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There are five visitor centers in Redwood National and State Parks. Hiouchi Information Center is open from mid-June to mid-September, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed in the winter. It is located on US Highway 199 at Hiouchi, CA. Ranger-led walks, junior ranger programs, and evening campfire programs are held in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, across the street. Programs occur during the summer season. Inside you will find Coast redwood, wildlife, and preservation history exhibits and a 12-minute film on the redwoods. Outside is the “Trees of the coast redwood forest” walk with waysides. You will also find a book store, picnic area, and restrooms.

Jedediah Smith Visitor Center is open from May 20 to September 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed in the winter. It is located on US Highway 101 at Hiouchi, CA. Ranger-led walks, junior ranger programs, and evening campfire programs occur during the summer. Redwood National and State Parks’ Junior Ranger activity newspapers are available here. Coast redwood, history, and wildlife exhibits can be found as well as a nature museum, gift shop, campground, dump station, picnic area, and restrooms. Many trails start here.

Crescent City Information Center is open all year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center is closed Thanksgiving, December 25th, and New Year’s Day. It is located at 1111 Second Street, Crescent City; CA. Junior Ranger activity newspapers are available here. The also have a gift shop, picnic area, and restrooms.

Prairie Creek Visitor Center is open all year: from March 1 to October 31 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from November 1 to February 28 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed Thanksgiving, December 25th, New Year’s Eve, and Easter. The visitor center is located just off US Highway 101, along Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Ranger-led walks, junior ranger programs, and evening campfire programs are held in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park during the summer season.
Redwood National and State Parks’ Junior Ranger activity newspapers are available here. You can see coast redwood forest, wildlife, and history exhibits.
A video room is available. Nature museum, gift shop, campground, dump station, picnic area, and restrooms can also be found here. 70 miles of trails begin here.

Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center is open all year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, December 25th, and New Year’s Day, it is located on US Highway 101 at Orick, CA. Patio talks and coast walks occur during the summer. Redwood National and State Parks’ Junior Ranger activity newspapers are available here. There are many exhibits in the visitor center on coast redwoods and watersheds. The video room has many films available. A gift shop, picnic area, and restrooms are also available.

There are 131,983 acres total in the Redwood National and State Parks. Historical sites in Redwood National Park are numerous. The landscape associated with the Lyons’ ranches is significant because of historical and present day manipulation by both American Indians and Euro-Americans. The Bald Hills Archeological District exhibits at least 4,500 years of human use and encompasses many sites of prehistoric activities.

The Lyons’ Ranches Rural Historic District includes eight structures dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Each structure has been stabilized, and some of the structures are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. East of Crescent City in the Little Bald Hills is Murphy’s Ranch and outlying barn site, which dates circa 1884 to the 1920s. The ranch was established along the historic Kelsey Trail, a pack route linking Crescent City with the Salmon and Trinity gold mines.

Radar Station B-17, which sits atop an ocean bluff south of Klamath, is an example of a World War II early warning radar station. The two structures include radar antennas and two machine gun emplacements. The Prairie Creek Fish Hatchery near Orick was one of the first small local hatcheries developed to improve the area’s sport and commercial fishing. Constructed in 1936, the hatchery is one of only three remaining hatcheries that were built in California from 1871 to 1946.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park also has historic places. The Kelsey Trail linked Crescent City with the Salmon and Trinity gold mines in the 19th century. Camp Lincoln, as one of the major 19th century military outposts in Humboldt and Del Norte counties, is designated a California state historical landmark. Walker Ranch, dating from the early 20th century, rests along the west side of the Smith River and consists of concrete foundations, walkways, and walls.

The Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center and associated structures are all historically significant as examples of Civil Conservation Corps construction carried on in the state parks during the 1930s. Other historical buildings and structures within the park include the Huggins Home site (occupied from 1914 to 1967 by Frederick Huggins), Caruther’s Cove Cabin, the Indian Tree House (a hollow, burned out redwood), and the Old Cabin and Store Site.

During the 1930s, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park was the home of the Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1903. The company, which consisted of between 186 and 193 young men, was housed in a temporary camp built in nearby Boyes Prairie, now known as Elk Prairie.

The most impressive achievement of the CCC was the construction of the “concession and recreation building” which is now the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center. With the exception of the window lights, plumbing, and chimney flue, all the materials for the building were constructed of natural materials salvaged from an earlier cleanup of the prairie area.

The building is an excellent example of the rustic “back to nature” ethic that dominated National Park Service construction in the 1920s and 1930s. In an attempt to restore the prairie to its natural state, the building was constructed to blend in with the surrounding environment.

When western expansion met the redwoods in the 1800s, the trees began to fall under saw and axe. The massive redwoods offered early settlers a seemingly inexhaustible lumber supply. However, within a hundred year span the vast forests were reduced to a fraction of their former range. By the early 1900s, it was apparent that the future of the old-growth redwood forest was in doubt.

Thanks to the visionary actions of the Save-the-Redwoods League, the redwoods received the protection they needed. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park were created by the State of California in the 1920s to protect some of the finest remaining examples of coast redwoods.

Congress protected lands adjacent to the three California state parks in 1968 with the creation of Redwood National Park. In 1994, the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the National Park Service agreed to jointly manage the four-park area for maximum resource protection. Together, these parks are recognized as both a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. The designations reflect worldwide awareness of RNSP’s resources as irreplaceable.

The North Coast region, which includes RNSP and the adjacent offshore area, is the most seismically active region in the United States. As a result of frequent earthquakes, rapid uplift rates have led to landslides, actively braiding and shifting rivers, and rapid coastal erosion. The reason for all this activity is the geologic setting of the North Coast region. Three tectonic plates (thin pieces of the Earth’s crust which float above the mantle) known as the North American, the Pacific, and the Gorda, contact each other at the Mendocino triple junction. This junction lies offshore near Cape Mendocino, which is about 100 miles (160 km) southwest of RNSP.

Rocky and jagged, the RNSP coastline is a meeting place of ocean and continent where a unique collection of life has adapted to the harsh environment. Most of RNSP is underlain by rocks of the Franciscan assemblage, which is primarily composed of sandstones and mudstones. This rock unit is best seen along the coast from Enderts Beach to the mouth of Redwood Creek and in road cuts on the way to the Tall Trees Grove trailhead. Much of the Franciscan assemblage consists of rock that has been sheared and lifted from the ocean floor as a result of the plate action along the Cascadia subduction zone. Elevations at RNSP range from sea level to just over 3,000 feet (1,000 m).

