Article Overview: Redwood National Park, Redwood Forest
Redwood National & State Parks are some of the most magical places on the planet filled with stunning redwood forests.
Nowhere else on earth are these stunning Redwood specimens so tall or prevalent as they are here.
I recall my first time visiting Redwood National Park being in complete and total awe (and every time since for that matter).
Stepping foot inside a redwood forest is like setting foot on another planet (more specifically, Endor).
Redwood is a national park that makes your neck sore craning upwards to try and comprehend the size and scale of these natural skyscrapers.
Redwood National Park
Visiting the Mighty Redwood Forest
If you’re wondering to yourself “is Redwood National Park worth visiting?” I can say yes, it absolutely is, whatever your fitness level or mobility – the redwood forest will change your life.
In this Redwood Guide I’ll cover:
- Redwood Forest Info
- Redwoods History
- Getting to the Redwoods
- Visiting Redwood National Park
- Redwoods Map
- Where to Stay in the Redwoods
- Redwood Forest Camping
- Best Things to Do in the Redwoods
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
Table of Contents: Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park
- Redwood National Park
- About Our Travels to Redwood National Park
- Redwood National Park Guide
- Where is Redwood National Park?
- Redwood Forest Weather
- Redwood National Park Seasons
- Best Things to Do in Redwood National Park
- Where to Stay in the Redwoods
- Camping in Redwood National Park
- Redwood National Park Campgrounds
- Redwood Cabins
- Redwood Forest Lodging
- Favorite Local Restaurant
- Photo Gallery – Redwood National Park
- Redwood National Park Fun Facts
- Nearby Attractions to the Redwoods
- Is there a Redwood National Forest? No but there is a Redwood Forest!
- Redwoods Summary | Leave Us a Comment!
Short on time? Visiting Redwood National Park Cheat Sheet
- Things to Do: Try these 15 Epic Things to Do in Redwood National Park
- Looking for the tallest trees? Check out Stout Grove
- Trying to find the most beautiful redwood groves? See Lady Bird Johnson Grove & Stout Grove
- Trying to find a sunset spot? See Redwood Creek Overlook
- Scenic drive? Try Avenue of the Giants
- Looking for redwoods in the Bay Area? Here’s the best redwoods near San Francisco
- Looking for the largest trees instead of the tallest? Wrong park, try Sequoia National Park
- Looking for lodging? Here’s our favorite hotel in the redwoods.
About Our Travels to Redwood National Park
My brother Jim and I first traveled to Redwood National Park back in 2014 as part of a very small film crew to capture the most beautiful parts of the park during the Summer.
Originally we traveled out West and flew into Seattle to film Mount Rainier but it was smoked out by a wildfire.
So we drove down the coast to Redwood National Park. It was an unbelievable experience and a time I’ll always remember.
I’ve been back to the redwood forest many times since and plan to return many times in the future!
Redwood Forest FAQ (Redwood National Park)
The most famous and largest redwood forests with the tallest trees in the world are found in northern, coastal California. However, despite common misconceptions, redwood trees can be found all over the world from Portugal to Austria, South America, and beyond.
The best places in the world to see giant redwoods is in Redwood National Park, particularly Stout Grove and Lady Bird Johnson Grove.
Redwood National Park Guide
About Redwood National Park
Location: Northern California
Established: October 2, 1968
Size: 138,999 acres
Native Land: Yurok, Whilkut, Athabaskan, more
Visitors: 482,536 (2020)
Entrance Fees: $30 per vehicle; $55 annual pass (or $80 for America the Beautiful Pass)
Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California are home to the tallest trees in the world, the mighty Redwood, which can reach staggering heights of over 360ft and weigh more than 500 tons.
These parks feature magical redwood forests, miles of spectacular beaches, stunning overlooks, and the largest herd of Roosevelt elk on the planet.
Redwood also happens to be my favorite of the 9 California National Parks.
Things to Know Before Visiting Redwood National Park
Entrance Fees
FREE! However, if you plan to visit more National Parks within the next 12 months we suggest you go ahead and purchase the America the Beautiful Pass (which can be purchased at any national park) and gets you into all National Parks, Forests, Monuments, and more including 2,000 sites for free after a one time $79 fee.
Redwood Map
We like this map the best for the Redwoods.
Best Guide Book
This is our favorite hiking guide but this one is another great one that encompasses the surrounding area.
