Redwood National and State Parks

California, USAnature

Standing beneath a coastal redwood for the first time is a genuinely humbling experience. These trees — some pushing over 115 metres tall and more than a thousand years old — create a cathedral-like canopy that filters light into pale green columns, muffling sound and dropping the temperature noticeably even on warm afternoons. The sheer scale of the forest along the Northern California coast sets this park apart from its southern counterparts; there's a raw, primeval quality here that feels far removed from the polished visitor infrastructure of Yosemite or the Grand Canyon. The park is actually a patchwork of federal and state lands, so you'll want to plan which sections to prioritise. The Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail offers one of the most accessible and rewarding introductions, while the Tall Trees Grove requires a free permit and a rougher drive down Tall Trees Road — worth every bit of the effort. The Fern Canyon loop in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is another standout, its walls draped in five-finger ferns above a shallow creek. Roosevelt elk roam the meadows near Elk Prairie with remarkable nonchalance, and you'll sometimes spot black-tailed deer and, on the coastal bluffs, grey whales during migration. Crescent City and Orick serve as the main gateway towns, with Crescent City offering the most accommodation options. The park entrance itself carries no fee, though some day-use areas within the state parks charge a small parking fee. Most trails are well-marked but can be muddy and slippery in wet conditions, so waterproof boots are strongly advised. Visit between late May and early September for the driest conditions, and bring warm layers regardless — the coastal fog rolls in without warning.

No photos yet. Be the first — check in or post a public journal entry with photos.

No reviews yet. Be the first to write one!