Redwood: The Scenic Parkway Closes to Cars One Saturday a Month
The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway clears of cars for Hike and Bike Day, one Saturday a month from October through May. Here's what it means for access.
If you're planning a trip to Redwood, here's a date worth putting on your calendar. The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, the scenic road that winds through the giant redwoods, takes on a different character once a month for a good stretch of the year.
The setup is simple. The road closes to cars on the first Saturday of every month, from October through May, for Hike and Bike Day. On those days, the pavement belongs to walkers and cyclists. You can bike or stroll under the canopy without a single engine in sight. If you want to photograph these ancient trees in peace, it's a rare window.
The closure stays occasional and predictable. It only affects one Saturday a month, and only during the announced season. The rest of the time, you can drive the parkway as usual. Just check the date before you head out, especially if your route depends on this stretch.
Here's some good news for your trip logistics. Access to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center and the Elk Prairie Campground isn't affected by these closures. You can still reach the visitor center and your campsite even on a Hike and Bike Day. Just take Exit 753, which leads straight to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center without using the closed road.
Here's our take. Rather than work around this closure, lean into it. Timing your visit for one of these Saturdays gives you an experience most travelers never get, a redwood forest you can walk or bike through with no traffic at all. To plan everything around this stop, check out our Redwood park guide, which covers the access points and highlights. And if you're stringing together stops along the coast, see how this park fits into our road trip itinerary that runs through it.