Cell Service
Cell Service is pretty reliable in the park. There are a few spots near Orick where service is more limited but overall visitors can expect to have good reception.
Getting to the Redwoods
Getting to Redwood National Park is half the fun! Out of state visitors can fly into Crescent City Airport (which is only 30mins from the closest part of the park), or San Francisco and drive up the coast (6 hours south of Redwood), or Redding (3 hours east of Redwood), or Medford, OR (2 hours northeast of Redwood).
Food & Restaurants
There are many restaurants and food options throughout the areas, cities, and towns around the park. The major towns for restaurants are Crescent City to the North, Klamath in the middle, and Trinidad to the South.
Mosquitoes
During the summer months (June – August) expect to find mosquitoes at varying levels in the Redwoods. I recommend this bug spray which has worked for me in the park and is environmentally friendly.
Best Time to Visit the Redwoods
The Best Time to Visit Redwood National Park is in Spring and Summer to take advantage of less crowds (Spring) and warmer temperatures (Summer).
Maps of the National Parks
National Parks Checklist Map: This beautiful National Parks Checklist Map can be ordered to your house.
Framed National Parks Map: We’re a sucker for maps, this framed national parks map is the best.
Where to Stay in the Redwoods
I’ve listed the best hotel & lodging options for the towns around the Redwoods (from north to south). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in the Redwoods.
Interesting Redwood National Park Facts
Height of Redwoods: Redwood trees, known as coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), are the tallest trees in the world and can reach heights of over 379 feet (115 meters).
Age of Redwoods: The coast redwood is the tallest tree species in the world, and it is also among the oldest. Some individuals are over 2,000 years old.
Protection: Redwood National and State Parks protect 45% of all remaining coast redwoods, which once covered 2 million acres of California’s coast.
Redwood Bark: The coast redwood’s bark is very thick and spongy, which helps protect it from fire and insects. The bark can be up to 12 inches (30 cm) thick in some individuals.
Redwood Leaves & Flowers: The leaves of the coast redwood are small and scale-like, and they remain green all year round. The trees also have small, inconspicuous flowers that are pollinated by insects.
Redwood Environment: Coast redwoods grow best in moist, foggy environments, which is why they are found along the California coast. The fog helps to cool the trees and provide them with additional moisture.
Redwood Wood: The coast redwood’s wood is very strong and durable, making it highly prized for construction. It is also resistant to rot, making it a popular choice for use in outdoor structures.
UNESCO: Redwood National and State Parks were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, recognizing their unique ecological and cultural significance.
Redwood Species: The coast redwood is not the only species of redwood found in the park. The park also contains stands of giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum), which are found in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Redwood vs Sequoia: The coast redwood is closely related to the giant sequoia, but it is not as massive. The giant sequoia can reach heights of up to 279 feet (85 meters) and can have a diameter of over 36 feet (11 meters).
The (Sad) History of Redwood National Park
The history of Redwood National Park is an all-too common tragedy of the American West. Back in 1850 the California redwoods spanned more than 2 million acres of old-growth redwood forest.
The land was occupied by Native Americans (mostly Yurok) who respected and revered the incredible natural heritage of the area.
Sadly, the story doesn’t end there. The event of the gold rush changed everything, for the worse. The natives were forced out by gold-seekers and timber interests (largely looking to supply the gold rush folks).
The next five decades would be the most gut-wrenching for the area as Natives were extirpated along with the majority of the 2,000+ year old Redwoods themselves by way of the clear-cut.
Finally, An End to the Logging
In 1918 the Save the Redwoods League was founded with a “clear-cut” mission (pun intended). The league was able to spearhead the creation of several state parks including Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek.
Finally in 1968, after a devastating 90% of the original old-growth redwoods had already been logged, the national park was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. It was later expanded by Jimmy Carter.
Redwood National Park Map
Where is Redwood National Park?
Redwood National Park is located in the Northernmost section of California, right on the Oregon border.
The park is about 313 miles north of San Francisco, 6 hours driving. Redwood National Park shares a border with the Six Rivers National Forest.
Getting to Redwood National Park – Directions & Location
There are a few ways to access the park from different directions.
Closest Airport to Redwood National Park: CEC – Del Norte County Airport (in Crescent City)
The fastest way to get to Redwood National Park is flying into Del Norte County Airport (the nearest airport to the Redwoods) and driving to the park.
