How to Get to Redwood: Airports, Access & Transportation
Redwood National and State Parks stretch for about 60 miles along the far northern California coast, almost touching the Oregon border. The closest regional airport is Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV), an hour's drive south of the Orick entrance. From San Francisco, figure on 325 miles and 6 to 7 hours of driving; from Portland, Oregon, 3 hours is enough to reach the northern entrance.
Airports around the park (5)
- Airport California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport ACV · 27 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Jack Mc Namara Field Airport CEC · 30 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport MFR · 91 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport Redding Municipal Airport RDD · 109 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Southwest Oregon Regional Airport OTH · 142 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Where to Fly: Which Airport for Redwood
The Closest Regional Airport
Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV), officially renamed California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport, is in McKinleyville. It's the logical gateway to the park's southern and central areas. Flights run daily to San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX), with a few flights to other West Coast cities. You'll need to rent a car at the airport. There is no public shuttle to the park.
At the far northern end, Jack McNamara Field (CEC) in Crescent City serves the Jedediah Smith area in less than 10 minutes by car. Flight service is very limited, with connections only through SFO. This option makes sense if you're arriving directly from San Francisco and want to start in the north.
Major International Hubs
Two hubs handle most of the useful connections:
- San Francisco (SFO) is the natural arrival point from France and most major U.S. cities. From there, US-101 follows the coast north for 325 miles to Orick.
- Portland (PDX), in Oregon, works well if you're entering the park from the north, through Jedediah Smith, or adding Redwood to a Pacific Northwest road trip. Figure on about 3 hours to Crescent City.
Seattle (SEA) is another option, but the drive to the park then takes more than 6 hours.
Getting to Redwood from France: Direct Flight or Connecting Flight
There are no nonstop flights from France to the regional airports near Redwood. The standard route from Paris-CDG is:
- Paris → San Francisco (SFO) on a nonstop flight with Air France or United, or with British Airways via London. Flight time: 11 to 12 hours.
- From SFO, either take a connecting flight to Arcata (ACV, about a 1-hour flight) or rent a car and drive (6 to 7 hours).
If you'd rather start in the northern part of the park, fly Paris → Portland (PDX) with a connection in Amsterdam, London, or Chicago, depending on the airline. Total travel time: 13 to 16 hours. The drive from Portland to Crescent City then takes about 3 hours.
For an overview of the park before you leave, see our Redwood guide.
By Car: Distances and Drive Times from Gateway Cities
Driving is the only practical way to get to Redwood and get around once you're there. No intercity public transportation serves the park.
| Starting city | Approx. distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 325 miles | 6 hr 30 min to 7 hr |
| Sacramento, CA | 342 miles | 6 to 7 hours |
| Portland, OR | 301 miles to Crescent City | 5 hr 30 min |
| Los Angeles, CA | 600 miles | 10 to 11 hours |
| Las Vegas, NV | 684 miles | 12 hours |
US-101 is the backbone of the drive from both San Francisco and Portland. It crosses the park from south to north along its entire length. The road is paved, well maintained, and open year-round.
One practical tip we learned the hard way: fill up before leaving Arcata or Crescent City. Gas stations are scarce in the forest, and prices there are noticeably higher.
Redwood Entrances
Redwood has no single entrance gate or booth. Instead, it's a patchwork of four units, one federal national park and three California state parks, stretching from south to north along US-101.
Southern area: Orick and Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center The first stop from San Francisco, located in Orick west of US-101. You can pick up maps here and, during the season, permits to drive to Tall Trees Grove. Access is limited, free, and available on site.
Central area: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park About 31 miles north of Orick. Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway runs parallel to US-101 through one of the park's best-preserved old-growth redwood forests. Vehicles longer than 24 feet are prohibited (see our RV camping guide for detailed restrictions).
Northern area: Del Norte Coast and Crescent City Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park follows US-101 just south of Crescent City. This city is the main base for the northern area, with hotels, grocery stores, and a gas station 10 minutes from the park.
Far northern area: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park You can reach it via US-199, the road connecting Crescent City with Grants Pass, Oregon. Howland Hill Road, a dirt road through ancient redwoods, is suitable only for regular cars and compact SUVs. RVs and trailers are strictly prohibited.
Getting Around Once You're There
Redwood has no official shuttle, so a car is essential for getting between the four areas. Parking, speed limits, and driving restrictions are covered in our Getting Around Redwood guide.
Other Options: Organized Tours and Public Transportation
There is no direct public bus service to the park from San Francisco or Portland. Greyhound serves Arcata and Crescent City, but there is no connection into the park. This option only makes sense if you plan to rent a vehicle when you arrive.
Organized tours departing from San Francisco generally last two to three days. They work well for travelers who want to avoid a long day of driving and don't need the flexibility of an independent road trip. The itinerary is guided, and free time is limited.
From Oregon, a few agencies based in Grants Pass offer half-day trips in the Jedediah Smith area for visitors without their own car.
In Summary: The Best Way to Reach Redwood from Your Starting Point
From France: Fly from Paris to San Francisco, rent a car at SFO, and enter from the south, through Orick, via US-101. Plan on a full day of driving, or break up the trip with a stop in Arcata or Eureka.
From the U.S. West Coast: San Francisco or Los Angeles are the natural starting points for the southern entrance; Portland or Seattle work best for the northern entrance. US-101 is the route in either case.
If you're combining Redwood with other parks: Redwood fits easily into a Pacific Coast road trip. Our Itinerary and Length guide suggests routes combining Redwood with Crater Lake or Mount Shasta.
To find a place to stay near the entrances, our Redwood lodging guide covers all the options. To choose the right season for your mode of transportation, from summer coastal fog to fall and winter rain, our Redwood seasons guide has you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Redwood located?
Redwood National and State Parks lie in far northern California, almost on the Oregon border. The parks stretch for about 60 miles along the Pacific coast, from Orick in the south to Crescent City in the north.
Which airport should I use to visit Redwood?
The closest airport is Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) in McKinleyville, about an hour south of the park. For international flights, San Francisco (SFO, a 6- to 7-hour drive) and Portland (PDX, 3 hours from the northern entrance) offer the best connections.
How do I get to Redwood from France?
There are no nonstop flights from France to the regional airports near the park. The most common route is a nonstop flight from Paris to San Francisco (about 11 hours), followed by a 6- to 7-hour drive north on US-101.
How do I get to Redwood from San Francisco?
Take US-101 north from San Francisco. Figure on about 325 miles and 6 to 7 hours of driving to the southern entrance at Orick. The road follows the coast for most of the trip.
How much does it cost to enter Redwood?
Access to Redwood National and State Parks is free. Some campgrounds and permits, including the Tall Trees Grove permit, have fees. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Fees and Passes page.
How long do I need to visit Redwood?
Plan on at least 2 days to cover the highlights of all four areas. Our Itinerary and Length guide suggests itineraries for 2, 3, and 4 days.
When is the best time to visit Redwood?
Our When to Go page covers the seasons in detail: frequent summer fog, rain from November through March, and generally clearer weather in spring and fall.
Where should I stay when visiting Redwood?
Crescent City in the north and Arcata/Eureka in the south have most of the lodging. Our Where to Stay page covers every option, from forest campgrounds to coastal lodges.