Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Photo: Alexey Komarov / CC BY-SA 4.0
United States › California

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Setting: old-growth coast redwoods, meadows and wild beaches on California’s north coast
  • World Heritage: part of Redwood National and State Parks
  • Signature spots: Fern Canyon, Gold Bluffs Beach and Elk Prairie
  • Gateway: Orick, Eureka and Crescent City
  • Managed by: California State Parks, jointly with the National Park Service

The landscape

Prairie Creek protects some of the world’s tallest trees, in lush old-growth redwood forest that reaches from the coastal hills down to Gold Bluffs Beach. Ferns cover the walls of Fern Canyon, cut by a creek into the bluffs. Herds of Roosevelt elk graze Elk Prairie and the beach. Black bears, mountain lions, salmon and many birds live here.

Best time to go

Summer is the busiest season, often foggy on the coast. Spring brings rhododendrons and running creeks. Fall is quieter, and the elk rut in September and October is dramatic. Winter is wet and cool.

Fern CanyonPhoto: John Brighenti from Rockville, MD, United States · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Big TreePhoto: Steven Pavlov · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Elk PrairiePhoto: Dirtsc · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
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Getting there and around

The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway runs through the forest off Highway 101, past the Elk Prairie campground and visitor center. Davison Road, a narrow unpaved road, leads to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon; permits are required in summer, and some vehicles and trailers are restricted.

Things to do

Fern Canyon is the park’s most famous walk, usually with wet feet. Trails such as the James Irvine and Miner’s Ridge loops connect the redwoods to the coast. Wildlife watching for elk is a highlight, and the beaches invite long walks. Cyclists and hikers use the park’s trail network.

Staying safe

Elk are large and unpredictable, especially during the fall rut and spring calving; keep well back and never approach. Sneaker waves and cold surf make the beach dangerous; never turn your back on the ocean. Fern Canyon involves creek crossings that rise after rain. Limbs fall in wind. Store food properly, and download maps, since cell coverage is poor.

Know before you go

Summer permits are required for Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current conditions, permits and reservations with California State Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
41.4095, -124.0365
Magnetic declination
13.8° E (2026)

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.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

12 places in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 2

Park entrance

Visitor centre

On the trail 5

Trailhead

Route

Campgrounds

Sights 5

Viewpoint

Lake

Beach

Points of interest

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingWildlife viewingScenic drive

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Terrain
ForestCoastBeachesRivers
Key hazards
Roosevelt elk (keep your distance)Sneaker waves and cold surfCreek crossings in Fern CanyonFalling limbs in windBlack bears and mountain lions
Best seasons
Spring, Summer, Fall
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Access / trailheads
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway off Highway 101, about 50 miles (80 km) north of Eureka and 25 miles (40 km) south of Crescent City. Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon are reached by the unpaved Davison Road, 3 miles (5 km) north of Orick.
Water
Water at the campgrounds; treat creek water.
Cell / satellite coverage
Little to none in the forest. Download maps before you arrive.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
Free permits are required from May 15 to September 15 to visit Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area, including the Fern Canyon trailhead. Campgrounds are reserved through ReserveCalifornia.
Leave No Trace
Stay on trails, keep at least 75 feet (23 m) from elk, store food properly and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high65°F(18°C)18°C(65°F)
Average low42°F(5°C)5°C(42°F)
Rainfall5 in(127 mm)127 mm(5 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 10 minSunrise 7:27 a.m., sunset 6:36 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

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Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Orick Prairie Creek Park station, 3 miles (6 km)6 km (3 miles) away at 160 feet (49 m)49 m (160 feet). Rain and snow from the Klamath station, 15 miles (25 km)25 km (15 miles) away at 28 feet (9 m)9 m (28 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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