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Redwood National and State Parks

Designation: National and State Parks

Location: California

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Renowned for the world’s tallest trees, Redwood’s landscapes span from open prairies and oak woodlands to pristine rivers and untamed coastline. This ancient home has supported people for thousands of years. The National Park Service and California State Parks now work to safeguard and rejuvenate these lands for everyone’s enjoyment, learning, and inspiration.

🌤 Weather Information

Visitors should be prepared for cooler and damp weather. Dress in layers and expect to get wet. Year-round temperatures along California's redwood coast: mid-40s°F (7°C) to mid-60s°F (18°C). Summer can be foggy, with highs occasionally reaching low 70s°F (20°C). Winters are cooler with considerable rain. October through April averages 60-80 inches of rain over the region.

🚗 Directions

Redwood National and State Parks is located in northernmost coastal California - almost on the Oregon border. The parks are about 60-miles long, with four visitor centers from north to south. We are a six to seven-hour drive (325 miles) north of San Francisco, a six-hour drive (330 miles) south of Portland, OR and a four-hour drive (170 miles) west of Redding, CA.

Images

View from forest floor looking straight up. Ferns as seen close up and redwood trunks meet.

The redwood forest is a complicated and beautiful series of habitats.

Credit: NPS Photo / Steve Olson

Redwood trees line a narrow dirt road.

With a small car, you can expericne close-up Redwoods along a century old, narrow road.

Two visitors looking at tidepools.

We have forty miles of coastline to explore.

Credit: NPS Photo / John Chao

Five young women read the park map.

A great redwood trip starts with good trip planning.

Credit: NPS: John Chao

Visitors chatting with a ranger above a river mouth.

Coastal overlooks provide amazing places to whale watch.. and more.

Credit: NPS Photo / John Chao

Three people stand on a walkway in the trees. It is foggy.

Visitors to the Lady Bird Johnson Grove cross a road using a walkway.

Credit: NPS Photo / Steve Olson

A ranger helps a father and son learn about being a junior ranger.

Becoming a junior ranger at Redwoods is a fun and educational for the whole family.

Credit: NPS: John Chao

Visitors pose with one of the widest Redwood trees.

For those short of time, the "Big Tree" offers easy access for all to a very photogenic tree.

Credit: NPS Photo / John Chao

Rocks, rockpools and waves

40 miles of coastline are part of Redwood National Park

Credit: NPS: John Chao

A tree stump is covered with plants.

A fallen redwood tree will be on the forest floor for centuries providing habitat for a new generation of plants and animals.

Credit: NPS Photo / Steven Olson

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Friday, Mar 6

Sunny

Sunny

High: 56.3°F | Low: 45.7°F

Humidity: 80%

Wind: 14.5 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 4

Sunrise: 06:42 AM

Sunset: 06:13 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (93%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 46.8°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Saturday, Mar 7

Sunny

Sunny

High: 61.9°F | Low: 49.3°F

Humidity: 83%

Wind: 11.4 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 4

Sunrise: 06:41 AM

Sunset: 06:14 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (87%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 50.4°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Sunday, Mar 8

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

High: 55°F | Low: 48°F

Humidity: 89%

Wind: 11 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 4

Sunrise: 06:39 AM

Sunset: 06:15 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (80%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 49.7°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Seasonal and/or Weather-Related Closures In Effect
Some trails, roads, and/or other facilities in the parks may be closed for the season, in observance of federal holidays, or on a temporary basis due to weather-related conditions. For the latest updates call 707-465-7335.

More Info

Closure: Bald Hills Road (County Road) Park Closure
Bald Hills Road is closed after Ladybird Johnson Grove parking lot. The road is impassable and unsafe due to snow. This closure has placed by California Highway Patrol and Humboldt County Roads until a plow can clear road. Tall Trees Grove is not accessible by vehicle while this closure is in effect.
High Fire Danger This Week
Strong easterly winds combined with an already dry air-mass will create critical fire weather conditions above 2500 feet .

