Ultimate Redwood National and State Parks Itinerary Guide

When it comes to breathtaking natural wonders, few destinations rival the beauty of Redwood National and State Parks. Home to some of the tallest trees on the planet, this captivating landscape offers a unique blend of towering redwoods, lush fern canyons, and stunning coastal vistas. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or someone simply looking to breathe in the fresh air of the great outdoors, this park has something for everyone.

Below, we’ll guide you through the essentials of visiting the park, including campground options, hiking trails, dining recommendations, and must-know tips to make the most of your visit. Join us as we uncover the gems of this extraordinary wilderness and share our personal experiences that will inspire your next adventure into the heart of the redwoods.

Entrance Fee:

FREE

Lodging:

There are four campgrounds throughout the national park and three state parks: Jedediah Smith Campground, Mill Creek Campground, Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, and Elk Prairie Campground. Reservations for all four campgrounds can be made here- Redwoods Camping.

Cabins are available at the Jedediah Smith Campground and Elk Prairie Campground. Cabin reservations can be made here- Redwoods Cabins.

Backcountry camping is also available. However, a permit is required. You can obtain one here- Backcountry Permits.

If you are looking for a place to stay outside the park, check out Crescent City or Klamath. We stayed in the Kamp Klamath Campground and LOVED it. The sites were fantastic, and it was right along the Klamath River. I would highly recommend it!

Dining:

There are no dining options inside the park. For dining options and grocery stores, visit Klamath or Crescent City.

Must Know Before You Go:

The Fern Canyon Loop, Gold Bluffs Beach, and Tall Trees Grove all require day-use vehicle reservations. All online reservations are $0 and can be made 180 days in advance. If you miss the initial release of reservations, another set is released 24 hours before the visit date. If you obtain a Fern Canyon reservation, it will also work for Gold Bluffs Beach on that day.
Cell service is unreliable in most parts of the park. Having an AllTrails map downloaded on your phone is extremely helpful while hiking the trails. (Want to check out AllTrails+? Use this link for a discount- AllTrails+.)
The roads to most trailheads are unpaved, and many are not RV-friendly. Please check road conditions here-Redwoods Roads– before heading out.
Check the tide charts before exploring any of the beaches to avoid getting stranded when the tide comes in.
The Redwoods are home to elk, black bears, and mountain lions. Please review wildlife safety before heading out.
As always, please follow the Leave No Trace principles.

Day 1 (Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park)

Karl Knapp- Foothill Loop-

Distance: 2.6 miles round trip

Trail Route: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 100+ ft

Trail Access: Park at the Karl Knapp Trailhead via Newton Drury Parkway. If no spots are available, park near the Visitor Center and pick up the loop from there.

From the trailhead, veer left at the first split. The trail will wind through the towering trees and has several fern-lined creek crossings that run for approximately 1.2 miles. When you reach the Visitor Center, take the narrow path that winds around the parking lot. Once you get to the road, cross it. When you are on the other side of Newton Drury Parkway, walk north on the path running parallel to the road. Follow signs for Big Tree and the Foothill Trail. Once you reach Big Tree, take the Circle Trail. Follow it around until it connects back to the Foothill Trail. Once you are back on the Foothill Trail, take the first left toward the road to return to your vehicle.

*On AllTrails, this loop is called the Prairie Creek/Foothill Loop. The Prairie Creek Trail has been changed in recent years to Karl Knapp. It will be Karl Knapp inside the park.

Fern Canyon Loop-

Distance: 1.2 miles round trip

Trail Route: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 100+ ft

Trail Access: Park in the Fern Canyon Lot via Davison Road.

FREE PERMIT REQUIRED:

From May 15^th through September 15^th, a permit is required.
Permits can be secured here: Fern Canyon Reservations
The permits are for the entire day, starting at 9 a.m.
If you are unable to secure a permit, consider trying for a parking spot after 5 p.m. The drive to the Ranger Station near the parking lot takes about 30 minutes, and there is a possibility you may be turned away if there are no spots available. We experienced this situation ourselves. We tried for six days to get a day-before pass without success. Finally, we got in after 5!
RVs and trailers over 24 ft are not allowed on Davison Road.
Be prepared to drive through multiple sections of water on your way to the Fern Canyon Lot. Some areas can be quite tricky based on current water levels!

