Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California are home to the tallest trees in the world, the mighty Redwood, which can reach staggering heights of over 360ft and weigh more than 500 tons.
These parks feature magical redwood forests, miles of spectacular beaches, stunning overlooks, and the largest herd of Roosevelt elk on the planet.
Location: California
Established: October 2, 1968
Size: 138,999.37 acres
Visitation: 435,879 (2024)
Entrance Fees
FREE! However, if you plan to visit more National Parks within the next 12 months we suggest you go ahead and purchase the America the Beautiful Pass (which can be purchased at any national park) and gets you into all National Parks, Forests, Monuments, and more including 2,000 sites for free after a one time $79 fee.
Cell Service
Cell Service is pretty reliable in the park. There are a few spots near Orick where service is more limited but overall visitors can expect to have good reception.
Getting to the Redwoods
Getting to Redwood National Park is half the fun! Out of state visitors can fly into Crescent City Airport (which is only 30mins from the closest part of the park), or San Francisco and drive up the coast (6 hours south of Redwood), or Redding (3 hours east of Redwood), or Medford, OR (2 hours northeast of Redwood).
Food & Restaurants
There are many restaurants and food options throughout the areas, cities, and towns around the park. The major towns for restaurants are Crescent City to the North, Klamath in the middle, and Trinidad to the South.
Mosquitoes
During the summer months (June – August) expect to find mosquitoes at varying levels in the Redwoods.
Best Time to Visit the Redwoods
The Best Time to Visit Redwood National Park is in Spring and Summer to take advantage of less crowds (Spring) and warmer temperatures (Summer).
Maps of the National Parks
National Parks Checklist Map: This beautiful National Parks Checklist Map can be ordered to your house.
Where to Stay in the Redwoods
Here are the lodging options in the Redwoods.
- Crescent City
- Klamath
- Trinidad
- Arcata
- Eureka
- Fortuna (Humboldt Redwoods)
Redwood National Park is located in the Northernmost section of California, right on the Oregon border.
The park is about 313 miles north of San Francisco, 6 hours driving. Redwood National Park shares a border with the Six Rivers National Forest.
Getting to Redwood National Park – Directions & Location
There are a few ways to access the park from different directions.
Closest Airport to Redwood National Park: CEC – Del Norte County Airport (in Crescent City)
The fastest way to get to Redwood National Park is flying into Del Norte County Airport (the nearest airport to the Redwoods) and driving to the park.
Flights into Del Norte are typically on the spendier side and rental car options are limited. The proximity can’t be beat as it’s a 20 minute drive from the airport to the nearest part of the park.
Redwood National Park Shuttle System
Sorry folks – there is no public transportation system currently in use at Redwood National Park.
Driving in Redwood National Park
Driving the Redwood Coast is considered one of the most iconic and beautiful drives in North America.
To get from the northernmost tip of the park, the Jedediah Smith Redwoods, down to the Humboldt Redwoods (technically not park of the park but we include it anyway) is about a 3 hour drive.
99% of driving in Redwood National Park can be done with a regular 2WD car with a potential exception being the short drive from Gold Bluffs Beach to Fern Canyon depending on road conditions.
Motorists should will experience a myriad of views from ancient old growth redwood groves to stunning coastal vistas.
Fog is a common companion along these roads so drive slowly and enjoy.
Getting Gas in Redwood National Park
There are plenty of fuel options along the way so drivers don’t need to worry too much about running out of gas.
The only caveat we’ll give is if you’re passing through the town of Orick and are low on fuel, be sure to fill up there to be safe as it is a bit removed from the next gas station.
Redwood Forest Weather
Redwood National Park has very mild seasons given its location, firmly within the marine west coast climate.
With that being said, each season brings something a little different to Redwood National Park.
We prefer early Summer because of the warmer temperatures combined with pre-peak crowds.
Watching the sun filter through the Redwood canopies is a beautiful and mesmerizing thing.