More Info

Nighttime Closure: Newton B Drury Parkway north access at Highway 101 Park Closure
Due to road striping work, on- and off-ramps at the north junction of NBD Parkway and Hwy 101 will be closed the nights of July 14 & 15 between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am. Closures are at night only.
Aggressive Elk: Prairie Creek and Gold Bluffs Beach area. Caution
June-July: Female elk are very protective of their young. Do not approach any elk - they will defend their young by charging and with powerful kicks.
Closure: Howland Hill Road Park Closure
Due to a Wind Advisory issued by the National Weather Service, Howland Hill Road will close on February 20 at 4pm. This road will remain closed until it can be evaluated after the wind advisory ends on Sunday February 22.
Temporary Closures: Simpson-Reed Trail and Peterson Memorial Trail Park Closure
In the interest of public safety, Simpson-Reed Trail and Peterson Memorial Trail will be closed to access and use starting January 26th, 2026 until January 27th, 2026. This closure is necessary for public safety while North Coast Redwoods District personnel work on trail improvements.
Warning: Elk Rut Caution
In fall, male elk are very aggressive. If people approach, the elk may charge, kick and lash out. Serious injuries have occurred. For everyone's safety, STAY 100 FEET AWAY.
Closure: Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway Park Closure
Due to fallen trees from winter storms, the parkway is closed until it can be cleared. Access to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center and Elk Prairie Campground will not be affected. Use Exit 753 to reach Prairie Creek Visitor Center.
Developed Campgrounds and Backcountry Camping: Closures Park Closure
Due to flooding and unsafe conditions, the following campgrounds and backcountry campsites are closed: - Lower loop of Elk Prairie campground (meadow sites and cabins open) - Gold Bluffs Beach campground and backcountry
Cal-Barrel Rd: closed to vehicles for winter Information
Past the gate, this road is still open for hikers and pets on a leash.
Smith River footbridge installed. Information
The summer footbridge from Jedediah Smith Campground to Stout Grove is open.
Winter Visitor Center Hours Information
Park visitor centers are now open 9am - 4:00pm
Rhododendron Trail Bridge Failure Information
Rhododendron Trail, off the Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway, is closed between South Fork and Brown Creek Trails due to a bridge failure.
Sneaker Waves This Week
Sneaker waves are large waves that seem to come out of nowhere and quickly pull you into the ocean where survival is unlikely. Never turn your back on the ocean!

More Info

Closure: Davison Road Park Closure
Davison Road is closed due to flooding. The road's conditions will be assessed on February 25 after the storm passes.
Multiple Trail Closures Park Closure
Due to forecasted flood watch and predicted additional 8” rainfall, various trails in the park are closed through at least December 28 for public safety and flooding. The following trails are closed: Streelow Creek, James Irvine, Cathedral Trees, and Brown Creek. For more information about these closures, check our current conditions page.

More Info

Seasonal Footbridges Removed Information
The footbridge over the Smith River from the campground has been removed. The bridges on Redwood Creek have been removed. The footbridges in Fern Canyon have also been removed.
Cathedral Trees Trail: Closure Park Closure
Due to a large portion of the trail being washed away by the creek, Cathedral Trees Trail is closed between Foothill Trail and Cal Barrel Road.
Hike and Bike Day: Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway Closed to Vehicles Park Closure
From October-May, the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is closed to any motorized vehicles the first Saturday of the month for Hike and Bike Day. Park visitors are encouraged to safely hike, bike, skate, and walk leashed pets along the ten-mile scenic drive through the redwoods! Access to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center and Elk Prairie Campground will not be affected. Use Exit 753 to reach Prairie Creek Visitor Center.
South Fork Bridge Closure on Feb. 7—No East-End Access to Howland Hill Road Park Closure
Due to construction, the South Fork Bridge over the Smith River near Hiouchi, CA will be closed to all traffic between 8 am–5 pm, Tues, Feb 7, 2017. During this closure, the only Howland Hill Road access will be to enter and/or exit via Crescent City end.
Prairie Creek Trail: Bridge Closed Caution
A bridge has failed and is closed on the north end of Prairie Creek trail. This bridge is located just south of the Prairie Creek/Zigzag #2 intersection.
Closure: Highway 199 and Simpson Reed Grove Trail Park Closure
On Tuesday July 15 from 9 am to 4pm, Hwy 199 will be closed between Elk Valley Road and the junction with Route 197/North Bank Road. Visitors should use Route 197 as a detour during the full closure. Simpson Reed Grove Trail will not be accessible.
Closure: Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway Park Closure
Newton B. Drury Parkway is closed due to continuing unsafe weather conditions. Use Exit 753 to access Prairie Creek Visitor Center.
Ongoing tsunami risk to low-lying coastal areas - July 30, 2025 Caution
Use caution or avoid low-lying coastal areas of the park while tsunami warnings and advisories remain in effect. More information available at the link below.

