15 Best Things To Do In Redwood National Park For First-Timers
Trying to figure out things to do in Redwood National Park can feel surprisingly overwhelming, especially if you only have limited time. Since there’s so much to see, the real question is visit the iconic attractions as a first timer.
I almost skipped Redwood National Park because I’d already seen redwoods around the Bay Area and assumed this would feel more of the same. However, when I joined friends on a weekend trip that I realized how wrong that assumption was. Between ancient groves, wild rivers, fern-filled canyons, coastal trails, and unexpected wildlife sightings, this park offers far more variety than most people expect.
After exploring both the northern and southern sections of the park, I’ve put together this guide to break down the best things to do in Redwood National Park in a way that actually makes sense for first-time visitors. If you want to avoid wasting time on logistics, this article will walk you through exactly what’s worth prioritizing.
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Before you go, book these first
🚗 Rental car (highly recommended) → Check prices on DiscoverCars
Many roads (Howland Hill Road, Davison Road to Fern Canyon) are unpaved.
🚐 RV or campervan → Compare RV rentals on Outdoorsy
Perfect if you want to stay inside the parks and avoid hotel scarcity.
🛌 Hotels, cabins & inns → Browse availability here
Accommodations sell out fast in summer, especially near Prairie Creek.
🎟️ Tours & experiences (optional) → See available experiences on GetYourGuide
Great if you want kayaking, wildlife tours, or guided hikes.
Where to stay in Redwood National Park
Where you stay is very important because of how spread out everything is in this part of Northern California. For a detailed guide with top lodging picks, check out this article on where to stay near Redwood National Park.
Whether you’re looking for a coastal cabin stay or camping experience, there are lots of options that offer great value around Redwood National and State Parks.
| Travel style | Hotel/Area | Approx price | Why stay here |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💸 Best value | Ocean View Inn (Crescent City) | $ | Well-reviewed, affordable, close to restaurants and gas. Easy access to Jedediah Smith Redwoods. |
| 🌲 Best riverside stay | Requa Inn (Klamath) | $$ | Charming historic inn by the river, breakfast included, perfectly located for river and beach walks |
| 🌊 Best coastal town | View Crest Lodge (Trinidad) | $$ | Cozy lodge near the coast with easy access to Prairie Creek trails. |
| 🌅 Best scenic/romantic | Lookout at Trinidad Bay | $$$ | Beautiful views, boutique feel, memorable coastal experience. |
| 🌲 Best cabin stay | Elk Meadow Cabins (Orick area) | $$$ | Various cabin lodging options surrounded by forest and wildlife. |
Abalone Campground (Sue-Meg State Park): This is where we camped and I highly recommend. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better intro to the area. There are easy trails right from the campground, ocean overlooks, tide pools, and beautiful sunsets.
Requa Inn (Klamath): If I visit Redwood National Park again, I’d love to stay at Requa Inn in Klamath. It’s a charming historic inn right by the river, with a cozy feel and breakfast included. Plus, it’s perfectly located for this 2-day itinerary.
👉 Check availability for Requa Inn on Booking.com (rooms are limited)
Other options:
- Gold Bluffs Beach Campground: You can literally camp on the beach and elk sometimes roam nearby. It’s convenient for accessing Fern Canyon nearby too.
- Crescent City: A great base if you want easy access to Jedediah Smith.
- Trinidad: Ideal for Prairie Creek and the southern redwoods.
Unique things to do in Redwood National Park
These are the experiences that make Redwood National Park feel different from other redwood destinations. They go beyond walking through trees and are some of my favorite attractions.
1. Walk through Fern Canyon
The Fern Canyon loop trail is one of the most iconic things to do in Redwood National Park, and it lives up to the hype. The canyon walls are covered in 50-foot ferns, with a stream running directly through the trail. There are several ways to access Fern Canyon, with trails of varying lengths.
It’s located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and if you’re planning to hike in via Gold Bluffs Beach, you’ll need to get a permit:
- Permit: Required May 15 to Sept 15
- Fee: $12 for day use, or free with eligible passes
If you don’t get a permit, you can hike the longer route from Prairie Creek Visitor Center via the James Irvine Trail. I’ll share more trail variations in this article too.
Afterwards, explore Gold Bluffs Beach. We even saw elk grazing near the sand, but keep a safe distance as they can be aggressive.
