Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California protect a truly awe-inspiring natural heritage. Renowned for the world’s tallest trees, these parks preserve towering ancient redwoods alongside prairies, rivers, and rugged coastline. This UNESCO World Heritage site spans ~139,000 acres (560 km²) across one national park and three adjoining state parks (Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwoods). Together they safeguard roughly 45% of all remaining old-growth coast redwood forests on Earth. Visitors can hike amid cathedral-like groves, drive on scenic parkways, and picnic beneath 500–1,000‑year‑old giants. In Redwood National and State Parks you are walking through a living museum – home to trees whose ancestors date back to the age of dinosaurs.
History and Conservation
The story of Redwood’s preservation is a landmark in American conservation history. Before European settlement, vast redwood forests carpeted the California coast for over a million years. Logging began with the Gold Rush; by 1850 nearly all accessible redwoods had been cut. Early conservationists, especially the Save the Redwoods League in the 1920s, helped establish Prairie Creek, Jedediah Smith, and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Parks to protect prime groves. Persistent public pressure led Congress to create Redwood National Park in 1968 (expanded in 1978). In 1994 the National Park Service and California State Parks formally united these four reserves into a single cooperative park system (RNSP). The global importance of these forests was recognized when the United Nations designated them a World Heritage Site in 1980. Today, thanks to those efforts, the surviving redwood giants stand as living reminders of the earth’s oldest living things and one of the world’s greatest conservation successes.
Geography and Highlights
Redwood National and State Parks occupy a remote stretch of northern California (Del Norte and Humboldt counties) where the Pacific coast’s temperate rainforest meets wild beaches. The parklands span lush river valleys, misty Redwood groves, oak savannas, and approximately 37 miles of undeveloped coastline. Heavy winter rains and coastal fog keep the forests green year-round. In fact, coastal fog provides nearly 40% of a redwood’s annual water intake, allowing these giants to thrive even through dry summers. The region’s elevation is generally below 1,000 feet (300 m), and the climate is cool and wet from October through April.
The parks also protect a wild Pacific coastline. Scenic overlooks (e.g. Crescent Beach Overlook) offer expansive ocean views, and a network of backcountry roads leads to beaches like Gold Bluffs, where fog-shrouded waves crash on sandy shorelines. The park preserves 37 miles of rugged coast: for example, the Coastal Drive (an 8-mile gravel road) winds to high bluffs and a World War II radar station. Another road leads to Gold Bluffs Beach and the trailhead for Fern Canyon – a dramatic seaside gorge with 30-foot fern-covered walls. In short, RNSP’s geography ranges from towering old-growth forests to primitive coastlands, offering something for every nature traveler.
Also Read :- Grand Canyon National Park: A Grand Geological and Cultural Marvel
Notable Trees, Trails & Scenic Drives
The parks’ old-growth groves feature record-breaking trees. The tallest known living tree is a coast redwood named Hyperion (380 ft or 120 m tall), found in the remote Tall Trees Grove of Redwood NP. Nearby are other redwood champions (e.g. Helios, 377 ft, and Icarus, 371 ft). Many coast redwoods here exceed 500 years old, and a few approach 2,000 years of age. Today over 96% of the coast redwood’s original old-growth range has been logged elsewhere, so these groves are precious relics – of the roughly 2 million acres that once existed, only about 4% remain, nearly half of it within RNSP. Park authorities manage access carefully (e.g. requiring permits for the Tall Trees Grove) to protect these giant forests.
Numerous trails and drives showcase the redwoods and surrounding beauty. Highlights include:
- Tall Trees Grove (Redwood NP) – A secluded trail through an old-growth canyon that includes Hyperion and other colossal redwoods. (Note: free permits are required in advance for this hike.)
- Fern Canyon (Prairie Creek SP) – A lush 1-mile loop through a narrow sandstone canyon draped with 30-foot ferns. This trail (famous from Jurassic Park) follows a stream under towering canyon walls of green.
- Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway (Redwood NP) – A 10-mile, paved scenic drive through ancient redwoods. Tall redwoods flank the road; pull-outs like the “Big Tree” wayside let you stretch your legs. This is an ideal RV-friendly route and is often cited as the best old-growth drive in the parks.
- Howland Hill Road (Redwood NP) – An 11-mile unpaved route through classic redwood country. It follows Mill Creek and leads to trails like the Stout Grove boardwalk, where cathedral-like groves of giant trees dominate the forest.
- Avenue of the Giants (Humboldt Redwoods SP) – (Just outside the national park) a famous 31-mile scenic byway through some of the largest old-growth redwoods on earth. Driving Highway 101 south of RNSP, this route is lined with dozens of primeval groves and is well worth an excursion.
- Prairie Creek and Elk Prairie (Prairie Creek SP) – Open coastal prairie home to herds of Roosevelt elk. Short trails lead into the fern glades and river riparian zones, often allowing close-up elk viewing (with binoculars).
