A forest full of redwood trees at Stout Grove, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Redwood National and State Parks / Rebecca Latson

I love lists. I always make lists – some quite lengthy - for whatever park unit I intend to visit. Now, these Traveler’s Checklists are different from the lists I create for my own trips to ensure I don’t forget toothpaste or extra camera batteries and chargers. These checklists are suggestions for what you might want to do or see, or where you might want to eat or stay. They are also reminders for any reservations you might need to make or items you should bring along for a day (or two or three) in the park. Here’s a few tips for a visit to Redwood National and State Parks, a landscape of skyscraper-tall redwood trees, prairie vistas, and rugged Pacific coastline.

• Redwood National and State Parks is “a unique partnership between California and the U.S. government,” comprised of Redwood National Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. So, if you have the time, try to visit each park to experience the diverse environments in which these coastal redwoods thrive. The park website has a page with suggestions of scenic roads to drive and trails to hike depending upon how much time you plan on spending in the area.
  
  
• Stout Memorial Grove loop trail, an easy, half-mile loop located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, is a must-do wander and a great introduction to the redwoods. The narrow, mostly dirt and gravel Howland Hill Road – a scenic road on its own - takes you to the small parking area for Stout Grove. Be aware, this road is not wide enough for RVs and trucks or other vehicles with trailers.
  
  
• Lady Bird Johnson Grove is another easy, 1.5-mile loop hike in Redwood National Park. This trail is located at a higher elevation, so you’ll encounter more wide-open spaces and a different environment than what you’ll find in the more sheltered valleys. If you visit during the spring and early summer, there’s a good chance you’ll see blooming rhododendrons sharing space beside the redwoods.
  
  
• If you have just one day to spend in this amalgam of parks, spend a portion of that day driving (or cycling) the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. There are plenty of pullouts and marked trails all along this 10-mile road for photo ops and forest exploration.
  
  
• Check out Elk Prairie, across the road from the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park visitor center. Depending upon the time of day you arrive, you might see one or more of these large members of the deer family out grazing. If you don’t see any elk the day you visit, then concentrate on the landscape of golden grass rimmed by tall trees.
  
  
  

  Pacific coast vista, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Redwood National and State Parks / Rebecca Latson

• For stunning coastal views, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park (locals pronounce it “del-nort,” not del-nor-teh) offers 8 miles of coastline views for you and your camera, where redwood trees meet up with the Pacific Ocean. There are a number of parking areas and short hiking trails leading out to the coast. If you feel like stretching your legs on a more strenuous hike, the 2.2-mile Damnation Creek Trail will fill the bill, allowing views of coastal redwoods and Pacific coastline while maneuvering steep grades and switchbacks for a 1,000-foot drop.
  
  
• The Klamath River Overlook offers an iconic view of the mouth of this river emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Great for sunset views and glimpses of migrating gray whales, you can enjoy your lunch or a snack from the picnic tables at the overlook, then work it off on a steep, half-mile trail down for a closer look at the coast. Bring your binoculars or telephoto lens to spot and photograph the multitude of birds, including osprey, kittiwakes, kestrels, and orange-crowned warblers.
  
  
• Because these parks are located along the Northern California Coast, be prepared for morning and evening fog and maybe even some rain. Don’t forget to bring along rain protection for you and your camera.
  
  
• U.S. Highway 101 is a major north-south route running through the middle of these parks. It’s very busy and is often blanketed with morning fog, making driving conditions challenging. Obey posted highway speeds, and it’s a good idea to keep those headlights on, regardless of the weather.
  
  
• Trust me when I suggest you bring a print map with you. Digital maps (I’m looking at you, Google Maps) don’t necessarily provide accurate directions to get to some trails.
  
  
• There is no brick-and-mortar lodging in any of these parks, so Crescent City, with a population of almost 7,000, will be your best bet for lodging options. There is also limited lodging available on the Yurok Reservation about 20 miles south of Crescent City. Most accommodations are situated to take advantage of coastal views. I stayed at the motel-style Anchor Beach Inn, which suited me well for pandemic lodging, since room entrances are on the outside, rather than along an interior hallway. Since I did not specifically request a coastal view, my particular room looked out onto a large RV park. I was gone most of the day, and the evenings and mornings were fogged in, anyway, so it was no big deal to me, and my room was clean and spacious.
  
  
• There are four developed campgrounds and seven designated backcountry camps (you’ll need a permit for the backcountry spots). Reservations for developed campgrounds can be made here. To learn more about backcountry camping options, click here.
  
  
• If you absolutely cannot get your day started without a cup of java, Crescent City has Starbucks, Dutch Brothers Coffee, and a Java Hut to satisfy that caffeine craving.
  
  
• Remember to check the park’s website for any alerts and closures of trails, roads, and campgrounds due to construction, weather-related damage, or Covid-19 precautions. Caltrans is another good site for checking highway conditions.
  
  
• The coronavirus pandemic is not over, yet, folks. “To protect the health of those who live, work, and visit America’s national parks, face masks are required in all NPS buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, overlooks, and historic homes.” So, travel safely, take some masks, practice social distancing and wash your hands often.
  
  
  

  Driving the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Redwood National and State Parks / Rebecca Latson