Redwood National and State Parks: Where Ancient Giants Meet the Pacific

Standing beneath a 300-foot-tall coast redwood, craning your neck until it aches, you begin to understand what “humbling” truly means. These trees were ancient when Rome fell, mature when Columbus sailed, and they’ll likely be standing long after we’re gone. Welcome to Redwood National and State Parks, where California’s North Coast preserves the tallest living things on Earth and offers an experience that transcends typical nature tourism.

This isn’t just another national park. It’s a collaboration between the National Park Service and California State Parks, managing over 139,000 acres of coastal temperate rainforest, wild rivers, and 40 miles of rugged Pacific coastline. If you’ve been searching for the best place to see redwoods, you’ve found it. These parks protect nearly half of all remaining old-growth coast redwood forest, a ecosystem so rare and valuable that UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site.

Understanding Redwood National and State Parks

The formal name is a mouthful: Redwood National and State Parks. Note the plural “Parks.” This designation reflects a unique partnership managing four distinct parks as one cooperative unit: Redwood National Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

This collaborative management model, established in the 1990s, allows seamless exploration across boundaries that existed more on paper than in the forest itself. For visitors, it means one incredibly diverse destination offering everything from dense old-growth groves to pristine beaches where Roosevelt elk graze near crashing waves.

Is Redwood National Park a State Park or National Park?

It’s both, which is what makes it special. The National Park Service and California State Parks jointly manage these lands under a cooperative agreement. Redwood National Park was established in 1968, but it incorporated and works alongside three California state parks that had already been protecting redwoods since the 1920s.

For practical purposes, this distinction matters primarily for understanding governance and funding. For visitors, it means experiencing one cohesive destination with exceptional resources and protection. You don’t need separate passes or worry about crossing boundaries. Your National Park pass works throughout, though some state park day-use areas may have additional fees.

Which Redwood Park Is the Best?

Asking which specific park is “best” is like asking which movement of a symphony is most beautiful. Each section offers distinct character and appeal:

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (northeastern section): Features the densest concentration of old-growth redwoods and some of the most impressive groves. The Smith River, California’s only major undammed river system, runs through crystalline pools perfect for summer swimming.

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park (northern coastal section): Combines ancient forests with dramatic coastal views. The Damnation Creek Trail descends through old-growth to a hidden coastal overlook, offering perhaps the most spectacular combination of redwoods and ocean.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (central section): Provides the most accessible old-growth groves and the famous Fern Canyon, where 50-foot walls drip with five-finger ferns. This is also prime Roosevelt elk habitat, and seeing a massive bull elk standing in morning mist beneath towering redwoods is genuinely unforgettable.

Redwood National Park (southern and coastal sections): Includes the Tall Trees Grove (home to some of the world’s tallest trees), extensive second-growth restoration areas, and miles of wild coastline. This section emphasizes both preservation and ecosystem recovery.

The real answer? Visit multiple sections if possible. Each offers irreplaceable experiences that collectively showcase why this ecosystem deserves such extraordinary protection.

Where Is the Best Place to See the Redwoods for the First Time?

For first-time visitors seeking that quintessential redwood experience, Lady Bird Johnson Grove provides the perfect introduction. This 1.4-mile loop trail through old-growth forest is accessible, well-maintained, and genuinely spectacular. The grove was dedicated by President Nixon in 1969 and named for the former First Lady, a passionate conservation advocate.

The trail features interpretive signs explaining redwood ecology while winding through trees exceeding 300 feet. The light filtering through the canopy creates an almost cathedral-like atmosphere that photographs beautifully but truly must be experienced in person.

Other exceptional first-timer options include:

• Big Tree Wayside (Prairie Creek): Quick roadside access to impressively large redwoods
• Stout Memorial Grove (Jedediah Smith): Short walk to exceptional old-growth
• Simpson-Reed Grove (Del Norte): Easy loop through magnificent forest

What Is the Best Month to Visit the Redwoods?

The redwood coast experiences mild, maritime-influenced weather year-round, but timing affects your experience significantly.

Season	Pros	Cons	Best For
May-June	Mild temperatures, rhododendrons blooming, fewer crowds than summer	Occasional rain, some trails muddy	Wildflowers, comfortable hiking
July-August	Warmest weather, all facilities open, best for beach activities	Peak crowds, accommodation prices highest, coastal fog common	Families, swimming, extended stays
September-October	Comfortable temperatures, summer crowds diminish, clearer skies	Some facilities begin reducing hours	Photography, peaceful exploration, elk rutting season
November-April	Fewest visitors, dramatic storm watching, lowest prices	Heavy rain, some roads closed, limited services	Solitude, storm watching, budget travel

September and October arguably offer the sweet spot: comfortable weather, reduced crowds, and the Roosevelt elk rutting season when massive bulls bugle challenges that echo through the forest.