Once you have reached the parking lot, take the Davidson Trail at the north end of the lot. Once you reach the creek, head southeast into the canyon. You will be walking on the rocky creek bed, so depending on the water levels, expect to get your feet wet as you walk through the canyon. You can also expect to navigate around fallen trees and flowing water.

If you want to complete the entire loop, about 0.4 miles into the canyon, follow the signs for the James Irvine Trail. Once you climb out of the canyon and into the forest, take a left at the first trail split and head northwest. This beautiful forest trail will loop you back to the start of the Fern Canyon Trail.

Gold Bluffs Beach-

The final stop of the day is Gold Bluffs Beach. You can access the beach by taking the trail that starts from the Fern Canyon parking lot, or you can explore from any of the pullouts or parking areas along Gold Bluffs Beach Road on your way back to Davison Road. The stunning beach and towering cliffs are absolutely breathtaking!

Day 2 (Redwood National Park)

Tall Trees Grove Loop-

Distance: 4.5 miles round trip

Trail Route: Combo- out-and-back with a loop at the end

Difficulty: Moderate- Strenuous

Elevation Gain: 800+ ft

Trail Access: Park in the Tall Trees Grove Lot at the end of the Tall Trees Access Road.

FREE PERMIT REQUIRED:

Reservations are required year-round.
You can register up to 180 days in advance for an all-day reservation (45 available per day) or a half-day reservation the day before the visit date (10 available per day).
Permits can be obtained here- Tall Trees Reservations.
You will get a gate code emailed to you the day before your visit.
The road to the trailhead from the access gate is 6 miles, unpaved.
The parking area near the trailhead cannot accommodate vehicles or RVs over 21 feet.

Once you arrive at the trailhead, you will face a steep yet manageable hike down to Tall Trees Grove. At the bottom, you can choose to hike the easy loop trail in either direction, which meanders through the towering trees and alongside the picturesque Redwood Creek. With limited reservations, you’ll likely feel as though you have the area to yourself. Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife near the water!

*Be prepared for the challenging 800-foot climb back up to your car, which can be pretty strenuous. Remember to rest often and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water!

Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail–

Distance: 1.5 miles round trip

Trail Route: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 100+ ft

Trail Access: Park in the Lady Bird Johnson Lot via Bald Hills Road.

After the tough climb out of Tall Trees Grove, it’s time for a trail that is a little less exhausting. The most challenging part of the Lady Bird Johnson Trail is finding a parking space in the rather small lot. Once you find a spot, head over the bridge to complete the stunning loop through the massive, towering trees. The quick loop has minimal elevation gain, is easy to follow, and is perfect for any skill level!

Trillium Falls–

Distance: 2.8 miles round trip (if you go to the falls and back, you can shorten this trail to 1-mile rt)

Trail Route: Loop

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 400+ ft

Trail Access: Park in the Elk Meadow Day-Use Area via Davison Road.

The last hike of the day is Trillium Falls. Bears frequent this trail, so please hike with bear spray, especially if you are hiking the entire loop. If you want to see the falls first, head right at the first split in the trail. The falls are just 0.5 miles from the trailhead and can be seen cascading through the rocks from the hiker’s bridge. Make this your turn-around point, or continue the loop trail through the incredible forest before looping back to the main lot. The entire trail is stunning, so if you have the time, that’s what I would recommend😊

Day 3 (Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park)

Grove of Titans Trail-

Distance: 1.7 miles round trip Trail Route: Loop

Trail Route: Combo- out-and-back with a small loop at the end.

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: <200+ ft

Trail Access: Park along Howland Hill Road.

The drive to the trailhead is so great, taking you through towering trees that feel close enough to touch as you navigate the winding path. The road is unpaved, has many curves, and is relatively narrow, even though it accommodates two-way traffic. It’s important to drive slowly while heading to the trailhead; dust clouds from the road and the numerous bends can make it hard to see oncoming vehicles until they are right in front of you.

Once you park and reach the trailhead, the path is easy to follow as it winds through the majestic redwoods. The last half of the trail consists of a raised boardwalk designed to protect the forest floor. However, please note that there are stairs along the trail, making it not suitable for strollers or ADA accessibility.

Stout Grove–

Distance: 1-mile round trip

Trail Route: Loop, with a short spur trail

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: <50 ft

Trail Access: Park in the Stout Grove Parking Lot via Howland Hill Road.

