Visitor Guide 2025

Redwood National and State Parks Redwood National Park Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park NPS PHOTO / JAMIE JIRELE Visitor Guide Old-growth redwoods from Cal Barrel Road Visitor Centers: A Great Start Five visitor and information centers offer information and trip-planning advice. Park staff and partners are on duty. Get a map, Junior Ranger book, and passport stamp at any of these locations! Park stores are operated by the Redwood Parks Conservancy. Park wifi can be found at the Crescent City Bookstore, visitor centers, and Elk Prairie Campground Kiosk. Ranger Programs Follow the QR code for a calendar of events or ask at a visitor center for a schedule! See Map on Pages 2-3 Explore with the Mobile App! Crescent City Bookstore 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, California Hiouchi Visitor Center 9 miles northeast of Crescent City, California, on US 199 Jedediah Smith Campground Store (open summer only) 9 miles northeast of Crescent City, California, on US 199 Prairie Creek Visitor Center 6 miles north of Orick, California, on Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway Kuchel Visitor Center 2 miles south of Orick, California, on US 101 Download the official NPS app for maps, trip suggestions, trail information, and more! All content can be saved to your phone for offline use. Fees, Park Passes, and Reservations Entrance Fees are not charged at Redwood National and State Parks. National or State? Day-Use Fees apply at these select areas: 1. Jedediah Smith Day-Use Area 2. Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area/ Fern Canyon Trailhead Access 3. Elk Prairie Picnic Area Fees can be paid on site by cash only. Federal and California State Park Pass Holders do not need to pay day-use fees. NPS PHOTO / TED HUMPHRY Reservations are recommended for campgrounds (see page 4) and required for only a few park attractions (see page 3). Permits are required for backcountry camping (see page 4). Redwoods: Our Tallest Treasures Carruthers Cove and Gold Bluffs Beach from Coastal Trail. Contact Us www.nps.gov/redw For email, click “Contact Us” Phone 707-464-6101 Mailing Address Redwood National and State Parks 1111 Second Street Crescent City, CA 95531 @RedwoodNPS In case of emergency dial: 911 Home to the tallest trees on earth, Redwood National and State Parks sit in the foggy, coastal climate of northern California. The moist, temperate environment keeps coast redwood trees continually damp, even during the summer droughts. Their natural resistance to insects and fire, as well as unique regenerative abilities, helps them thrive. While out in the park, keep an eye out for new sprouts coming from a stump or downed tree. These are clones! Burls — hard, knotty growths that form from dormant seedlings on a living tree — can QUICK FACTS sprout a new tree when the main trunk is damaged by fire, cutting, or toppling. Coast Redwood There are in fact three distinct redwood species: dawn redwood, giant sequoia, and coast redwood. Fossil evidence suggests that redwoods descended from a group of conifers that thrived across Europe, Asia, and North America when dinosaurs roamed the Earth in the Jurassic period more than 145 million years ago. As Earth’s climate gradually and generally became cooler and drier, redwoods became restricted to three distinct geographic regions and evolved into the three species we know today. (Sequoia sempervirens) Height: up to 380 ft (115.9 m) Diameter: up to 26 ft (8 m) Age: over 2,000 yrs (500-700 yrs average) Cone size: ~1 in (2.5 cm) Range: Northern California coast and into southernmost coastal Oregon. Once occupying two million acres, only five percent of ancient or “old-growth” coast redwood forests remain since logging began in 1850. Efforts are ongoing to restore degraded second-growth forests to their pre-logged conditions, rejuvenating a