Rivers at RNSP are world-renowned for fishing and no less loved for recreation and sheer beauty. The Smith River, named for explorer Jedediah Smith, arises in the Siskiyou Mountains and flows through the parks’ north section. It is now California’s last major free-flowing river and is famous for salmon and steelhead. The Klamath River, also a salmon and steelhead river, crosses the midsection of these parks. Redwood Creek flows through the parks’ southern section.

The three large river systems within the park — the Smith River, the Klamath River, and Redwood Creek — have cut deep gorges through the forest and mountainous terrain. Redwood Creek follows the Grogan Fault northwest, with many small tributaries. The Klamath River, the largest in the North Coast region, provides important habitat for wildlife along its banks and in its estuary. The Smith River is also important for wildlife and has been named a Wild and Scenic River.

Stream flow depends on the amount of rainfall in the parks. The rainy season usually stretches from October through April, but the Smith and Klamath rivers also receive water from snowmelt in the mountains to the east. Warm rains combined with snowmelt have caused floods, including the large flood of December 1964 which caused the highest record peak flow on Redwood Creek.

Though there are no natural ponds or lakes in the parks; there are lagoons and marshes, results of oceanic and tectonic processes. Also within the parks’ boundaries are the estuaries at the mouths of the Klamath River and Redwood Creek. These estuaries provide several uses for humans and wildlife: a transition and nursery area for fish, valuable habitat for fresh and saltwater species, recreational area for park visitors and nearby communities, and a supply of water for farming and ranching.

Tides rise and fall twice daily on a 25-hour lunar cycle. In the zone between high and low tide, life forms arrange themselves vertically. Just where depends on their tolerance for exposure to air and/or water and to heat and wave shock. Other biological limits apply, too, such as predators and competing organisms.

A splash zone above the high tide line receives the powerful shock of pounding waves. Inhabitants here are more attuned to life on land than on sea, but they are at the same time transitional.

Tidepools form in rocky beach outcroppings and shelter many forms of ocean life in these environments. Tidepool dwellers cope with great changes in water temperature, salinity, and oxygen content.

The rocky islands in the sea are common — and commonly known as seastacks. They are erosional features in which sandstones and mudstone wear away and cherts and greenstone are left behind. More than 40 percent of California’s seabird population nest on these seastacks, which provides a world of protection from predators. When you see a crowd of birds on these rocks — and there can be thousands of them on one house-sized boulder — think of them as seastack cities!

At RNSP, visitors often come just to see the redwoods. They are the world’s tallest trees, but they are also just one species in an incredibly varied ecosystem. From the wind-pruned, salt-tolerant Sitka spruce by the seaside, to the cool, moist redwood groves, and sunny, open grasslands of the prairies, visitors can find an interconnected community of greenery. In this narrow zone where land meets sea, salt-laden winds, cold fog-shrouded days, steep slopes, and sandy beaches conspire against plants. Only the toughest survive. Their stunted size and wind-pruned shapes bear witness to an ongoing bout with the parks’ harshest environment.

The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) are the two dominant trees of the old-growth redwood forest. The species associated with redwood groves varies according to whether an area is upland, streamside (riparian), along a flood plain (alluvial), or close to the ocean. At higher elevations, and further inland, redwood seedling establishment is limited by hotter, drier conditions, and the redwood forest gives way to a mixed evergreen forest. Other trees include hardwoods such as tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus), madrone (Arbutus menziesii), big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), California bay or laurel (Umbellularia californica), and red alder (Alnus rubra). Hardy Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), able to withstand salt winds and harsh conditions better than other conifers; dominate the most exposed forest sites. Crescent Beach, Gold Bluffs Beach, Freshwater Lagoon Spit, and the Coastal Trail are great places to discover these tenacious maritime residents.

A redwood cone is the size of an olive. Each cone contains 60 to 120 seeds. One tree may produce 10 million seeds but only a few will reach maturity. If a seed settles in just the right place it may grow into a tree. From a seed no bigger than one from a tomato, California’s coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) may grow to a height of 367 feet (122 m) and have a width of 22 feet (7 m) at its base. Imagine a 35-story skyscraper in your city and you have an inkling of the trees’ ability to arouse humility. Exactly why the redwoods grow so tall is a mystery. Theories continue to develop but proof remains elusive. The trees can reach ages of 2,000 years and regularly reach 600 years.

Resistance to natural enemies such as insects and fire are built-in features of a coast redwood. Diseases are virtually unknown and insect damage insignificant thanks to the high tannin content of the wood. Thick bark and foliage that rests high above the ground provides protection from all but the hottest fires.

The redwoods’ unusual ability to regenerate also aids in their survival as a species. They do not rely solely upon sexual reproduction, as many other trees must. New sprouts may come directly from a stump or downed tree’s root system as a clone. Basal burls — hard, knotty growths that form from dormant seedlings on a living tree — can sprout a new tree when the main trunk is damaged by fire, cutting, or toppling.

Undoubtedly the most important environmental influence upon the coast redwood is its own biotic community. The complex soils on the forest floor contribute not only to the redwoods’ growth, but also to a verdant array of greenery, fungi, and other trees. A healthy redwood forest usually includes massive Douglas-firs, western hemlocks, tanoaks, madrones, and other trees. Among the ferns and leafy redwood sorrels, mosses and mushrooms help to regenerate the soils. And of course, the redwoods themselves eventually fall to the floor where they can be returned to the soil.

The coast redwood environment recycles naturally; because the 100-plus inches of annual rainfall leaves the soil with few nutrients, the trees rely on each other, living and dead for their vital nutrients. The trees need to decay naturally to fully participate in this cycle, so when logging occurs, the natural recycling is interrupted.

Especially during summer, the North Coast is often gray with a thick layer of fog. When inland temperatures are high, the fog is drawn in from over the ocean. This natural cooling and moistening system is beneficial to the redwoods near the coast. Fog precipitates onto the forest greenery and then drips to the forest floor, providing a small bit of moisture during summer dry periods. Fog accounts for about 40 percent of the redwoods’ moisture intake. Also, the Smith River’s influence at Stout Grove has created a level forest floor with sparse vegetation, as well as unusually stout trees from the rich river soils.

