Redwood National Park is way from only a nationwide park. It is house to a few of the tallest bushes on the planet – redwoods (scientifically often called sequoia sempervirens). Nature and mountaineering lovers will love strolling the paths by means of old-growth forests and the lots of and lots of of redwood bushes. Redwood National Park is well one of many finest locations to go to within the United States and has mountaineering trails to match. You’ll discover a few of the finest hikes in California and the United States – with photograph alternatives galore.
So, we’ve established that Redwood National Park is certainly value visiting. Its tall bushes make it probably the most iconic nationwide parks within the nation. But what do you want to know earlier than you go? This information will cowl all of the important particulars, plus a couple of bonus sections. We’ve acquired loads to cowl, so let’s get began.
What is the historical past of Redwood National Park?
Every conventional story begins initially, and Redwood National Park has fairly the story. Initially, the nationwide park was house to totally different teams of Native American Indians who had a radical data of the park and its natural world. The tribes principally lived off deer, fish, nuts, and berries. They additionally believed within the Spirit Beings, a predecessor race to the people who acted as guides, exhibiting folks how to reside on the land.
Redwood National Park first entered European colonizers’ radars when gold was found within the Trinity River across the 1850s. After that, flocks of Europeans got here to settle in what’s now Redwood National Park and its surrounding areas.
The Europeans have been extremely hostile to the present Native American Indians, and plenty of have been paid by the state to conduct murders to push the native folks off of the land. While the motion did end in tragic massacres, it failed its total purpose to wipe out all of the Native American Indians in Redwood National Park. Yurok, Hupa, Tolowa, and Karuk communities nonetheless reside on reservations throughout and across the nationwide park.
It is crucial to concentrate on the socio-political historical past of Redwood National Park earlier than visiting, simply to comprehend the significance of the land and acknowledge its darkish previous.
Taking the story again to the 1850s gold rush, one other business that boomed at the moment was logging. The tall bushes have been a gold mine for immigrants arriving within the park, as their dimension and sturdiness made them prized and extremely wanted. Just three years later, in 1853, the area already had 9 sawmills.
By the flip of the century, folks have been starting to turn out to be involved about preserving the tiny remaining quantity of redwood bushes. Out of those issues, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods have been shaped. The determination to create state parks hoped to counteract a few of the impacts of logging, creating protected areas for some redwoods to develop.
However, forming these three state parks was not sufficient to eradicate logging issues. In 1930, chainsaws and bulldozers allowed for a fair larger price of destruction, and logging capability elevated tenfold. When it acquired to the Sixties, virtually 90% of old-growth redwoods had been misplaced.
Partially in response to this, the Redwood National Park was formally created in 1968. Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Trillium Falls Trail, and Tall Trees Grove have been all saved from additional logging by giving the land an official title and guarded standing. Protected areas within the area have been rising, and now Redwood National Park had an actual, acknowledged title – an necessary step within the park’s historical past.
In 1978, the federal government bought greater than 10,000 acres from non-public logging firms – enlarging the nationwide park boundaries and defending much more land. Despite all these efforts, simply 5% of the unique old-growth redwood forest stays at present throughout California.
Redwood National Park is significant in preserving the tree and its legacy. Charities like Save the Redwoods League are nonetheless preventing to restore lands broken throughout logging occasions that always occurred over fifty years in the past. Redwood National Park has a tragic historical past in contrast to different nationwide parks.
The injury will take a long time to heal – by no means thoughts starting to reverse the injury. But its historical past can also be a triumphant story and armed with all its backstory, guests will respect the worth of the Redwood National Park ten occasions extra.
Best issues to do in Redwood National Park
Now that you just’ve acquired the historical past of the nationwide park and its redwood bushes let’s have a look at the perfect issues to do in Redwood National Park. The park has a lot to do – whether or not you need to hike, discover its smaller state parks, or cycle. Allow no less than a full day to go to and tick off a couple of of those incredible actions, and, if doable, keep for a couple of days to every week to expertise the perfect of the park.
Ready to be impressed? This part will cowl all the perfect issues to do within the Redwood National and State Parks. The area consists of 4 areas: Redwood National Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park.
We’ll break up issues up by every park, so you may get a transparent thought of which actions finest mix collectively.
Redwood National Park
Let’s begin with the primary park – Redwood National Park. You simply want a complete day simply to respect Redwood National Park. If you’re brief on time, you’ll want to prioritize successfully to see the highest points of interest of your alternative. These are our high 5.