The Redwood Parks Conservancy recommends avoiding holiday weekends year-round, when visitation spikes significantly even during shoulder seasons.

What Is the Best Month to Visit Redwood National Park?

For Redwood National Park specifically (as opposed to the state park sections), the same seasonal patterns apply, but with some additional considerations:

Late spring (May-early June) excels for visiting the Tall Trees Grove, which requires a free permit limited to 50 vehicles daily. The road accessing the trailhead is typically in best condition during this period, and the grove itself benefits from the soft light and moderate temperatures.

Early fall (September-early October) provides optimal conditions for coastal exploration. The beaches and coastal trails within the national park section experience less fog than summer, offering clearer ocean views and more pleasant temperatures for extended hiking.

How Crowded Is Redwood National Park?

Compared to blockbuster parks like Yosemite or Yellowstone, Redwood National and State Parks remain remarkably manageable. Annual visitation typically ranges around 500,000 to 600,000 visitors, substantially fewer than California’s other major national parks.

However, this doesn’t mean solitude everywhere. Popular areas like Fern Canyon, Lady Bird Johnson Grove, and the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway experience significant traffic during summer weekends. The key to avoiding crowds:

Visit Weekdays: Even during peak summer, Tuesday through Thursday see notably fewer visitors than weekends.

Explore Lesser-Known Trails: While everyone flocks to Fern Canyon, trails like James Irvine Trail or Boy Scout Tree Trail offer equally magnificent old-growth with far fewer people.

Start Early: Most day-trippers arrive between 10 AM and 2 PM. Hit trails at sunrise for near-solitude even in July.

Consider Remote Sections: The northern areas near Jedediah Smith and the southern sections near Orick remain quieter even during peak season.

The parks’ geography actually works in visitors’ favor. Unlike parks built around a single canyon or mountain, these parks stretch across 50 miles of coastline with dozens of separate groves and trail systems. Crowds disperse naturally.

How Much Time Is Needed at Redwood National Park?

This depends entirely on your travel style, but here’s realistic guidance:

Minimum (Day Trip): 4-6 hours allows one major grove visit plus scenic drive. You’ll see impressive trees but miss the depth of the ecosystem.

Ideal (2-3 Days): Enough time to visit multiple groves, hike at least one substantial trail, explore the coastline, and experience both the national park and state park sections. This duration lets you appreciate the ecosystem’s diversity without feeling rushed.

Comprehensive (4-5 Days): Allows deep exploration, multiple challenging hikes, beach time, wildlife viewing, and visiting all four park sections. You’ll leave with genuine understanding of why this place matters.

Extended (Week+): For photographers, serious hikers, or those seeking immersive nature experiences. This timeframe allows backcountry camping, kayaking, exploring adjacent areas like the Lost Coast, and truly disconnecting.

Most visitors find 2-3 days hits the sweet spot, providing substantial experience without requiring excessive vacation time.

What Is the Best Scenic Drive in Redwood National Park?

Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway claims this title without serious competition. This 8-mile road through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park parallels Highway 101 but enters another world entirely. The two-lane road winds through magnificent old-growth, with numerous pullouts and trailheads.

Unlike many scenic drives designed for viewing from your vehicle, the Drury Parkway serves as a gateway to exploration. Park at any pullout and walk 50 feet into the forest to experience the scale and majesty that photographs can’t quite capture.

[Insert image of Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway with towering redwoods flanking the road here]

The parkway also provides access to several exceptional trails:

• Big Tree Wayside: Shortest walk to impressive redwoods
• Cathedral Trees Trail: Loop through particularly magnificent grove
• Prairie Creek Trail: Follows the creek through diverse habitat

Howland Hill Road, while technically not in Redwood National Park (it’s in Jedediah Smith State Park), deserves mention as possibly even more spectacular. This narrow, unpaved road (suitable for any vehicle in dry conditions) passes through Stout Grove and some of the densest old-growth remaining anywhere. The road’s primitive character (no center line, minimal shoulders) actually enhances the experience, forcing you to slow down and truly see the forest.

Where Can I See Giant Redwoods in California?

