Photo:
Michael Schweppe / CC BY-SA 2.0
Redwood National and State Parks protect the tallest living things on Earth, coast redwoods that soar past 350 feet, along a wild stretch of far Northern California coast. Managed jointly by the National Park Service and California State Parks, this misty realm of ancient groves, fern canyons, elk-grazed prairies and rugged shoreline is a place built to make you feel small.
The parks stitch together old-growth redwood groves, second-growth forest under restoration, the Smith and Klamath rivers, open coastal prairies and a dramatic Pacific shoreline of sea stacks and driftwood beaches. Fog off the ocean feeds the giant trees, ferns carpet the canyons, and the wildlife includes Roosevelt elk on the prairies, black bears, and whales and sea lions offshore.
Summer and early fall bring the driest, mildest weather, though coastal fog is common year-round and part of the magic. Spring is green and lush with high rivers; winter is wet and quiet, with powerful surf and the chance of storms. The groves are moody and beautiful in any season, so pack for damp coastal conditions whenever you come.
US-101 runs the length of the parks along the coast, connecting Crescent City, the groves and Orick, with scenic detours like Newton B. Drury Parkway and the Coastal Drive leading into old growth. A vehicle is the practical way to move between the widely spread units, with trailheads branching off the highway and side roads.
Walk among giants on the Lady Bird Johnson and Stout Grove loops, wander Fern Canyon’s green walls, and watch Roosevelt elk on the prairies at Elk Meadow. Longer trails climb to Tall Trees Grove (permit required) and the coast, scenic drives thread the old growth, and the beaches and river mouths reward quiet exploration and wildlife watching.
The coast is cold and unforgiving. Watch for sneaker waves and rip currents, never turn your back on the surf, and mind big tides on the beaches. Keep well back from Roosevelt elk, especially in rut and calving seasons, and store food from black bears. Trails can be slick with fog and rain, so wear good footwear and stay on paths to protect the redwoods’ shallow roots.
There is no entrance fee for the national park, but some old-growth highlights like Tall Trees Grove require a free permit, and the state-park campgrounds should be reserved ahead. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report; always confirm current conditions, permits and closures with the National Park Service and California State Parks before your trip.
Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.