diminished resource and securing their future health for generations to come. Redwood National and State Parks is a partnership between the National Park Service and the California Department of Parks and Recreation. In 1994, three redwood state parks (Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek) joined with Redwood National Park to cooperatively manage adjacent lands, staffing, and visitor services. Together we manage 130,000 acres of forested lands, including 45% of the world’s remaining old-growth redwoods. We are committed to working in partnership with the original stewards of this land, including people of Yurok, Tolowa, and Chilula descent. Projects and programs are regularly planned, implemented, and reviewed with our tribal partners. Together, we manage these lands using the best of traditional ecological knowledge and science-based information to preserve what is intact and restore what has been lost. The Redwood Parks Conservancy and Save the Redwoods League are also allies in carrying out work in the park. The Conservancy manages the bookstores, obtains grants, organizes volunteer activities, and facilitates specialized programs all to better serve visitors. For over 100 years, Save the Redwoods League has worked to save the last remaining old-growth redwood forests in collaboration with national and state parks. Everything you see on your visit here is thanks to the partnership between large organizations and dedicated individuals. We hope you appreciate the efforts made by our predecessors to protect this unique landscape and perhaps find your own way to continue that legacy. Redwood Visitor Guide 1 Old-growth redwoods, Trillium Falls 10.4 mi (16.7 km) out & back 5 hrs - 7 hrs 1,400 ft (426.7 m) 2.75 (4.4 km) mile loop 1.25 hrs - 2 hrs 450 ft (137.2m) Prairie Creek Visitor Center / Newton B. Drury Parkway Prairie Creek Visitor Center / Newton B. Drury Parkway Elk Meadow Day-use Area / Davison Road Bald Hills Road (2.5 miles from US 101) Karl Knapp Revelation James Irvine Trillium Falls Lady Bird Johnson Grove 7 8 9 10 11 Medium Old-growth redwoods 0.3 mi (0.5 km) loop 15 min - 45 min 9 ft (2.7 m) Prairie Creek Visitor Center / Newton B. Drury Parkway 6 Hard No Small parking lot that fills up on busy days, walking tour on NPS App, no motor homes or trailers on Bald Hills Road. More hiking information, including additional challenging hikes, is available online at nps.gov/redw or on the NPS App. Old-growth redwoods No No Shorten the hike by walking just 0.5 miles out to the falls and back. Make the hike a loop by continuing into Fern Canyon, Davison Road, Miners Ridge Trail (adds 1.6 mi/2.6 km). Yes Yes Complete the loop: Karl Knapp trail north, east across parkway to Foothill Trail, head south, and then west across parkway. Developed specifically for the visually impaired. To Big Tree Only Connect with either the Cathedral Trees Trail or the Foothill Trail for a longer hike. Castle Rock Dead Lake ll Pier b Anchor Way 101 Florence Keller County Park c d Vista Point Overlook B Ro Eas t W il s F o rk South Fork Mil l Creek Little Bald Hills Road Flint Ridge a R d al STATE PARK Rd l Trai R Memorial Bridge site el l 169 Klamath Requa Road motor homes and trailers not advised Requa p m Ca Old er Douglas Ald C o ast Co as Split Rock qu f Creek Klamath Bea ch Re 101 Lagoon Creek Wilson Creek DeMartin 101 3 Howland Hill Road motor homes and trailers not advised A 199 Hiouchi Visitor Center 2055 ft 626 m Signal Peak Fork 2195 ft 669 m ood Hig hw ay Smit h Panther Flat Klamath Glen r Tu w ar Smith a GE Kl O U M O U A NT IN S Grassy Flat Red Mountain 4265 ft 1300 m Big Flat 2719 ft 829 m Canthook Mountain Six Rivers National Forest Pigeon Roost 3257 ft 993 m SK IY er Riv To Oregon Caves NM 63mi 101 km and Grants Pass 77mi 124 km SMITH RIVER N AT I O N A L R E C R E AT I O N A R E A Craigs Creek Mountain R e dw Smith River National