While Redwood National and State Parks protect the most extensive old-growth coast redwood forest, several other locations in California offer redwood experiences:

Northern California Coast Redwoods:

• Humboldt Redwoods State Park: Features the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile scenic drive through impressive groves
• Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve: Remote grove with some of the tallest trees
• Muir Woods National Monument: Closest old-growth redwoods to San Francisco (45 minutes north)

Central California Coast Redwoods:

• Big Basin Redwoods State Park: California’s oldest state park (though severely damaged by 2020 wildfires, recovery ongoing)
• Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Near Santa Cruz, very accessible
• Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve: Sonoma County gem

Sierra Nevada Giant Sequoias (Different Species):

• Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Protect giant sequoias, a related but distinct species
• Calaveras Big Trees State Park: Historic grove discovery site
• Yosemite National Park: Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias

It’s crucial to understand: coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens, found in Redwood National and State Parks) and giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum, found in the Sierra Nevada) are different species. Coast redwoods grow taller (up to 380 feet), while giant sequoias grow more massive in trunk volume. Both are spectacular, but they’re not interchangeable.

For the quintessential coast redwood experience, Redwood National and State Parks remain unmatched. The combination of size, age, and extensive protected groves simply doesn’t exist anywhere else.

What Is the Best Town to Stay In When Visiting Redwood National Park?

Your base camp significantly affects your park experience. Each gateway town offers distinct advantages:

Crescent City (Northern Gateway):

• Population: ~6,500
• Advantages: Most services, restaurants, hotels. Closest to Jedediah Smith and Del Norte sections. Real grocery stores and medical facilities.
• Disadvantages: Slightly longer drive to southern sections and Prairie Creek.
• Best For: Extended stays requiring amenities, families, off-season visits when services matter most.

Klamath (Central Location):

• Population: ~1,000
• Advantages: Centrally located between park sections. Riverside setting. Several lodges with character.
• Disadvantages: Limited dining options. Small selection of accommodations.
• Best For: Those prioritizing location over amenities, seeking quieter atmosphere.

Orick (Southern Gateway):

• Population: ~650
• Advantages: Closest to Tall Trees Grove and southern park sections. Gateway to Lost Coast. Quietest option.
• Disadvantages: Very limited services. Few dining options beyond basics.
• Best For: Adventurous travelers comfortable with minimal amenities, those exploring southern sections primarily.

Trinidad (Southern, Coastal):

• Population: ~360
• Advantages: Charming coastal village. Excellent restaurants for its size. Beautiful harbor setting. Good base for combining redwoods with coast exploration.
• Disadvantages: Smallest option. Limited accommodation. 30+ minutes to most park sections.
• Best For: Couples, food enthusiasts, those wanting coastal atmosphere.

Arcata/Eureka (Regional Hub, 45+ Minutes South):

• Population: ~17,000 (Arcata), ~27,000 (Eureka)
• Advantages: Full range of services, dining, entertainment. College town atmosphere (Arcata). Historic Victorian architecture (Eureka).
• Disadvantages: Longer drive to parks (45-75 minutes to nearest sections). Less immersive experience.
• Best For: Those wanting urban amenities, using parks as day trips from a comfortable base.

For most visitors, Crescent City offers the best combination of location, services, and access to multiple park sections. However, if you’re seeking a quieter, more immersive experience and don’t mind basic accommodations, Klamath puts you in the heart of redwood country.

What Is the Best City to Stay in to Visit Redwood National Park?

If we’re talking proper cities (as opposed to towns), Eureka (population ~27,000) serves as the regional hub. Located about 45 minutes south of the nearest park sections, Eureka offers:

• Full range of hotels from budget to boutique
• Diverse restaurant scene including excellent seafood
• Historic Old Town with Victorian architecture
• Museums, galleries, and breweries
• Complete medical facilities and services

Eureka works well for those planning multi-day explorations who want comfortable accommodations and dining variety after park days. It’s also practical for travelers combining redwood visits with exploration of Humboldt County’s other attractions.

However, understand the trade-off: staying in Eureka means 60-90 minutes of driving to reach prime park areas. For a 2-3 day focused park visit, staying closer (Crescent City or Klamath) maximizes your time among the trees.

What Town Should I Stay in When Visiting Redwood National Park?

The short answer: Crescent City for most visitors balancing access and amenities, Klamath for those prioritizing central park access, Trinidad for coastal charm, and Eureka for full city services.

What Is the Prettiest National Park in California?