Flights into Del Norte are typically on the spendier side and rental car options are limited. The proximity can’t be beat as it’s a 20 minute drive from the airport to the nearest part of the park.
Driving to the Redwoods from San Francisco
Getting to the park from San Francisco is incredibly scenic but long.
I recommend renting a car from the airport and driving to Orick (roughly 300 miles from the airport).
The drive takes about 6 hours without traffic.
Driving from the North (Oregon)
Alternatively you could fly into Medford, Oregon and make a two hour drive southwest to the park. This route is sometimes cheaper than direct to Crescent City.
Driving from the East (Redding)
Another option is flying into Redding and making the 4.5 hour drive West to Orick. This route is rarely the cheaper alternative but worth plugging in to Google Flights.
Redwood National Park Shuttle System
Sorry folks – there is no public transportation system currently in use at Redwood National Park.
Driving in Redwood National Park
Driving the Redwood Coast is considered one of the most iconic and beautiful drives in North America.
To get from the northernmost tip of the park, the Jedediah Smith Redwoods, down to the Humboldt Redwoods (technically not park of the park but we include it anyway) is about a 3 hour drive.
99% of driving in Redwood National Park can be done with a regular 2WD car with a potential exception being the short drive from Gold Bluffs Beach to Fern Canyon depending on road conditions.
Motorists should will experience a range of views from ancient old growth redwood groves to stunning coastal vistas.
Fog is a common companion along these roads so drive slowly and enjoy.
Getting Gas in Redwood National Park
There are plenty of fuel options along the way so drivers don’t need to worry too much about running out of gas.
The only caveat we’ll give is if you’re passing through the town of Orick and are low on fuel, be sure to fill up there to be safe as it is a bit removed from the next gas station.
Watch the Award-Winning Redwood National Park Video
Our simple 3 minute Redwood Film is currently being featured by National Geographic and has received awards all over the world.
We are thrilled this video has touched so many being viewed more than 10 million times worldwide. Sit back, relax, and enjoy 3 minutes in the most magical place on earth.
MTJP | Redwood is the culmination of several weeks spent exploring Redwood National and State Parks.
Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California are home to the tallest trees in the world, the mighty Redwood, which can reach staggering heights of over 360ft and weigh more than 500 tons.
These parks feature magical redwood forests, miles of spectacular beaches, stunning overlooks, and the largest herd of Roosevelt elk on the planet.
This film was shot entirely in 4K.
RELATED: All 9 of California’s National Parks RANKED
Redwood UNESCO Designation
Redwood National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for good reason. A trip to this magical place is a must for every human on the planet.
This park is home to the tallest trees on the planet (not to be confused with the largest trees in Sequoia National Park).
Redwood Forest Weather
Redwood National Park has very mild seasons given its location, firmly within the marine west coast climate.
With that being said, each season brings something a little different to Redwood National Park.
We prefer early Summer because of the warmer temperatures combined with pre-peak crowds.
Watching the sun filter through the Redwood canopies is a beautiful and mesmerizing thing.
While we prefer Summer, each season has its own charm.
Best Time to Visit Redwood National Park
The best time to visit Redwood National Park is during the Summer when temperatures warm up and warmth can be felt in the redwood forests.
During Summer, temperatures get up into the 80s with nights cool enough to sleep outside with low temperatures in the 60s.
Summer is the perfect time of year to cool off in the Smith River with a swim. We recommend early summer (June) as the park sees more visitation in July and August.
Redwood National Park Seasons
Spring in Redwood National Park
Spring is lovely in the Redwoods with rising temperatures, less rain, and wildflowers blooming all over the park. Visitation is still low this time of year which makes it an ideal time to visit the park.
The park will see lows in the 40s during March and mid 50s by June with highs between 58 – 71 degrees.
Summer in Redwood National Park
Summer is the best time to visit Redwood National Park. During Summer, temperatures get up into the 80s with nights cool enough to sleep outside with low temperatures in the 60s.
Summer is the perfect time of year to cool off in the Smith River with a swim. We recommend early summer (June) as the park sees more visitation in July and August.
NOTE: Mosquitos are a factor during Summer, especially July, in the redwoods.
Fall in Redwood National Park
Fall in the Redwoods can be lovely. Temperatures are cooling off but still quite nice with highs in the 60s and 70s. September is a great month to visit as crowd sizes are down and the weather is still nice.
