explore the ¼-mile-long vertical garden along a 0.7-mile loop. From the northern end of Gold Bluffs Beach it's an easy walk, although you'll have to wade across or scamper along planks that traverse a small stream several times (in addition to driving across a couple of streams on the way to the parking area). But the lush, otherworldly surroundings, which appeared in Jurassic Park 2, are a must-see when creeks aren't running too high. Motor homes/RVs and all trailers are prohibited. You can also hike to the canyon from Prairie Creek Visitor Center along the challenging West Ridge–Friendship Ridge–James Irvine Loop, 12½ miles round-trip.
This picnic area's sunsets and whale-watching are unequaled. A ½-mile trail leads from here to the beach. ...
This picnic area's sunsets and whale-watching are unequaled. A ½-mile trail leads from here to the beach.
Take your time as you drive this 10-mile route along Mill Creek, which meanders within inches of the hulking trunks of old-growth redwoods and...
Take your time as you drive this 10-mile route along Mill Creek, which meanders within inches of the hulking trunks of old-growth redwoods and past the Smith River. Trailers and RVs are prohibited on this route, which is unpaved but well maintained for the roughly 7 miles that pass through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. There are several pull-outs along the route, including the trailheads for the Stout Grove and Boy Scout Tree trails. You can enter either from downtown Crescent Road or off U.S. 199, via South Fork and Douglas Park Roads.
Home to the Stout Memorial Grove, this park with 20 miles of hiking and nature trails is named after a trapper who in 1826 became the first...
Home to the Stout Memorial Grove, this park with 20 miles of hiking and nature trails is named after a trapper who in 1826 became the first white man to explore Northern California's interior. If coming from interior Oregon, this is your first chance to drive and hike among stands of soaring redwoods.
One of the park's most accessible spots to view big trees, this impressive grove just a short drive northeast of Orick was dedicated by, and...
One of the park's most accessible spots to view big trees, this impressive grove just a short drive northeast of Orick was dedicated by, and named for, the former first lady. A level 1.4-mile nature loop crosses a neat old wooden footbridge and follows an old logging road through this often mist-shrouded forest of redwoods. Easy.
This paved 10-mile route threads through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and old-growth redwoods. It's open to all noncommercial vehicles...
This paved 10-mile route threads through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and old-growth redwoods. It's open to all noncommercial vehicles. Great stops along the route include the 0.8-mile walk to Big Tree Wayside and observing Roosevelt elk in the prairie—both of these are near the Prairie Creek Visitor Center.
Spectacular redwoods and lush ferns make up this park traversed by the stunning Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Extra space has been paved alongside...
Spectacular redwoods and lush ferns make up this park traversed by the stunning Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Extra space has been paved alongside the parklands, providing fine places to observe herds of Roosevelt elk, which at one time neared extinction, in adjoining meadows. The park also includes famously spectacular Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon. If your time is limited, Prairie Creek is one of the best spots for a full day hiking and exploring.
Stroll as high as 100 feet above the forest floor on the elevated walkway, an instant hit following its 2021 debut at California's oldest zoo....
Stroll as high as 100 feet above the forest floor on the elevated walkway, an instant hit following its 2021 debut at California's oldest zoo. Although relatively small, Sequoia Park, which opened in 1907, is conservation-focused and fully accredited. Favorite areas for wildlife viewing include the red panda exhibit, a barnyard petting zoo, and a walk-in aviary with local and exotic birds.
Only during low tide, you can walk from the pier across the ocean floor to this working lighthouse, which was built in 1856. It houses...
Only during low tide, you can walk from the pier across the ocean floor to this working lighthouse, which was built in 1856. It houses a museum with nautical artifacts and photographs of shipwrecks. There's even a resident ghost.
The scenery here includes views of the ocean and, in the distance, Crescent City and its working harbor. In balmy weather this is a great place...
The scenery here includes views of the ocean and, in the distance, Crescent City and its working harbor. In balmy weather this is a great place for a picnic. You may spot migrating gray whales between November and April.
This spectacular stretch of sand at the northern end of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park has a grassy picnic area with tables, fire pits...
This spectacular stretch of sand at the northern end of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park has a grassy picnic area with tables, fire pits, and restrooms, and there's a stunning overlook just to the south.
This park southeast of Crescent City contains 15 memorial redwood groves and 8 miles of pristine coastline, which you can most easily access...
This park southeast of Crescent City contains 15 memorial redwood groves and 8 miles of pristine coastline, which you can most easily access at Wilson Beach or False Klamath Cove. The old-growth forest extends down steep slopes almost to the shore.
In addition to many elk, this spot has a campground, a nature trail, and a ranger station. ...
In addition to many elk, this spot has a campground, a nature trail, and a ranger station.
This grassy, windswept bluff rises 650 feet above the confluence of the Klamath River and the Pacific. It's one of the best spots in the park...
This grassy, windswept bluff rises 650 feet above the confluence of the Klamath River and the Pacific. It's one of the best spots in the park for spying migratory whales in early winter and late spring, and it accesses a section of the Coastal Trail. Warm days are ideal for picnicking at one of the tables.
The nonprofit center rescues and rehabilitates stranded, sick, and injured seals, sea lions, dolphins, and porpoises. Its facility isn't a museum or an aquarium, but...
The nonprofit center rescues and rehabilitates stranded, sick, and injured seals, sea lions, dolphins, and porpoises. Its facility isn't a museum or an aquarium, but placards and kiosks provide information about marine mammals and coastal ecosystems, and even when the place is closed you can observe the rescued animals through a fence enclosing individual pools. The gallery and gift shop is open on most weekends and some weekdays, especially in summer, and volunteers are often on hand to answer questions. It's worth calling the day of your visit to find out when feedings will take place.
Fun and engaging Redwood EdVentures nature scavenger hunts for kids, called Quests, include ones in the park. Visit the website for "treasure...
Fun and engaging Redwood EdVentures nature scavenger hunts for kids, called Quests, include ones in the park. Visit the website for "treasure map" PDFs detailing the Quests, which typically take no more than an hour. Participants receive a patch upon completion.
Although every bit as beautiful as the other stands of old-growth redwood in the park, getting to this roughly 30-acre grove requires a steep...
Although every bit as beautiful as the other stands of old-growth redwood in the park, getting to this roughly 30-acre grove requires a steep and windy 14-mile drive, followed by a somewhat rigorous 4-mile round-trip hike that involves an 800-foot descent into the Redwood Creek flood plain. Additionally, you must obtain a free permit at the Kuchel Visitor Center to access the unpaved road off of Bald Hills Road. Rangers dispense a limited number per day, first come, first served. No trailers or RVs. Given the effort required, if you don't have a lot of time, it's best to save this one for your second or third visit. Moderate.
Since opening in 1946, this unabashedly goofy but endearing roadside attraction has been doling out family fun. From the moment you pull your car up...
Since opening in 1946, this unabashedly goofy but endearing roadside attraction has been doling out family fun. From the moment you pull your car up to the 49-foot-tall talking statue of Paul Bunyan (alongside Babe the Blue Ox), the kitschy thrills begin. You can then explore a genuinely informative museum of Native American artifacts, admire intricately carved redwood figures, and browse tacky souvenirs. For a fee you can ride a six-passenger gondola over the redwood treetops for a majestic view of the forest canopy, and stroll along several mostly easy trails through the adjacent forest of redwoods, Sitka spruce, and Douglas firs.
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