First-Timer’s Guide to Redwood National Park
Home to the tallest trees on Earth, Redwood National and State Parks are unlike anywhere else on the planet. Coast Redwoods only grow from Northern California to Southern Oregon, making these forests something truly special to experience. While the park is well-known for its impressive forest groves, it also encompasses rivers, prairies, and 40 miles of protected California coastline. This guide will break down everything you need to know for your first trip to Redwood National Park.
Here’s the first-timer’s guide to Redwood National & State Parks.
The Basics
Entrance Fee: Free for most areas! A day pass or California State Park pass is required for campgrounds and day-use areas (currently just $8). An America the Beautiful pass will also cover any day-use fees (I highly recommend this pass if you’re visiting more than a couple of National Parks in a year).
Location: Crescent City, California, USA
Hours: 24/7, year-round
Notable Wildlife: Black bears, Roosevelt elk, banana slugs, seals, sea lions, sea anemones.
Pets: Leashed pets are allowed on a few roadways, parking areas, campgrounds, and beaches. Head to the NPS website for the full details.
Is it a National or a State Park?
Both! In addition to the National Park, there are three State Parks in the Redwood Forest – Prairie Creek, Jedidiah Smith, and Del Norte Coast. Don’t worry too much about which one you’re in because they all essentially operate as one entity – Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP). The National Park and most areas in the State Parks are free to enter! Fern Canyon and the campgrounds at the State Parks require either a day-use pass (currently just $8) or a California State Park pass. However, if you have an America the Beautiful pass, this will cover any day-use fees in Redwood State Parks.
How Much Time Do You Need In the Redwoods?
Redwood National and State Parks is perfect for a weekend or two-day trip. If you want to adventure out on some longer hikes, then plan for at least three days here. These parks cover a pretty large area, so it can take a bit of time to drive from one place to the next. To make the most of your time, map out your can’t-miss trails and stops so you can determine the best route. For an even more epic road trip, you could also extend your trip to drive up the Oregon Coast!
You Might Also Like: 7 Tips for Your First Trip to the Redwoods
Getting To Redwood National Park
Getting to the Redwoods involves an incredible road trip! The Redwood National and State Parks are located around the Pacific Coast Highway on the north coast of California. The closest major airports are San Francisco, Sacramento, and Portland. Rent a car and enjoy the scenic ride! I recommend renting a 4WD, high-clearance vehicle if possible (especially if you’re traveling from October-June). Many roads are unpaved and can get difficult to traverse after inclement weather. Keep in mind that it can take an hour or more to reach different areas of the park as well. Get your road trip playlist ready, because you’re going to be doing a lot of driving!
Be sure to check for road closures and current conditions before arriving.
Best Time to Visit Redwood National Park
The best time to visit really depends on the experience you’re looking for. Temperatures in Redwood National and State Parks remain moderate year-round. A jacket and rain gear may be necessary on any given day, and fog is common in many areas. Summer is the most popular time to visit, with crowds peaking in July. However, summer also brings the most comfortable temperatures and the least rainfall. From mid-October through April, there’s a strong likelihood of road and trail closures due to heavy rains, flooding, or landslides. However, December through April is also the best time to spot gray whales migrating near the coastline.
For fewer crowds, moderate weather, and less chance of road closures, May and September are the best time to visit.
Where to Stay
The Redwood National and State Parks are in a relatively remote area. The small town of Crescent City is the best place to stay to be closest to the trails and areas you’ll likely want to visit.
AirBnB
AirBnB is often my preferred type of accommodation and is what we used when we visited. Having a kitchen proved to be highly useful while visiting this park as well. We booked this home which was a great value, a pretty cool space, and was within walking distance to the beach in Crescent City. Oh, and there’s a fireplace!
Anchor Beach Inn
The rooms here are newly renovated and some have ocean views! Although you won’t have a kitchen, rooms do come with a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffeemaker.
STAYING IN THE PARK
There are no hotels or lodges in the parks, but there are several developed campgrounds that are managed by the California State Parks system.
Food & Drinks
Crescent City is a small town, so food options are a bit limited. Be aware that many restaurants may be closed by 8 pm, and many are fully closed on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. The Redwood National and State Parks do not have any food vendors or restaurants inside the park, so plan to pack a lunch to bring with you.
SeaQuake Brewing
This is an excellent brewpub in Crescent City! We both loved everything we ordered – from the apps to the food to the beer – and the kitchen was able to accommodate my husband’s dairy and soy allergies. Fresh seafood is on the menu, and they even had a few vegan options! This spot was such a welcome treat after a long day of hiking. It’s closed Mondays but is open “late” by Crescent City standards.
Port O’ Pints
Another great brewpub! You’ll find European-inspired brews, hot sandwiches, and excellent apps here. It’s closed Tuesdays but is open “late” the rest of the week.