You may notice others parked along the main road, but if you follow the sign for “Stout Grove,” you’ll find a parking lot that is tucked away from the main road and conveniently located right at the trailhead. While this trail is one of the shortest on our itinerary, it is also our absolute favorite. The massive trees are awe-inspiring, and during the day, when sunlight filters through the canopy of branches, the entire trail feels magical. This is a loop trail that includes a short spur in the middle. The path is wide, flat, and easy to navigate.

Simpson-Reed Trail-

Distance: 1-mile round trip

Trail Route: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: <100 ft

Trail Access: Park along Walker Road near the Simpson-Reed Trailhead.

This trail is a short yet spectacular loop that can be hiked in either direction. It’s a flat and easy path, featuring several informative signs along the way. If you choose to hike clockwise, you can shorten the loop by taking the connector trail in the middle. To walk the entire loop, continue straight at the trail junction.

This trail offers a different experience compared to the last two trails. It is adorned with layers of green, ranging from the forest floor to the towering redwoods above. Nurse logs, ferns, moss, and hemlock trees create a lush atmosphere, making it feel somewhat like walking through a jungle.

Coastal Drive-

The last adventure of the day is the Coastal Drive. While the southern portion is closed to vehicle traffic due to erosion, the northern section is currently open. Start this one-way scenic drive via Klamath Beach Road at the Old Douglass Memorial Bridge Site.

From there, head to High Bluff Overlook. This overlook features a decent-sized parking lot. Several short trails lead to breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding shoreline.

After enjoying High Bluff Overlook, continue north on the narrow, unpaved, one-way road. Keep an eye out for wildlife in the water and on the road. At one point, we stopped to watch a whale in the water when suddenly, a black bear wandered right in front of our car and ran up into the trees!

Next, continue the 8-mile loop to visit a World War II radar station disguised as an old farmhouse. From there, continue a bit further to an overlook of the Klamath River, which empties into the ocean. Follow the road as it winds east to return to Klamath Beach Road.

And that is a wrap on Redwood National and State Parks!

If you have more time to spend in the Redwoods, I highly recommend adding a fourth day to this adventure. The optional fourth-day itinerary is below.

Day 4 (Optional Add-on Day)

Boy Scout Tree Trail/Fern Falls-

Distance: 5.6 miles round trip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: +900 ft

Trail Access: Park along Howland Hill Road, just past the Grove of Titans Trailhead.

This trail is stunning as it winds through the enormous trees. There are several creek crossings and multiple spots where you’ll walk beneath some of the area’s fallen giants. About 2.4 miles into the hike, there’s a short side trail that leads to the impressive Boy Scout Tree, which stands over 200 feet tall. After exploring the Boy Scout Tree, head back to the main trail for another 0.5 miles to reach Fern Falls.

Like any waterfall, its impressiveness can vary depending on the season and rainfall, but the surrounding landscape makes it lovely no matter when you visit. Fern Falls is your turnaround point, so from there, return along the main trail to your vehicle.

Please note that this trail has many exposed roots and can become quite muddy, so I recommend wearing proper footwear!

Trees of Mystery-

I don’t often include these types of experiences on our hiking itineraries, mostly because we don’t love crowds, and places like this are also on the pricier side. But after driving past it every day for an entire week, our kids finally convinced us to stop. While it is absolutely the definition of “touristy,” it was still so much fun that I couldn’t resist putting it on the add-on day!

Cost: Adults $30, Kids 3-12 $15, Kids 0-2 Free

The price provides unlimited all-day access to any attraction on the property. If your kids love the SkyTrail gondola ride or the Canopy Walk, you can enjoy each activity as often as you want! I felt that the Canopy Walk, their newest attraction, is worth the visit on its own. Walking among the trees on suspension bridges that are 50 to 100 feet high was incredible. Along the way, there are many informative signs and videos, making it a great learning experience as well. If you have extra time in the Redwoods, this is definitely an experience you won’t want to miss!

Sunset at Wilson Creek Beach-

The day’s last stop can be found right along US- 101, just 1 mile north of the Trees of Mystery. There is a small parking lot, and the beach at sunset is just incredible. It’s the perfect way to end your time in the Redwoods😊