Redwood National Park is way from only a nationwide park. It is dwelling to a number of the tallest timber on this planet – redwoods (scientifically referred to as sequoia sempervirens). Nature and mountaineering lovers will love strolling the paths by means of old-growth forests and the a whole lot and a whole lot of redwood timber. Redwood National Park is well one of many greatest locations to go to within the United States and has mountaineering trails to match. You’ll discover a number of the greatest hikes in California and the United States – with picture alternatives galore.
So, we’ve established that Redwood National Park is unquestionably price visiting. Its tall timber make it some of the 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 bought lots to cowl, so let’s get began.
What is the historical past of Redwood National Park?
Every conventional story begins in the beginning, and Redwood National Park has fairly the story. Initially, the nationwide park was dwelling to completely different teams of Native American Indians who had a radical data of the park and its wildlife. 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 stay 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 lots of have been paid by the state to conduct murders to push the native folks off of the land. While the motion did lead to tragic massacres, it failed its total goal to wipe out all of the Native American Indians in Redwood National Park. Yurok, Hupa, Tolowa, and Karuk communities nonetheless stay on reservations throughout and across the nationwide park.
It is important to pay attention to 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 presently was logging. The tall timber 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 develop into involved about preserving the tiny remaining quantity of redwood timber. Out of those considerations, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods have been shaped. The resolution to create state parks hoped to counteract a number of the impacts of logging, creating secure areas for some redwoods to develop.
However, forming these three state parks was not sufficient to eradicate logging considerations. In 1930, chainsaws and bulldozers allowed for a fair increased price of destruction, and logging capability elevated tenfold. When it bought 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 identify – an essential step within the park’s historical past.
In 1978, the federal government bought greater than 10,000 acres from non-public logging corporations – 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 the moment 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 harm will take a long time to heal – by no means thoughts starting to reverse the harm. But its historical past can also be a triumphant story and armed with all its backstory, guests will admire the worth of the Redwood National Park ten occasions extra.
Best issues to do in Redwood National Park
Now that you just’ve bought the historical past of the nationwide park and its redwood timber let’s take a look at the very best 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 a minimum of a full day to go to and tick off a couple of of those improbable actions, and, if doable, keep for a couple of days to every week to expertise the very best of the park.
Ready to be impressed? This part will cowl all the very best issues to do within the Redwood National and State Parks. The area contains 4 areas: Redwood National Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park.
We’ll cut up issues up by every park, so you may get a transparent thought of which actions greatest mix collectively.
Redwood National Park
Let’s begin with the principle park – Redwood National Park. You simply want an entire day simply to admire Redwood National Park. If you might be brief on time, you’ll want to prioritize successfully to see the highest sights of your selection. 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 info boards and photo-worthy stops, so permit 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 proper spot in order for you 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 timber. Often, a lightweight mist cloaks a lot of the forest under, which is an extremely beautiful sight.
Don’t rush off after sundown, because the overlook is an excellent 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 identify may recommend, the Bald Hills are virtually fully empty of timber. Instead, you’ll discover meadows and open prairie. Visiting the Bald Hills is among the greatest issues to do in Redwood National Park to expertise a contrasting panorama to old-growth redwoods.
One of the very best methods to go to is to drive alongside Bald Hills Road. Lady Bird Johnson Grove is positioned on the primary three miles of Bald Hills Road, so it is a wonderful 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 among the most well-known areas inside Redwood National Park, thanks to a National Geographic Magazine printed in 1963. National Geographic coated 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 sufficient clothes.
5. Go on a horseback driving path
Going horseback driving is an thrilling manner to discover Redwood National Park and presents a unique perspective than exploring on foot. Redwood Trails Horse Rides provide scenic path rides by means of the nationwide park and are extremely rated as a dependable tour operator. Most tour operators permit you to get shut to the redwoods and supply details about the native space. A guided tour and a horseback experience? It appears 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 start line of Redwood National and State Parks’ main backpacking path. Excited? You must be.
1. See the Roosevelt Elk
Roosevelt elk are top-of-the-line animals to spot in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Roosevelt elk are the biggest kind of elk in North America and are named after former President Roosevelt. They stay in giant herds and are unimaginable to spot and {photograph}. If you might be visiting Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, recognizing Roosevelt elk must be on the high of your checklist.
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 like multi-day mountaineering journeys, the Coastal Trail is among the greatest 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, until you’ve bought a whole lot of time in your palms, we suggest 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 perhaps 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 fairly than stroll? No drawback. 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 proper place to simply cruise by means of for beautiful views and minimal effort.
Allow a couple of hours to drive the parkway leisurely. Just a few hours must also be loads of time to soar out often 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 stunning endpoint. The hike is family-friendly, with a couple of straightforward switchbacks and very reasonable elevation achieve.
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 hi there to Hollywood as a result of Fern Canyon was a filming location for Jurassic Park 2. The canyons (as you could have guessed) are coated 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 a bit additional time to cease, admire, and snap images of Fern Canyon itself.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is among the greatest 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 when you go to Redwood National Park throughout winter or early spring. Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is stuffed 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 certain 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 too can spot humpbacks and blue whales. We recommend 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 greatest identified for its rock swimming pools. Stop by to peer into the swimming pools, and perhaps you’ll spot starfish (or a minimum of a couple of crabs and fish). Enderts Beach is a good spot to have a traditional 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 among the most difficult within the area. You can anticipate a steep elevation achieve and can want an incredible health degree to full the path in good time. The draw? A good looking cliff-side redwood forest and the satisfaction of finishing a tough route.
