Summary
Free entry
NP fee status
3 live
Cameras
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is June–August, when around 40% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for November–March.
Plan Your Visit
Access NoticesRoads & permits▾
Access & FeesNP free · SP $8–12▾
Main Corridor
Usually Open
US-101, running the length of the park
The primary route through Redwood National and State Parks, connecting Orick, Klamath & Crescent City. Most park units are accessed directly off US-101.
💡 No entrance gate on US-101 itself — this is a through-highway, not a gated park boundary.
NPS directions ↗
Scenic Alternate
Usually Open
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
A slower, old-growth-lined alternate to US-101 through Prairie Creek Redwoods SP — passes Elk Prairie and connects to Davison Rd / Gold Bluffs Beach & Fern Canyon.
💡 Worth the detour — this is where most elk sightings happen.
NPS directions ↗
Fee Structure
Split Model
National park land is free — state park units charge day-use
Redwood National Park has no entrance fee. The co-managed state park units (Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast & Prairie Creek) charge separate day-use fees at their developed areas.
💡 America the Beautiful passes are honored at the state park day-use areas too.
CA State Parks fee info ↗
💡 No live wait-time data exists for this park. Redwood National Park itself is entirely fee-free. The three California State Parks units layered within it — Jedediah Smith Redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods & Prairie Creek Redwoods — each charge an approximate $8–$12 per vehicle day-use fee at their developed areas (exact current pricing varies by unit; see the CA State Parks fee page below rather than relying on a fixed number here).
River Conditions · Redwood Creek2 gauges▾
Redwood Creek at Orick
⏳
USGS 11482500
-- cfs·-- ft·--°F
Redwood Creek near Blue Lake
⏳
USGS 11481500
-- cfs·-- ft
Campground Availability4 areas▾
Elk Prairie Reservation Recommended ▾
Sites75
UnitPrairie Creek Redwoods SP
SeasonYear-round
NotesNear elk viewing meadow & old-growth trails
Book via ReserveCalifornia ↗
Gold Bluffs Beach Reservation Recommended ▾
Sites~26
UnitPrairie Creek Redwoods SP
SeasonYear-round
NotesBeachfront · unpaved access road via Davison Rd, no RVs/trailers
Book via ReserveCalifornia ↗
Jedediah Smith Reservation Recommended ▾
Sites~89
UnitJedediah Smith Redwoods SP
SeasonYear-round
NotesAlong the Smith River, near Stout Grove
Book via ReserveCalifornia ↗
Mill Creek Seasonal · Summer Only ▾
Sites~145
UnitDel Norte Coast Redwoods SP
SeasonSummer only
NotesLargest campground in the parks · closed off-season
Book via ReserveCalifornia ↗
Landmarks & Groves16 stops▾
Orick / South4 stops▾
Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor CenterDaily
Main south visitor center · Pacific Ocean view
Tall Trees GrovePermit req.
Among the tallest trees on Earth · gated road, free permit required
Redwood Creek TrailVaries
Easy-moderate · follows Redwood Creek
Lady Bird Johnson Grove~1 hr
Easy · 1.4 mi loop, dedicated in 1969
Prairie Creek Area4 stops▾
Fern CanyonSeasonal res.
Fern-draped 50 ft walls · timed entry often required in summer
Gold Bluffs BeachDaily
Wild beach · unpaved access road
Elk PrairieDaily
Reliable Roosevelt elk viewing meadow
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway~10 mi
Old-growth scenic drive, alt. to US-101
Klamath Area2 stops▾
Klamath River Overlook~20 min
Whale watching & ocean bluff views
Coastal Drive~30–45 min
Scenic loop above the coast · seasonal/weather closures, no RVs
Crescent City / Del Norte3 stops▾
Battery Point LighthouseTide-dependent
Historic 1856 lighthouse · tidal access island
Enderts Beach~1 hr
Tide pools & coastal views
Crescent Beach~30 min
Easy beach access, sunset spot
Jedediah Smith Area3 stops▾
Stout Grove~30 min
Easy · iconic old-growth grove near Smith River
Simpson-Reed Grove~30 min
Easy · 0.8 mi interpretive loop
Smith RiverVaries
California's largest undammed river · swimming & fishing
Things to Do6 categories▾
Hiking Trails4 trails▾
Tall Trees Grove TrailPermit req.
