Redwood National Park
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Redwood National and State Parks, 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, CA 95531; 707-464-6101;
NPS Website;
The Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) features an impressive diversity of nature.
Considered as one of the most unique ecosystems on our planet where there is a serene balance
between ancient coast redwood groves, gray whales, black bears, banana slugs and much more.
In the late 1800's western expansion and development threatened the continued existence of
these majestic trees. By 1900 the future of old growth redwood forests was in jeopardy.
Both state and federal government started to come forward to create parkland reserves to protect the
trees and associated habitat in the 1920's.
Today, visitors to RNSP will find not only old-growth redwood groves but open prairie lands,
two major rivers, and 37 miles (60 km) of pristine California coastline.
The redwoods thrive in a temperate ecosystem and require lots of precipitation.
The climate is 40 - 60 degrees year round along the wild redwood coastline.
Redwood National Park
Ancient forest preserve that extends south from Crescent City, past Klamath and down into Humboldt County past Orick.
Crescent Beach Overlook
- Access from Enders Beach Trail to a magnificent vista overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Elk Meadow
- Located two miles north of Orick on US-101. Area frequented by grazing Roosevelt Elk. Nearby is small but scenic Trillium Falls.
Lady Bird Johnson Grove
- Located near Orick off US-101 three miles east on Bald Hills Rd. A self-guiding 1-mile nature trail passes
through a mature redwood grove dedicated by the First Lady in 1968 and includes a lush understory of
Rhododendrons and Sword Fern.
Thomas Kuchel Visitors Center
- Located at south end of park near US-101 and Orick. Natural history exhibites and theater.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Park Website;
Location: 7 miles south of Crescent City on Highway US-101.
The park, established in 1927, has approximately 50% old growth coast redwood and eight miles of wild coastline.
The topography is rather steep making the bulk of the rocky sea coast generally inaccessible except by Damnation Trail and Footsteps Rock Trail.
Wilson Beach or False Klamath Cove
- This 1/2-mile of sandy beach is meant for strolling and provides excellent tidepool viewing at low tide but is not safe for swimming.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Park Website;
Location: Nine miles east of Crescent City on Highway US-199;
Established in 1929, this predominately old growth coast redwoods park is bisected by the last major free flowing river in California, the Smith River.
Almost all of the park land is water shed for the Smith River and Mill Creek, a major tributary.
The park has about 20 miles of hiking and nature trails, river access, a visitor center with exhibits and a nature store.
Wilson Beach or False Klamath Cove
- Drive Howland Hill Road and stroll in the Stout Grove.
Smith River
- The Smith River and Mill Creek are especially known for the king salmon and steelhead trout runs in the fall and winter.
Mill Creek
- Mill Creek is a spawning ground for these fish.
Hiouchi Visitors Center
- Located on US-199 by Eastern Park Entrance. Information about forest trees and wildlife.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Park Website;
Location: 50 miles north of Eureka and 25 miles south of Crescent City on Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway off of Highway US-101;
Set aside in the early 1920’s by the forethought of the people of California and the generosity of the Save-the-Redwoods League, Prairie Creek is a sanctuary of old growth coast redwood.
Prairie Creek offers hiking, nature study, wildlife viewing, beach combing, picnicking, a visitor center with exhibits and a nature store.
The park consists of old growth redwood including prairies and 10 miles of scenic Gold Bluffs Beach
Fern Canyon Trail
- Located at end of Davison Rd off US-101 - One of the most scenic locals in the Redwoods.
Ground cover is dense with a wide range of species and varieties of shrubs, bushes, flowers, ferns, mosses,
and lichens common to the coast redwood environment. Water seeps from fern covered walls of a 30-foot deep gorge.
Newtown Drury Scenic Parkway
= This pretty drive follows the length of Prairie Creek Park - Look for groves of Redwoods that are nearly 1500 years old
and rise nearly 300 feet high.
Prairie Creek Visitors Center
- Located at Southern End of Newton Drury Parkway - features natural history exhibits.
Trees of Mystery
15500 Highway 101 N., Klamath, Ca. 95548; 1-800-638-3389;
Museum Website;
This is an 8/10ths of a mile groomed interpretive trail through the awe-inspiring Redwoods of
Northern California. Part of the trail (The Trail of Tall Tales)is devoted to the myth
and mythology of Paul Bunyan, America's larger-than-life logger from the turn of the century.
The trail, museum, gift shop, restaurant and motel are geared toward the family or group traveler.
End of Trail Museum
- This Native American museum is one of the very best privately owned collections in the world.
Park Campgrounds:
Camp amidst towering old-growth coast redwoods:
Mill Creek campground - Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
- 145 sites for RV or tents - Amenities include restrooms, four loop trails, hiker/biker sites, dump station, fire pits, no hookups, handicap access, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and evening campfire programs.
Located 7 miles south of Crescent City, CA on US Highway 101.
Jedediah Smith Campground - Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- 106 RV or tent sites - Facilites/amenities include nature center, bookstore, no hookups, restrooms, river sites, picnic area,
many miles of trails, hiker/biker sites, dump station, fire pits, handicap access, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and young naturalists.
- located on Highway US-199 at Hiouchi, CA.
Elk Prairie Campground -Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- 75 RV or tents sites - Facilities/amenities include nature center, bookstore, no hookups, showers, restrooms, picnic area, more than 70 miles of trails,
hiker/biker sites, dump station, fire pits, handicap access, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and evening campfire programs.
Located 50 miles north of Eureka, CA on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway just off US Highway 101.
Gold Bluffs Beach Campground -Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- 25 RV or tent sites - Amenities include solar showers, restrooms, access to over 70 miles of trails, Fern Canyon, hiker/biker sites,
fire pits, no hookups, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and evening campfire programs.
Travel three miles north of Orick, CA on US Highway 101, then turn west on Davison Road.
Park Wildlife:
Marine mammals such as sea lions and gray whales are among the most visible wildlife in the parks. Visitors are also likely to see Roosevelt elk browsing in the prairies. Pelicans, ospreys, and gulls are frequently spotted along the coast. Of course, tidepool creatures aren't likely to run very far at your approach, so anenomes and crabs are easy to spot too.
While you're out watching wildlife at RNSP, remember that all wildlife is protected in the parks. Never feed or approach animals such as bears, mountain lions, elk, chipmunks, racoons, rabbits, or birds. Please treat the members of this natural community with respect.
Coastal Trail:
The Coastal Trail runs 25 miles through the combined length of the Redwood National and State Parks.
It passes through a variety of spectacular habitat including bluffs, deserted beaches, grasslands, forest covered glades.
Access points include Fern Canyon, Crescent Beach and Damnation Creek. Other trails access the wild coastline and provide
vistas to rock promonitories that are home to sea lion colonies and overlook whale migration routes.
Some trails are suitable for horse and/or bike.
Klamath River Jet Boat Tours
Daily fun-for-all tours up the famous Klamath River. The experienced captain and narrator
will describe the River's rich history, local Native American culture, and thriving wildlife.
Bear, Blacktail Deer, Elk, Soaring Osprey, Eagles, Hawks, Otters, Mink and many other varieties
of wildlife may be seen by looking carefully along the riverbanks.
