The Redwood National and State Parks are located along the coast of northern California. They are made up of Redwood National Park, California Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwood State Parks.
The best thing to do in the Redwood National Park is free, and my favorite thing to do…. go hiking.
Circle Trail
Starting at Big Tree – ¾ of a mile north of Elk Prairie campsite. This short walk (1/2 mile) takes you through the old growth Red Woods, some of the biggest trees in the park. You can see the size of the trees in the image of me below, amazing.
Lady Bird Johnston Grove Trail
Starting 1 mile North of Orick. This short interpretative hike (1.5 mile) takes you through old growth trees to the site where Lady Bird Johnston dedicated Red Wood National Park in 1968. This is perfect for families or anyone looking for a simple walk in the woods.
Fern Canyon
Imagine walking through a narrow canyon where the walls are completely covered by luxuriant ferns and mosses and are dripping with moisture. This is Fern Canyon.
“an unforgettable natural wonder”
Steven Spielberg
Unlike most of the hikes in the Redwood Parks, this one is not about the Redwoods. The easy 1 mile hike is pretty flat which makes it perfect for a family hike. The vertical walls are filled with an amazing variety of ferns (five different kinds) and other moisture-loving plants and mosses. The canyon starts out wide and gradually narrows and curves as you walk upstream. Portions of Jurassic Park and Star Wars were filmed in Fern Canyon.
Tall Trees Grove Trail
Located at the south end of Redwood National Park, Tall Trees Grove Trail is a unique and relatively remote hike that showcases the old-growth redwoods and a forest of huge, spidery-shaped maples with moss-covered branches. The trail descends for 1.5 miles, losing 800 feet of elevation.
Long Hikes in Redwood National Park
There is a 12-mile hike that leaves from Elk Prairie visitor centre and goes out to Fern Canyon, along the beach then back to the campsite. This long hiking trail exposes you to the 3 predominant ecosystems in the National Park and if you have the time, it is well worth it.
Coastal Trail
Portions of the California Coastal Trail run through the Redwood Parks. Several access points allow for nice day hikes along the beaches and coastal terrain. Depending on the section you choose, day hikes range from about 3.5 to six miles in length, and most are considered difficult or strenuous, with steep sections as you descend to the beaches. The Crescent Beach section in Redwood National Park is an exception, with a flat, easy section, perfect for families.
Most people come to the parks to see the redwoods, but if you want to enjoy the ocean views and coastal bluffs, this is a beautiful area for hiking.
Boy Scout Tree Trail
The Boy Scout Tree Trail is a 5.5-mile round-trip hike through the old-growth redwood forest, located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
The trailhead is found along Howland Hill Road, starting from a small roadside pull-off area, which only accommodates about ten cars. Watch for other parked cars because the signposting is limited.
Happy Hiking
michelle in the wild 