More Info

Kuchel Visitor Center & Crescent City Information Center closed July 30, 2025 Park Closure
Both facilities are closed due to ongoing tsunami warnings for low-lying coastal areas of the park. Other park visitor centers are operating as normal.

Park Events

Forest Walk: Prairie Creek

Meet our park rangers at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center for a family-friendly and educational walk through the redwoods. This walk is about a mile long. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing rain gear and water.

 

Scheduled programs may be cancelled due to unexpected circumstances. We recommend stopping by a visitor center before the event to receive the latest updates. The closest visitor center to this event is Prairie Creek Visitor Center. 

Location: Prairie Creek Visitor Center

Date: Sep 21, 2025 12:00am to May 3, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Hike and Bike Day: Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
Join us for our “Hike and Bike” Saturdays!   The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is closed to any motorized vehicles the first Saturday of the month for Hike and Bike Day. This event runs October through May to give park visitors the opportunity to safely hike, bike, skate, and walk leashed pets along the ten-mile scenic drive through the redwoods!   E-Bikes: Visitors are allowed to use e-bikes on the parkway during Hike and Bike day.
  • E-bike users must comply with a speed limit of 20 mph (typically a Type 1 or Type 2 e-bike).
    • Anyone in violation of this speed limit and who is creating an unsafe environment for other recreational users will be asked to leave. Continued violations of this speed limit may cause management to remove the use of e-bikes on Hike and Bike days in the future.
  Access to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center and Elk Prairie Campground will not be affected. To reach the visitor center and the campground, use the southern entrance of the Newton B. Drury scenic parkway (Exit 753). The parkway will close Friday afternoon and reopen Sunday morning after road conditions have been assessed by park law enforcement.
  • Parking: for this event is located on the south end of the parkway near Prairie Creek Visitor Center. Very limited parking and no facilities are located on the north end of the Parkway.

Questions about the Hike and Bike Day?
Please reach out to the park at redw_information@nps.gov or call 707-464-6101. 

Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.

Date: Oct 4, 2025 12:00am to May 2, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

First Day Hikes

Join California State Parks – North Coast Redwood District for their annual First Day Hikes on January 1, 2026.


Explore the redwoods with guided walks at various CA State Park locations!

Within Redwood National and State Parks:


• Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park – 12:00 PM
Guided walk on the Simpson-Reed Grove Trail.
Meet at Walker Road at trailhead.

• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park – 2:00 PM
Guided walk on the Redwood Access Trail.
Meet at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center.

 

Nearby CA State Parks:

• Sue-meg State Park – 2:00 PM
Explore Yurok culture on a guided walk through Sumeg Village.
Meet at the Sue-meg Visitor Center.

• Humboldt Redwoods State Park – 1:00 PM
Walk through old-growth redwoods on the Founders Grove Loop Trail.
Meet at the Founders Grove parking lot.

 

Plan ahead and prepare! Make sure to dress in layers, bring plenty of snacks, water, and appropriate hiking shoes.

For more information, contact:
NOCOASTREDWOODSINFO@PARKS.CA.GOV

Date: Jan 1, 2026 12:00am to Jan 1, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
1111 Second Street
Crescent City, CA 95531

🏤 Mailing Address:
1111 Second Street
Crescent City, CA 95531

📞 Voice Phone: 7074646101

📞 Fax Phone: 7074641812

✉️ Email: redw_info@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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