National park · United States
Redwood National and State Parks
Enter free — there is no gate fee. Drive US-101 and pick two groves, not five: Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Prairie Creek's Big Tree in one day, or Tall Trees with a free permit if you have a half day. Go May–early June or September–October for dry trails; July–August is fog and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
534 km² (206 sq mi)206 sq mi (534 km²)
approximate
Established
1968
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 534 km² (206 sq mi)206 sq mi (534 km²)
- Combined federal and state park area; figures vary by source and boundary revision (check).
- Established
- 1968
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Redwood National and State Parks is four parks managed as one: Redwood National Park plus Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast and Prairie Creek Redwoods state parks, strung along about 50 miles of US-101 on California's North Coast. It protects the world's tallest trees — coast redwoods over 300 ft (100 m) — plus prairies, estuaries and a wild coastline. There is no entrance gate and no fee to drive through; you pay only for camping, and for one trail you need a free permit. Fog is the defining weather: it waters the trees and hides the coast, so plan groves for the morning and the shore for the afternoon.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1980Listed as Redwood National and State Parks.
Size and age
534 km² (206 sq mi)206 sq mi (534 km²) · national park since 1968
Combined federal and state park area; figures vary by source and boundary revision (check).
Why go
- The tallest trees on Earth, in groves you can walk through in under an hour.
- Four parks on one highway: old-growth forest, prairie elk and a rugged coast in a single day's drive.
- Entry is free — the cost is fuel and time, not tickets.
- Fern Canyon, a fern-walled gorge, is a short walk from a gravel road.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanWet, cool; some roads and trails muddy
- FebWettest stretch; short daylight
- MarRain easing; quiet
- AprGreen, some clear days
- MayDry-ish, long days, before summer crowds
- JunEarly June good; fog builds late month
- JulCoastal fog can last days; busiest
- AugFog and peak visitors
- SepClearest skies, warm inland
- OctDry, quiet, good light
- NovRain returns; few people
- DecWet and dark early
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt elk on Elk Prairie and Gold BluffsAll year · Keep well back, especially in the autumn rut. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Gray whale migration offshoreMar–Apr, Nov–Dec · Look from coastal overlooks; binoculars help. | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Marbled murrelet and spotted owl in old growthApr–Jul · Rare and hard to see; do not use playback calls. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Salmon and steelhead in the Smith and Klamath riversNov–Feb · Spawning runs; watch from banks, do not disturb. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Crescent City
US-101 south to the Jedediah Smith and Del Norte Coast units; the Hiouchi and Crescent City information centres are the northern gateways.
20–40 min
From Eureka / Arcata
US-101 north to Orick and Prairie Creek; Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) has flights from San Francisco and Denver.
1–1.5 h
From San Francisco
US-101 north the whole way; a long driving day, so most people break the trip.
5.5–6.5 h
From Medford / southern Oregon
US-199 west to Hiouchi, then US-101.
2–2.5 h
From North Coast plan
Where to base, eat and stop along the coast.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Jedediah Smith unit (north) | Smith River, Stout Memorial Grove and the Simpson-Reed Trail. | Open; visitor centre at Hiouchi in summer. |
| Del Norte Coast unit | Coastal bluffs and Mill Creek campground south of Crescent City. | Open; some trails closed after storms. |
| Prairie Creek unit (south) | Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, Big Tree, Elk Prairie and Fern Canyon. | Open; visitor centre most of the year. |
| Redwood Creek / Tall Trees | The Tall Trees Grove and Bald Hills Road. | Permit and gate code for Tall Trees; Bald Hills open when dry. |
Sketch map
- 1Crescent City Information Center · Headquarters≈41.753, -124.195Map ↗
- 2Hiouchi Information Center · Headquarters≈41.797, -124.082Map ↗
- 3Jedediah Smith Campground · Sleep≈41.796, -124.086Map ↗
- 4Stout Memorial Grove · Trail≈41.790, -124.083Map ↗
- 5Mill Creek Campground · Sleep≈41.701, -124.099Map ↗
- 6Radar Station B-71 · Viewpoint≈41.522, -124.078Map ↗
- 7Prairie Creek Visitor Center · Headquarters≈41.364, -124.025Map ↗
- 8Big Tree Wayside · Trail≈41.373, -124.014Map ↗
- 9Elk Prairie Campground · Sleep≈41.360, -124.029Map ↗
- 10Gold Bluffs Beach Campground · Beach≈41.384, -124.070Map ↗
- 11Fern Canyon · Cave≈41.401, -124.065Map ↗
- 12Lady Bird Johnson Grove · Trail≈41.303, -124.018Map ↗
- 13Tall Trees Grove · Trail≈41.208, -123.993Map ↗
- 14Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center · Headquarters≈41.287, -124.093Map ↗
Take the points offline
14 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along US-101 from Crescent City to Orick, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entrance | Free | vehicle | No entrance fee for Redwood National and State Parks; you drive in on US-101. |
| Camping, state park campgrounds | US$35–45 | night | 2026 estimate; reserve ahead for summer weekends. |
| Tall Trees Grove access | Free | vehicle | Free permit and gate code from a visitor centre; limited cars per day. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Tall Trees Grove permit or guide
Fern Canyon no permit
Park rules
- No entrance fee
- There is no gate or ticket for the national and state parks; camping and some day-use areas are the only charges.