Aside from logging, the most frequent cause of death for mature redwoods is wind-throw. The reason for this is that redwoods have no taproot. The roots only go down 10 to 13 feet (3-4 m) deep before spreading outward 60 to 80 feet (20-27 m). Large redwoods move hundreds of gallons of water daily along their trunks from roots to crown. This water transpires into the atmosphere through the trees’ foliage. Powered by the leaves’ diffusion of water, water-to-water molecular bonds in the trees’ sapwood drags the moisture upwards. During the summer, this transpiration causes redwood stems to shrink and swell with the cycles of day and night.

Many different shrubs populate the understory of old-growth redwood forests. Sword fern (Polystichum munitum) and redwood sorrel (Oxalis oregana) are the most common members of redwoods’ understory. Nothing compares to Fern Canyon with its 30-foot walls dripping wet and full of ferns. Also among the understory are berry bushes such as red and evergreen huckleberry, blackberry, salmonberry, and thimbleberry. Black bears and other inhabitants of the forest make use of these seasonal food sources.

Perhaps the most famous and spectacular member of the redwood understory is the brilliantly colored California rhododendron. In springtime, the rhododendrons transform the redwood forests into a dazzling display of purple and pink colors. There is also salal (Gaultheria shallon) and azalea (Rhododendron occidentale).

Dunes shift with the action of wind and water. Beach pea (Lathyrus littoralis), beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), and sand verbena (Abronia spp.) adapt to this dynamic environment by anchoring themselves with long runners on or below the surface.

The Columbia Lily, also known as Tiger Lily, colors the road sides and forest edges with brilliant yellow-orange blossoms from May through August. The stem is two to three feet tall and has several whorls of long, narrow leaves.

More than 200 miles of trails weave through a variety of environments, including prairies, mixed evergreen forests, coastal scrub, streams, marshes, old-growth redwood forests, and unspoiled beaches. Consistently mild temperatures make year-round exploration a possibility whether day hiking or backpacking. The 70 miles (142 km) of Coastal Trail in the parks offers the adventurous hiker a different experience. Tidepool creatures, wet forests, and the Pacific coast await your exploration.

Found in the northern section, Little Bald Hills Trail is a strenuous 10-mile (16-km) round trip hike through redwoods and prairie. The trailhead is located off Howland Hill Road, 7½ miles (12 km) east of Crescent City, or 1½ miles (2½ km) off South Fork Road east of Hiouchi. This is an all-day hike for most people, but can be done as an overnight backpack trip by staying at the Little Bald Hills Camp. The trail begins in an old-growth forest and then gradually ascends 1,800 feet (600 m). A mixed conifer forest bordering prairie lands replaces the redwoods shortly into the hike. Good birdwatching and wildflower displays can be found along the way. Potable water is available at the Little Bald Hills Camp.

Mill Creek Trail is a moderate 5-mile (8-km) round trip hike through redwoods. From June through September, this trail can be accessed from the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park campground, but is available year round from Howland Hill Road. This is a half-day hike through an old-growth redwood forest. Mill Creek is a crystal stream bordered by thick forest. This is an easy hike, with some non-level grades; good fishing and photo opportunities abound. Bring your own water.

Stout Grove is an easy ½-mile (1-km) walk through colossal redwoods. Summer access is available from Jedediah Smith Redwoods State campground. It is available year round from Howland Hill Road, seven miles east of Crescent City. This is an easy, 1-hour stroll through a redwood grove. The clear, aquamarine Smith River runs alongside the grove. The river’s influence at Stout Grove has created a level forest floor with sparse vegetation, as well as unusually stout trees from the rich river soils.

Found in the Middle section, Damnation Creek is a strenuous 4½ mile (7-km) round trip hike through redwoods. It is located just north of False Klamath Cove on Highway 101 at mile marker 16.0. This is a steep trail that descends 1,000 feet (330 m) through an ancient forest of redwoods, Sitka spruce, red alder, and all the forest has to offer, traversing all the way to the ocean. Used in the past by Tolowa Indians for food gathering at the ocean, the trail offers excellent photo opportunities of both the forest and the ocean. Expect at least three hours to complete. Bring your own water.

In the southern section, Miners Ridge/James Irvine is a moderate 11-mile (18-km) round trip hike through varied environments. It begins at the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center. This trail follows an old trail used by gold miners in the 1800s. James Irvine is relatively flat, passes through spectacular old-growth redwood forests, crosses creeks, and ends at the 30-foot walls of Fern Canyon. Continue along Coastal Trail at Gold Bluffs Beach and pick up Miners Ridge. This trail follows a ridgeline that allows the heart to pump. Backpacking is possible with a stay at the Miners Ridge camp. Bring your own water.

Day hikes and longer backpack trips may be done on the Coastal Trail. Permits are required at some backcountry camps and are available at the park visitor centers. The Coastal Trail is nearly continuous in the parks; the one major detour is the Highway 101 bridge over the Klamath River. Several access points and five backcountry camps are within an easy day’s walk of each other. Be prepared to see whales, off-shore seastacks with a vast array of seabirds, sea lions, sweeping ocean panoramas, old-growth forests, 30-foot walls of ferns at Fern Canyon and the old Union Gold Bluff mine site.

Bicycling in Redwood National and State Parks can be a challenging and an awe-inspiring experience as you pass through the redwood forest or along the coastline. Although most national parks prohibit biking in the backcountry, the parks offer a few—often on rehabilitated logging roads where tires cause less erosion damage and where routes are wide enough to safely accommodate multiple uses. Help limit impacts on other trails by respecting areas where bicycles are not permitted. Pick up a park brochure with map at any visitor center. Little Bald Hills Trail on Howland Hill Road is a steep 5 miles one way and is open only during the summer. Drury Scenic Parkway combines several trails in a 19-mile loop that varies from easy to steep. There are several more trails for bicycles. Bicycles are allowed on designated trails only: Lost Man Creek Trail, Last Chance Section of the Coastal Trail, Davison Trail, and Ossagon Trail Loop. Bicycles are welcome on all roads. There are also organized bike rides in the park.

