Redwood National Park in California, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Redwood National Park lies along California's far northern coast. Visitors explore it together with Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek Redwoods state parks. The four areas form Redwood National and State Parks, a combined visitor landscape of old-growth forests, prairies, rivers, and Pacific beaches.

Choose a northern or southern base before planning walks. You do not need to reach one particular grove to see large redwoods, and some forest stops require far less preparation than the permit-controlled Tall Trees route.

Highlights of the Redwood parks

• Old-growth forest: walks beneath coast redwoods in several parts of the combined parks.
• Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway: a forest drive through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
• Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach: a canyon walk and coastal area with a separate access road and seasonal reservation rules.
• Prairies and coast: places to observe Roosevelt elk and other wildlife from a safe distance.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Ocean hazards and wildlife

Powerful sneaker waves can surge far beyond the normal surf line. Keep watching the ocean, stay clear of surf-zone logs, and plan coastal walks around tides. Cold water and steep beaches add risk. Carry a tide table, map, and watch when a route depends on low-water passage.

Give Roosevelt elk at least 25 yards of space, and more during spring calving and the fall breeding season. Do not approach calves or stand between animals. Use food lockers where provided and keep food, garbage, and scented items secure. Keep children close on forest walks.

Protect trees and wildlife

Do not attach hammocks or ropes to trees. Follow trail signs and closure barriers, and leave plants and cultural objects undisturbed. Use designated campsites or an authorized wilderness itinerary.

Pets cannot use forest hiking trails. Leashed road walks include Cal Barrel Road and Walker Road. Pets may also use designated beaches and developed areas. Use a leash no longer than 6 feet and collect waste. Permission at a trailhead parking lot does not extend onto the trail.

Reservations for specific places

• Tall Trees: a free online trailhead reservation is required throughout the year. Save the confirmation and gate instructions before losing cell service. Read the Tall Trees reservation rules before booking.
• Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon: vehicle reservations are required from May 15 through September 15. They are free, but do not remove the separate day-use fee. Book before the visiting day and carry the required photo ID. Check the Fern Canyon access instructions.
• Developed camping: reserve the specific campground through ReserveCalifornia. Opening, registration method, site dimensions, and price vary.

Backcountry camping requires an online permit. Apply several days ahead and follow the backcountry permit guidance; do not expect a visitor center to issue a last-minute permit.

Maps, location, and access

The combined parks extend along roughly 50 miles of northern California's coastal region. Crescent City and Hiouchi serve northern visits, Klamath lies near the middle, and Orick serves the south. US 101 is the main north–south route; US 199 approaches from the northeast.

Use the official maps rather than a generic park marker. NPS warns that navigation apps can send visitors onto remote roads or private property. Do not use Bald Hills Road as your approach to the park.

Davison Road toward Gold Bluffs Beach is narrow and gravel, with stream crossings. Trailers are prohibited on Davison Road. RVs longer than 24 feet are also prohibited. Rain can make crossings harder. Check the road and trail conditions, including any restrictions on your intended loop. The Miners Ridge connection toward Gold Bluffs Beach is affected by a fallen tree.

Nearby parks on the southern coast

• Humboldt Lagoons State Park: a nearby option south of Orick along US 101, with separate lagoon and coastal access points.
• Sue-meg State Park: farther south near Trinidad, suited to a stop on a coastal journey toward Eureka. Check the specific park entrance when planning your road route.

Forest stops and longer hikes

For a short visit, leave US 101 for the 10-mile Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and choose a forest stopping point. Big Tree Wayside offers a short walk without a trailhead reservation. These options can work when you do not have time for a longer remote-road outing.

Tall Trees requires more commitment. NPS describes a 4.5-mile round trip that descends about 800 feet into the grove, followed by the climb back. Allow time for the access drive as well as hiking. The trailhead does not accommodate RVs over 21 feet or vehicles towing trailers.

Fern Canyon can involve wading when seasonal footbridges are absent. The eastern stairs connecting Fern Canyon to James Irvine Trail are closed for work; the western stairs remain available for the Fern Canyon Loop. Bring footwear suited to water and uneven ground. A reservation confirms access arrangements; it does not establish that stream levels or trail conditions suit your group.

Facilities and overnight stays

Start at a visitor center for maps and local advice. Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center is south of Orick on US 101; Hiouchi Visitor Center serves the northern area along US 199. Do not assume all five information centers share the same opening hours.

California State Parks manages four developed campgrounds: Jedediah Smith, Mill Creek, Elk Prairie, and Gold Bluffs Beach. Site and road limits can exclude larger RVs. Jedediah Smith lists drinking water, restrooms, showers, and a dump station. Confirm campsite equipment and water availability when booking; the presence of an RV site does not establish hookup availability.

Accessible campsites, parking, and some cabins and routes are available. Natural surfaces, stream crossings, and beach sand can still create barriers. Discuss your route and equipment needs with staff. Carry water and supplies for your walk.

There are no park hotels or restaurants. Find meals and rooms in gateway communities such as Crescent City, Klamath, and Orick. Cell coverage is limited, so save reservations and maps before entering remote areas.

About Redwood National Park

Protection across four parks

Redwood National Park was established in 1968 and expanded in 1978. The three state parks date from the 1920s. A 1994 agreement brought the four areas under cooperative management by the National Park Service and California State Parks.

Indigenous communities have longstanding connections with these lands. Later landscapes include ranches, orchards, logging sites, and a surviving World War II radar station. Conservation and restoration form part of that continuing history.

From banana slugs to Roosevelt elk

Roosevelt elk and bald eagles live in the region, while forest walks can reveal salamanders and banana slugs. Coastal habitats support sea lions and tide-pool animals. Different habitats offer different viewing opportunities; approach quietly and allow animals to continue their normal behavior.

Contact Redwood National and State Parks

Visitor information: 707-464-6101. The mailing address is Redwood National and State Parks, 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, CA 95531. Use the official contact page to confirm facilities, permit questions, or access needs.