Redwood Hiking: The Best Trails for Every Ability

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

For a first visit, the Fern Canyon Loop (1 mile, easy) captures the essentials: a canyon whose walls are completely covered with giant ferns, no real exertion, and the feeling that you're walking through a prehistoric movie set. It literally was one, since Steven Spielberg filmed scenes from Jurassic Park here. To go farther, the Boy Scout Tree Trail (5.4 miles round-trip) takes you deep into an old-growth forest with almost no crowds. And if you want to see some of the tallest trees in the world, set aside your morning for Tall Trees Grove. The required permit is free, but it runs out early.

Redwood actually consists of four separate parks managed together, one national park and three state parks, spread across about 62 miles of Northern California coastline. Each area has its own trails, character, and access points. Here's everything you need to know.

Preparing for Your Redwood Hike

Permits

Almost all day hikes in Redwood are permit-free. The notable exception is Tall Trees Grove in the national park. The day-use permit is free but required, and you can pick it up at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center in Orick until the day's quota runs out. There are no online reservations. Permits are available in person only, so get there early in the morning.

Safety and Wildlife

Mountain lions roam throughout all four areas. Hike in a group, keep children and dogs close, and make plenty of noise in dense undergrowth. If you encounter one, don't run. Make yourself look big and keep eye contact. Black bears are concentrated mainly around campgrounds and picnic areas. Don't leave anything in your car, and use bear boxes for food and scented items.

On coastal trails, the main risk is different. Sneaker waves are sudden, powerful waves that appear without warning. Never turn your back on the ocean on a Redwood beach.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed on roads and in parking areas, but they're prohibited on almost all marked trails, including Fern Canyon, Boy Scout Tree Trail, and Tall Trees Grove. Gold Bluffs Beach in Prairie Creek and Crescent Beach in Del Norte allow dogs on leash. Check the rules for each area before you set out.

Water and Gear

There are no drinking-water sources along the trails. Carry at least 1.5 liters per person for a half-day, and more in summer. Redwood's weather changes quickly. Even in July, morning fog and damp forest conditions call for a waterproof windbreaker and closed-toe shoes with good traction. Temperatures stay cool year-round, ranging from 45°F to 64°F depending on the season.

The Best Hikes, Area by Area

Redwood is divided into four areas from north to south. Here are the trails worth going out of your way for in each one.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods: Old-Growth Forest at Its Best

The northernmost area, around Crescent City, is home to some of the oldest and densest redwoods in the entire park system.

Boy Scout Tree Trail
Distance: 5.4 miles round-trip. Elevation gain: about 590 feet. Time: 3 to 4 hours. Difficulty: easy to moderate. Type: out-and-back.

This is one of the least crowded trails in the park system, which is reason enough to choose it. The trail follows a wooded valley to Fern Falls, mainly visible from October through June, passing Boy Scout Tree along the way. This coast redwood trunk splits into two distinct giants halfway up. Start at the Boy Scout Tree Trail parking area on Howland Hill Road, an unpaved road suitable for standard cars in dry weather. After recent rain, the forest floor glows deep green and mushrooms cover the fallen logs.

Stout Grove
Distance: 1 mile. Elevation gain: negligible. Time: 30 to 45 minutes. Difficulty: very easy. Type: loop.

One of the park system's largest coast redwoods stands in an open grove beside the Smith River. It's ideal for beginners or anyone who wants to see the trees without wearing themselves out. Start at the Stout Grove parking area, accessible via Howland Hill Road.

Del Norte Coast Redwoods: Cliffs, Ocean, and Forest

This middle area combines old-growth coastal forest with views of the Pacific. The trails here are more physically demanding.

Damnation Creek Trail
Distance: 4.5 miles round-trip. Elevation gain: about 1,050 feet, descending on the way out and climbing all the way back. Time: 3 to 4 hours. Difficulty: moderate to difficult. Type: out-and-back.

The trail descends from US-101 through old-growth forest and ends at a rocky cove on the ocean, framed by impressive cliffs. The climb back is steep and sustained, so don't underestimate the 1,050 feet of elevation gain after a 2.2-mile descent. Start at the parking area on US-101 near mile marker 16, north of Crescent City. Warning: the cove is exposed to sneaker waves. Stay on stable rocks and keep away from the water's edge.

Prairie Creek Redwoods: The Most Visited Area, for Good Reason

Prairie Creek is home to two of the park system's most spectacular trails. Their popularity is well deserved.

Fern Canyon Loop
Distance: 1 mile. Elevation gain: minimal. Time: 30 to 45 minutes. Difficulty: easy. Type: loop.

You walk along the bottom of a gorge whose vertical walls, 16 to 23 feet high, are completely covered with five different fern species. The effect is striking in any weather, including fog. A shallow creek runs through the canyon, so expect to get your feet wet. Temporary footbridges are installed in summer. Start at the Gold Bluffs Beach parking area, accessible via Davison Road, a 2.5-mile dirt road officially not recommended for RVs or wide vehicles. The parking fee is $12 per vehicle. Arrive before 9 a.m. in July and August to avoid a full parking lot.

James Irvine Trail + Miners Ridge (Loop)
Total distance: 11.8-mile loop. Elevation gain: about 820 feet. Time: 5 to 7 hours. Difficulty: moderate. Type: loop.

This trail crosses nearly continuous old-growth forest, far from the crowds at Fern Canyon. The open meadows along the route are the park system's best spots for seeing Roosevelt elk, especially in the morning. The loop reaches Fern Canyon near the end, so you can include it without adding a detour. Start at Prairie Creek Visitor Center.