Winter in Redwood National Park
Winter can be surprisingly nice in the Redwoods with the temperate climate keeping the lows in mid 40s and the highs in the mid 50s. Crowd sizes are minimal this time of year which makes for a more intimate experience in the park.
One can find themselves complete solace in many of the parks groves in winter. One thing to note is that this is the rainiest time of year in the park which brings its own charm as the true vivaciousness of the redwood forest comes to life.
Best Things to Do in Redwood National Park
1. Hike the Stout Grove
The Stout Grove is one of the most magnificent and highly photographed groves of old-growth Redwoods in the national park. Located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods North of Crescent City, the Stout Grove features a relatively small (but oh so stunning) grove of giant, 300ft tall redwoods.
Distance: .7 mile roundtrip
Time: 45mins – 1.5 hours
The Stout Grove is located in the northernmost section of the park in Jedediah Smith Redwoods. The road leading to the Stout Grove is unpaved but passible with 2WD vehicles. Mosquitoes here can be pesky in early to mid Summer.
2. Discover the Lady Bird Johnson Grove
The Lady Bird Johnson Grove is one of the most spectacular groves of ancient, old-growth Redwoods in the world. This grove is located near the town of Orick in Redwood National Park at about 1,000ft above sea level and is one of the most popular hikes in the park.
Distance: 1.3 miles roundtrip
Time: 1-2 hours
The trail itself is only about 1.3miles long with little elevation gain making it great for folks of all ages and fitness levels. If you’re visiting Lady Bird Johnson Grove be sure to check out Redwood Creek Overlook just down the road for the park’s best sunsets!
3. Explore Fern Canyon
Fern Canyon is a stunning, world-renowned destination, made famous by it’s appearance in the Jurrasic Park movie franchise. Literally dripping with ferns from wall to wall with a creek flowing through, this canyon is a mesmerizing spot that everyone visiting Redwood National Park should see.
Distance: 1.1 miles roundtrip
Time: 1-2 hours
The trail can be done as a 1.1mile loop or an out and back which is more popular as visitors get to see the spectacular parts twice.
4. Experience the Jedediah Smith Redwoods
Jedediah Smith Redwoods is often many visitors first experience in the Redwoods. This area is located on the stunning Wild & Scenic Smith River on the north side of the park near Crescent City.
There is a beautiful campground and a popular swimming hole located in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods along with some of the most popular groves in the world including the Stout Grove.
5. Camp Out at Gold Bluffs Beach
Gold Bluffs Beach is a beautiful spot on the Pacific ocean named for the the iconic golden colored bluffs that overlook it.
The Gold Bluffs Beach Campground here is the only one in the park located on the beach making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Who doesn’t love the sound of the ocean outside of your tent serenading you to sleep?
If that isn’t enough, there is a resident herd of elk that frequents the beach along with migrating whales and dolphins.
For more things to do in Redwood National Park read our full 15 AMAZING Things To Do in Redwood National Park post.
6. Drive The Avenue of the Giants
The Avenue of the Giants is a magnificent 31.5 mile drive that weaves you through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park located about an hour south of Eureka.
While this area is not technically part of the “national park” we included it anyway because it’s so close and not to be missed.
The drive itself is not long but there are many, many stops along the way so prepare for a full days worth of activities if you plan to drive the route. The redwood forest here is different from the coastal redwood forests as the climate is drier and trees are redder.
7. More Things to Do in the Redwoods
Check out our article for more of the best things to do at Redwood National Park!
Where to Stay in the Redwoods
Camping in Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is home to 4 campgrounds (within the official park boundaries) and over 300 campsites offering a wide variety of camping options from campgrounds from intimate sites in redwood forests to beach camping.
Backcountry camping is also an option for the more adventurous park-goer.
Of these campgrounds my personal favorite are Gold Bluffs Beach (right on the ocean!) and Jedediah Smith Redwoods (located in a massive Redwood Grove).
Redwood National Park Campgrounds
Jedediah Smith Campground
- Location: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Dates: Year Round
- # of Campsites: 86 sites
- RV: Max 25 feet – No hookups
Description: Jedediah Smith Campground is the most popular for first-timers in all of Redwood National Park. This spectacular campground is situated on the wild & scenic Smith River and features stunning sites amongst an ancient stand of thousand year (plus) year old Redwoods.
Mill Creek Campground
Location: Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Dates: May – September
# of Campsites: 145 sites
RV: Max 28 feet – No hookups
Description: Mill Creek is the largest campground in Redwood National Park with 145 sites. While the trees at Mill Creek are not as old or massive as those in Jedediah Smith, the campground is beautifully situated just the same.