Recreation Area Visitor Center Gasquet 2620 ft 799 m Gasquet Mountain NORTE COAST e Mill Creek DELREDWOODS ad World War II Radar Station Coastal Drive motor homes and trailers prohibited one-way northbound High Bluff Overlook h ad Grove of Titans Klamath River Overlook 5 Yurok Loop Trail g Ro Mill Creek horse trails 4 False Klamath Cove Damnation Creek Trail R Ruby Van Deventer County Park USFS JEDEDIAH SMITH Hiouchi boat Stout REDWOODS access Grove 2 STATE PARK Douglas Park Boy Scout Tree Hill land How Sister Rocks Enderts Beach Crescent Beach Overlook 199 1 197 Jedediah Smith a Road Simpson-Reed Grove Elk V a l l ey Crescent Beach trailers not advised beyond Crescent Beach picnic area Battery Point Lighthouse Park Headquarters 2nd and K Streets Bookstore CRESCENT CITY Northcrest Dr Washington Blvd Point St. George TOLOWA TOLOWA DUNES STATE PARK Lake Earl State Wildlife Area Headquarters Dri ve Walker Road motor homes and trailers not advised 101 d Easy Old-growth redwoods 2.5 mi (4 km) loop 1 hr - 2 hrs 200 ft (61 m) Big Tree / Newton B. Drury Parkway Circle No No No No Yes, gravel Accessible? La ke Ta la w Lake Earl LAKE EARL STATE WILDLIFE AREA a Ro a rail as t a l T Co 1.5 mi (2.4 km) loop 45 min - 1.25 hrs 100 ft (30.5 m) Big Tree, oldgrowth redwoods 0.5 mi (0.8 km) loop 15 min - 40 min 22 ft (6.7 m) Lagoon Creek Picnic Area / US 101 Yurok Loop 5 Old-growth redwoods, Prairie Creek Beach flowers, Lagoon Creek 1.25 mi (2 km) loop 45 min - 1.25 hrs 100 ft (30.5 m) From the loop, head south on the Coastal Trail 4 mi to reach the Klamath River Overlook. 5.5 mi (8.9km) out & back 3 - 4 hrs 900 ft (274.3 m) Howland Hill Road (access from west end) Boy Scout Tree 4 Limited parking, no motor homes or trailers on Howland Hill Road. Old-growth redwoods, Fern Falls, Boy Scout Tree 3 Limited parking, no motor homes or trailers on Howland Hill Road. Summer only - Jedediah Smith Campground Old-growth redwoods Hike is longer from camp, no motor homes or trailers on Howland Hill Road. No motor homes or trailers on Walker Road. 1.7 mi (2.7 km) out & back 1 hr - 1.5 hrs 137 ft (41.8 m) Old-growth redwoods, waysides Additional Information Howland Hill Road (access from east end) Grove of Titans 2 Howland Hill Road (access from east end) 0.8 mi (1.3 km) loop 30 min - 1 hr 50 ft (15.2 m) What You Will See Old-growth redwoods, Smith River floodplain Stout Grove Walker Road Trailhead / Access Road Distance Duration Elevation 0.5 mi (0.8 km) loop 30 min - 1 hr 32 ft (9.8 m) Simpson Reed 1 Trail Name Hikes Kellogg Road Lake TOLOWA DUNES STATE PARK oad Elk Vall ey R Humboldt Road Trip Planning Cre ek Ear l To Oregon 10 mi 16 km Coastal Trail ter a ch k Hu n Be e rt s E n d o ad R C re e T k M ad Ro Br on South Red Mountain ad W au Redwood Visitor Guide 2 Ol d i West C S A O k d h N C re e ke d Mil l RA ee k Walker d Roa KE NA ES TL T RA N TAI UN MO h Ro Cr River k an LE TT LI ek h B Nort Riv e ut k C re Lower La SI ith Sm t Sou So r Fo r tal m Redw at h il Tra o od N No commercial vehicles Motor homes/RVs and trailers not advised Paved, two-way traffic Mostly paved, two-way traffic, steep/narrow Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway Bald Hills Road B C D 0 0 5 Kilometers Wheelchair accessible 5 Miles Sportfishing Backcountry camp (free permit required) Some lands within the parks remain private property. Respect landowners’ rights; do not trespass. 