Best Time to Visit Redwood National Park
The best time to visit Redwood National Park is during the Summer when temperatures warm up and warmth can be felt in the redwood forests.
During Summer, temperatures get up into the 80s with nights cool enough to sleep outside with low temperatures in the 60s.
Summer is the perfect time of year to cool off in the Smith River with a swim. We recommend early summer (June) as the park sees more visitation in July and August.
Redwood National Park Seasons
Spring in Redwood National Park
Spring is lovely in the Redwoods with rising temperatures, less rain, and wildflowers blooming all over the park. Visitation is still low this time of year which makes it an ideal time to visit the park.
The park will see lows in the 40s during March and mid 50s by June with highs between 58 – 71 degrees.
Summer in Redwood National Park
Summer is the best time to visit Redwood National Park. During Summer, temperatures get up into the 80s with nights cool enough to sleep outside with low temperatures in the 60s.
Summer is the perfect time of year to cool off in the Smith River with a swim. We recommend early summer (June) as the park sees more visitation in July and August.
Fall in Redwood National Park
Fall in the Redwoods can be lovely. Temperatures are cooling off but still quite nice with highs in the 60s and 70s. September is a great month to visit as crowd sizes are down and the weather is still nice.
Winter in Redwood National Park
Winter can be surprisingly nice in the Redwoods with the temperate climate keeping the lows in mid 40s and the highs in the mid 50s. Crowd sizes are minimal this time of year which makes for a more intimate experience in the park.
One can find themselves complete solace in many of the parks groves in winter. One thing to note is that this is the rainiest time of year in the park which brings its own charm as the true vivaciousness of the redwood forest comes to life.
Best Things to Do in Redwood National Park
- Hike the Stout Grove
- Discover the Lady Bird Johnson Grove
- Explore Fern Canyon
- Experience the Jedediah Smith Redwoods
- Camp Out at Gold Bluffs Beach
- Drive The Avenue of the Giants
- More Things to Do in the Redwoods
Where to Stay in the Redwoods
Camping in Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is home to 4 campgrounds (within the official park boundaries) and over 300 campsites offering a wide variety of camping options from campgrounds from intimate sites in redwood forests to beach camping.
Backcountry camping is also an option for the more adventurous park-goer.
Of these campgrounds my personal favorite are Gold Bluffs Beach (right on the ocean!) and Jedediah Smith Redwoods (located in a massive Redwood Grove).
Redwood National Park Campgrounds
Jedediah Smith Campground
Location: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Dates: Year Round
# of Campsites: 86 sites
RV: Max 25 feet – No hookups.
Mill Creek Campground
Location: Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Dates: May – September
# of Campsites: 145 sites
RV: Max 28 feet – No hookups
Elk Prairie Campground
Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Dates: Year Round
# of Campsites: 75 sites
RV: Max 27 feet – No hookups
Gold Bluffs Beach Campground
Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Dates: Year Round
# of Campsites: 26 sites
RV: Max 24 feet (no trailers) – No hookups
Redwood Cabins
There are eight ADA accessible cabins available to rent in Redwood National Park. Four cabins are located in the Jedediah Smith Campground and four are located in the Elk Prairie Campground.
Redwood Forest Lodging
Surprisingly enough there are no official park lodges located within Redwood National Park. The two most popular towns to stay when visiting the park are Crescent City & Klamath Falls.
Favorite Local Restaurant
When I visit the redwood forests (and am looking for a nicer meal than usual) I’ll stop in at the Chart House in Crescent City. It’s on the spendier side but a great spot nonetheless.
Redwood National Park Fun Facts
- Redwood National Park is home to the tallest tree in the world.
- Some of the Redwoods are old, like really old.
- Redwoods have really thick bark.
- Redwoods live off of fog.
- Redwoods have an extremely shallow root system, relatively speaking.
Nearby Attractions to the Redwoods
- Six Rivers National Forest
- Shasta Trinity National Forest
- Crater Lake National Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park