5. Visit False Klamath Cove
False Klamath Cove is prime picnicking territory and has a romantic, wild-feeling ambiance. The small seashore is affected by stones in a simple ‘I am beautiful without being pristine’ manner. There are additionally informative signposts with info on native marine life.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is our ultimate state park to cowl. The park is dwelling to the Smith River and is positioned additional inland than the opposite two state parks. It will get its identify from the explorer Jedediah Smith. It is dwelling to a number of the most spectacular redwoods and forest trails within the Redwood National and State Parks. Ready to hear extra? We’ve bought some nice sights 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 avenue. 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 improbable mid-length hike when visiting Redwood National Park. It is round 5.5 miles lengthy and contains many factors of curiosity, together with Fern Falls. Get prepared to snap numerous images. It is of reasonable issue, and it’s best to permit round 4 to 5 hours to full the hike.
3. Walk Stout Grove
Speaking of images, Stout Grove is among 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 timber develop to round 90 meters in peak, and the forest surroundings is breathtaking.
4. Go fishing on the Smith River
If you like 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 greatest for cutthroat trout. What may very well be higher than a day of fishing alongside the riverside? It is among 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 unique expertise after all of the mountaineering trails, we recommend mountain biking the path. You’ll go loads of native flora like bear grass and wind your manner by means of stunning redwood forests. Are Jedediah Smith redwoods the very best 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 might be 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 very best 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 very best of the park.
Sue-Meg State Park
Just additional down the coast, Sue-Meg State Park is an excellent day journey from Redwood National Park. If you need close by sights, it doesn’t get extra fascinating than a go to to Sue-Meg. The state park has a whole lot of cultural sights and historic websites, like a preserved conventional Yurok plank home.
Harry A Merlo State Recreation Area
Harry A Merlo State Recreation Area is positioned simply exterior Redwood National Park. The space is sufficiently small to discover in an hour. However, it presents a unique panorama than you usually 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 coated all of the thrilling bits, what in regards to the important sensible particulars? This is every part you want to find out 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 positioned 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 positioned 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 positioned 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 positioned 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 automobile 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 permit you to maximize your time exploring the park and scale back pointless journey time.
Of course, when you don’t thoughts a six-hour drive, you may discover flying to San Francisco Airport cheaper. If you might be flying internationally, you could have to stopover in San Francisco anyway. In that case, hire a automobile and street journey your manner to Redwood National Park – stopping at sights and state parks alongside the way in which.
This choice is greatest 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 price including that many individuals add the redwood timber at Redwood National Park as one of many ultimate sights 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 day by day, six days every week (don’t strive to catch it on a Sunday). It is sort 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 choice is to e-book a tour of Redwood National Park that features transfers. If you don’t thoughts a whistle-stop tour and are glad for the tour operator to set the tempo, it is a wonderful means to attain the park and match lots right into a small period of time with out driving. This might be the costliest choice, however it’s undoubtedly the best when you don’t drive.
Best time to go to Redwood National Park
As a fast reply, the very best 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 bought all the brand new types of life sprouting up. Since Redwood National Park is greatest for outside actions like mountaineering and all its most important sights are open air, these are all essential components to think about.
The peak season to go to Redwood National Park is between May and September. While it isn’t like different nationwide parks that get utterly crowded, you may discover visiting extra stress-free exterior 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 is usually 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 suggest it when you don’t like being open air in dangerous climate. It is the least common time to go to Redwood National Park. But when you don’t thoughts the moist and the wind, then it may be a superb selection 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 checklist must be waterproof. You ought to have a water-proof coat, mountaineering boots, and even perhaps waterproof trousers (particularly when you go to throughout winter). The very last 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 selection, and also you’ll discover all kinds of base layers obtainable 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 needed.
When mountaineering, a torch, bug spray, suncream (you by no means know), a hat, bear spray, and a conveyable charger are all must-brings. It is perhaps a good suggestion to convey a primary assist package, too, particularly in order for you to deal with a number of the longer, extra distant hikes. And when you’re going to camp, you’ll additionally want all of your tenting gear.
And what good are all these things with out something to carry them in? You ought to have two baggage – a small mountaineering backpack and no matter bag you might be glad to depart at your lodging.
Last however not least, we’d actually suggest a digital camera. 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 bought all the knowledge you want, besides the place to keep. These are the very best 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 certainly has bought to be top-of-the-line budget-friendly lodging selections within the US.
The services are additionally wonderful; you’ll have showers, restrooms, fireplace pits, and even bear-proof lockers.
Mid-range: Holiday Inn Express Redwood National Park
This modern property is the proper mid-range lodging selection in Redwood National Park. It is located in Klamath and has the perfect location to discover close by sights just like the Coastal Drive and Klamath River Overlook.
Each room comes with an en-suite, seating space, and coffee-making services. Some choices embody additional options like a microwave and a complimentary continental breakfast. There is a whole lot of 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 dwelling with two bedrooms and a settee mattress obtainable in the lounge. It is a perfect luxurious getaway for a small group or household. Located in central Orick, visitors 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 take pleasure in. If you need that dwelling away from dwelling really feel, you possibly can’t discover way more luxurious.
Final Tip
Don’t overlook to cease by one of many park’s customer facilities. Hiouchi Visitor Center and Kuchel Visitor Center are two of probably the most built-up. However, all customer facilities are sensible locations to choose up a park map, get skilled recommendation, and use the bathroom and water services. Keep an eye fixed out and use them as pit stops as you discover.
To Conclude
Visiting Redwood National Park is clearly one in your bucket checklist. The park is an interesting place to go to, and seeing the world’s tallest timber 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 provide moreover its tall timber. The nationwide park is numerous and thrilling – full of sights, actions, and lodging selections. Have an unimaginable time.