Horses are welcome on Little Bald Hills Trail, Mill Creek Horse Trails, and Orick Horse Trails. Pick up a Visitor Guide or stop by one of the five visitor centers and talk to a ranger about rules and regulations. For horseback riding the Redwood Creek Horse Trail comprises four possible loops and two stock-ready camps. Several days of riding are possible. The Redwood Creek Horse Trail begins in Orick next to the Orick Rodeo Grounds off Highway 101, about 1 mile (1½ km) north of the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center. Little Bald Hills Trail off Howland Hill Road (within RNSP’s Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park) is horse-accessible with a stock-ready camp. Mill Creek Horse Trail is available for day use.

There are many scenic drives to choose. Discover Howland Hill Road and Stout Grove: a 10-mile scenic drive through old-growth redwoods, along Mill Creek, with a ½-mile walk through a river bottom grove of tremendous trees. A narrow and windy corridor, this route has numerous pullouts for you to stand beside an ancient one and offers many trailheads for exploration. Motorhomes and trailers are not advised here. The Bald Hills Road serves as a scenic byway to a high prairie landscape dotted with magnificent 300-year-old Oregon white oak trees. This region of the parks offers fields of colorful springtime wildflowers and trail access to several historic ranches. A Roosevelt elk herd could surprise you!

Explore Enderts Beach and Crescent Beach Overlook: Stand before outstanding Pacific Ocean views from the overlook; you may even see a gray whale! Walk 1-mile to Enderts Beach, an access route to multi-colored, myriad tidepool creatures and seabird viewing. Or check out Lagoon Creek/Yurok Loop, 1-mile (1½ km) hike to Hidden Beach. Be sure to check low tide times by picking up a tides schedule at a visitor center. Trailers are not advised.

Take Requa Road and drive to Klamath River Overlook, a prime spot for watching the gray whale migration. Look for other marine mammals and a host of seabirds any time of year. Hike ¼ mile down a steep trail to the lower overlook and more dramatic views. Get off the beaten path and onto Coastal Drive! This 8-mile rough and tumble road winds past expansive Pacific Ocean views and descends into redwoods at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Look through binoculars at the massive off shore rocks to spy thousands of seabirds nesting. Whales, sea lions, and pelicans are often seen from overlooks. Motorhomes and trailers are prohibited on gravel section.

Travel Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Not even the Avenue of the Giants can beat this! It is a 10-mile scenic drive through ancient redwoods. Stop and walk an 1/8 of a mile to Big Tree Wayside and watch for Roosevelt elk grazing in the prairie. You can also look for access to numerous trailheads. Investigate Davison Road where Roosevelt elk hang out in the prairie. Trillium Falls Trail covers 2½ miles through ancestral forest and has one of the few falls in the parks. Follow Davison Road to the gray sands of Gold Bluffs Beach. See if you can find the remains of the mining era. Nothing compares to Fern Canyon with its 30-foot walls dripping wet and full of ferns. Survey the creek for slippery creatures. Trailers and vehicles longer than 24 feet are prohibited. Be sure to stop at Kuchel Visitor Center one mile south of Orick. The state-of-the-art exhibits are fabulous!

Rivers at RNSP are world-renowned for fishing and no less loved for recreation and sheer beauty. The Smith River, named for explorer Jedediah Smith, arises in the Siskiyou Mountains and flows through the parks’ north section. It is now California’s last major free-flowing river and is famous for salmon and steelhead. The Klamath River, also a salmon and steelhead river, crosses the midsection of these parks. You can also experience kayaking on North Coast rivers, lagoons, harbors, coves, and in the ocean.

Ranger-led programs are offered during the summer season (mid-June to Labor Day). Check at a park visitor center for details. Weekly schedules for the programs are posted in the state park campgrounds and at visitor centers (where most programs occur). Topics for various activities may include bears, tidepools, American Indian cultures, and redwood ecology. Campfire programs are held at the following campgrounds: Jedediah Smith, Mill Creek, Gold Bluffs Beach and Elk Prairie.

Junior Ranger programs for children ages 7-12 are held at: Jedediah Smith campground, Mill Creek campground, Gold Bluffs Beach campground and Prairie Creek Visitor Center. Redwood National and State Parks has a junior ranger newspaper with activities designed for children 7-12 years old. But remember, any age can participate! You can earn a patch or a sticker. To earn a patch, 10-12 years olds complete six activity pages and 7-9 year olds complete four activity pages (two must be “in-park” activities marked by a star); in addition, each young adult will collect a bag of litter, attend a ranger program or hike a trail, write down one park rule, and understand and sign the Junior Ranger Pledge. To earn a sticker, each potential junior ranger must complete three activities, collect a bag of litter, write down one park rule, and understand and sign the Junior Ranger Pledge.

American Indian dance demonstrations presented by members of the Tolowa and the Yurok tribes are performed in RNSP every summer season. The Tolowa conduct a renewal dance demonstration at the Jedediah Smith picnic area, off Highway 199 just west of the community of Hiouchi. Yurok demonstrate the traditional brush dance at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center, one mile south of Orick on Highway 101. Each demonstration begins with an introduction explaining the dance’s significance to each American Indian culture. Both dance demonstrations are open to the public and free of charge. Call for dates and times, (707) 465-7304 or (707) 465-7765.

Enjoy whale watching! Peak migration months for viewing gray whales are November – December and March – April. A resident population may be seen any month of the year at the Klamath River Overlook. Pick a clear, calm day. Bring your binoculars and watch for their spouting. Other good viewing spots include: Crescent Beach Overlook, Wilson Creek, High Bluff Overlook, Gold Bluffs Beach, and Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center.

There are also a few guided tours you can sign up with to see the redwoods or a day-long field trip into the redwoods. You can call (800) 400-1849 for tour information and (707) 465-7325 for the field trips.

