Redwood National & State Parks
Time Needed: full-day, multi-day
Experience Type: national park, scenic views
Home to the tallest trees on Earth, Redwood National & State Parks offer a humbling experience among ancient giants that can soar to more than 350 feet. Beyond majestic forests, the parks protect rugged coastlines, rolling prairies, and winding rivers.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Walk Among Giant Trees – Step beneath massive old-growth redwoods. In a hurry? Stop at the Big Tree Wayside. Have more time? Set out on the 3.6-mile Tall Trees Grove Trail.
- Take a Scenic Drive – Cruise winding roads that lead beneath towering redwoods and along rugged coastline. Top picks include Howland Hill Road and Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.
- Explore Fern Canyon – Marvel at canyon walls covered in lush ferns, rising up to 30 feet high. Made famous by films like The Lost World: Jurassic Park, reservations are required in peak season.
- Spot Roosevelt Elk – Keep an eye out for herds of Roosevelt elk grazing in the meadows and along park roads. Top viewing spots include Elk Prairie and Gold Bluffs Beach.
- Visit Crescent Beach – Take in dramatic ocean views from a high vantage point at Crescent Beach Overlook, then stroll along the sandy shoreline for a relaxing coastal walk.
Recommended Reading: Hike the Parks: Redwood National & State Parks is designed for on-the-go exploring. It’s a perfect companion for discovering the giant trees that have stood here since long before the dinosaurs disappeared.
Photo Credit: Wayne Hsieh/Flickr