1. Walk Lady Bird Johnson Grove
Lady Bird Johnson Grove is an exquisite reserve in Redwood National Park. The space is known as after the previous First Lady in recognition of her tireless environmental efforts. Visitors can stroll by means of Lady Bird Johnson Grove utilizing the 1.4-mile scenic path. You’ll discover loads of data boards and photo-worthy stops, so enable between an hour and two hours to full the path leisurely.
2. Visit Redwood Creek Overlook
Redwood Creek Overlook is a famend sundown spot. This is the right spot if you need a romantic place to end a busy day in Redwood National Park. The overlook is about on a slight vantage level, so that you look down over a valley of bushes. Often, a light-weight mist cloaks a lot of the forest beneath, which is an extremely beautiful sight.
Don’t rush off after sundown, because the overlook is a superb place for star gazing. Bring a blanket and a heat drink, and settle in for the night.
3. Visit Bald Hills
The Bald Hills sharply distinction Redwood National Park’s old-growth forests. As their title may counsel, the Bald Hills are virtually fully empty of bushes. Instead, you’ll discover meadows and open prairie. Visiting the Bald Hills is likely one of the finest issues to do in Redwood National Park to expertise a contrasting panorama to old-growth redwoods.
One of the perfect methods to go to is to drive alongside Bald Hills Road. Lady Bird Johnson Grove is situated on the primary three miles of Bald Hills Road, so it is a superb attraction to mix with a scenic drive by means of the prairies.
4. Walk Tall Trees Trail
Tall Trees Trail is a 4.5-mile return hike that whisks you away to Tall Trees Grove. The grove is likely one of the most well-known places inside Redwood National Park, thanks to a National Geographic Magazine printed in 1963. National Geographic lined Tall Trees Grove because the nationwide park’s main attraction, and the grove has attracted substantial crowds since.
Be conscious that Tall Trees Trail is ranked as a difficult route. There is a 487-meter elevation change, and the path can get moist and slippery to solely deal with the route in good situations and with satisfactory clothes.
5. Go on a horseback using path
Going horseback using is an thrilling means to discover Redwood National Park and provides a special perspective than exploring on foot. Redwood Trails Horse Rides supply scenic path rides by means of the nationwide park and are extremely rated as a dependable tour operator. Most tour operators enable you to get shut to the redwoods and supply details about the native space. A guided tour and a horseback experience? It feels like a win to us.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Next up is Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is located with a part of its boundaries alongside the west coast. It is a sizzling spot for wildlife recognizing (particularly elk). It is the place to begin of Redwood National and State Parks’ main backpacking path. Excited? You needs to be.
1. See the Roosevelt Elk
Roosevelt elk are among the finest animals to spot in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Roosevelt elk are the most important kind of elk in North America and are named after former President Roosevelt. They reside in massive herds and are unimaginable to spot and {photograph}. If you’re visiting Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, recognizing Roosevelt elk needs to be on the high of your listing.
Elk Prairie, Elk Meadow, and Gold Bluffs Beach are all high locations to see Roosevelt elk in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
2. Hike the Coastal Trail
If you’re keen on multi-day mountaineering journeys, the Coastal Trail is likely one of the finest issues to do when visiting Redwood National Park and State Parks. The path is a part of the 1,200-mile California Coastal Trail. But, except you’ve acquired numerous time in your palms, we advocate finishing the Redwood National and State Parks part of the path. It begins in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and stretches 70 miles alongside the shoreline. You’ll spot redwoods, beautiful seashores, views of the Pacific Ocean, wildlife like elk, and possibly even whales.
Short on time? Gold Bluffs Beach to Fern Canyon is an exquisite part completely suited to a day hike.
3. Drive Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
Prefer to drive moderately than stroll? No downside. Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is a beautiful ten-mile street that winds by means of old-growth redwoods. There are quite a few locations the place you may get out to stretch your legs and snap images if you want. But, in any other case, it’s simply the right place to simply cruise by means of for beautiful views and minimal effort.
Allow a couple of hours to drive the parkway leisurely. A number of hours must also be loads of time to bounce out sometimes for images, a brief stroll, or a picnic.
