Redwood National Park Guide: Best Time to Visit, Hikes & Itinerary

Entering Redwood National and State Parks feels like stepping back into the Jurassic era. This isn’t just a forest; it is a cathedral of nature where the canopy is so high it disappears into the mist, and the silence is profound. Home to the tallest living beings on the planet, this complex of parks protects nearly half of all remaining old-growth coast redwoods, some of which have stood guard over the California coast for two millennia.

Beyond the giants, the park offers a stunning convergence of ecosystems. You will find rugged coastlines where Roosevelt elk graze in the salty air, prairies bursting with wildflowers, and pristine rivers cutting through deep canyons. Whether you are craning your neck to see the treetops or exploring colorful tide pools at the water’s edge, the scale of this place humbles every visitor.

A Legacy of Conservation

Unlike many National Parks that were preserved early in American history, the Redwoods were nearly lost to the logging boom of the 19th and 20th centuries. The park you see today is a patchwork of hard-won victories by conservationists who fought to save these ancient groves from the saw. The unique partnership between the National Park Service and California State Parks manages these lands cooperatively, ensuring the protection of a diverse heritage that includes the Yurok and Tolowa Dee-ni’ peoples, whose connection to this land stretches back thousands of years.

The park’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve underscores its global importance. It is a place of resilience and recovery, where second-growth forests are being actively restored to health alongside the untouched ancient groves. Walking here is a lesson in deep time, offering a perspective that slows the pulse and calms the mind.

The Icons You’ll Want to See

Tall Trees Grove - Access to this legendary grove requires a free permit obtained online 24-48 hours in advance. The strenuous 4-mile round-trip hike rewards you with the Libbey Tree, once the world’s tallest. Located about 15 miles inland from Orick.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove - Located 2 miles up Bald Hills Road, this 1.5-mile easy loop sits at a higher elevation (1,200 ft), meaning it is often shrouded in atmospheric clouds when the coast is clear. It is where the park was dedicated in 1968.

Fern Canyon - A spectacular, vertical-walled canyon located at Gold Bluffs Beach. The 1-mile loop trail winds through 50-foot walls dripping with five different kinds of ferns. Note: A permit is required for access from May to September. Day use fee is $12.

Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway - A 10-mile paved alternative to Highway 101 that cuts directly through the heart of the old-growth forest in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. It is free to drive and features numerous pullouts and trailheads.

Stout Grove - Often called the most scenic grove in the world, this 0.5-mile loop in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park features a flat viewing platform where the afternoon light filters through the trees with unmatched beauty. Accessible via the unpaved Howland Hill Road.

Planning Your Visit

Redwood National and State Parks is actually a complex of one national park and three state parks stretching over 50 miles of coastline. A car is essential, as public transit does not serve the trailheads. The most critical tip for visitors is to trust your mileage, not your GPS time estimates; winding roads and slow speeds mean 10 miles can take 45 minutes to drive. Cell service is virtually non-existent once you leave the main highway, so download offline maps of the area before you arrive.

Pack for a temperate rainforest climate, which means layers are non-negotiable. Even in summer, the coastal fog (marine layer) can keep temperatures in the 50s, while just five miles inland it might be 80°F. Bring waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, and wool socks regardless of the season. Also, remember that while the National Park is free, the State Parks (Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek) charge day-use fees for vehicle entry unless you have a federal America the Beautiful Pass or a California State Parks pass.

Ultimately, the magic of the Redwoods is present year-round. Whether you are watching the steam rise off the trees after a winter storm or basking in the filtered sunlight of a summer afternoon, the sheer scale of the forest remains a life-changing sight. Just remember to walk softly, these roots are shallow, but their history runs deep.