National Parks Journal
Photo: NPS Photo / Steve Olson
Redwood National and State Parks
Renowned for the world’s tallest trees, Redwood’s landscapes span from open prairies and oak woodlands to pristine rivers and untamed coastline. This ancient home has supported people for thousands of years. The National Park Service and California State Parks now work to safeguard and rejuvenate these lands for everyone’s enjoyment, learning, and inspiration.
Entrance Fees
No entrance fee. Other fees may apply for tours, camping, or transportation.
Activities
Top Hikes
8.4 mi · out & back
The quintessential redwood trail leading through old-growth forest to the famous Fern Canyon. A half-day adventure through towering ancient trees.
Starts at: Prairie Creek Visitor Center
0.7 mi · loop
Walk through a canyon with 50-foot walls covered in ancient ferns whose ancestry traces back 325 million years.
Starts at: Fern Canyon Parking Area
4.5 mi · 800 ft gain · out & back
Permit-required access to iconic tall redwoods in an alluvial flat along Redwood Creek. Features some of the tallest trees on Earth.
Starts at: Tall Trees Trailhead (off Bald Hills Road)
4.4 mi · 1,000 ft gain · out & back
Descends through ancient redwood forest to a jagged Pacific coastline with tidepool access at low tide. Features a steep 16% grade.
Starts at: Milepost 16.0 on Highway 101
Upcoming Events
Forest Walk: Prairie Creek
Meet our park rangers at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center for a family-friendly and educational walk through the redwoods. This walk is about a mile long. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing rain gear and water. Scheduled programs may be cancelled due to unexpected circumstances. We recommend stopping by a visitor center before the event to receive the latest updates. The closest visitor center to this event is Prairie Creek Visitor Center.
Hike and Bike Day: Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
Join us for our “Hike and Bike” Saturdays! The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is closed to any motorized vehicles the first Saturday of the month for Hike and Bike Day. This event runs October through May to give park visitors the opportunity to safely hike, bike, skate, and walk leashed pets along the ten-mile scenic drive through the redwoods! E-Bikes: Visitors are allowed to use e-bikes on the parkway during Hike and Bike day. E-bike users must comply with a speed limit of 20 mph (typically a Type 1 or Type 2 e-bike). Anyone in violation of this speed limit and who is creating an unsafe environment for other recreational users will be asked to leave. Continued violations of this speed limit may cause management to remove the use of e-bikes on Hike and Bike days in the future. Access to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center and Elk Prairie Campground will not be affected. To reach the visitor center and the campground, use the southern entrance of the Newton B. Drury scenic parkway (Exit 753). The parkway will close Friday afternoon and reopen Sunday morning after road conditions have been assessed by park law enforcement. Parking: for this event is located on the south end of the parkway near Prairie Creek Visitor Center. Very limited parking and no facilities are located on the north end of the Parkway. Questions about the Hike and Bike Day? Please reach out to the park at redw_information@nps.gov or call 707-464-6101.
Junior Angler Fishing Program
Learn angling techniques from California Fish and Wildlife experts at Freshwater Beach. Meet at Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center (119441 Highway 101 N Orick, CA 95555). This is a free event. Fishing equipment is provided. Participants 16 years of age and older are required to have a fishing license.
Best Time to Visit
Best time to visit: January, February, November, December
Pleasant weather with fewer crowds
Weather & Climate
Visitors should be prepared for cooler and damp weather. Dress in layers and expect to get wet. Year-round temperatures along California's redwood coast: mid-40s°F (7°C) to mid-60s°F (18°C). Summer can be foggy, with highs occasionally reaching low 70s°F (20°C). Winters are cooler with considerable rain. October through April averages 60-80 inches of rain over the region.