This question invites passionate debate, as California boasts nine national parks, each with distinctive beauty:

• Yosemite: Iconic granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias
• Redwood: Tallest forests, wild coastline, pristine rivers
• Sequoia/Kings Canyon: Giant sequoias, High Sierra wilderness
• Death Valley: Extreme desert landscapes, surreal geology
• Joshua Tree: Unique desert plants, distinctive rock formations
• Channel Islands: Marine ecosystems, isolation, rare species
• Lassen Volcanic: Volcanic features, alpine lakes
• Pinnacles: Rock spires, caves, condors

“Prettiest” depends entirely on your aesthetic preferences. For grandeur, Yosemite wins. For otherworldly quality, Death Valley excels. For unique ecosystems, Channel Islands stands apart.

But for sheer ancient majesty and the humbling experience of standing among living things that were saplings when European ships first reached America’s shores, Redwood National and State Parks offer something genuinely irreplaceable.

According to National Parks Conservation Association data, these parks protect ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth at this scale, giving them not just aesthetic value but profound ecological significance.

What Is the Most Visited State Park in California?

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park typically leads in raw acreage and dispersed visitation, but Redwood State Parks (collectively as part of the national/state parks complex) rank among California’s most beloved. However, for concentrated day-use visitation, parks near major population centers like Crystal Cove State Park (Orange County) see higher numbers.

The state park sections within Redwood National and State Parks (Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek) collectively attract several hundred thousand visitors annually, making them significant destinations within California’s state park system.

What Is the Closest Major City to Redwood National Park?

Eureka, California (27,000 population) is the largest city in the immediate region, sitting about 45 miles south of Orick, the southern gateway to the parks.

However, for genuinely “major” cities:

• Portland, Oregon: ~350 miles north (6-7 hours)
• San Francisco, California: ~330 miles south (6-7 hours)
• Sacramento, California: ~350 miles southeast (6-7 hours)

The parks’ remoteness is part of their appeal. This isn’t somewhere you casually visit for an afternoon on your way to somewhere else. Getting here requires intention, which helps preserve the experience for those who make the journey.

The nearest commercial airports with regular service are:

• Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV): 50 miles south, limited flights mainly connecting through San Francisco or Los Angeles
• Redding Municipal Airport (RDD): 180 miles southeast, limited service
• Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR): 200 miles north in Oregon

Most visitors fly into San Francisco or Portland and make the 6-7 hour drive, turning the journey itself into part of the adventure.

What Is the Biggest State Park in California?

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park claims this title at approximately 600,000 acres, making it the largest state park in California and one of the largest in the United States.

However, the Redwood State Parks (Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek combined) protect roughly 43,000 acres of primarily old-growth forest and coastline. While smaller in total acreage than Anza-Borrego, the redwood parks protect ecosystems of far greater rarity and ecological significance.

Which Park Is Better: Redwood or Sequoia?

This comparison appears frequently, but it’s fundamentally flawed because these parks protect different species and ecosystems:

Redwood National and State Parks (Coast Redwoods):

• Location: Northern California coast
• Trees: Coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) – tallest trees on Earth
• Ecosystem: Temperate rainforest, coastal environment
• Experience: Lush, green, often foggy, intimate groves
• Height Record: Up to 380+ feet tall

Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks (Giant Sequoias):

• Location: Southern Sierra Nevada mountains
• Trees: Giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) – most massive trees on Earth
• Ecosystem: Mountain forest, drier climate
• Experience: High elevation, alpine setting, individual massive trees
• Size Record: Up to 52,000+ cubic feet trunk volume

The experience differs dramatically. Coast redwoods grow in dense groves where the trees create their own microclimate. You walk through a world of green filtered light and moisture. Giant sequoias often stand as individual massive columns with cinnamon-red bark against granite and blue sky.

If you can only visit one, consider:

• Choose Redwood if: You prefer lush forests, coastal scenery, less crowded parks, maritime climate
• Choose Sequoia if: You prefer mountain scenery, drier climate, seeing the most massive individual trees, easier access from Southern California

Ideally? Visit both. They’re different enough to each warrant the journey.

Where Is the Best Place to See the Redwoods for the First Time?

[This question was addressed earlier in the article. See the section “Where Is the Best Place to See the Redwoods for the First Time?” for the complete answer highlighting Lady Bird Johnson Grove and other excellent first-timer destinations.]

Why Is Muir Woods Not a National Park?

Muir Woods, just north of San Francisco, protects a beautiful old-growth coast redwood grove but carries the designation “National Monument” rather than “National Park.” Several factors explain this:

Size: At just 554 acres, Muir Woods is far too small for national park status. National parks typically encompass vast landscapes protecting complete ecosystems. Muir Woods, while spectacular, is essentially one grove.

Historical Designation: Established in 1908 as one of America’s first national monuments, Muir Woods was created through Presidential proclamation under the Antiquities Act rather than Congressional action creating a national park.

