There are 200 miles (322 km) of trails on which to explore the prairies, forests, and beaches of Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California. All you need to do is decide how much time you have in the parks and where you want to hike, since the NPS website for this mosaic of parks divides hikes by both time and region.
A trail through the redwood trees, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Redwood National and State Parks / Rebecca Latson
There are a couple of areas where you will need a reservation due to limited parking:
Gold Bluffs Beach/Fern Canyon (during the summer)
Tall Trees Trails (year-round)
Hikes By Time
Trails Divided By Region
Personal Picks
Amongst tall trees at Stout Memorial Grove, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Redwood National and State Parks / Rebecca Latson
For an introduction to the coastal redwood trees, the Stout Memorial Grove trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is a perfect trail on which to start your redwood adventures. Located along Howland Hill Road, it’s a short trail – just 0.5 mile (0.8 km), but you’ll be wandering through a 44-acre grove of 300-foot-tall (91 m) old-growth redwoods along the edge of Smith River. FYI, you might not want to trust your GPS entirely to get to the road, which is winding, narrow, and mostly unpaved. There’s no parking for RVs or trailers at the trailhead.
The footbridge over the road to the Ladybird Johnson trailhead, Redwood National and State Parks / Rebecca Latson
The Ladybird Johnson Grove trail in Redwood National Park is another easy walk (1.5 mi/2.5 km loop) through old-growth redwoods just off Highway 101. Daily ranger-led walks are offered during the summer and numbered interpretive posts are found along the trails. While there is no longer a printed version of the trail guide, you can download the online version onto your NPS digital app. Located along narrow, winding Bald Hills Road, this is another route that’s not recommended for RVs or trailers due to lack of pullouts and turn-around spots, and the hiker bridge from the small parking area to the trailhead is sloping, so it’s not officially accessible for those with a wheelchair.
A bridge into the redwoods at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Redwood National and State Parks / Rebecca Latson
Any trail within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is a great place to wander the redwoods while listening to solitary birdsong and the dripping of water from tree to ground. There are numerous pullouts to trailheads right along the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.
Accessible Trails For Hikers Using Mobility Aids
Below are some more accessible trails within Redwood National and State Parks. Some are fully wheelchair accessible, while others feature wide, level paths and/or paved walking surfaces. Many include benches along the route. Please note that not all trailheads have reserved accessible parking.
An all-terrain track chair, beach wheelchairs, and standard wheelchairs are also available for loan at certain park visitor centers, free of charge.
North: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
South: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Big-Tree Wayside
- Elk Prairie Trail
- Foothills - Prairie Creek Loop
- Revelation Trail
Note: The Lady Bird Johnson Trail in Redwood National Park is partially paved, but it has some steeper slopes and is not considered accessible for hikers using mobility aids.
Although pets are not allowed on any national and state park trails, there are options for walking with a leashed pet in the parks. Head to Cal Barrel Road for a pleasant walk under old-growth redwoods. Your dog can also become a BARK! Ranger! Learn how and more about pets in the park.
Backcountry Hiking
If you intend to strike out into the hinterlands of Redwood National and State Parks, you’ll need a permit and a little planning, since backcountry hiking includes backcountry camping. The parks’ staff provides a variety of resources to help you with your preparations, including a Backcountry Trip Planner, Backcountry Mileage Chart, and backcountry campsite descriptions and maps.
A trail to the beach in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Redwood National and State Parks / Rebecca Latson