2. Explore Sue-Meg State Park
Sue-Meg State Park was the perfect introduction to the region. Formerly known as Patrick’s Point, the park was renamed Sue-Meg in 2021 to honor the original Yurok name. It sits on a coastal promontory with forest trails and sweeping ocean views.
This is an easy place to slow down and ease into your trip. We camped at Abalone Campground, which made it especially convenient to explore early in the morning and catch sunset without driving.
Things to do in Sue-Meg State Park include:
- Climbing up to Wedding Rock
- Walking the Rim Trail from Palmer’s Point to Agate Beach
- Exploring Sumêg Village
- Enjoying ocean overlooks where you might spot seals, sea lions, or migrating whales
If you enjoy camping, Abalone Campground is one of my top recommendations for your first night in the area.
3. See the Smith River up close
The Smith River in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is a must-see. It’s the only major undammed river in California, flowing freely through ancient redwood forests.
The contrast between the clear water and towering trees makes this area feel especially untouched. In summer, ranger-led kayak tours are available, or you can simply enjoy it from the riverbank near Stout Grove. If you want to get your own kayak, check out these ones on REI.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is also home to some of the most impressive old-growth redwoods I’ve ever seen. This park has many short, easy trails that you can mix and match depending on how much time you have.
4. Look for elk in Prairie Creek and Gold Bluffs Beach
Roosevelt elk roam freely in this area, often spotted near Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and Gold Bluffs Beach. While we didn’t get to see any elk during this visit, our friends have seen entire herds here before.
Please always keep a safe distance, especially during rutting and calving seasons, as elk can become aggressive.
Scenic drives in Redwood National Park
Some of the best things to do in Redwood National Park don’t require getting out of the car. These scenic drives are highlights on their own.
5. Howland Hill Road
Howland Hill Road is a 10-mile dirt road that winds through dense redwood forest in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. If you have a high-clearance vehicle, this drive is a highlight. The road is narrow in places, and it genuinely feels like the trees are closing in around you. For a spring visit, make sure to check road conditions due to winter storm debris.
6. Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway
Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway is a 10-mile drive that feels like something straight out of a postcard. It winds through redwood groves and offers several pullouts and short trails.
If you want a quick walk, try the 0.5-mile Circle Loop Trail to see a massive Big Tree without committing to a long hike. This drive alone is reason enough to visit or pass through Prairie Creek.
7. Avenue of the Giants
Avenue of the Giants is a 31-mile scenic drive that delivers classic California redwood forest scenery. Some trees are so large you can drive through them, and it’s a perfect detour if you’re heading south toward San Francisco.
Rental car tip:
If you plan to drive Howland Hill Road or Davison Road to Fern Canyon, an SUV or AWD vehicle is highly recommended.
👉 Compare SUV options on DiscoverCars
Best hikes in Redwood National Park
One of the best things about hiking in Redwood National Park is how accessible the trails are. You don’t need to do long or difficult hikes to experience massive old-growth trees, rivers, and coastal scenery. Many of the best hikes are short and well-marked, easy to fit into a one or two day itinerary.
8. Fern Canyon Loop Trail
Did you know that Jurassic Park and Walking with Dinosaurs was filmed here? Walking through Fern Canyon is more fun when you imagine yourself brought back to a prehistoric time. I also love that there are real fern walls here, and there’s just something therapeutic about it.
When we visited in early June, the trail was still wet and some parts had water coming up to our knees. In general water shoes or sandals are a good idea, and you should expect your feet to get wet. If you’re visiting early in the year, the water could be cold.
Fern Canyon Loop Trail: We accessed Fern Canyon from Gold Bluffs Beach, which requires a day-use permit from mid-May through mid-September. Since this is the easiest and most popular trail, reservations are required in advance.
- Distance: 1.1 mile loop
- Time: About 45 minutes
- AllTrails map here
Alternatively here are other ways to access Fern Canyon without a permit:
- James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon (10.4 miles round trip)
- Miner’s Ridge and James Irvine Loop (12 miles)
- James Irvine, Fern Canyon, Friendship Ridge, and West Ridge Loop (12.8 miles)
My final tip is to treat your clothing with permethrin to prevent ticks if you’re visiting between March and June. I must’ve gotten too close to some of the ferns, and ended up with a tick on my jacket (thankfully I didn’t get bitten).