Redwood National Park: The Tallest Trees in the World

The area around Orick contains trails leading to the most imposing coast redwoods, some more than 360 feet tall.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove
Distance: 1.6 miles. Elevation gain: about 200 feet. Time: 1 hour. Difficulty: easy. Type: loop.

This loop opened in 1969 in the presence of Lady Bird Johnson herself, in the heart of a mature forest. Well-designed interpretive panels explain coast redwood ecology along the way. It's accessible for families with young children. No permit is required. Start at the dedicated parking area on Bald Hills Road, 2.5 miles from US-101.

Tall Trees Grove
Distance: 4 miles round-trip. Elevation gain: about 660 feet. Time: 2 to 3 hours. Difficulty: moderate. Type: out-and-back.

This trail leads to some of the tallest trees in the world through dense, lightly visited forest. A permit is required. It's free and issued the same morning at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center, with a limited daily quota. Access via Tall Trees Road is also locked behind a gate. The permit comes with the code. Together, these restrictions keep the area quiet. Fewer than 50 vehicles are allowed each day. Start at the Tall Trees parking area, accessible only with the code provided at the visitor center.

Trillium Falls Trail
Distance: 2.5 miles. Elevation gain: about 360 feet. Time: 1.5 hours. Difficulty: easy to moderate. Type: loop.

This loop passes a small waterfall surrounded by ferns and younger redwoods. The waterfall is most impressive from October through May. Free parking is available at Elk Meadow Day Use Area, 3.1 miles north of Orick on US-101.

Easy and Family-Friendly Hikes

Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith and Lady Bird Johnson Grove in the Orick area are our top two recommendations for families with young children. Both take less than an hour, have stable ground, and deliver giant trees.

Fern Canyon Loop in Prairie Creek is also perfect for kids as young as 5, despite the dirt road and the creek crossing. Kids love splashing through the canyon. Bring shoes that can get wet.

Trillium Falls Trail is a good way to round out a morning with kids 6 and older. The waterfall gives them a clear destination that keeps them motivated.

For families traveling with a dog, Gold Bluffs Beach in Prairie Creek is the most flexible option. Dogs are allowed on leash along the beach. Our guide to visiting Redwood with kids covers the details families need to know.

Strenuous and Full-Day Hikes

If you're looking for serious elevation gain or a full day on the trail, two options stand out.

Damnation Creek Trail in Del Norte is the most strenuous hike in our selection, with all 1,050 feet of elevation gain concentrated in the climb back from the cove. The coastal payoff is worth the effort.

The James Irvine Trail + Miners Ridge loop in Prairie Creek is the best full-day outing in the park system. It stays in old-growth forest, offers frequent Roosevelt elk sightings, and passes through Fern Canyon near the end. A picnic beside the canyon creek feels like the natural way to finish.

If you want to go beyond a day hike, Redwood Creek Trail follows the river toward Tall Trees Grove for several dozen miles, with permitted backcountry campsites along the way. This isn't a day trip. It's a several-day immersion in the forest.

Access, Trailheads, and Parking

Redwood stretches for about 62 miles along US-101. There is no official shuttle between areas, so you'll need a car to get from one trailhead parking area to another.

Jedediah Smith area: Howland Hill Road, a 6.8-mile dirt road, serves Boy Scout Tree Trail and Stout Grove. Standard cars can manage it in dry weather, but avoid it after heavy rain. RVs are officially not recommended.

Del Norte area: Parking is directly off US-101 for Damnation Creek Trail. Spaces are limited, so arriving early is recommended during peak season.

Prairie Creek area: Davison Road, a 2.5-mile dirt road, leads to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon. The parking fee is $12 per vehicle. RVs and vehicles with trailers are prohibited. In summer, the lot fills before 10 a.m., so plan to arrive when it opens or late in the afternoon.

Orick and national park area: The Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center is the logistical starting point for the Tall Trees Grove permit and for checking seasonal road closures.

For distances from San Francisco or Portland and car-free transportation options, see our guide to getting to Redwood.

When Should You Hike in Redwood?

Redwood's trails stay open year-round. The real question is what kind of weather you're willing to accept.

From June through September, temperatures reach 64°F to 68°F, but morning fog is almost daily in July and August. This is also the busiest time of year. Fern Canyon can be difficult to access unless you arrive early.

From October through May, rainfall is heavy, with 24 to 31 inches across the region during the rainy season. Some dirt roads become impassable after heavy rain. The tradeoff is that waterfalls are at their best, the forest floor shines, and you might have Stout Grove to yourself on a Tuesday morning in November.

Our guide to the best time to visit Redwood explains the advantages of each month, along with visitor numbers and seasonal road conditions.

Which Hike Is Right for You?

You have 2 hours and young children: Stout Grove or Lady Bird Johnson Grove. Huge trees, level ground, and a manageable time commitment.

You want an iconic photo with no effort: Fern Canyon Loop takes less than an hour, but arrive before 9 a.m. to avoid a full parking lot.

You love forests and solitude: Boy Scout Tree Trail, away from the groups, with dense undergrowth and a waterfall bonus from fall through spring.

You want a true full day on the trail: James Irvine + Miners Ridge loop, 11.8 miles in Prairie Creek, or Damnation Creek and the cove, 4.5 miles in Del Norte.

You want to see the tallest trees: Tall Trees Grove, but pick up the permit early in the morning at the visitor center in Orick.

You're traveling by RV: Avoid Davison Road and Howland Hill Road. Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Trillium Falls Trail are accessible to large vehicles.

To plan your visit, our complete guide offers an overview of the park system, and our guide to things to do in Redwood lists activities beyond hiking.

Frequently Asked Questions