4. Hike Trillium Falls
Trillium Falls is a brief, virtually 3-mile loop that takes you thru an old-growth forest, previous a sawmill, and to a waterfall on the lovely endpoint. The hike is family-friendly, with a couple of simple switchbacks and very average elevation acquire.
It is a photogenic and stress-free route, and Trillium Falls is the final word reward in your efforts. The endpoint of the hike overlooks the waterfall from a metal bridge – offering an exquisite vantage level to admire the crashing falls.
5. Visit Fern Canyon
Wave hey to Hollywood as a result of Fern Canyon was a filming location for Jurassic Park 2. The canyons (as you could have guessed) are lined in ferns, and the impact is mesmerizing. It isn’t any marvel that Fern Canyon caught the eyes of film producers. The canyon partitions are 50 toes excessive.
You should full a brief mile-long loop path to attain Fern Canyon. Allow round half an hour to full the loop, plus somewhat further time to cease, admire, and snap images of Fern Canyon itself.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is likely one of the finest locations to admire the Redwood National and State Parks shoreline. You’ll have scenic coastal drives and overlooks galore. With some luck, you’ll even spot whales for those who go to Redwood National Park throughout winter or early spring. Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is filled with actions. Let’s get began.
1. Drive the Scenic Coastal Drive
This eight-mile scenic drive is beautiful. The route winds alongside the California Coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and also you’ll expertise the fantastic thing about the redwoods assembly the ocean. It is an exquisite factor to do, and it makes logistical sense, too, because it connects Del Norte State Park with Prairie Creek State Park.
If you propose to discover each state parks, simply incorporate the Coastal Drive into your journey. Make positive to add it to your itinerary – even whether it is simply to take the scenic route from A to B.
2. Whale Watch at Klamath River Overlook
Who doesn’t love whale watching? Klamath River Overlook is an exquisite place to spot whales from by means of winter and early spring. At these occasions of the 12 months, you principally spot migrating Californian grey whales. Sometimes, you may also spot humpbacks and blue whales. We counsel bringing a heat blanket and drink – you’ll want to be affected person, however the effort is worth it while you spot a pod.
3. Visit Enderts Beach
Enderts Beach is finest recognized for its rock swimming pools. Stop by to peer into the swimming pools, and possibly you’ll spot starfish (or no less than a couple of crabs and fish). Enderts Beach is a good spot to have a basic seashore expertise and revel in any hotter climate.
4. Hike the Damnation Creek Trail
While solely round 4-miles in size, Damnation Creek Trail is likely one of the most difficult within the area. You can count on a steep elevation acquire and can want a terrific health stage to full the path in good time. The draw? An exquisite cliff-side redwood forest and the satisfaction of finishing a difficult route.
5. Visit False Klamath Cove
False Klamath Cove is prime picnicking territory and has a romantic, wild-feeling environment. The small seashore is plagued by stones in an easy ‘I am beautiful without being pristine’ means. There are additionally informative signposts with data on native marine life.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is our ultimate state park to cowl. The park is house to the Smith River and is situated additional inland than the opposite two state parks. It will get its title from the explorer Jedediah Smith. It is house to a few of the most spectacular redwoods and forest trails within the Redwood National and State Parks. Ready to hear extra? We’ve acquired some nice points of interest lined up.
1. Drive Howland Hill Road
This scenic drive is for the adventurous solely. The National Park Service warns that the street ‘is suitable for drivers not afraid of dust and getting very, very close to redwoods’. If that sounds thrilling, the ten-mile drive might be up your road. Allow round an hour to full the route, plus a bit longer to account for any stops.
2. Walk Boy Scout Tree Trail
Boy Scout Tree Trail is a incredible mid-length hike when visiting Redwood National Park. It is round 5.5 miles lengthy and consists of many factors of curiosity, together with Fern Falls. Get prepared to snap a lot of images. It is of average problem, and it’s best to enable round 4 to 5 hours to full the hike.
3. Walk Stout Grove
Speaking of images, Stout Grove is likely one of the most photographed spots in the entire Redwood National and State Parks. The grove is comparatively small, however you possibly can simply spend an hour or so there. Some bushes develop to round 90 meters in peak, and the forest surroundings is breathtaking.
4. Go fishing on the Smith River
If you’re keen on fishing, Jedediah Smith State Park is the place to go. The state park is legendary for salmon and steelhead from October to February, whereas summer season is finest for cutthroat trout. What could possibly be higher than a day of fishing alongside the riverside? It is likely one of the most stress-free issues within the Redwood National and State Parks.