Purpose: National monuments often protect specific features (in this case, an accessible redwood grove near a major city) rather than the broader ecosystem conservation mission of national parks.

Accessibility Trade-off: Muir Woods’ proximity to San Francisco (12 miles) makes it incredibly accessible but also incredibly crowded. It requires advance reservations even for parking. This intensive use pattern differs from the national park model.

For visitors, the distinction matters less than understanding what to expect: Muir Woods offers a convenient taste of coast redwoods for those unable to make the 6-hour journey to Redwood National and State Parks, but it can’t match the scale, diversity, or experience of the northern parks.

Which Is Better: Yosemite or Redwood?

Another classic California national parks debate. These parks offer fundamentally different experiences:

Yosemite Strengths:

• Iconic granite formations (El Capitan, Half Dome)
• Spectacular waterfalls (Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall)
• High country wilderness
• Better developed infrastructure and facilities
• More activities (climbing, rafting, winter sports)

Redwood Strengths:

• Tallest forests on Earth
• Old-growth ecosystems up to 2,000 years old
• Wild Pacific coastline
• Significantly fewer crowds
• More intimate, immersive forest experience
• Better wildlife viewing (Roosevelt elk, whales, seabirds)

Yosemite Weaknesses:

• Extremely crowded, especially Yosemite Valley
• Requires reservations even to enter during peak season
• Can feel more like a tourist destination than wilderness

Redwood Weaknesses:

• Remote location requires significant travel
• Fewer dramatic vistas (the drama is in the trees, not distant views)
• More limited infrastructure and services

For first-time California park visitors, Yosemite’s iconic status and dramatic scenery often win. For those seeking a more contemplative, less crowded experience connecting with truly ancient ecosystems, Redwood excels.

The honest answer: both are extraordinary and represent different facets of California’s natural heritage. Your preference depends on whether you’re drawn more to granite and waterfalls or ancient forests and wild coastline.

What Is the Most Beautiful State Park?

Among California’s 280 state parks, several contend for “most beautiful”:

• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park: Big Sur coastline, McWay Falls waterfall cascading to beach
• Crystal Cove State Park: Orange County coast, tide pools, historic cottages
• Humboldt Redwoods State Park: Avenue of the Giants, massive old-growth
• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Redwood groves, mountains, Big Sur River
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: Often called “crown jewel of California State Parks,” dramatic rocky coastline, marine life

Within the redwood parks complex, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park combines magnificent old-growth forest, Fern Canyon’s otherworldly landscape, and wild coastline with Roosevelt elk grazing on coastal prairies. The diversity packed into this single park is genuinely remarkable.

Beauty remains subjective, but few California state parks offer the combination of ecological significance, ancient trees, and diverse landscapes found in the redwood state parks.

FAQ

The Redwood Experience: Final Thoughts

There’s something profoundly moving about standing beneath a tree that was already ancient when your great-great-grandparents were born. These forests operate on timescales that humble our brief human spans. A redwood that germinated in the year 500 CE has witnessed the entire recorded history of European civilization from its rooted place on the California coast.

Visiting Redwood National and State Parks isn’t just about seeing tall trees, though they are spectacularly tall. It’s about experiencing an ecosystem so rare that it exists in significant form nowhere else on Earth. It’s about understanding why conservation matters and why some places deserve protection regardless of economic pressures or political fashions.

The parks face ongoing challenges. Climate change threatens the foggy maritime climate these trees require. Invasive species pressure ecosystems. Even carefully managed tourism impacts delicate forest floor ecology. Yet these ancient groves endure, protected by the foresight of conservationists who recognized their irreplaceable value.

When you visit, take time to simply sit quietly among the trees. Let the filtered green light, the absolute silence punctuated by occasional birdsong, and the massive presence of these ancient beings settle into your consciousness. This is what the best of America’s national parks offer: not just recreation, but transformation.

The redwoods will still be here long after we’re gone. But experiencing them while we can, understanding what they represent, and supporting their continued protection matters deeply. These aren’t just trees. They’re living connections to the deep past and, if we protect them properly, to the distant future.

Plan your visit with intention. Respect the parks’ rules and ecosystems. Take only photographs and memories. Leave only footprints (and on designated trails only). And when you leave, carry the redwoods’ lesson with you: some things are worth preserving simply because they are extraordinary, irreplaceable, and connect us to something larger than ourselves.

The ancient forests await. Make the journey. It will change how you see the world.

Sources:

• National Park Service – Redwood Planning Information
• California State Parks – Redwood Parks
• Redwood Parks Conservancy – Reservations
• National Parks Conservation Association – Redwood