RNSP protect threatened and endangered (T&E) species by minimizing potential disturbance to T&E species caused by visitor use and park management activities. Hunting is not allowed at any time within RNSP. Fishing is allowed in certain designated watercourses within the parks. In 2000, the park closed beaches to off-road vehicle traffic, with the exception of commercial fisherman holding permits, and they are required to drive only on the wave slope. This action helps ensure that habitat for the federally-listed western snowy plover is not degraded and reduces disturbance to the brown pelican and other seabirds and marine mammals. Remote areas of the park, including old-growth forest habitat, are off-limits to motorized vehicles and have controlled visitor use. Park management activities are designed to minimize noise and other forms of disturbance to breeding T&E species by implementing limited operating periods, using hand-tools instead of machinery to conduct park maintenance, and consulting with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service on all projects that have the potential to affect federally threatened or endangered wildlife, fish, or plants.

Restoration efforts in the parks have helped T&E fish and wildlife primarily by reducing sedimentation from logging roads through road decommissioning and rehabilitation. Reducing sediment runoff from hill slopes creates better stream substrate for anadromous fish redds (gravel bed for eggs) and fry (young fish). It also helps stabilize stream-banks, which allows old-growth redwood trees to remain upright and keeps old-growth habitat intact for species such as the northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet. Exotic plant management (for example, of European beachgrass, yellow bush lupine, and pampas grass) along beaches enhances habitat for wildlife such as the western snowy plover, that nests and roosts in back dunes, and plants such as the endangered beach layia that requires shifting sand dunes to grow.

The parks’ fishery and wildlife biologists conduct annual surveys to assess the status and distribution of T&E species in RNSP. Specifically, fishery biologists conduct stream inventories including snorkel surveys, electro-fishing, seining for anadromous fish, and spawning/carcass surveys in Redwood Creek and its tributaries. Wildlife biologists monitor known northern spotted owl territories, bald eagle nests, and peregrine falcon eyries (nesting sites), and conduct monthly western snowy plover surveys on all accessible beaches.

Redwood National and State Parks are engaged in watershed restoration work. Restoration work along Redwood Creek includes the removal of several miles of abandoned and eroding logging roads. These roads are remnants of the logging and road building that happened before the parks’ establishment. The primary goals are to restore stream channels and hill slopes to the natural conditions that existed prior to road construction. These goals are accomplished by clearing stream channels choked with road fill and logging debris, re-contouring hill slopes marred by road networks, and reestablishing natural drainage patterns. In achieving these goals, the unnaturally high erosion and sedimentation rates in Redwood Creek will be reduced and a solid foundation will be recreated for the protection and reestablishment of a healthy ecosystem. These measures reduce sedimentation from previously logged lands and associated roads, sediment that is harmful to salmon survival in Redwood Creek and its tributaries.

Placement of large in-stream wood structures, removal and modification of unnatural fish barriers, reestablishment of streamside (riparian) vegetation, and modification of existing flood control levees are also improving fish habitat. Other measures that benefit salmonids are the prioritization of roads slated for removal by risk failure (potential for erosion) and sensitive resources (number of fish species and their population size) and review of timber harvest plans adjacent to the park. Annual surveys in summer and winter are conducted to provide information on the status of salmon and steelhead. Two decades of monitoring juvenile salmonids in summer and fall in the Redwood Creek estuary has verified the prominent role of estuaries in the life cycle of Chinook salmon and steelhead and the importance of small coastal estuaries in degraded watersheds. The park is proposing to restore the Redwood Creek estuary to a fully functioning ecosystem benefiting fish, wildlife, and the public.

Salmon and steelhead populations were severely diminished by past logging activities within Redwood Creek’s watershed. Increased sediment loads as a result of increased erosion have altered the habitat of Redwood Creek. Today, these fish are attempting to maintain their presence in the creek, but very few of these fish are able to adapt to the ecological imbalance.

The restoration work is accomplished using large, heavy equipment, primarily bulldozers and excavators. If visiting the Redwood Creek area of the parks, remember to stay well away from work areas due to the danger of heavy equipment and loose slopes.

For thousands of years, American Indians routinely set fires in the prairies to keep them free of encroaching trees, to make the land more productive, and to attract elk, which were an important food source.

The regularity of fire in the prairies has limited what kind of trees grew there. Oaks gained a foothold in places and big-leaf maples thrived along stream courses, but for the most part, fires killed tree seedlings before they had a chance to take hold and turn grassland into forest.

In more recent times, the suppression of fire has resulted in the spread of Douglas-fir, a species well suited for growing in hot, dry places like the Bald Hills. The open grasslands have dwindled, now replaced by fir forests.

Today, park staff is again using fire to maintain the oak woodlands, grasses, and other native plants found in this diminishing natural community. Fire not only helps preserve the natural values of these grassy expanses, but the cultural values as well. Values represented by the historic barns, relict stands of oak, and the openness of the land itself.

The Redwood National and State Parks together comprise a World Heritage Site, so designated for the rugged coastlines, streams, rivers, and ancient redwood forests. The parks are mandated to protect this heritage for public inspiration and enjoyment, and to ensure passage unimpaired to future generations. Currently, there are more than 200 species of exotic plants in the parks. More than thirty of these are invasive species. At least ten exotic plant species threaten the parks’ native species and ecosystems. Exotic plant management is a necessary part of the responsibility to protect our natural heritage. Control of harmful exotic plants requires both a guiding plan and long-term, steadfast commitment.

Short-term lapses allow invasive species to expand quickly and to negate previous control efforts. The threat of invasive exotic species will not disappear. The keys to successful control are a systematic approach and consistent follow-up. Controlling invasive exotics is a universal challenge of importance beyond simply the parks.

Of the flowering plants found in the parks to date, slightly more than 200 are exotic, representing about a quarter of the flora. The number of exotic species and dominance by exotics varies widely by vegetation type. So far, less than 1 percent of the plant coverage within the old-growth redwood forests is from exotic species. In contrast, the Bald Hills prairies have an extensive list of exotic plant species, with a relative cover of 50 to 75 percent. The nature of threats from exotics differs in separate areas of the parks. The parks’ response to each threat is site-specific, but based on an overall management strategy.

Priority is assigned to each species in each place based upon the threats exhibited and the potential for successful and cost effective control. A key factor is the species’ existing distribution and the availability of habitat for future invasion. The fact that some invasive species are not presently targeted does not exclude them from consideration for future management. What it means simply is that efforts will be budgeted and directed toward the most immediate threats and potential future threats addressable through control actions during a given interval of time. Federal agencies are required to prevent the introduction of invasive exotic species, to provide for their control, and to minimize the harm they cause to the extent practicable within budgetary limits. Thus, park staff use a threat assessment to prioritize the exotic species against which the major portion of control efforts will be directed within each budget cycle.