9. Stout Grove Trail
The Stout Memorial Grove Trail is a short loop that gives you classic redwood scenery with moss-covered fallen trees and towering trunks. It’s one of the easiest ways to experience massive old-growth trees.
My personal favorite here, which was a real surprise, is the Smith River which runs alongside the trail. I just love how clear the river is, and you can bring your lunch to eat by the water.
- Location: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Distance: 0.6 mile loop
- Time: 20 to 30 minutes
- AllTrails map here
10. Grove of Titans Trail
The Grove of Titans Trail is another iconic walk in the park. An elevated boardwalk protects the forest floor while giving you close-up views of massive redwoods.
At the end of this easy trail, you’ll find a viewpoint overlooking Mill Creek. This is a quiet and peaceful spot where you can learn more about the ecosystem of this forest landscape. Please stay on the boardwalk to help keep this area accessible long term.
- Location: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Distance: 1.7 mile loop
- Time: About 1 hour
- AllTrails map here
11. Enderts Beach Coastal Trail
For a quieter coastal experience and some variety of scenery, the Enderts Beach Coastal Trail is a great choice especially around sunset. This short hike offers sweeping ocean views, sea stacks, wildflowers, and occasional seal sightings. You can make a quick stop here while driving between northern and southern park areas.
- Location: near Crescent City
- Distance: 1.3 miles round trip
- Time: About 45 minutes
- AllTrails map here
12. Redwood Access Trail and Nature Trail
If you want something easy and efficient, combine the Redwood Access Trail with the Nature Trail. This is an easy loop in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park that combines forest floor walking with slightly elevated views.
We chose this because a ranger told us it was his favorite morning walk, and we wanted to try something that wasn’t the usual touristy route. I wish I could take a walk like this every day.
- Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Distance: 1.4 mile loop
- Time: About 45 minutes
- AllTrails map here
13. Karl Knapp Trail to Big Tree Wayside and Foothill Trail
For a longer hike, the Karl Knapp Trail runs parallel to Prairie Creek and feels more secluded. In autumn, you might spot Coho salmon returning to spawn. Halfway through, you’ll also pass Big Tree Wayside, where you’ll find a huge tree estimated to be around 1,500 years old. Afterwards, loop back using the Foothill Trail toward the visitor center.
- Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Distance: 2.4 mile loop
- Time: About 1.5 hours
- AllTrails map here
14. Trillium Falls Trail
Trillium Falls Trail is an easy and peaceful stop as you head south. The trail passes gentle streams, small wooden bridges, and leads to a modest waterfall tucked into the forest.
- Location: near Orick
- Distance: 1 mile round trip
- Time: About 30 minutes
- AllTrails map here
15. Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
If you still have energy, Lady Bird Johnson Grove is a quiet and meaningful place to end your visit. It’s known for its conservation message and serene atmosphere. We didn’t make it here since we already had a long day, but it’s a great option if you have extra time.
- Location: near Orick
- Distance: 1.5 mile loop
- Time: About 45 minutes
- AllTrails map here
What to pack for Redwood National Park
The redwoods can be cold, damp, and muddy even in summer. To ensure you have the best trip there, here are some essential gear to bring.
- Waterproof rain jacket: The morning fog feels like a light drizzle, and if you’re walking in Fern Canyon there might be water dripping down from the trees and ferns.
- Warm layers: I was surprised how cold it gets in the morning and under the trees, even though it was hot everywhere else. Being able to layer on and off is a non-negotiable for me in the Redwoods.
- Waterproof hiking boots or trail runners: Your feet will get wet in Fern Canyon. I prefer quick-drying trail runners so I don’t have to change shoes mid-day.
- Sandals: Afterwards, I’ll either change into sandals or just continue with my day and let the shoes dry off naturally. Alternatively, just wear sandals for your hike through Fern Canyon.
Concluding things to do in Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is far more than just big trees and there’s so much you can do here. After spending a weekend here, it’s easy to see why this area leaves such a strong impression.
With a bit of planning and the right stops, two days is enough to fall in love with Northern California’s wild beauty – you can find my weekend itinerary here. I hope this guide helps you make the most of your trip and maybe even discover a favorite spot of your own along the way.
🚗 Rental car with higher clearance → DiscoverCars
🛌 Lodging near the parks → Booking.com
🗺️ Offline trail maps → AllTrails Plus
🎟️ Optional tours & experiences → GetYourGuide
