This post may contain affiliate links, where I may a small commission at no additional cost to you. Fern Canyon is, as you might expect, a 50-foot canyon covered in ancient, prehistoric-looking ferns. The park is home to the worlds oldest redwood groves and the worlds tallest tree. Redwood offers both developed campgrounds and backcountry camping. To get here, youll need to road trip or fly into the small, regional airports nearby. If youre only in Redwood National Park for the weekend, dont miss: My goal is to help busy people like you plan epic national park adventures with super-detailed itineraries, gear guides, and planning tips. For a longer trip, consider combining your trip to Redwood with a scenic drive of the Lost Coast or a road trip to Oregon. The overlook provides sweeping views of the Pacific and Enderts Beach. Unlike many national parks, scenic views in Redwood National Park can be found just off the road. Important Tips for a Successful Trip in 2022, Entering all developed campgrounds (Jedediah Smith, Mill Creek, Elk Prairie, Gold Bluffs Beach), Drive to Gold Bluffs Beach or Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State 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, California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (ACV) 30-minute drive, Del Norte County Regional Airport (CEC) 30-minute drive, RV Accommodations: Max 25 feet; No hookups, Known for: Campsites among old-growth redwoods near the Smith River, Park: Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, RV Accommodations: Max 28 feet; No hookups, Known for: Young, mossy redwoods and nearby hiking trails, RV Accommodations: Max 27 feet; No hookups, Known for: Roosevelt elk roaming through the old-growth redwoods nearby, RV Accommodations: Max 24 feet (no trailers); No hookups, Known for: Only park campground along the ocean and near Fern Canyon. Since Redwood National and State Parks doesnt have any lodging inside the park boundaries, youll need to stay at one of the parks campgrounds if you want to stay in the park. The redwood trees are some of the oldest, and tallest, living things. To reach Fern Canyon from the James Irvine Trail: This loop is the most popular of the longer-distance hikes in the park. Even if you're separated by The scenic Rim Drive at Crater Lake belongs at the top of your bucket list. MapQuest. This joint park is a unique partnership between 3 California State Parks and 1 national park: Together, these parks protect half of the worlds old-growth redwoods with nearly 40,000 acres of an old-growth redwood forest. Educational signs are scattered along the trail, making this the perfect trail for the family to learn about the redwoods. You must be signed in to save park lists. The America the Beautiful National Park Pass gets you into 400+ national park sites, including all 63 national parks, for a full 12 months! Check out my guides on the best hiking gear, what to pack for a road trip, and essential camping gear for all my favorite gear picks and tips to make packing for your trip a breeze! Eureka is the largest town near Redwood National Park. Visitors are required to watch this short video about the impacthuman food has on park wildlife. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight prices and compare routes. If you only have time for one scenic drive, make it this one! Del Nortes topography is steep, with elevations from sea level to 1,277 feet. Use this tool to determine the best city While you could get a glimpse of the park in only one day, I highly recommend spending at least 2 to 3 days in the park to see the highlights. planning a long road trip and you need to take a break or stay Continue along Mattole Road, through small towns like Petrolia. This route saves you a few hours but isnt nearly as scenic. The Ah-Pah Trail and Big Tree Wayside Trail take you up-close and personal with the parks old redwoods. If camping isnt your style, consider staying in a hotel or Airbnb in one of the nearby towns. The topography is fairly steep with elevations from sea level to 1277. You have a good chance of spotting one on your hike just dont forget your binoculars! Keep your eyes peeled for Roosevelt elk a rare breed of elk that can weigh over 1,000 pounds. You can find the closest town that is an equal To enter the 3 California state parks (Del Norte, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek), youll need to pay the state park entry fee in some areas. It will take about 5 hours and 36 minutes for each driver to arrive at the meeting point. on your trip. 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. The best way to beat crowds is to visit in the off-season and start your days early. Driving directly from Redwood, it takes about 5.5 hours to get to Crater Lake. Walk slowly, crane your neck, and soak up the feeling of being a tiny ant on the forest floor. One of the most popular scenic drives through redwoods lies a few hours south of Redwood National Park in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Search flights on Skyscanner now.If you need a rental car, I recommend using Rentalcars.com to find the best deals. Read More: 25 Things to Do in Redwood National Park. For dry, sunny weather visit during the summer from June to September. Get your national park pass for only $80 here. The best city between Salt Lake City, UT and Redwood City, CA to meet is Winnemucca, Nevada which is about 26 miles from the exact midpoint. Visitors can apply for the online permit here, from 4 weeks to 48 hours out. Temperatures are warm most of the year thanks to the coastal climate. Its also along the coast of California. The national park was established in 1968, but the partnered state parks