Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park Campgrounds

• What campgrounds are available at Redwood National and State Parks?
  • Redwood National and State Parks offer four developed campgrounds for visitors:
    • Elk Prairie Campground
    • Jedediah Smith Campground
    • Gold Bluffs Beach Campground
    • Mill Creek Campground
  • A campground guide is available on the park’s website to help visitors choose the best campground for their trip.
  • Reservations are required and can be made through the California State Park system.
• What features does the Elk Prairie Campground offer?
  • The Elk Prairie Campground offers access to more than seventy miles of biking and hiking trails.
  • Additional amenities include:
    • Cabins
    • Seasonal ranger-led programs
    • The sight of grazing black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk
    • Scenic views of ancient coast redwoods
• What features does the Jedediah Smith Campground offer?
  • The Jedediah Smith Campground is located in a magnificent grove of old-growth redwoods.
  • Amenities include:
    • Cabins
    • Fishing
    • Swimming
    • Seasonal campfire programs
    • Hiking trails
• What features does the Gold Bluffs Beach Campground offer?
  • The Gold Bluffs Beach Campground is located along the Pacific coastline.
  • Features include:
    • A secluded section of the beach
    • Access to seventy miles of biking and hiking trails
    • Views of Fern Canyon and grazing Roosevelt elk
• What features does the Mill Creek Campground offer?
  • The Mill Creek Campground is sheltered by towering maples, young coast redwoods, and alders.
  • Campground features include:
    • Several hiking trails
    • Seasonal ranger-led programs
    • Access to Mill Creek
• What are the requirements for backcountry hiking and camping?
  • Visitors wanting to hike or camp in the backcountry must obtain a permit in person from either the Kuchel or Hiouchi Visitor Center up to twenty-four hours in advance.
• What does backcountry hiking and camping offer?
  • Backcountry experiences provide an opportunity to get away from everything and allow hikers to have the trail to themselves.
  • The Redwood National and State Parks contain:
    • Eight backcountry campsites
    • Over 200 miles of outstanding backcountry trails

Scenic Drives in Redwood National Park

• What scenic drives are available at Redwood National and State Parks?
  • Redwood National and State Parks offer many scenic drives through redwood forests, oak woodlands, upland prairies, and the rugged coastline.
  • These drives provide opportunities for visitors who are just passing through the area to experience the park’s beauty.
• What is Howland Hill Road?
  • Howland Hill Road is a one-way, ten-mile, mostly unpaved road.
  • This forty-five minute drive provides motorists with a close encounter with the famous, towering redwoods.
  • Several trailheads and pull-outs are along the road, including:
    • Stout Grove
    • Boy Scout Tree Trail
• What can visitors see on Enderts Beach Road?
  • Enderts Beach Road is a five-minute, one-way drive from Crescent City.
  • Visitors can enjoy:
    • Beautiful coastal views
    • Whale watching
    • Elk viewing
• What is the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway?
  • The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is a ten-mile drive that serves as an alternative to U.S. 101.
  • The road travels through the center of old-growth redwood forest in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
  • Many trailheads can be accessed along the way.
• What is Cal-Barrel Road?
  • Cal-Barrel Road is a thirty-minute drive along an unpaved road.
  • The road winds through massive old-growth coast redwoods, which can also be explored on foot.
  • The road provides access to:
    • The extensive network of trails in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
    • The Rhododendron Trail
• What is Davison Road?
  • Davison Road is another thirty-minute drive that is mostly unpaved.
  • The road passes through:
    • Meadows where Roosevelt elk graze
    • Redwood forests
• What can visitors see on Bald Hills Road?
  • A forty-five minute drive along Bald Hills Road takes motorists through:
    • Steep grades
    • Redwood forests
    • Open prairies
  • Trails along the road lead to:
    • Tall Trees Grove
    • Lady Bird Johnson Grove
  • Visitors may also spot:
    • Wildflowers in the spring
    • Black bears
    • Roosevelt elk

