A Complete Guide to Redwood National Park

The Redwood National Park, also known as Redwood National and State Parks, is located in California and is home to the oldest redwoods in the world, dating back more than two thousand years. These trees are taller than any other trees on Earth and walking between them offers a one-of-a-kind experience as you move through ancient mosses and ferns that inspired films like Jurassic Park and Star Wars. But this park is not just about towering trees — it’s a natural adventure playground where you can hike famous trails like Tall Trees Grove, Fern Canyon, and Trillium Falls, each with its own personality. You can also drive along scenic routes such as Howland Hill Road and Bald Hills Road for mesmerizing landscape views. And don’t forget to keep your eyes open for wildlife — Redwood National Park is home to one of the largest populations of Roosevelt elk wandering across its landscapes.

So, are you ready to explore this beautiful park? Below is the ultimate Redwood National Park guide, covering everything from the park’s location, how to reach and get around it, entrance fees, and the best time to visit, to the best things to do, top hiking trails, scenic roads, and wildlife-viewing opportunities. Let’s dive in!

Redwood National Park is situated in far northwest California, just a short distance from Crescent City, and close to the Oregon border. It is roughly six hours from both San Francisco and Portland. The park offers a breathtaking natural experience with its Pacific coastline, lush forests, and the largest redwood trees in the world.

Redwood National and State Parks consist of four parks in total: Redwood National Park and three California state parks — Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek. These parks operate as one unified system and protect over 40,000 acres of old-growth redwoods, representing nearly half of the world’s remaining ancient forest.

Redwood National Park, located in the southern portion of the system, is the largest unit with 71,000 acres and is home to Hyperion, the tallest known tree on Earth. The other three parks lie to the north and each offers something unique.

• Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is the largest of the three and is known for a mix of forest trails and coastal paths.
• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is about half the size of Del Norte and is famous for its large Roosevelt elk population.
• Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is the smallest and is best known for its dense, pristine forests.

Entry to Redwood National Park is completely free, and there are no entrance stations. However, the three state parks charge entrance or day-use fees in certain areas, including established campgrounds such as Fern Canyon, Mill Creek, Gold Bluffs Beach, Elk Prairie, and Jedediah Smith. Travelers with an America the Beautiful Pass can enter these three state parks for free, making it a budget-friendly choice for frequent national park visitors.

Redwood National Park is not surrounded by major cities, so getting there requires flying into a regional airport and then renting a car.

Budget-friendly airport options:

• Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport— 3 hours from the park
• Sacramento International Airport— 6 hours away
• Oakland International Airport— 6 hours away

Closer but more expensive airports:

• Humboldt County Airport— 30 minutes away
• Del Norte County Airport— 30 minutes away

You can also reach Redwood National Park from Portland, Oregon, by taking I-5 and Highway 101.

From San Francisco:

If you’re flying into San Francisco International Airport, you have two route options:

1. Pacific Coast Highway (Scenic Route)— About 9 hours with breathtaking coastal views.
2. Highway 101 (Faster Route)— About 6 hours with fewer scenic overlooks.

Redwood National and State Parks do not offer shuttle services, so you must drive your own vehicle or rent one. Parking fills quickly in summer, so arrive early or visit during the off-season to avoid crowds.

Redwood National Park is open year-round, but the best times to visit are spring and summer.

Spring:

Spring lasts from February to May and brings bright foliage, blooming wildflowers, and beautiful light beams between the trees — perfect for photography. Early spring can be chilly, and April is typically the rainiest month.

Summer:

Summer runs from June to August and offers the best weather. Temperatures range from 50°F to 70°F, making it easy to hike any time of day. Coastal fog appears occasionally but does not affect the forest atmosphere. Longer daylight hours make summer ideal for exploring.

Fall and Winter:

Fall and winter bring cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather. These seasons are best for experienced travelers who don’t mind rain, mud, or fewer daylight hours.

To fully enjoy Redwood National and State Parks, plan for at least two days. This gives you enough time for scenic drives, major redwood groves, and multiple hikes. You’ll be able to experience towering forests, coastal scenery, and wildlife without feeling rushed.