Park staff research exotic plant control techniques described by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), other resource management agencies and universities. The most promising control techniques are tested on high priority species. Following NPS IPM guidelines, the following classes of control techniques are options for individual species under the parks’ Exotic Plant Management Plan: No Action if the ecological threat from an exotic species is insignificant (the species is innocuous), or if no further action is needed to achieve or maintain control of the species. Mechanical Controls with heavy equipment, power tools, hand tools, manual removal, draught animals, and prescribed fire. “Cultural control” means educating people and encouraging them to adjust their activities and surroundings (insofar as possible) to minimize the spread of harmful plants. Cleanliness, making sure all equipment is seed free before being allowed in sensitive areas. Natural Enemies: Certain insects or pathogens (e.g., fungus, bacteria) attack specific plants and limit their growth or reproduction. Vegetation succession: Canopy closure by native evergreen conifers and/or hardwoods suppresses or eliminates shade-intolerant exotic species. Soils can be managed toward conditions that favor native species or that selectively target invasive species when the natives and invasives have differing soil requirements. An herbicide may be considered as a means to control an invasive plant species if it is determined that alternative mechanical, physical, cultural, or biological means are either not acceptable or not feasible. Herbicides will not be considered for control in natural vegetation unless other control techniques prove ineffective.

Temperatures range from 40 to 60 degrees year round along the redwood coastline. Redwoods rely on the fog that envelops the coast in the summer. Summers are mild with warmer temperatures inland. Winters are cool with considerable precipitation. Call (707) 443-7062 for current weather conditions. Always pack your rain gear and good walking shoes for the slippery rain forest. Wear layers to accommodate cool to warm temperatures.

 Current Park Weather

Be aware that trails in the redwoods are often wet and slippery, so bring raingear and good boots for your hike. In winter, the Redwood Creek and Trestle trails may be difficult or impossible to use. Temporary bridges open these trails in summer but are removed for the rainy season. Access to Stout Grove from Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park campground exists only in the summer via seasonal bridges.

Remember that a good backpacking checklist will make your stay in the wilderness more enjoyable and safe. Some needed things are: tent with rainfly, sleeping bag and mat, ground cover, backpack, something to keep your pack dry, layered clothing suitable for the season, food, water, water purification system, collapsible water container, 1-2 quart water bottle, first-aid kit, extra medications, repair kits, camp stove, matches, fire starter, cooking and eating utensils, toilet kit, flashlight with extra batteries and bulb, knife or multipurpose tool, rain gear, a signal device, garbage bags, small trowel, topographical map, compass or GPS unit, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Backpackers stay in designated campsites except along the Redwood Creek gravel bars. You can camp along Redwood Creek’s gravel bars beyond the first seasonal bridge and no closer than within 1/4 mile of Tall Trees Grove. Enjoy the forest or ocean for 5 consecutive days; 15 in a calendar year. Be sure to obtain a permit for camping and firewood collecting along Redwood Creek. Backpackers can collect up to 50 pounds of dead wood per day per campsite. Fires are permitted only in designated fire pits. Obtain your overnight backcountry permit at a park visitor center. Proper food storage when camping in bear country is required by law – be bear aware! Bear-proof food storage canisters are available at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center. Practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. Pets, firearms, and motorized vehicles are prohibited on park trails. Make sure to stop by a visitor center for tick and poison oak information.

Ticks that carry Lyme disease occur in the area. Stay on trails, check clothing, wear light colors to easily spot a tick, tuck pant legs into socks and shirt into pants, and inspect your head and body after a hike. Poison oak can be identified with the saying “Leaves of three let them be”. Contact with poison oak leaves can cause an itchy skin rash, so wash thoroughly if you brush against it. Stay on trails!

For those with horses the following regulations apply. Permits are required for overnight use and can be obtained at visitor centers. Camp only in designated sites. Carry only pellets or certified weed-free feed to camps and on trails. Animals may not graze park vegetation. Animals must be hobbled or tied to a hitching post when unattended.

Permits to visit the Tall Trees Grove are available for no charge at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center, located on Highway 101, one mile (1½ km) south of Orick, at the Crescent City Information Center at 1111 Second Street, and at Prairie Creek Visitor Center on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Visitors should plan to spend three to four hours for this hike. Limited to 50 cars per day.

These parks are natural environments; the wild animals, plants, streams, and other natural features, as well as certain weather conditions that occur here can be hazardous. Coastal areas present hazards associated with cold ocean waters, heavy surf, strong currents, and tsunamis. In an emergency, call 911.

Tides can be dangerous, so check a tide chart and keep an eye on the surf for “sneaker” waves. A sneaker wave is a wave that is larger than it appears. Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes beneath the ocean floor and can cause waves up to 100 feet (33 m) high to surge inland. If you feel a strong earthquake move to higher ground – at least 100 feet (33 m) above shoreline, preferably on foot – and wait for an official “all clear” on the radio. If there is no high ground, move inland away from the coastline. Stay away from the coast. Later waves are often higher than the first. Waves may continue to arrive for hours.

Falling objects cause the most deaths during earthquakes. If you are indoors, take cover under a sturdy desk, table, or other furniture. Hold onto your shelter and stay there until shaking stops. Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, wood stoves, and heavy furniture or appliances. Stay inside! If outside when a quake hits, get into the open and away from trees, power lines, and buildings. If you are driving when a quake hits, stay away from bridges, overpasses, and tunnels and avoid stopping under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rock and other debris that could be loosened by the earthquake.

Pets are wonderful creatures that give comfort and companionship; however, a national or state park is not the best place for them. Domestic dogs and cats retain their instinct to mark territory with scent and may spread domestic diseases to wildlife. Studies show that wildlife leaves the area when pets leave their scent. Unleashed pets may chase wildlife, causing injury to wildlife or to the pet! Your unleashed pet may get lost and become a meal for a coyote or a mountain lion. Please follow these regulations: Pets are not allowed on any trails.
Pets must remain on a leash under six feet (2 m) in length and be under your control at all times. Leashed pets are allowed at Crescent and Gold Bluffs beaches, all road-accessible picnic areas, the parking area of Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center, the Freshwater Lagoon Spit, and state park campgrounds and roads. Only guide animals are allowed in park buildings or at interpretive programs. Keep dogs away from any dead fish that may be found along the river banks. Raw salmon, if eaten, is extremely toxic.

