Redwood National and State Parks

🌲 Park Overview

Welcome to Redwood National and State Parks, Northern California’s primeval realm where the tallest trees on Earth scrape the foggy sky and ferns carpet the forest floor in Jurassic-green hues. A cooperative system of one national park and three state parks—Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast, and Jedediah Smith—Redwood shelters nearly half of the world’s remaining old-growth coast redwoods. From silent cathedral groves and elk-grazed meadows to wild Pacific beaches and star-splashed night skies, Redwood delivers misty magic for hikers, families, and seekers of nature’s grandeur.

🌟 Fun Facts

The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) can soar 380+ ft—taller than a 35-story building.

Hyperion, the world’s tallest known tree at ~380 ft, grows in a secret location to protect its fragile ecosystem.

Redwoods recycle fog: their needles capture moisture, dripping up to 50% of the forest’s summer water.

Roosevelt elk, once nearly extirpated, now thrive in park herds roaming Gold Bluffs Beach and Elk Meadow.

📅 Best Time to Visit

Spring (Apr–May): Lush ferns, rhododendron blooms, roaring creeks, fewer crowds.

Summer (Jun–Aug): Peak visitation, cool coastal temps (60s °F), frequent morning fog—arrive early.

Fall (Sep–Oct): Crisp air, gold vine maples, thinning crowds—ideal hiking.

Winter (Nov–Mar): Rainy season, solitude, dramatic surf; mossy green forests—bring rain gear.

🎯 Things to Do

Families: Stroll Lady Bird Johnson Grove, hunt banana slugs on Revelation Trail, tide-pool at Enderts Beach.

Adventure-Seekers: Backpack Redwood Creek Gravel Bar, bike the Coastal Trail, kayak Smith River’s crystal rapids.

Photographers: Foggy dawn in Fern Canyon, sunset at Gold Bluffs Beach, Milky Way through redwood silhouettes.

Chill-Travelers: Scenic Newton B. Drury Parkway, picnic at Elk Prairie, ranger-led evening campfire talk.

🥾 Top Hikes & Photo Spots

Lady Bird Johnson Grove (1.5 mi loop): Elevated old-growth tour with canopy bridges.

Fern Canyon Loop (1 mi): 50-ft walls draped in maidenhair fern—Permit required May–Sep.

Prairie Creek/Foothill Loop (2.3 mi): Cathedral trees, elk meadows, gentle terrain.

Boy Scout Tree Trail (5.6 mi RT): Jedediah Smith backcountry giant & waterfall finish.

👨‍👩‍👧 Kid-Friendly Activities

Junior Ranger Program at Kuchel Visitor Center.

Revelation Trail sensory experience—braille signs, feel the bark & moss.

Gold Bluffs elk watch—safe pull-outs along Coastal Drive.

♿ Accessibility Notes

ADA restrooms & parking at major trailheads; wheelchair-friendly Redwood Access Trail (Prairie Creek).

Kuchel VC film with captions & audio description; tactile map available.

Beach wheelchairs (free loan) at Gold Bluffs Beach (reserve ahead).

🗓️ Itinerary Ideas

1-Day Giant Sampler: Sunrise Lady Bird Grove → Drive Newton Drury scenic → Lunch Elk Prairie → Afternoon Fern Canyon → Sunset Gold Bluffs Beach.

3-Day Coast & Canopy: Day 1 Prairie Creek highlights; Day 2 Jedediah Smith groves & Smith River paddle; Day 3 Coastal Trail section to Hidden Beach & tide-pools.

Family Version: Morning Junior Ranger, picnic Elk Meadow, Revelation Trail slug hunt, early evening campfire program.

🧳 Planning Tips

Lodging: Four developed campgrounds (Gold Bluffs, Elk Prairie, Jedediah Smith, Mill Creek). Hotels in Trinidad, Orick, Crescent City.

Food: Limited services—pack meals; small groceries in Orick & Klamath.

Permits: Free online permits for Tall Trees Grove & Fern Canyon (May–Sep); backcountry & gravel-bar camping permits at VC.

Transportation: Fly to Medford, OR (2 hr) or Arcata/Eureka (1 hr). Personal vehicle essential; no park shuttles.

🚧 Permits & Rules

Keep 100 ft distance from elk—especially rutting bulls.

Stay on trails to protect delicate sorrel & redwood roots.

Drift logs & sneaker waves deadly—use caution on beaches.

🌄 Compare This Park With

Sequoia NP: Taller vs. wider redwoods; cooler coastal climate vs. Sierra highs.

Olympic NP: Also coastal rain forest but with alpine glaciers & rugged shorelines.

Muir Woods NM: Small old-growth grove near SF—great teaser before the big redwoods.

🔗 Internal Links

Blog: “From Fog to Firelight—Minimalist Weekend in Redwood Country.”

Printable: “Redwood Height-Guess Bingo & Banana-Slug Spotter.” (placeholder)

📥 Printable Downloads (placeholder)

Coastal Drive Stop-by-Stop Map

Fern Canyon Water-Crossing Checklist

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