Redwood National Park offers peaceful trails, scenic drives, and great wildlife spots, making it easy to enjoy the forest in your own way.

Hiking:

Below are the top hiking trails in Redwood National and State Parks:

Tall Trees Grove:

Tall Trees Grove Trail is a 3.3-mile moderate hike in Redwood National Park offering incredible views of old-growth redwoods, including Hyperion, standing at 379 feet. The trail begins with an 800-foot descent to the forest floor, followed by a one-mile loop through 350-foot redwoods. A free online permit is required and can be reserved up to four weeks — or as late as 48 hours — before your visit.

Fern Canyon:

Fern Canyon, located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, is a 50-foot-deep canyon covered with ancient fern species. It was famously featured in Jurassic Park 2. You can reach it via:

• The James Irvine Trail— a 13-mile route through redwoods with multiple creek crossings
• A 1-mile loopaccessed from the end of Davison Road

Davison Road includes a rough 10-mile dirt section, so drive slowly and allow extra time.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove:

This 1.3-mile trail in Redwood National Park offers an easy walk through old-growth redwoods and evergreen forests. Named after former First Lady Bird Johnson for her conservation efforts, the trail includes educational signs explaining forest ecology. It’s ideal for families and offers stunning elevated views.

Stout Grove Trail:

Located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park along the Smith River, this 0.7-mile easy trail leads to one of the most photographed groves in the entire park system. The 44-acre forest contains towering redwoods that are hundreds to thousands of years old. The grove can be accessed via the Jedediah Smith Campground or Howland Hill Road.

Trillium Falls:

This 2.6-mile loop in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park includes a 433-foot elevation gain and passes through lush forest and redwoods before reaching the 10-foot Trillium Falls. Along the way, look for wildflowers, fir trees, and Roosevelt elk.

Redwood National and State Parks offer several scenic drives that take you through towering redwoods, open meadows, and coastal viewpoints. These routes are easy to explore by car and give you access to some of the park’s most impressive landscapes.

Located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, this 10-mile paved route winds through massive old-growth redwoods. It’s also one of the best spots to see Roosevelt elk, which can weigh more than 1,000 pounds. Short trails like the Big Tree Wayside and Ah Pah Trail are accessible along the way.

This rugged 10-mile dirt road runs through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, bringing you inches away from enormous redwood trunks. The drive starts near Crescent City and ends at Highway 199 near the Hiouchi Visitor Center. Stout Grove and Boy Scout Tree Trail are accessible from this scenic route.

Bald Hills Road, located in Redwood National Park, is a 17-mile drive offering wide-open meadows and sweeping hilltop views — completely different from the dense redwood forests. Along the way, you’ll find trail access points for Tall Trees Trail and Lady Bird Johnson Grove. Spring brings vibrant wildflowers to the area.

This 2.25-mile drive in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park leads to the Crescent Beach Overlook, one of the best viewpoints near Crescent City. It offers stunning Pacific Ocean views and access to tide pools at Enderts Beach, where you can spot starfish, small fish, and crabs during low tide. The Coastal Trail also begins here, making it a great spot for hikers and campers.

Redwood National and State Parks offer some of the best wildlife-viewing experiences in California.

• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parkis home to several herds of Roosevelt elk. The best viewing times are the October mating season and the May–June calving season. Elk are commonly seen along Bald Hills Road, Gold Bluffs Beach, and Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Always keep a safe distance.
• Whale watchingis popular from March–April and in November. Good viewing points include Gold Bluffs Beach, Crescent Beach Overlook, Klamath River Overlook, and High Bluff Overlook.
• Enderts Beachoffers excellent tide-pooling during low tide. You can see starfish, crabs, sea anemones, and other tiny marine life.

Clothing: Wear warm layers — the park remains cool and humid year-round. Bring a fleece or down jacket and a waterproof rain jacket.

Shoes: Use lightweight hiking shoes with strong grip, especially for muddy, sandy, or damp trails.

Safety: Cell service is limited, so pack roadside emergency items such as jumper cables and basic tools.

Wildlife Viewing: Carry binoculars so you can observe animals from a safe and respectful distance.

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