All visitor centers are physically accessible to wheelchair users. Wheelchairs are not available. TDD phones are not available. Other accessible areas (north to south) include Crescent Beach, Crescent Beach Overlook, Jedediah Smith campground, Mill Creek campground, Lagoon Creek, Klamath River Overlook, High Bluff Overlook picnic area, Big Tree Wayside, Lost Man Creek, and Elk Meadow Day Use Area. Along Highway 199, Simpson-Reed Grove Trail is classified as “barrier-free.”

Cool and shady, the coniferous forests at RNSP provide important habitat to the area’s many species of wildlife. Old-growth redwood forests are vital to species such as the northern spotted owl and banana slugs. A variety of wildlife species call RNSP home. The diversity of ecosystems in the parks means that creatures as different as black bears, sea stars, and bald eagles can be seen by a lucky visitor in a single day. You could also see the Big Brown Bat, Bobcat, Black-tailed deer, Coyote, River otter, Brush rabbit, Chickaree and the Gray fox. In addition to the more common inhabitants, many threatened and endangered species rely on the parks’ old-growth forests, open prairies, estuaries, and the coastline for crucial havens of survival.

Nowhere at RNSP is the wildlife more diverse than along the coast and in the Pacific Ocean. Marine mammals such as sea lions and gray whales are among the most visible wildlife in the parks. You might also see Harbor seals, Common dolphins and Surf scoters. Pelicans, ospreys, and gulls are frequently spotted along the coast. Of course, tidepool creatures aren’t likely to run very far at your approach, so anemones and crabs are easy to spot too.

Peak migration months for viewing gray whales are November – December and March – April. A resident population may be seen any month of the year at the Klamath River Overlook. Pick a clear, calm day. Bring your binoculars and watch for their spouting. Other good viewing spots include: Crescent Beach Overlook, Wilson Creek, High Bluff Overlook, Gold Bluffs Beach, and Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center.

Visitors are also likely to see Roosevelt elk browsing in the prairies. Roosevelt elk, one of the largest members of the deer family, are the most easily observed wildlife in the parks. Bulls can weigh as much as 1,200 pounds! They are seen throughout the parks, but primarily south of the Klamath River in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Gold Bluffs Beach, along the Bald Hills Road, and in the Orick area. Males sport large antlers in late summer through winter. Females are smaller in stature and have no antlers. The rut, or mating season, occurs in fall. Calves are born in grassy, open areas in May and June.

Four species of frogs and one toad utilize aquatic habitats within the redwood region. The northern red-legged frog is quite abundant and is well-camouflaged on the moist forest floor. The Pacific tree frog is another species found here as well as the Western toad. Other amphibians found are California slender salamander, Pacific giant salamander, and Northern rough-skinned newt. Reptiles found in the parks are the Western fence lizard, Northern alligator lizard, and the Northwestern ringneck snake.

A few of the birds you might see are Chestnut-backed chickadee, Winter wren, Steller’s jay, Varied thrush, Red-shouldered hawk, Great blue heron, Northern spotted owl, Killdeer, Western sandpiper, Western gull, Sanderling, Willet, Bald Eagle, Brown Pelican, the Western Snowy Plover, Black oystercatcher, Double-crested cormorant, and a wide variety of other seabirds.

Some T&E species found at RNSP are the Bald Eagle, Brown Pelican, Chinook and Coho Salmon, Steelhead Trout, Marbled Murrelet, Northern Spotted Owl, Steller’s Sea Lion, Tidewater Goby, and Western Snowy Plover.

While you’re out watching wildlife at RNSP, remember that all wildlife is protected in the parks. Never feed or approach animals such as bears, mountain lions, elk, chipmunks, raccoons, rabbits, or birds. Please treat the members of this natural community with respect.

Be careful: elk are wild and unpredictable animals. They are particularly dangerous during calving and the fall rut. Cows will charge and kick with their front hooves when threatened, particularly during calving season in the spring. Be aware when hiking; surprising a wild animal will lead to a dangerous situation. Always observe them at a safe distance.

Like all mammals in our parks, bears are wild. Inviting them into your picnic or camp—on purpose or accidentally—can result in damage to your equipment, you, or the bear. Bears have great memories, so they quickly become accustomed to human foods. Once habituated to campground fare, a bear may become aggressive to humans. At that point, wildlife managers may have to destroy the bear.

Help save a bear and trouble for you by following these precautions. Use the campground bear-proof lockers for food and all scented items. Dispose of garbage immediately in bear-proof trash cans. Carry a bear-proof canister when backpacking. Keep a clean camp at all times. Never feed bears. If a bear approaches or stands up, wave your arms and shout. DO NOT RUN! Please report any sightings to a park ranger.

The illusive tawny cat with the long tail: cougars (mountain lions) are large, seldom seen forest inhabitants. Like any wild animal, they can be dangerous. No attacks on humans have occurred in the parks, but mountain lion sightings have increased in recent years. Do not run! Do not crouch or bend over! Stand up and face the lion. Pick up young children. Appear large; wave your arms or jacket. Slowly back away. See Wildlife Precautions page for further safety tips.

Steller’s jays are noisy campground residents and take advantage of unnatural human food sources. Normally feeding on seeds and nuts, jays also prey on the endangered marbled murrelet and their chicks. Please help to protect the robin-sized murrelet by not sharing your lunch with any wildlife.

Redwood National Park is free to visit!

State Parks – Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks have fees for day use, camping, and extra vehicle in a campsite.
Call 1.800.444.PARK for reservations and fees.

Redwood National and States Parks offer four developed campgrounds, three in the redwood forest and one on the ocean. Tidbits to know: no trailer hook-ups exist; there is a charge for each extra vehicle per site; and day use fees are charged.

Mill Creek campground is located 7 miles south of Crescent City, CA on US Highway 101 in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. There are 145 RV or tent sites, trailer length up to 27 feet, RVs up to 31 feet. Amenities include restrooms, four loop trails, hiker/biker sites, dump station, fire pits, no hookups, handicap access, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and evening campfire programs. Reservation phone is 1-800-444-7275.

