7 Tips for Your First Trip to the Redwoods
The Redwood forests of Redwood National and State Parks in California are unlike anywhere else on Earth. If you’ve never visited before, there are a few things you’ll definitely want to know ahead of time. Being prepared and knowledgeable about the area is key to getting the most out of your trip and avoiding any unwanted surprises. These tips will help ensure your first trip to the Redwoods is just as magical as you imagined!
These are seven tips for your first trip to the Redwoods.
TIP #1: CHECK CONDITIONS AND ROAD CLOSURES
This particular area of Northern California is prone to flooding and landslides that cause road or trail closures. Check park conditions prior to booking your trip to look for any major closures that might hinder your plans. Then, check again the day of your trip. When we visited, a major section of Highway 101 was closed on weekdays between 8am-12pm and 3pm-7pm. If we hadn’t checked this ahead of time, we wouldn’t have arrived early enough and would have been stuck waiting in the traffic until past noon. Ick.
TIP #2: MAP OUT YOUR ROUTE
Redwood National and State Parks cover a pretty large area. This means it can take a while to drive from one place to the next (sometimes an hour or more). To make the most of your time, map out your can’t-miss trails and stops ahead of time. This will help you determine the best route and avoid backtracking. Get your road trip playlist ready, because you’re going to be doing a lot of driving!
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TIP #3: PACK RAIN GEAR & NON-SLIP BOOTS
Although Redwood National Park is in California, the weather here isn’t anything like the sunny, warm weather you find in the southern area of the state. Located in the northernmost region of California near the Oregon border, the weather in Redwood National Park more closely resembles that of the Pacific Northwest. It’s actually a temperate rainforest, so rain, fog, and mist are common. Summer is the driest season in the park, but rainfall and misty mornings can still occur at any time of year. A good raincoat and waterproof hiking boots are a must when visiting Redwood National Park. Be sure to pack layers as well for the cool mornings and evenings.
TIP #4: BRING CASH
In Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park there is an entrance fee to drive to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon. These are both popular areas in the park, and Fern Canyon is one you absolutely won’t want to miss on your first trip to the Redwoods! If you have a California State Park pass or an America the Beautiful pass, these cover your entrance fee. Otherwise, you will need to pick up a day-use pass from the pay station, and they only accept cash.
Read More: 5 Bucket List Things to Do in the Redwoods
TIP #5: RENT A HIGH-CLEARANCE, 4WD VEHICLE
Many of the roads leading to the best parts of this park are rough and unpaved. Fern Canyon, specifically, will require you to drive across at least two streams to get there. This is where a high-clearance vehicle comes in handy! You might be able to cut it with a smaller vehicle during the summer months when there’s less rainfall, but I wouldn’t chance it. You don’t want to come all this way and then have to miss something just because you don’t have the right wheels. We ended up renting a Jeep while we were here, and we were repeatedly grateful to have it!
TIP #6: PACK A LUNCH
There are no restaurants or food vendors in Redwood National and State Parks. In this remote area, you may find yourself more than an hour from the nearest food service, so definitely plan to bring a lunch and snacks to hold you over while you explore. Remember this is bear country though! Be sure to follow the National Park Service’s food storage tips to keep yourself and the bears safe.
TIP #7: DOWNLOAD OFFLINE MAPS (roads & trails)
Redwood National Park is a remote area. Cell service can be scarce, even on the highway. It’s a good idea to have a paper map handy, but I’m also a fan of downloading offline Google maps that can be used even when you don’t have internet access. You can find instructions for downloading maps on your Android or Apple device here.
Additionally, many of the trails here split and join with other trails, and they aren’t always clearly marked. Having an offline trail map will help ensure you don’t take a wrong turn. Download the All Trails app to map out your hike before you go. Consider upgrading to a Pro membership which will give you the ability to download trail maps for offline use.
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LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE: I was hiking the Cathedral Trees Trail when I accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up hiking several miles in the wrong direction. Luckily, a jogger came along that had the All Trails Pro app, and he was able to get me on the right path again. It turns out, my trail had split and joined with a different trail, and I missed it because the sign was posted up on a tree facing the opposite direction. I had found myself on a 16-mile out-and-back trail (rather than my little three-mile loop) heading in the completely wrong direction. I certainly won’t be doing any more hiking without that app!
Instagram vs. Reality
Hugging a redwood is certainly a bucket list moment, but what no one tells you is these beauties are covered in spider webs. The spiders themselves are rarely seen, but you will need to be strategic about where to touch these trees to avoid getting tangled in an icky web.
A trip to Redwood National Park in California is really an incredible experience. But, like all National Parks, it’s important to be prepared and know what to expect. Following these tips will set you up for a safe and well-planned trip to the Redwoods.
Questions about your upcoming trip to the Redwoods? Let me know in the comments!
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