0 0 Old-growth coast redwoods State park boundary Trail Unpaved road 5 Miles Backcountry campsite 5 Kilometers (free permit required) Campground Old-growth coast redwoods Redwood National and State Parks boundary Picnic area Interpretive trail Boat access Wheelchair-accessible Trail Fishing (Motorhomes and trailers see advisories above) TRINIDAD STATE BEACH y To Eureka 21 mi 33 km Trinidad 2745 ft 837 m Rodgers Peak DG Private Land Scenic Drive California State Park boundary Emerald Ridge Trail rie Trail REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK on n Prai laso Do RI North Campground k Tall Trees Trail ee Bald Hills Road motor homes and trailers not advised D RIDGE H Re Lyons Ranch Childs Hill Prairie dw oo d 3097 ft 944 m To Weitchpec 37 mi 60 km Schoolhouse Peak The lands within one mile of each side of the Klamath River from the Pacific Ocean to 43 miles upstream compose the Yurok Reservation. Yurok Reservation Tall Trees Access Road reservation required Dolason Prairie Cr K EE Interpretive trail Tall Trees Grove 2100 ft 640 m e 101 ld Bridg SUE-MEG STATE PARK Ba Redwood Creek Overlook l Redwood Creek Trailhead Trailer parking permit required for overnight travel 44 Camp Elam Camp Cr ID CR Unpaved road Chah-pekw O' Ket'-toh Visitor Center n eek Cr t Man Lady Bird Johnson 11 Grove os Lost Man Creek trailers not advised BR GE Redwood National and State Parks boundary i g h wa ad Boat access Freshwater Lagoon Orick Horse Trailhead Orick Tr ai l Berry Glen Trail k ree C May Cal-Barrel Road trailers prohibited Ro Picnic area R ed wo o d H Big Lagoon 10 Elk Meadow Trillium Falls Trail k 101 j Elk Prairie Prairie Creek 9 Visitor Center Rd -B s ill Big Lagoon Beach and County Park HARRY A. MERLO STATE RECREATION AREA e La Dry Lagoon Beach on Stone Lagoon Boat-in Camp HUMBOLDT LAGOONS STATE PARK Stone Lagoon m St Follow the QR code or visit nps.gov/redw for more information. Reservations are only available online. 1. Fern Canyon Trailhead Parking (summer) 2. Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area (summer) 3. Tall Trees Trailhead Parking Redwood Creek i 6 Big Tree Wayside C 101 ood Lagoon” Visitor Center h i Big Tree Wayside j Elk Prairie Picnic Area ($) k Elk Meadow Day-Use Area l Redwood Creek Overlook m Freshwater Beach n Chah-pekw O’ Ket’-toh “Stone High Bluff Overlook Trailer parking Kuchel Visitor Center 8 M Ah-Pah PRAIRIE CREEK REDWOODS STATE PARK Davison Road trailers prohibited 7 reservation required Gold Bluffs Beach Fern Canyon reservation required l a Jedediah Smith Day-Use Area ($) b Crescent Beach c Crescent Beach Overlook d Enderts Beach (0.5 mi/ 0.8 km hike) e Mill Creek Day-Use Area f Lagoon Creek Picnic Area g Klamath River Overlook Falling Limbs Reservations Required Cliffs are likely to crumble and slide. Climbing on them or walking near the edge invites catastrophe. Because of falling rocks, walking below cliffs is dangerous. Keep away! Steep Cliffs Ascend a steep grade through old-growth trees before the water and survival is unlikely. Never turn your back passing through several open prairies. Mileage is from US on the ocean. 101 to park boundary. waves can occur at any time. They will quickly pull you into A not-to-be-missed alternative to US 101 passes through the heart of the old-growth redwood forest in Prairie Heavy Surf Creek Redwoods StateVery Park. large, powerful “sneaker” high ground or inland and stay there. This narrow road with steep grade and sharp curves offers panoramic viewsTsunami of theHazard PacificZone Ocean and Klamath If you feel an earthquake, River Estuary. think “tsunami!” Go to against a cliff with no possibility of escape. Follow a winding dirt road through towering old-growth walking on the beaches. water can trap youState Park. redwoods in Jedediah Rising Smith Redwoods Check the tide tables before High Tide What You FOR WillYOUR SeeSAFETY ta Tree limbs can fall during high Due to limited parking and safety concerns, you must winds, especially in old-growth forests. make an online reservation for these areas: 17 miles one-way 45 min 10 mi (16 km) one-way 30 min 9 mi (14.5 km) loop 45 min 10 mi (16 km) one-way 45 min Distance Duration as Have a little more time? Check out one of these points of interest! Motor homes/RVs and trailers prohibited Mostly paved, one-way (northbound) traffic only section Coastal Drive Loop A Motor homes/RVs and trailers not advised Mostly