Where is Redwood National and State Parks?

Redwood National and State Parks are located in northernmost coastal California – almost on the Oregon border. Redwood National Park is approximately five and a half hours from San Francisco and about twelve hours from Los Angeles. The park is home to the world’s tallest trees and this world heritage site protects nearly half of the world’s old growth redwoods, including champion specimens more than 370 feet (113 meters) in height—or five stories taller than the Statue of Liberty!

What’s hiking in Redwood National and State Parks like?

Hiking in Redwood National and State Parks is like hiking through Jurassic Park, which isn’t surprising as scenes from the movies were actually shot in the area! This guide will take you through the system of parks that comprise the Redwood National Park and show you what to do in the Redwood National and State Parks.

Do I need a permit

The Redwood National and State Parks includes about 200 miles of trails in the park system, which in a unique state/federal partnership includes Jedediah Smith Redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks. To enter the 3 California state parks (Del Norte, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek), you’ll need to pay the state park entry fee in some areas. These areas include: Entering all developed campgrounds (Jedediah Smith, Mill Creek, Elk Prairie, Gold Bluffs Beach). Be sure to get an America the Beautiful National Park Pass ahead of time. This $80 pass is valid for 12 months and get you into all 400+ national park sites (including the Redwood State Parks.)

Getting to the Redwood National and State Parks

Hwy 101 takes you to all the parks in this area (Jedediah Smith Redwoods is just a few miles east on Highway 199). The central region of the parks near Prairie Creek Redwoods is only 45 minutes north of Eureka.

Organizing your trip

At the southern end of the redwood parks, you’ll find Redwood National Park, the largest of the 4 parks. This federal land protects 71,000 acres and is home to the world’s tallest tree named Hyperion. To the north, you’ll find the 3 state parks protected by the California government. The largest of the 3, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is half old-growth forest and half coastal trails. Prairie Creek Redwoods is about half the size of Del Norte and is home to redwood groves where the majestic Roosevelt elk roam. The smallest and farthest north of the 3 state parks is Jedediah Smith Redwoods.

Closest airport to Redwood National Park

• Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) – 3-hour drive
• Sacramento International Airport (SMF) – 6-hour drive
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – 6-hour drive
• Oakland International Airport (OAK) – 6-hour drive

When is the best time to go

Thanks to a temperate climate, the region welcomes visitors any time of year. For the sunniest weather, visit between June and September; the remaining months will be cooler and wetter but less crowded. December, January and February may welcome you with rain, however these months will also be the quietest, with the least number of tourists and perhaps even some beautiful fog to accompany your hikes!

Hiking in Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park

• Driving Bald Hills Road
• Hiking Lady Bird Johnson Grove: Distance: 1.3 miles, 73ft elevation, easy. This short trail through a popular redwood grove is one of the most popular groves in the park. The grove gets its name from the former first lady of the United States. As you hike, you’ll pass through forests of redwoods and other evergreen coniferous trees. 
• Hiking Tall Trees Grove (by permit only): Distance: 3.3 miles, 748ft elevation, moderate difficulty. It’s home to the world’s tallest tree, Hyperion, which stands at 379 feet tall. Apply for permit here.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

• Camping at Gold Bluff Beach
• Hiking Fern Canyon: Hike inside a 50-foot canyon covered in ancient, prehistoric-looking ferns. Hikers can reach Fern Canyon two ways: on the 12-mile James Irvine Loop Trail or the short 1-mile loop from Davison Road. The shorter route to Fern Canyon is found at the end of the unpaved Davison Road past Gold Bluffs Beach. Tip: This 10-mile dirt road can be difficult to traverse after a rainstorm. Check with park rangers at the Kuchel Visitor Center before attempting to drive Davison Road if you don’t have a high clearance vehicle.
• Driving Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
• Seeing Roosevelt elk in Elk Prairie
• Driving Coastal Drive Loop to Klamath Beach and High Bluff Overlook
• Prairie Creek and Foothill Loop: Distance: 2.6 miles, 95ft elevation, easy.
• Trillium Falls: Distance: 2.6 miles, 433ft elevation, moderate difficulty.

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

• Hiking Damnation Creek Trail
• Exploring tidepools at Enderts Beach
• Hiking or biking the Coastal Trail

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

• Driving Howland Hill Road
• Hiking Stout Memorial Grove: Park: Distance: 0.7 miles, 32ft elevation, easy. Stout Grove is home to a 44-acre grove of old-growth redwood trees in the heart of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park along the Smith River. Since many of the trees here are hundreds and thousands of years old, it’s not uncommon to see redwoods over 300 feet tall in this grove.
• Paddling or swimming in the Smith River
• Boy Scout Tree Trail: Distance: 5.3 miles, 938ft elevation, moderate difficulty.

Where to stay near the park

If you’re looking to stay IN the park, you’ll have to stay at one of the 4 campgrounds in Redwood National and State Parks. Outside the park, book a hotel nearby in Klamath, California or a hotel/cabin further north in Crescent City. My pick is the Ramblin’ Redwoods Campgrounds and RV Park cabins booked via Campspot. Unlike other national parks, Redwood National and State Parks don’t have any lodges or hotels inside the park boundaries. 

Places to eat

For places to eat, I would recommend visiting Klamath and the nearby towns like Crescent city.

• The Historic Requa Inn, Klamath

• Moonstone Grill, Trinidad

• Schmidt’s House of Jambalaya, Crescent City

• Marlo’s Greek and Italian Restaurant, Crescent City

• Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant, Crescent City

Conclusion

I absolutely loved Redwood National and State parks! The vibe can be either moody and lush green or a ton of stunning light rays shining through the trees. I was in awe walking through the tallest and some of the oldest trees on earth! Please make sure to do your part in helping preserve these beautiful places by leaving the trails as you found them. Except of course if you see trash, then please pick it up! Please read these Leave no Trace principles before visiting this national park.