5. Mountain bike the Little Bald Hills Trail to South Fork Road
The Little Bald Hills Trail to South Fork Road is a 19.6-mile path shared by bikers, horseback riders, and hikers. But, for a special expertise after all of the mountaineering trails, we advise mountain biking the path. You’ll cross loads of native flora like bear grass and wind your means by means of lovely redwood forests. Are Jedediah Smith redwoods the perfect of all? We’ll allow you to resolve.
Nearby parks to go to from Redwood National Park
So, these are the three state parks which are included within the nationwide park boundaries. But loads of different California state parks boast redwood groves, a few of that are only a brief drive from the Redwood National and State Parks.
These are the perfect close by parks to go to from Redwood National Park.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Humboldt Redwoods State Park is California’s third largest state park and encompasses a staggering 53,000 acres. It is most well-known for the Avenue of Giants – a 31.5-mile scenic drive that takes drivers on tour by means of the perfect of the park.
Sue-Meg State Park
Just additional down the coast, Sue-Meg State Park is a superb day journey from Redwood National Park. If you need close by points of interest, it doesn’t get extra attention-grabbing than a go to to Sue-Meg. The state park has numerous cultural points of interest and historic websites, like a preserved conventional Yurok plank home.
Harry A Merlo State Recreation Area
Harry A Merlo State Recreation Area is situated simply outdoors Redwood National Park. The space is sufficiently small to discover in an hour. However, it provides a special panorama than you sometimes discover contained in the nationwide park. The space sits on the sting of the Big Lagoon and is predominately wetlands. If you get fortunate, it additionally has a resident herd of elk that you could be spot.
Redwood National Park FAQs
Now that we’ve lined all of the thrilling bits, what concerning the important sensible particulars? This is every thing you want to learn about visiting Redwood National Park – from precise location and transportation choices to how to get a free allow and the place to keep.
Where is Redwood National Park?
So, the place is Redwood National Park? The nationwide park and its state parks are situated in Northern California, hugging a big part of the California coast and spreading inland towards Six Rivers National Forest. The nationwide park and state parks are comparatively unfold out from one another, so be ready to do a little bit of driving to see all of them.
Redwood National Park is situated simply south of Orick. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is shut to Redwood National Park and instantly north of Orick.
Del Norte and Jedediah Smith State Parks are additionally situated shut collectively, about an hour’s drive north of Redwood and Prairie Creek. Del Norte Coast State Park is south of Crescent City (42 miles north of Orick). Prairie Creek is situated instantly east of Crescent City.
How to get to Redwood National Park
The easiest method is to fly into Eureka-Arcata Airport or Crescent City Airport. You can hire a automotive from right here and simply proceed your journey with a brief drive into the nationwide park or to your lodging. Those brief on time ought to select this methodology of getting to Redwood National Park. It will enable you to maximize your time exploring the park and scale back pointless journey time.
Of course, for those who don’t thoughts a six-hour drive, you may discover flying to San Francisco Airport cheaper. If you’re flying internationally, you could have to stopover in San Francisco anyway. In that case, hire a automotive and street journey your means to Redwood National Park – stopping at points of interest and state parks alongside the way in which.
This possibility is finest for many who have loads of time, need to get monetary savings on flights, and are up for including an additional journey to the expertise. It can also be value including that many individuals add the redwood bushes at Redwood National Park as one of many ultimate points of interest on a West Coast street journey.
Don’t drive? Not an issue. You can hop on a Greyhound bus. A Greyhound service runs between Crescent City and Arcata twice each day, six days every week (don’t strive to catch it on a Sunday). It is kind of possible to journey to Redwood National Park utilizing Greyhound buses. You’ll simply want to plan forward to keep away from getting stranded and be assured with timekeeping.
Another possibility is to e-book a tour of Redwood National Park that features transfers. If you don’t thoughts a whistle-stop tour and are completely satisfied for the tour operator to set the tempo, this can be a smart way to attain the park and match loads right into a small period of time with out driving. This might be the costliest possibility, however it’s undoubtedly the simplest for those who don’t drive.
Best time to go to Redwood National Park
As a fast reply, the perfect time to go to Redwood National Park is in spring. The temperatures are milder, the rain is beginning to dwindle off, and also you’ve acquired all the brand new types of life sprouting up. Since Redwood National Park is finest for out of doors actions like mountaineering and all its principal points of interest are outdoor, these are all crucial elements to contemplate.