In addition to these, hundreds of miles of hiking trails (and even multi-day backpacking routes) weave through the parks. Popular hikes include Lady Bird Johnson Grove (a gentle old-growth loop in Redwood NP), Trillium Falls (a waterfall hike in Prairie Creek), and the strenuous panoramic Redwood Sky Trail on Bald Hills Road (Redwood NP). Biking is allowed on certain gravel roads. No matter your pace, hiking in the redwood forests lets you appreciate the scale of these ancient giants and the rich understory of ferns, mosses, and wildflowers.
Wildlife and Ecosystem
Beyond the trees, Redwood’s varied habitats support rich wildlife. Over 66 species of land mammals have been documented here. Large carnivores like black bear and cougar roam these forests, but the most iconic inhabitants are the Roosevelt elk, which were restored from near-extinction and now freely roam places like Elk Prairie (Prairie Creek). River otters and beavers inhabit the park’s clear rivers (e.g. the Wild and Scenic Smith River), and streams teem with threatened Chinook salmon and steelhead. Along the coast, the cold Pacific brings migrating gray whales, sea lions and seals to shore. The parks protect dozens of endangered and rare species – such as the marbled murrelet and northern spotted owl (which nest in high canopy), and the black bear (now stable under protection). The Redwood ecosystem even extends into the air and canopy: ferns and plants cling to massive redwood limbs, providing habitat for insects, amphibians, and countless invertebrates in the fog-drenched upper forest.
Visitor Information and Tips
Getting there: RNSP is remote. The main highways are U.S. 101 and California 197. Most visitors drive in; RVs and cars bring people from far afield. The closest commercial airport is in Arcata/Eureka (CA), about 1 hour away, but many visitors fly to larger hubs (San Francisco or Portland) and rent a car for the ~5–6 hour drive north. GPS and cell service can be unreliable in the park, so carry maps and the NPS Redwoods app.
Fees and Permits: There is no general entrance fee for Redwood National Park or its state parks – they are free to visit year-round. (However, some special areas require paid or timed permits: for example, driving to Gold Bluffs Beach in summer incurs a $12 park fee, and free permits are required to hike the Tall Trees Grove.) If you plan to camp or book Fern Canyon (very popular in summer), reserve early.
When to go: Late spring through early fall (May–September) is ideal. The forests receive heavy rain October–April, and winter storms can close some roads. Summer brings pleasant weather and longer trail-access, although morning fog and cool nights are common. Pack layers and rain gear – even on sunny days the redwood rainforest can be damp and chill under the canopy.
Camping and Lodging: There are four main campgrounds in the park system (Mill Creek, Elk Prairie, Jedediah, Gold Bluffs) – all on a reservation system. Summer sites fill months in advance, so book early. Backcountry camping (with permit) is limited but possible on certain trails. For hotels or cabins, the nearest towns are Crescent City (to the north) and Eureka/Arcata (to the south), both about 30–40 miles from the main park entrances. Small lodges, B&Bs, and private campgrounds are also available in nearby Klamath, Orick, and Hiouchi.
Safety and Etiquette: As with any wilderness visit, be wildlife-aware (keep distance from elk and bears), stay on designated trails, and practice Leave No Trace. Dogs are allowed only in parking areas, not on trails. Cell signal is very limited, so plan accordingly. Always carry water and snacks – services are sparse. Finally, take advantage of the visitor centers (e.g. Crescent City, Prairie Creek, Jedediah, and Orick) to learn more, get maps, and ask rangers for advice.
Enjoying Redwood’s Legacy
Whether you come for the tallest trees in the world or the chance to experience an ancient forest ecosystem, Redwood National and State Parks deliver a unique adventure. This California nature travel destination offers something for everyone: from history buffs learning about early conservation efforts, to nature lovers seeking solitude in foggy old-growth, to families taking easy walks among giants. Plan well, respect the land, and you will leave with a new appreciation for these giants and the efforts that saved them.
Redwood National and State Parks stand today as a global symbol of wild beauty and conservation. By exploring its trails and drives, you are not only witnessing the grandeur of ancient redwoods and old-growth forests – you are participating in a story of stewardship that has ensured these living cathedrals endure for generations to come. Enjoy your visit among the giants, and carry the parks’ message of preservation and inspiration wherever you travel.
Key Takeaways:
- Redwood NP & State Parks protect 139,000 acres of old-growth redwoods, including the world’s tallest trees.
- The parks preserve ~45% of the remaining ancient coast redwood forests and are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Top attractions include Tall Trees Grove (Hyperion), Fern Canyon, the Newton Drury Scenic Parkway, and the Roosevelt elk prairies.
- The forests thrive on coastal fog and rain, creating lush ecosystems that support elk, bears, salmon, owls, and even migrating whales.
- Plan ahead: travel by car (Highway 101), note that admission is free (special permits required for some areas), and bring layers for the cool, damp forest.
Sources: Information compiled from Redwood National Park Service resources and expert guidebooks.