Jedediah Smith campground is located on Highway 199 at Hiouchi, CA in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. There are 106 RV or tent sites, RV length up to 36 feet, trailers up to 31 feet. Facilities/amenities include nature center, bookstore, no hookups, restrooms, river sites, picnic area, many miles of trails, hiker/biker sites, dump station, fire pits, handicap access, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and young naturalists programs, and evening campfire programs. There are no showers. There is a group site for 50. For site-specific information, call (707) 465-2142.

Elk Prairie campground is located 50 miles north of Eureka, CA on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway just off US Highway 101 in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. There are 75 RV or tent sites, trailer length up to 24 feet, RVs up to 27 feet. Facilities/amenities include nature center, bookstore, no hookups, showers, restrooms, picnic area, more than 70 miles of trails, hiker/biker sites, dump station, fire pits, handicap access, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and evening campfire programs. For site-specific information, call (707) 465-7347.

Also in Prairie Creek, Gold Bluffs Beach campground can be found by traveling three miles north of Orick, CA on US Highway 101, then turn west on Davison Road and continue for four miles (gravel road). There are 25 RV or 29 tent sites, trailers are prohibited, RV length up to 24 feet and 8 feet wide. Amenities include solar showers, restrooms, access to over 70 miles of trails, Fern Canyon, hiker/biker sites, fire pits, no hookups, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and evening campfire programs. No reservations.

There are several backcountry camp sites to use while backpacking or horseback riding. Little Bald Hills Trail begins off Howland Hill Road in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. 4-½ mile (7-km) trail to the camp features a strenuous, gradually ascending 1,800-foot (600 m) climb through old-growth forest and open prairies fringed by fir and pine trees. Five sites are available with picnic tables, fire pits, bear-proof lockers, toilets, and a potable water spigot. It is horse and bike accessible, with a corral and horse troughs.

Nickel Creek: This camp is located alongside the Coastal Trail, access from south or north. From the north, Enderts Beach Road provides the easiest and quickest access with an easy ½-mile (1-km) trail to the site. Five sites are available with picnic tables, fire pits, bear-proof lockers, and toilets. Located ¼-mile (½-km) from the ocean alongside a stream, this campsite features a lush coastal environment and the beauty of nearby Enderts Beach. Purify water from the stream before drinking.

DeMartin: Located along the Coastal Trail just south of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. It is accessible by a 3-mile (5-km) hike from the north or south, with trailheads located along Highway 101. The hike features a mixed conifer redwood forest. Ten sites are available with picnic tables, bear-proof lockers, fire pits, and toilets. No nearby water is available, so bring your own. The camp offers ocean vistas from a high bluff.

Flint Ridge: Located just south of the Klamath River estuary along the Coastal Trail. The access is from two trailheads along the Coastal Drive (exit just south of the Klamath River off Highway 101). From the west, hike a ½-mile (1-km), from the east hike 4-½ miles (7-km). This quiet section of the parks features outstanding wildlife viewing and one of the finest old-growth redwood stands. Ten sites are available with picnic tables, bear-proof lockers, fire pits, and toilets. No nearby water is available, so bring your own.

Ossagon Creek: (Bikes okay) Located in the northern section of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, this camp is along the Coastal Trail and is accessible by several trailheads. Many loops of differing lengths are possible. Inquire at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center. Three sites are available with picnic tables, bear-proof lockers, fire pits, and toilets. Purify water from the nearby creek before drinking. There is a charge for Ossagon Creek backcountry camp, pay at Prairie Creek Visitor Center.

Miners Ridge: Located in the southern part of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, this camp is on a bluff above Gold Bluffs Beach. Access the camp by a 4-½ mile (12-km) hike from the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center. Inquire at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center. Three sites are available with picnic tables, bear-proof lockers, fire pits, and toilets. Purify water from the nearby creek before drinking. There is a charge for Miners Ridge backcountry camp, pay at Prairie Creek Visitor Center.

Elam and 44 Camps: (Horse) Both located in the Redwood Creek area, these two camps feature four loop possibilities and access and facilities for both horses and hikers. Loops of 3 hours (seven miles, 11 km), 7 hours (14 miles, 21 km), 2-day (20 miles, 29 km) and 3-day (32 miles, 50 km) are your options from various trailheads, including the Orick Horse Trails and Redwood Creek Trail. Elam Camp is on the two shorter loops. Three sites are available with picnic tables, bear-proof lockers, fire pits, toilets, non-potable water, and a corral. No more than 12 stock animals are permitted. 44 Camp is on the two longer loops. 44-camp is open to backpackers only until further notice. No stock allowed. No water is available. Four sites are available with picnic tables, bear-proof lockers, fire pits, and toilets. Redwood Creek Gravel Bars located along a stretch of Redwood Creek, the gravel bars offer the only area in the park where dispersed camping is permitted. Dispersed camping is permitted anywhere on the gravel bar between the first seasonal bridge and no closer than ¼-mile (½-km) of the Tall Trees Grove. Be sure to obtain a permit for camping and firewood collecting at a park visitor center.

Crater Lake National Park, 3½ hours from Crescent City, CA or 140 miles

Oregon Caves National Monument, 1½ hours from Crescent City, CA or 60 miles

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 4¼ hours from Crescent City, CA, or 215 miles

Lassen Volcanic National Park, 5 hours from Crescent City, CA or 230 miles

Lava Beds National Monument, 6 hours from Crescent City, CA

Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 8 hours from Crescent City, CA or 320 miles

Smith River National Recreation Area in Gasquet, CA, and Tolowa Dunes State Park, Battery Point Lighthouse Museum, Northcoast Marine Mammal Center in Crescent City, CA, Yurok Indian Reservation, and Klamath National Forest are all great attractions.

Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Redwood National Park:

By Car:

Eureka, CA - 0 miles
Santa Rosa, CA – 258 miles
Sacramento, CA – 330 miles
Portland, OR - 398  miles
Reno, NV – 464 miles

Redwood National and State Parks

1111 Second Street

Crescent City, California 95531

Visitor Information (707) 465-7306

Fax (707) 464-1812

Map