- Tall Trees permit
- Access to Tall Trees Grove is by free permit and gate code only; numbers are capped each day.
- Elk
- Stay at least 25 yards from elk and never block them; they injure people every year.
- Dogs
- Not allowed on park trails; they are permitted only where signed, such as some roads and campgrounds.
- Driftwood and tidepools
- Do not move driftwood or remove tidepool animals; the coast is a protected zone.
- Fires
- Fires only in provided rings in campgrounds; no fires on beaches or in the forest.
Where to stay
Near the park
Crescent City
Motels and hotels, closest base for the northern units.
Near the park
Klamath
Small motels and lodges between the northern and southern units.
Near the park
Orick
Cabins and motels at the southern gateway, minutes from Prairie Creek.
Near the park
Eureka and Arcata
The biggest choice of lodging and food, about an hour south.
In the park
State park campgrounds
Jedediah Smith, Mill Creek, Elk Prairie and Gold Bluffs Beach; book ahead in summer.
Safety
Coastal fog and wet roads medium
Elk on roads and trails medium
Rough gravel roads medium
Cold water and sneaker waves high
No phone signal low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Prairie Creek Foothill Trail loop and the Simpson-Reed Trail are fully accessible, with parking, restrooms and picnic tables.
- Visitor centres at Hiouchi, Prairie Creek, Kuchel and Crescent City have accessible exhibits and restrooms.
- Most grove trails are packed dirt with roots and steps; the Tall Trees and Fern Canyon routes are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on trails; redwood roots are shallow and compacted soil kills trees.
- Do not climb or carve the trees, and do not take cuttings or cones.
- Carry out all food waste — it draws animals onto roads.
- Visit the northern units in summer and the southern units in spring to spread pressure.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Redwood National Park?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee and no gate — you drive in on US-101. You pay only for camping at the state park campgrounds (about $35–45 a night, 2026 estimate) and for some day-use areas such as Fern Canyon in peak season (check).
What are the best hikes in Redwood National Park?
For most visitors: the Lady Bird Johnson Grove loop (1.5 miles, easy) and the Big Tree Wayside with the Prairie Creek Foothill loop. With a half day and a free permit, Tall Trees Grove. For a full day, the James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon, about 12 miles.
When is the best time to visit Redwood National Park?
May to early June and September to October: drier trails, longer daylight and fewer people. July and August bring coastal fog that can last for days, plus the biggest crowds. Winter is wet but quiet.
Do I need a permit for Tall Trees Grove?
Yes. Pick up a free permit and gate code at a park visitor centre on the day; the number of cars is capped. The access road is dirt and not suitable for large RVs.
Can I see redwoods without hiking?
Yes. Big Tree Wayside is a five-minute walk from the car park, and the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway passes old growth you can see from the road. Stout Memorial Grove and Simpson-Reed are short, easy walks.
Where should I stay near Redwood National Park?
Crescent City for the northern units, Klamath or Orick for the middle and south, and Eureka or Arcata for the widest choice of lodging. Camping is at Jedediah Smith, Mill Creek, Elk Prairie and Gold Bluffs Beach.
Is Redwood National Park the same as the state parks?
They are managed together. Redwood National Park is federal; Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast and Prairie Creek are California state parks. One map, one highway, no separate tickets.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNational Park Service — Redwood National and State Parks
- officialNPS — Tall Trees Grove hike
- officialNPS — James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon Loop
- officialUNESCO World Heritage Centre — Redwood National and State Parks
- secondaryWikipedia — Redwood National and State Parks
- secondaryWikivoyage: Redwood National Park, revision 5321700 (CC BY-SA 4.0)