Descends to a floodplain grove of some of the tallest redwoods on Earth along Redwood Creek
4.5 mi RT · 1,600 ft
Fern Canyon Loop TrailSeasonal permit
Short loop past 30–50 ft fern-draped canyon walls along Home Creek at Gold Bluffs Beach
1 mi loop · 150 ft
James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon12 mi loop · 200+ ft · No permit
Longer old-growth approach to Fern Canyon from Prairie Creek Visitor Center — no reservation needed
Trillium Falls Trail2.5 mi loop
Old-growth loop past a small waterfall, starting at Elk Meadow Day Use Area
Scenic Drives3 routes▾
Howland Hill Road10 mi one-way
Unpaved backcountry route through old-growth redwoods in Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP; not suited for RVs or trailers
Coastal Drive Loop9 mi RT
Ocean-bluff loop above the coast near Klamath; not suitable for RVs or trailers north of High Bluff
Bald Hills Road17 mi one-way
Mostly-unpaved climb past the Tall Trees trailhead turnoff; RVs/trailers not advised
Biking4 routes▾
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway10 mi one-way
Paved, mostly-flat route through old-growth redwoods; closed to cars first Saturday of the month, Oct–May
Ossagon Trail Loop19 mi loop
Combines the Ossagon Trail, Coastal Trail & Davison Road for a full-day backcountry ride; e-bikes prohibited
Lost Man Creek TrailModerate
old-growth climb north of Orick; can extend onto Bald Hills Road for a longer loop
11 mi · up to 20.5 mi loop
Coastal Trail — Last Chance Section6 mi
Steep, switchbacked stretch of the Coastal Trail open to bikes; e-bikes prohibited
Coastal & Water Activities2 ways▾
Ranger-Led Smith River Kayak TourReservation req.
Tandem inflatable kayak trip through Class I–II water with a park ranger, departing Jedediah Smith Day Use Area
3 mi · Summer
Tidepooling at Enderts Beach1 mi walk
Colorful tidepools reachable via a short walk near Crescent City — check tide tables before heading down
Stargazing & Night SkyNo IDA tier▾
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Redwood National and State Parks has no official IDA/DarkSky International certification, but is informally recognized as one of the darker sky locations on the California coast — the low population density along this stretch of US-101, combined with towering canopy cover, keeps light pollution unusually low for a coastal park. Coastal fog can obscure views, so check conditions first; open meadows like Elk Prairie and beach areas away from Crescent City tend to offer the clearest sightlines. Best on new-moon nights — bring a red flashlight to preserve night vision and dress warmly, as coastal nights are damp and cool year-round. NPS night sky info ↗
Park Stores5 locations▾
Visitor Center Park Stores5 locations▾
Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor CenterDaily
Books · Maps · Gifts · Orick, coastal views
Prairie Creek Visitor CenterDaily
Books · Maps · Gifts
Crescent City Information CenterDaily
Books · Maps · Gifts
Hiouchi Visitor CenterSeasonal
Small Gift Shop · Smith River Exhibits
Jedediah Smith Campground StoreMemorial Day–Labor Day
Small Store · Bookstore · Exhibits
Bird Watching309+ species▾
Bald Eagle
Fishes the coastal rivers and lagoons
Osprey
Dives for fish along Redwood Creek
Marbled Murrelet
Rare seabird that nests in old-growth canopy
Steller's Jay
Bold, crested jay common near campgrounds
Pileated Woodpecker
Drums on ancient redwood snags
Park Contact Information