unpaved, two-way traffic, narrow Vehicle Restrictions Howland Hill Road Road Name Road Description B D GOL Co Mc Ar thur Scenic Drives O C E A N Trail l P A C I F I C Rd C r e ek To m M c D on Red w s Cr Coasta y ve ar cG L Hill Road Ba d LUFF S el a rr Ca l n d ar y R l Par k bou vis Da LT E Na ti on a wy Pk ni c e k c S rury ee B. D Cr ton w e N i ri e P ra HO h al River Creek ld E eek g o on Redwood Visitor Guide 3 Camping Developed Campgrounds Fee Discounts Reservations are avilable for Federal Senior/Access Pass holders ($17.50), Calif. Parks Disabled Pass holders ($17.50), and Calif. Parks Veterans Pass holders (free). are available spring through fall and must be made at ReserveCalifornia.com or 1-800-444-7275 at least 48 hours, but up to 6 months, in advance. Open Season # of Sites Varies by Season Fees RV Max. Length Trailer Max. Length Toilets Shower Water, Electric, & Sewer Dump Station Cabin Jedediah Smith Year round 86 $35 25 ft (7.6 m) 21 ft (6.4 m) Flush Yes No Yes Yes Mill Creek Spring - Fall 145 $35 28 ft (8.5 m) 24 ft (7.3 m) Flush Yes No Yes No Elk Prairie Year round 75 $35 27 ft (8.2 m) 24 ft (7.3 m) Flush Yes No No Yes Gold Bluffs Beach Year round 26 $35 24 ft (7.3 m) Prohibited Flush Yes No No No Backcountry Camps Backcountry camping in Redwood National and State Parks is only permitted in the designated sites or dispersed camping locations listed here. Permits - Online Only Free permits are required for all backcountry camping. An additional reservation is required for Tall Trees Trailhead parking. Visit nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/ backcountrypermits.htm for more information. CAUTION - River Crossing Redwood Creek may be dangerous and/or inaccessible during high flow. Footbridges are seasonal; prepare to get wet. Protect Your Park - Leave No Trace Pack out all trash, including toilet paper and biodegradable items like orange peels. Campfires are restricted to designated fire rings only except for Redwood Creek dispersed area. Up to 50 lbs downed wood may be collected within 1/4 mi. of camp per day, except Gold Bluffs Beach. Store food in bear-proof lockers or cannisters when not actively cooking or eating. Nearest Vehicle Access Water Additional Information North of Klamath River Little Bald Hills (5 sites) Little Bald Hills Trailhead 3 mi (4.8 km) to camp Pack in or bring filter/ purifier Food storage lockers, fire pits, picnic tables, shared pit toilet, stock-friendly, bike access. DeMartin (10 sites) Wilson Creek Picnic Area 2.5 mi (4 km) to camp Pack in; no reliable source nearby Food storage lockers, fire pits, picnic tables, shared pit toilet, limited bike access. Food storage lockers, fire pits, picnic tables, shared pit toilet. South of Klamath River Flint Ridge (8 sites) Coastal Trail - Flint Ridge Section Trailhead 0.25 mi (0.4 km) to camp Pack in; no reliable source available Gold Bluffs Beach (1 site in developed campground) Prairie Creek Visitor Center 4.5 mi (7.2 km) to camp (longer via bike route) Hiker/biker ONLY. Food storage lockers, fire Potable water normally pits, picnic tables, restroom and showers, per available person/night fee for site. Elam Camp (3 sites) Redwood Creek Trailhead (hikers only) 3 mi (4.8 km) to camp Pack in or filter/purify from Redwood Creek tributaries Food storage lockers, fire pits, picnic tables, shared pit toilet, stock-friendly. 