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.
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Redwood National and State Parks #
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.
January
January is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Heavy rain (242 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Heavy rain (207 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Heavy rain (221 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall.
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July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. The driest month with just 8 mm.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Heavy rain (256 mm).
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December
December is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (268 mm).