The peak season to go to Redwood National Park is between May and September. While it isn’t like different nationwide parks that get fully crowded, you may discover visiting extra stress-free outdoors of this era. Late March or April are thought of good months to choose.
Are March and April off the desk for some motive? Fall is the following best option since it’s also a shoulder season, and the climate continues to be comparatively gentle.
Last however not least, winter is chilly and moist, so that you’ll want to be hardy and well-prepared to go to then. We wouldn’t advocate it for those who don’t like being outdoor in unhealthy climate. It is the least widespread time to go to Redwood National Park. But for those who don’t thoughts the moist and the wind, then it may be a wonderful alternative to keep away from crowds as a lot as doable.
What to pack to go to Redwood National Park
After speaking about moist and chilly climate, it may not shock you that the primary issues in your packing listing needs to be waterproof. You ought to have a water-resistant coat, mountaineering boots, and maybe even waterproof trousers (particularly for those who go to throughout winter). The final thing you need is to slip and get soaked on a path or get caught midway round a hike in a downpour.
Next, you need heat however breathable layers. Merino wool is a highly regarded alternative, and also you’ll discover all types of base layers accessible on this materials. Aim to have thermal leggings/trousers and a long-sleeved thermal high. You can then add or take away outer layers as obligatory.
When mountaineering, a torch, bug spray, suncream (you by no means know), a hat, bear spray, and a transportable charger are all must-brings. It is perhaps a good suggestion to convey a primary assist package, too, particularly if you need to deal with a few of the longer, extra distant hikes. And for those who’re going to camp, you’ll additionally want all of your tenting gear.
And what good are all this stuff with out something to carry them in? You ought to have two baggage – a small mountaineering backpack and no matter bag you’re completely satisfied to go away at your lodging.
Last however not least, we’d actually advocate a digicam. After all, you’ll be getting up shut with the world’s tallest tree species. You’ll want reminiscences of your expertise.
Where to keep in Redwood National Park
You’ve acquired all the knowledge you want, besides the place to keep. These are the perfect price range, mid-range, and luxurious choices. Let’s have a look.
Budget: Gold Bluffs Beach Campground
If backcountry tenting is a bit out of your consolation zone, Gold Bluffs Beach Campground is an exquisite entry level. Plus, you’ll be tenting instantly on the seashore, which absolutely has acquired to be among the finest budget-friendly lodging selections within the US.
The amenities are additionally glorious; you’ll have showers, restrooms, fireplace pits, and even bear-proof lockers.
Mid-range: Holiday Inn Express Redwood National Park
This up to date property is the right mid-range lodging alternative in Redwood National Park. It is located in Klamath and has the perfect location to discover close by points of interest just like the Coastal Drive and Klamath River Overlook.
Each room comes with an en-suite, seating space, and coffee-making amenities. Some choices embrace further options like a microwave and a complimentary continental breakfast. There is numerous flexibility inside Holiday Inn Express’ room selections which inserts a variety of mid-range budgets. Check costs and availability on Tripadvisor.
Luxury: Oreq-W Ranch House
Oreq-W Ranch House is a sole-use vacation house with two bedrooms and a settee mattress accessible in the lounge. It is a perfect luxurious getaway for a small group or household. Located in central Orick, friends could have easy accessibility to the Redwood National and State Parks, plus all of the comforts of a house on the town.
The property comes with free wi-fi and a backyard to get pleasure from. If you need that house away from house really feel, you possibly can’t discover way more luxurious.
Final Tip
Don’t neglect to cease by one of many park’s customer facilities. Hiouchi Visitor Center and Kuchel Visitor Center are two of essentially the most built-up. However, all customer facilities are good locations to choose up a park map, get skilled recommendation, and use the bathroom and water amenities. Keep a watch out and use them as pit stops as you discover.
To Conclude
Visiting Redwood National Park is clearly one in your bucket listing. The park is an enchanting place to go to, and seeing the world’s tallest bushes up shut is a reminiscence that can final a lifetime.
Hopefully, after studying this information, you’ll have realized how way more Redwood National Park has to supply moreover its tall bushes. The nationwide park is various and thrilling – filled with points of interest, actions, and lodging selections. Have an unimaginable time.