44 Camp (4 sites) Tall Trees Trailhead 3 mi (4.8 km) to camp Pack in or filter/purify from Redwood Creek tributaries Reservation required for Tall Trees trailhead parking. Food storage lockers, fire pits, picnic tables. Bury or pack out human waste. Redwood Creek (dispersed; no facilities) Tall Trees Trailhead 2 mi (3.2 km) to gravel bars Pack in or filter/purify from Redwood Creek tributaries Reservation required for Tall Trees trailhead parking. No facilities, bury or pack out human waste, hang food or use bear cans. Pets Wildlife Safety: Stay Back! While pets are family, park trails are not the place for them. Well-behaved pets can be stressed by unfamiliar surroundings and threaten visitors or wildlife. Predators may see pets as prey, placing pet and owner in danger. Roosevelt elk roam the open spaces and are frequently seen by adoring visitors near Elk Prairie, Elk Meadow, Gold Bluffs Beach, Bald Hills Road, and Enderts Beach Road. Walker Road and Cal Barrel Road are great places to walk through old-growth redwoods with your pets. Remember to bag and pack out all waste! Where NOT to take your pet Unless posted, pets are not allowed on trails, at ranger-led programs, or in buildings. Service animals are throughout the parks. permitted While an elk encounter may stand out, remember to respect all wildlife by keeping your distance. You are in their home, after all. Viewing wildlife in Redwoods may be a special treat, but we don’t want to put ourselves or them in danger by attracting them with food (or any other scented items). Prevent those unwanted dinner guests with these tips: 1. Keep a clean camp, picnic area, or rest stop at all times, not just when you leave. 2. Do not leave food unattended, unless it is in a bearproof container. Small mammals and birds can be quick when you aren’t looking. 3. Use bear-proof lockers or canisters for food and all scented items. 4. Dispose of garbage immediately in bearproof trash cans; make sure lid closes securely. Though uncommon, know what to do in case of a bear or mountain lion encounter: do not run, make yourself as large as possible, and shout and make noise. If attacked, fight back! Report any sightings to a park ranger. If you witness an aggressive bear or mountain lion, immediately CALL 911. How to Plan like a Park Ranger Know the dangers of recreating near wild bodies of water. When on the beach, be cautious of sneaker waves, rip tides, and rising tides. Know the signs and where to go in case of a tsunami. If you’re near a river, crossing during high flow can easily sweep you off your feet. NPS PHOTO / JAMIE JIRELE Be prepared for varied or severe weather. Cold, foggy, and rainy weather is typical for this area and can vary in different parts of the parks. Look up the weather in advance and use caution if there are storms in the forecast; high winds can down trees and lightning may occur. Maverick strolls and sniffs on Cal Barrel Road. Protect yourself from poison oak and ticks. Wear long socks, pants, and sleeves and stay on the trail to help prevent encounters. Be familiar with your vehicle and the roads you want to drive on. Wet and foggy road conditions are common. Several roads are not suitable for low clearance vehicles, trailers, or large rigs. Slow down while driving; it’s common for wildlife to be in the middle of the road. NPS PHOTO Visiting with your pet Pets on a leash not exceeding six feet in length are allowed only at designated campgrounds, picnic areas, public roads, parking areas, and beaches with road access (Crescent, Gold Bluffs, and Freshwater beaches). Your pet can also become a Bark Ranger at visitor centers. Don’t let their endearing demeanor fool you: elk can be agressive, especially the males during the fall elk rut and the females during spring calving season. Stay back at least 75 ft (25 m) – if you see signs of agitation (tongue flickering, head lowering, pawing the ground), you are too close! Back up slowly. Protect Your Park Do’s Don’ts Do take pictures of wildlife from a safe distance with a zoom lense. Don’t use a drone on National or State Park Land. Do leave the park as you found it for everyone to enjoy. Don’t collect or harm plants, rocks, tree bark, or other natural objects. Do stay on trail, especially around the base of redwood trees to protect the root system. Don’t endanger yourself or the plants by attempting to climb trees or downed logs. Redwood Visitor Guide 4