When to Visit Redwood: Best Seasons and Weather

By Victoria Boissonade · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Redwood

The quick answer: September and October are our favorite months for visiting Redwood National and State Parks. The rain hasn't really returned yet, the summer coastal fog has lifted, and Roosevelt elk enter the rut in the coastal meadows at sunrise. If you can choose only one window, make it this one. Late spring (May) is an excellent alternative for budget-conscious travelers or anyone looking to avoid the summer crowds.

The park stays accessible year-round: roads and trails are open 365 days a year. What changes from season to season is the weather, the atmosphere, and what you'll find open on-site.

Climate Month by Month

Redwood sits along the far northern California coast, less than an hour from the Oregon border. That location gives it a distinct microclimate: mild but damp, much wetter than Southern California's parks, and often blanketed in coastal fog.

Annual temperatures range from 45°F (winter nights) to 64°F (summer afternoons), with highs around 68°F on the best July and August days. Here, a windbreaker comes in handy in every season, even in the middle of August.

Indicative climate averages based on data from California's north coast (the Crescent City area). Temperatures are in °F and precipitation is in inches.

The rainy season runs from October through April, when the region receives a total of 59 to 79 inches of rain over the full period. Plan on wearing layers, bringing a practical rain jacket, and wearing waterproof shoes. This isn't a light drizzle. Some winters dump 8 to 12 inches in a single day.

For short-term forecasts and the full month-by-month breakdown, see our Redwood Weather page.

Redwood Season by Season

Spring (March through May)

Spring is a season of transition. The rain gradually eases, giant ferns regain their color, and the trails become more manageable after the winter storms. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, in the central part of the park, bursts into green by late March.

As for wildlife, Roosevelt elk spend the year in the meadows around Gold Bluffs Beach and Elk Prairie. Between March and May, gray whales migrate north. From the coastal bluffs, you can spot them with the naked eye.

Some campgrounds don't reopen until May, and visitor centers may operate on reduced hours in March and April. Check conditions on nps.gov before you leave.

Crowds: low to moderate. It's a good time to explore the trails without fighting for a parking spot.

Summer (June through August)

First-time visitors are often surprised: summer in Redwood doesn't look like summer in Southern California. Mornings are often overcast, with a thick coastal fog, known as the marine layer, that doesn't lift until midafternoon, if it lifts at all. This pattern can easily last into July.

It's still the busiest season. Families and road-trippers fill the campgrounds starting Memorial Day weekend, visitor centers are running at full capacity, and parking areas along Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway are full by midday. Temperatures beneath the canopy remain comfortable for hiking, ranging from 54°F to 64°F.

One lesser-known advantage of summer is that the fog creates exceptional diffused light beneath the trees. I spent a July morning on the Fern Canyon Trail with mist slipping between the 16-foot-tall fern-covered walls. It felt unreal, and no photo did the scene justice.

Crowds: high in July and August. Set out before 9 a.m. for the most popular trails.

Fall (September through October)

Our top recommendation. September offers the same temperatures as midsummer, the rain hasn't seriously returned yet, and the summer crowds have thinned out. In early October, the elk enter the rut. Males call from the meadows at sunrise. Few visitors anticipate this remarkable sound and sight, which is a shame for them.

The lower, warmer fall light filters through the centuries-old trunks differently than it does in summer. For photography, this is the season when anything seems possible. The trails are in good shape, the campgrounds are still open, and hotel rates in gateway communities begin to drop.

Crowds: moderate to low. It's the best balance between the quality of the experience and the number of visitors.

Winter (November through February)

Winter turns Redwood into something else: wilder, more solitary, and often spectacular in the rain. Rivers rise, streams become torrents, and the ferns in Fern Canyon take on even more intense colors than they do in spring.

The drawbacks are real. Some campgrounds close, visitor centers reduce their hours or even close on certain weekdays, and some trails may be temporarily closed after heavy rain. Howland Hill Road, which is unpaved, can become impassable in winter.

As for wildlife, gray whales migrate south from December through February and can be seen from the coastal overlooks. The elk remain in the meadows year-round.

Crowds: very low. This is for lovers of the rainforest in its most untamed state.

Crowds: When to Avoid the Rush

Redwood is still less crowded than Arches or Yosemite, but summer pressure is increasing every year. Most traffic concentrates along three routes and attractions: Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, Fern Canyon, and Lady Bird Johnson Grove.

Starting before 8 a.m. guarantees nearly empty trails, no matter the month. The NPS posts real-time conditions on the park's social media accounts and on nps.gov.

Best Time for Your Budget

There is no NPS entrance fee for areas managed as part of the national park. Lodging is what weighs most heavily on the budget. Gateway towns, including Crescent City to the north and Arcata and Eureka to the south, follow the usual seasonal pricing patterns. In July and August, rooms generally cost 30 to 50% more than they do in May or October.

Camping remains the most affordable option, with sites at NPS campgrounds available to reserve through Recreation.gov. Plan ahead as soon as summer booking windows open. Fuel also belongs in the calculation: the park stretches about 62 miles from north to south, and it's easy to drive 50 to 62 miles on internal roads in a day.

For a detailed look at options for different budgets, our Where to Stay in Redwood guide covers everything from rustic camping to lodges in town.

Which Season Fits Your Travel Style?

Wildlife: September and October for the elk rut; March through May for gray whale migration. Our Redwood Wildlife page covers the species and the best seasonal viewing spots.

Hiking: May through October, when trails are manageable and campgrounds are open. Avoid July and August weekends if you're targeting the most popular trails. The Redwood hiking guide breaks them down by difficulty and duration.

Photography: fall for golden light and the elk rut; winter for dramatic scenes in the rain; summer if you're looking for fog in the canopy. Bring your patience.

Families: July and August, when campgrounds are lively and ranger programs are in full swing. Weekdays are better than weekends. Our Redwood Family page lists activities suited to each age group.

Tight budget: May or October, when rates are lower and the weather is still decent.

To plan the right length of stay and build a day-by-day itinerary, our Redwood Itinerary and Trip Length guide offers schedules for one to four days.

In Summary: The Best Time for Your Travel Style

There is no bad season in Redwood. Each one reveals a different version of the forest. If you can choose only one window, September remains our benchmark. The rain is still hesitating to return, the light is at its best, and you'll share the redwoods with half as many visitors as in August. Our Complete Redwood guide will help with the rest of your planning.

Frequently Asked Questions