Redwood National and State Parks

Park Coastal parks protecting towering ancient redwood forests

Along California’s north coast, Redwood National and State Parks protect coast redwoods, old-growth groves and coastal prairies. Travelers hike trails like Lady Bird, drive scenic routes and watch Roosevelt elk.

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Redwood National and State Parks is a cooperative complex of federal and state parks on the northern California coast established to protect extensive stands of old-growth coastal redwood, as well as contiguous prairies, rivers and coastal ecosystems.

The parks preserve some of the tallest tree species on Earth, the coast redwoods, with individual trees that exceed 100 metres in height and named specimens among the tallest living trees. Trails, scenic drives and visitor centers provide access to redwood groves, rivers and coastal viewpoints.

The protected area was established in the 20th century to prevent the loss of remaining old-growth forests and has been managed to restore and conserve redwood habitats while providing public access for education and recreation. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding tall forest ecosystems.

The parks lie along the Pacific coast of northern California in Del Norte and Humboldt counties, with major access towns including Crescent City and Eureka and multiple visitor entrances spaced along the coastal highway.

  • Record trees: The protected area contains coast redwoods that can exceed 100 metres in height, including individual trees like Hyperion that exceed 115 metres.
  • Conservation status: The parks were designated to protect remaining old-growth redwood stands and were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their outstanding tall forest ecosystems.

What to See #

  • Old-growth groves: A network of federally protected old-growth redwood forest, prairie and riparian habitats that includes Tall Trees Grove and other named groves with some of the world's tallest trees.
  • State park units: Four state parks - Jedediah Smith Redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods, Prairie Creek Redwoods - are managed cooperatively with the national park to protect contiguous redwood forest and coastal habitats.
Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood National and State Parks - Northern California (Del Norte & Humboldt Counties)
41.2879, -124.0589
Open year-round (visitor centers seasonal)
No general entrance fee for the national park; some adjoining state-park units may charge day-use fees

How to Get to Redwood National and State Parks #

The parks are stretched along U.S. Highway 101 on California’s north coast-drive US‑101 to reach the various park units (Jedediah Smith, Prairie Creek, Del Norte, and the national park areas). Nearest regional airports are Arcata-Eureka (ACV) for the central/southern park units and Crescent City (CEC) for the northern units; from San Francisco expect a long drive (commonly around 5-6 hours). Visitor centers and main trailheads are reached from turnoffs off US‑101; most groves and boardwalks are a short walk from designated parking areas (typically under a mile).

Tips for Visiting Redwood National and State Parks #

  • Go early on weekdays - arriving at or just after dawn on Newton B. Drury Parkway (Prairie Creek unit) gives you quieter trails and a better chance to see Roosevelt elk grazing in the meadows before tour buses arrive.
  • Use the smaller trailheads rather than main beach lots: Stout Grove (Jedediah Smith area) and the Newton B. Drury trailheads spread visitors out more than the big highway pullouts on US‑101.
  • If you want Tall Trees Grove, plan ahead - that grove is reached via a gated access and the park requires a free access permit from a visitor center, so check the visitor center on arrival rather than assuming open access.
  • Avoid midafternoon weekends when the coastal viewpoints and main groves are busiest; late afternoon light on the trunks and quieter turnout at Gold Bluffs Beach (Prairie Creek) reward those who stay later in the day.

Best Time to Visit Redwood National and State Parks #

Late spring through early fall (May-September) is generally the best time for hiking, clearer views and park access, while summer is busiest.

Spring
March-May · 8-18 °C
Mild temperatures and spring greenery; some rain but trails and coastal drives are increasingly accessible and wildflowers appear.
Summer
June-August · 12-22 °C
Cool to mild conditions with frequent coastal fog in mornings and clear afternoons; peak visitor numbers and best weather for hiking and beach access.
Winter
November-February · 5-12 °C
Cooler, wetter months with higher rainfall and fewer visitors; some trails can be muddy and certain roads or services may have reduced hours.

Weather & Climate near Redwood National and State Parks #

Climate

Redwood National and State Parks's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 4°C to 21°C. Abundant rainfall (1593 mm/year), wettest in December with a pronounced dry season.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
21°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Heavy rain (242 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°

Weather

242 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Heavy rain (207 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°

Weather

207 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Heavy rain (221 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
14°

Weather

221 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

119 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
18°

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. The driest month with just 8 mm.

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 20°

Weather

8 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 21°

Weather

21 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm).

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
19°

Weather

115 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Heavy rain (256 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°

Weather

256 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (268 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°

Weather

268 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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