Elk Prairie Campground
Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Dates: Year Round
# of Campsites: 75 sites
RV: Max 27 feet – No hookups
Description: Elk Prairie Campground is another beautiful campground featuring the best access to the park’s roaming Roosevelt Elk population (although Gold Bluffs Beach is great as well). This campground is located in the Prairie Creek Redwoods.
Gold Bluffs Beach Campground
Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Dates: Year Round
# of Campsites: 26 sites
RV: Max 24 feet (no trailers) – No hookups
Description: Gold Bluffs Beach campground is one of my all time favorite national park campgrounds. It has a breathtaking location right on the beach and gives campers that wonderful experience of being lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean.
The campground is located just down the road from the world-famous Fern Canyon.
For more camping information visit the NPS Camping page.
Redwood Cabins
There are eight ADA accessible cabins available to rent in Redwood National Park. Four cabins are located in the Jedediah Smith Campground and four are located in the Elk Prairie Campground.
The cabins are available to rent via RESERVE CALIFORNIA.
Redwood Forest Lodging
Surprisingly enough there are no official park lodges located within Redwood National Park. The two most popular towns to stay when visiting the park are Crescent City & Klamath Falls.
I recommend booking a place in Crescent City as it’s located closer to the main park attractions and has all the creature comforts you could hope for.
Favorite Local Restaurant
When I visit the redwood forests (and am looking for a nicer meal than usual) I’ll stop in at the Chart House in Crescent City. It’s on the spendier side but a great spot nonetheless.
- Chart House (Crescent City)
Photo Gallery – Redwood National Park
Photos of the Redwood Forests from the production of our Redwood Film.
Redwood National Park Fun Facts
1. Redwood National Park is home to the tallest tree in the world.
The tallest tree in the world is located in Redwood National Park and is named Hyperion. This tree is estimated to be 379 feet tall! For comparison, that’s taller than Big Ben and The Statue of Liberty. It’s exact location is kept under wraps to prevent harm from befalling the noble giant.
2. Some of the Redwoods are old, like really old.
The oldest recorded living Redwoods are estimated to be more than 2,200 years old! The great pyramids were still being built when some of these trees were sprouts.
3. Redwoods have really thick bark.
Redwood trees have incredibly thick bark. We’re talking up to a foot thick! The thickness of the bark serves to protect these giants from pesky pests and forest fires.
4. Redwoods live off of fog.
It’s true! Redwood trees depend heavily on coastal fog to survive. It is estimated that up to 40% of Redwood’s water intake comes from fog.
5. Redwoods have an extremely shallow root system, relatively speaking.
Redwood trees have a very shallow root system relative to their height. Their roots only go down 6 to 12 feet into the earth. So then how do they stay up you might ask?
While their root system is shallow, it makes is incredibly wide extending up to 100ft out from the tree itself and interlocking its roots with the roots of other redwoods creating a stability network.
Nearby Attractions to the Redwoods
- Six Rivers National Forest
- Shasta Trinity National Forest
- Crater Lake National Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
Is there a Redwood National Forest? No but there is a Redwood Forest!
Yes and no. There is no national forest with the name “Redwood National Forest”. However, Six Rivers National Forest has many redwood trees in it.
Pin This Redwood National Park Guide
Redwoods Summary | Leave Us a Comment!
That’s a wrap folks! Hopefully you feel like you’ve got a good handle on your next trip to Redwood National Park. Please leave me a comment below and let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Hope to see you on the trails sometime soon!
Helpful Related Articles
Things to Do at Redwood National Park: 15 EPIC Things to Do in Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park Photos: 20 Breathtaking Redwood National Park Photos
Bald Hills Redwoods: Visiting the Bald Hills
Gold Bluffs Beach: Visiting Gold Bluffs Beach
Redwood Creek Overlook: Visiting Redwood Creek Overlook
Lady Bird Johnson Redwoods Grove: Visiting the Lady Bird Johnson Grove
Stout Grove Redwoods: Visiting the Stout Grove Redwoods
Redwoods Near San Francisco: 15 BEST Places to See Redwoods Near San Francisco
Sequoia Facts: 10 GIANT Sequoia Tree & National Park Facts
General Sherman Tree: General Sherman Tree: Everything You Need to Know About the World’s Largest Tree
Leave a Reply