Safeway
If you need to stock up on some groceries to cook your own meals or pack a lunch for the park, this is the place to do it. If you’re looking for specialty items (like dairy-free “cheese”), you’re likely out of luck, but you should be able to find anything else you need here.
LOCAL FLAVOR: Crescent City is located on the coast, which means it serves up some noteworthy seafood. I’m not a fan of seafood, but if you’re looking for a nice place to get your fill, I’ve heard great things about Crescent Seafood (note that the kitchen closes at 6:30 pm daily).
Things to Do in Redwood National & State Parks
Hit the Trails
First-time visitors are often surprised by the variety Redwood National and State Park trails have to offer. For a quintessential Redwood experience, don’t miss Stout Grove which may be the most scenic grove in the park. To find scenery straight out of a fairy tale, head to Fern Canyon. If coastal views are your jam, Enderts Beach Trail is short but incredible.
Get all the details on the can’t-miss hikes with this guide:
5 Amazing and Easy Trails in Redwood National Park
Keep an eye out for banana slugs
Amongst the varied wildlife within Redwood National and State Parks, one of the most commonly spotted is the banana slug. These slimy mollusks can be bright yellow, greenish, or brown and can grow up to ten inches long.
Head to the Coast
You’ll find more than awe-inspiring forests in Redwood National Park. Located along the northern coast of California, the park also encompasses Pacific beaches and coastal trails. Some, like Enderts Beach and Hidden Beach, will require a short hike to reach. Others, like Crescent Beach or Gold Bluffs Beach you can reach by car. Visit the coast during low tide to search for sea anemones in tide pools!
Leave your swimsuit at home
The beaches in Redwood National Park are not good for swimming. First of all, brrr. Second, the swift currents and sneaker waves make for unsafe swimming conditions.
Scenic Drives
You’ll be doing a fair amount of driving in this park. Luckily, it will be along some of the most spectacular roads in the country! The best part is you won’t have to go out of your way to drive these. If you’re headed to the other areas in this guide, you’ll be using these roads to get there.
Highway 101
The main highway running through the park is Hwy 101, otherwise known as the Pacific Coast Highway (or Redwood Highway in this part of the state). It’s one of the most well-known highways in the U.S. and for good reason. The scenery here is unreal.
Howland Hill Road
The drive through this dense, old-growth Redwood grove is remarkable! Filled with towering Redwoods and ferny undergrowth, it’s an incredibly picturesque forest drive. This is the road you’ll take to reach Stout Grove trail, which should be an absolute can’t-miss on your trip. Howland Hill Road was my favorite scenic drive in the park!
Cal Barrel Road
This is another incredible road for viewing giant, old-growth Redwoods. The majority of the road is often closed to vehicles but just drive as far as you can and then park (there will be a small lot) before walking further along this dirt road. If you’re headed to the Big Tree portion of Cathedral Trees Trail, this is the road you’ll take to get to the trailhead.
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
This parkway runs parallel to Highway 101 and passes through an old-growth redwood forest. It also goes past Elk Meadow where you can often spot herds of elk grazing! Take this scenic drive on your way to Fern Canyon or Lady Bird Johnson Grove.
Avenue of the Giants
This one isn’t actually in the park, but it has one of the most fantastic displays of redwoods in the entire forest. Avenue of the Giants is about four hours north of San Francisco. If you’re headed to the park from there, this avenue will be on your way.
What about the drive-through trees?
There actually aren’t any trees in the park you can drive through, but there are three located outside of the park. Klamath Tree is nearest to the center of Redwood National and State Parks. The other two are located about two hours to the south near Humboldt State Park. Each is privately owned and will charge a small fee to drive through. Learn more here.
Overlooks
Klamath River Overlook
High above the coastline, the Klamath River Overlook is a stunning and unique view. This is where the Klamath River meets the ocean. The river begins high in the snowy Cascade Mountains and runs 250 miles before the freshwater merges with the seawater. This is also an excellent place to spot gray whales migrating along the coast from December through April!
Redwood Creek Overlook
This is a fantastic spot for sunset! High above the forest, this overlook offers expansive views of old-growth redwoods and the Pacific Ocean in the distance. You may even catch a cloud inversion as you watch the sun go down! Be sure to check the weather before you go. Fog can sometimes hinder or completely block the view (…which is what happened to me).
High Bluff Overlook
This is one of the most beautiful overlooks in the park! Situated high above the Pacific Ocean, High Bluff Overlook will give you expansive views of the rugged California coastline.
A trip to Redwood National and State Parks is an unforgettable experience. You can see the tallest trees on Earth, walk alongside crashing waves on the Pacific Coast, and hike through a fern-covered canyon – all in a single day if you want! This may be your first time visiting the park, but you definitely won’t want it to be your last.
Have any questions about your upcoming trip? Let’s chat in the comments!
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