have been protecting the redwoods since the 1920s. Read More: 25 Best Things to Do in Redwood. can figure out how far each person has to drive and how long it Want to know more about the Lost Coast? Google Maps, Plus, the park is home to the impressive Roosevelt Elk, some of the largest mammals in the deer family. The more recent logging history has led to much restoration of these parks. Walk amongst the redwoods and along Prairie Creek. It is not safe for swimming due to the steep beach slope, rocky conditions, frequent rough seas, and cold water. Hamilton Creek Fish Passage Video Created by Thomas B. Dunklin. Youll have a good chance of spotting some if you stay here! 7 miles south of Crescent City, CA turn east on the campground road. using your preferred map provider: When people refer to Redwood National Park, they generally mean Redwood. Popular trails like Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Tall Trees Trail are found off sections of Bald Hills Road. Continue along the road as Howland Hill Road turns into Douglas Park Road. Get your national park pass ahead of time for only $80. will take to arrive at the center. It is not safe for swimming due to the steep beach slope, rocky conditions, frequent rough seas, and cold water. overnight. Bing Maps, or Redwood National Park gives you mystical forests and rugged coastal views all in one trip. From the trailhead, its a short walk along the creek bed to explore Fern Canyon. The summer is dry but foggy and winter is rainy, reminiscent of pacific northwest weather. DeMartin Redwood Youth Hostel : Open All Year : Reservations Online, Redwood National Park is located near Crescent City. Reservations are recommended between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. While the only way to truly access this long stretch of rugged California coastline is on foot, driving Mattole Road can give you a sneak peek. In Eureka, youre 45 minutes from the center of the park at Kuchel Visitor Center. Just enter your email and I'll send it over! The drive passes through meadows and open prairies high above the redwood forests. That said, crowds never reach insanely high numbers like in other parks like Yosemite and Zion. These parks make up 45 percent of all the old-growth redwood forest remaining in California. The drive along Klamath Beach Road takes you along the coast into the northern section of the park. Keep your eyes peeled near the visitor center for the areas famous Roosevelt elk! Turn off 101 onto Klamath Beach Road. Mattole Road starts in the quaint town of Ferndale, about 20 miles south of Eureka. The campground is only open from May 1-Sept. 30. You start your hike at the Tall Trees trailhead and descend 800 feet over 1.5 miles to the forest floor, along Redwood Creek. Follow the narrow, windy Mattole Road down to Black Sands Beach. Read More: 12 Best Hikes in Redwood National Park. Dont Forget to Save This Post on Pinterest, Ultimate Guide to All 63 US National Parks. The exact location of Hyperion is kept secret to avoid over-tourism and damage to the surrounding redwood trees. To stay inside the park, youll need to stay at one of the parks 4 campgrounds. Youll also find the trailhead for the Coastal Trail, a popular backcountry camping route, off of Enderts Beach Road. Use, to browse deals on rental cars or rent an RV or campervan with, ahead of time. If you plan to request a backcountry permit, use Redwoods Backcountry Trip Planner to select a trail and camping area ahead of time. Walking amongst these giants (many over 2,000 years old) makes you feel tiny and a part of something bigger at the same time. At the beginning of your drive, stop to pick up a self-guided auto tour map from the information stand. Since the local airports are small with limited flights, they tend to be expensive to fly into. Its a great way to end your day with a picnic and a bottle of wine. Crater Lake was formed when a volcano imploded over 7,000 years ago. If youre short on time, scenic drives are the perfect way to explore the park. Summer temperatures range from 40 - 80 F. Morning and evening fog is common. This 28-page ebook includes the best things to do in all 63 national parks, plus exclusive trip planning tips. Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Redwood National Park? It allows you to search across major retailers like Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, and more. If you choose to fly into Portland, you can catch scenic parts of the Oregon Coast on your way down to Redwood National Park. Youll cross creeks and pass through old-growth redwood groves as you hike out to Fern Canyon. There are 300 campsites spread across the 4 campgrounds. Redwood National Park is found deep into Northern California along the Pacific Coast just shy of Oregon. starting point. Dont miss exploring the Dyerville Giant and a short hike along the Founder Grove Loop trail. Check with park rangers at the Kuchel Visitor Center before attempting to drive Davison Road if you dont have a high clearance vehicle. The short, family-friendly trail takes you through an old-growth redwood forest to the 10-foot tall Trillium Falls. This 10-mile dirt road can be difficult to traverse after a rainstorm. Start your drive near Crescent City on Highway 101 and take Elk Valley Road until it hits Howland Hill Road. This route adds about 2 hours to your trip. If youre traveling to the redwoods from the Bay Area, this scenic drive is the perfect detour. Eureka-Arcata Airport, Arcata, United Express, 1-800-241-6522 or Horizon, 1-800-225-2752. The grove gets its name from the former first lady of the United States. All have basic amenities like restrooms with showers, food lockers, and fire pits.