Narrow roads
Access notice
Free entry
NP fee status
4 areas
Campgrounds
16 stops
Landmarks & groves
2 gauges
Redwood Creek
3 live
Cameras
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 above Panther Creek
⏳
USGS 11482120
-- 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 CenterMain south visitor center · Pacific Ocean viewDaily
Tall Trees GroveAmong the tallest trees on Earth · gated road, free permit requiredPermit req.
Redwood Creek TrailEasy-moderate · follows Redwood CreekVaries
Lady Bird Johnson GroveEasy · 1.4 mi loop, dedicated in 1969~1 hr
Prairie Creek Area4 stops▾
Fern CanyonFern-draped 50 ft walls · timed entry often required in summerSeasonal res.
Gold Bluffs BeachWild beach · unpaved access roadDaily
Elk PrairieReliable Roosevelt elk viewing meadowDaily
Newton B. Drury Scenic ParkwayOld-growth scenic drive, alt. to US-101~10 mi
Klamath Area2 stops▾
Klamath River OverlookWhale watching & ocean bluff views~20 min
Coastal DriveScenic loop above the coast · seasonal/weather closures, no RVs~30–45 min
Crescent City / Del Norte3 stops▾
Battery Point LighthouseHistoric 1856 lighthouse · tidal access islandTide-dependent
Enderts BeachTide pools & coastal views~1 hr
Crescent BeachEasy beach access, sunset spot~30 min
Jedediah Smith Area3 stops▾
Stout GroveEasy · iconic old-growth grove near Smith River~30 min
Simpson-Reed GroveEasy · 0.8 mi interpretive loop~30 min
Smith RiverCalifornia's largest undammed river · swimming & fishingVaries
Park Stores5 locations▾
Visitor Center Park Stores5 locations▾
Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor CenterBooks · Maps · Gifts · Orick, coastal viewsDaily
Prairie Creek Visitor CenterBooks · Maps · GiftsDaily
Crescent City Information CenterBooks · Maps · GiftsDaily
Hiouchi Visitor CenterSmall Gift Shop · Smith River ExhibitsSeasonal
Jedediah Smith Campground StoreSmall Store · Bookstore · ExhibitsMemorial Day–Labor Day
Stargazing & Night SkyNo IDA tier▾
Loading…
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 Contact Information