Plan your visit

Redwood National and State Parks Trip Planner

Tell us how long you have, who's along, and the season. We'll group it by region so you drive less and see more.

How long
Who's along
Season

Day 1 Crescent City & Jedediah Smith (north)

  1. Large old-growth redwood trunks in Stout Memorial Grove, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, with green understory.

    Stout Memorial Grove

    Crescent City & Jedediah Smith (north) · 45 min · easy · 0.6 mi

    A flat loop through a dense stand of old growth on the Smith River flat in Jedediah Smith Redwoods, luminous in the fog. One of the most accessible big-tree walks in the north end.

  2. Old-growth redwoods near the Jedediah Smith Campground on the Smith River, a short walk from Stout Grove.

    Howland Hill Road

    Crescent City & Jedediah Smith (north) · 1.5 hr · easy pace

    An unpaved one-lane road threading old growth in Jedediah Smith between Crescent City and the Smith River, with trailheads like Boy Scout Tree along the way. Narrow and slow — no RVs or trailers.

  3. Coastal beach and bluffs at Redwood National and State Parks, the shoreline seen from a Crescent Beach Overlook pullout.

    Crescent Beach Overlook

    Crescent City & Jedediah Smith (north) · 30 min · easy pace

    A bluff pullout just south of Crescent City looking down a long crescent of surf and sea stacks — a quick sunset stop and another spring whale-watching spot.

Day 2 Klamath (central)

≈50 min drive from Crescent City & Jedediah Smith (north)

  1. Visitors at the Klamath River Overlook bluff looking out over the river mouth and the Pacific Ocean.

    Klamath River Overlook

    Klamath (central) · 45 min · easy pace

    A high bluff where the Klamath meets the Pacific — one of the best whale-watching perches on the coast in spring and fall, with gray whales passing offshore. This is the mouth of the Yurok's river.

  2. Coastal Drive Loop

    Klamath (central) · 1 hr · easy pace

    A narrow, partly gravel loop above the ocean north of the Klamath, past a WWII radar station disguised as a farmhouse and wide views down the coast. Not for large vehicles or trailers.

Day 3 Prairie Creek & Orick (south)

≈50 min drive from Klamath (central)

  1. Old-growth coast redwoods in the Lady Bird Johnson Grove, with mist among the trunks along the loop trail.

    Lady Bird Johnson Grove

    Prairie Creek & Orick (south) · 1.5 hr · easy · 1.4 mi

    A mostly level loop through mature old growth on a ridge above Redwood Creek, reached by a short access road off US 101 near Orick. One of the easiest walks into big trees in the park.

  2. Fern-covered vertical walls of Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, with the creek running along the canyon floor.

    Fern Canyon

    Prairie Creek & Orick (south) · 1.5 hr · easy · 1 mi

    A short loop up a creek between 50-foot walls hung with five kinds of fern. Reaching it means driving unpaved Davison Road (vehicle-length limits, and a permit required in the summer season), and the creek crossings use seasonal footbridges — check access before you go.

  3. A Roosevelt elk in coastal meadow grass, the same subspecies seen grazing Elk Prairie and Elk Meadow in the park.

    Roosevelt elk at Elk Prairie

    Prairie Creek & Orick (south) · 30 min · easy pace

    The resident Roosevelt elk herd grazes the meadow at Elk Prairie and, up the coast, Elk Meadow — most reliably at dawn and dusk. Keep well back, especially in the fall rut.

  4. Old-growth redwoods along the Prairie Creek corridor near the 'O Rew Yurok restoration site, off the Newton B. Drury Parkway.

    'O Rew Redwoods Gateway

    Prairie Creek & Orick (south) · 1 hr · easy pace

    A new gateway and restoration site just south of Orick, developed with the Yurok Tribe on former mill land now returning to forest and floodplain — trails, a visitor contact point, and Yurok-told history. This is Yurok homeland.

Plans by trip length

One day in Redwood National and State Parks

In one day, Prairie Creek & Orick (south): Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Fern Canyon.

Two days in Redwood National and State Parks

Two days adds Crescent City & Jedediah Smith (north): Stout Memorial Grove, Howland Hill Road; Klamath (central): Klamath River Overlook, Coastal Drive Loop.

Three days in Redwood National and State Parks

Three days gives the same areas at an easier pace.

Best time to visit Redwood National and State Parks

The best time to visit Redwood National and State Parks is spring, summer and fall, when most of the park is open.

Common questions

How many days do you need for Redwood National and State Parks?

Redwood National and State Parks fills about 3 days at an easy pace — Crescent City & Jedediah Smith (north), Klamath (central), Prairie Creek & Orick (south).

Can you see Redwood National and State Parks in one day?

Yes — pick one area: Prairie Creek & Orick (south) (Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Fern Canyon, Roosevelt elk at Elk Prairie). You'd skip Crescent City & Jedediah Smith (north) and Klamath (central), but it's a full day.

What's the best time to visit Redwood National and State Parks?

Aim for spring, summer and fall; that's when its roads and trails are fullest.

Is Redwood National and State Parks good with young kids?

Yes — the easier, shorter stops work well with little kids: Stout Memorial Grove, Crescent Beach Overlook, Klamath River Overlook, Lady Bird Johnson Grove.

Is Redwood National and State Parks doable with limited mobility?

Several stops are short and low-effort: Stout Memorial Grove, Crescent Beach Overlook, Klamath River Overlook, Lady Bird Johnson Grove. Check current trail and road conditions with the park.