Hiking in Redwood National Park

• What makes hiking in Redwood National and State Parks special?
  • A hike along one of the many trails within Redwood National and State Parks can be a peaceful and unforgettable experience.
  • Walking among the redwoods on a foggy morning creates an almost other-worldly atmosphere.
  • The only sounds hikers may hear are:
    • Gurgling water trickling among mossy rocks and ferns
    • Soft pockets of sun and mist hanging like cobwebs
• How many miles of trails are in Redwood National and State Parks?
  • The parks feature a trail network of over 200 miles.
  • Trails wind through a variety of environments, including:
    • Beaches
    • Forests of old-growth redwoods
    • Open prairies
• Where can visitors get information about hiking trails?
  • Visitors can talk to a ranger at the visitor center.
  • A trail map is also available for hikers.
• What is the elevation range of the trails?
  • Elevations along the trails range from sea level to about 3,000 feet.
• Is hiking available year-round in the parks?
  • Yes, hiking and exploration are possible year-round thanks to the region's consistent mild temperatures.
• What should hikers bring when exploring the trails?
  • The trails throughout the redwoods can often be slippery and wet.
  • Hikers should bring:
    • Good boots
    • Raingear
• Which trails may be difficult to hike during winter?
  • During the winter months, the following trails might be difficult to hike:
    • Trestle Trail
    • Redwood Creek Trail
• How do seasonal bridges affect trail accessibility?
  • In summer, temporary bridges make certain trails easier to use.
  • These bridges are removed in the rainy season.
  • Stout Grove can only be reached from the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park campground during the summer using seasonal bridges.

Wildlife Viewing in Redwood National Park

• What wildlife can visitors see at Redwood National and State Parks?
  • Visitors have numerous opportunities to view the area's resident wildlife.
  • Some of the most commonly spotted animals include:
    • Roosevelt elk
    • Gray whales (during migration seasons)
• Where can visitors see Roosevelt elk?
  • Roosevelt elk, the largest members of the deer family, can be seen throughout the parks.
  • They are most often spotted in:
    • Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (south of the Klamath River)
    • The Orick area
    • Bald Hills Road
    • Gold Bluffs Beach
• How can visitors identify Roosevelt elk?
  • Male Roosevelt elk can be identified from late summer to winter by their large antlers.
  • Female Roosevelt elk have no antlers and are smaller in size.
• Are Roosevelt elk safe to be around?
  • While they may seem docile, Roosevelt elk are wild and unpredictable animals.
  • Visitors should be especially careful during:
    • Mating season in the fall
    • Calving season in May and June
  • Roosevelt elk should always be observed from a safe distance.
• When is the best time for whale watching at Redwood parks?
  • The greatest chance of seeing gray whales is during their peak migration months:
    • November to December
    • March to April
• Where can visitors go whale watching?
  • On a calm, clear day, the Klamath River Overlook offers a chance to see one of the park's resident whales year-round.
  • Other good spots for viewing whales include:
    • Wilson Creek
    • Gold Bluffs Beach
    • High Bluff Overlook
    • Crescent Beach Overlook
    • Thomas H.
• What should visitors bring for whale watching?
  • Visitors should bring binoculars to improve their chances of spotting whales.
  • Be sure to watch for spouting, which signals the presence of whales.

Kuchel Visitor Center & Ranger-led Programs in Redwood National Park

• Where can visitors view seabirds and tidepool marine life in Redwood National and State Parks?
  • Seabird and tidepool marine life viewing is possible by walking down the Coastal Trail for about half a mile from the Crescent Beach Overlook to Enderts Beach.
  • Another good spot for marine life viewing is Hidden Beach, which can be accessed via the one-mile Yurok/Lagoon Creek Loop.
  • Visitors can also spot sea wildlife along Highway 101 at Wilson Creek.
  • Tide schedules are available at the visitor centers throughout the park.
• What ranger-led programs are available in Redwood National and State Parks?
  • The parks offer ranger-led programs from the middle of May to the middle of September.
  • A schedule of activities can be found on:
    • Bulletin boards at campgrounds
    • The information center
    • The parks' calendar
• What are the campfire programs?
  • The parks offer one-hour campfire programs that may include:
    • Storytelling
    • Games
    • Narrated slide shows
    • Music
  • The Elk Prairie, Mill Creek, and Jedediah Smith campgrounds are ideal locations for these programs.
  • The outdoor amphitheaters and campfire circles are wheelchair accessible.
  • Campers should dress for cool summer evenings.
• Are guided kayak tours available in the parks?
  • Yes, during part of the summer, the parks offer guided kayak tours along the Smith River, California's largest free-flowing river system.
  • Participants will learn about:
    • The Smith River's unique geology
    • How the river contributes to the growth of the redwoods
• What are the nature walks offered in the parks?
  • Park ranger-naturalists lead nature walks that explore the natural communities that make up the parks' diverse ecosystems.
  • These walks last between half an hour to an hour.
  • Nature walks allow visitors to immerse themselves in:
    • Prairielands
    • Shores
    • Forests
• Are tidepool walks available?
  • Yes, the parks offer two-hour tidepool walks.
  • During these walks, participants can get their feet and hands wet as they discover the fragile tidepool creatures.

Redwood National Park, 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, CA 95531, Phone: 707-465-7335, Map