Redwood National and State Parks is really four parks managed together — Redwood National Park and three California state parks, Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast, and Jedediah Smith — strung along 50 miles of Highway 101 on California's far north coast. That's why a map makes it look simple and the drive doesn't: from Crescent City to the southern end near Orick is about 60 miles, and the best stops are scattered along it.
The park is also free to enter, with no gate and no day-use fee at most of the main stops, which is part of why I think it's the best-value park trip in the country. The catch is that a couple of the headline experiences — Fern Canyon and the Tall Trees Grove — need free permits or reservations, and the rules have been changing, so that's the one thing I'd sort out before leaving home.
If You Only Have 1 Day: Prairie Creek and the Drury Parkway
If I only had one day, I'd base it around Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, where old-growth redwoods, a scenic parkway, and a good chance of Roosevelt elk all sit within about 20 minutes of each other. It's the best concentration of the park's highlights without a permit.
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway — the best 10 miles of driving
This old section of Highway 101 runs straight through old-growth redwoods, with pullouts and short trails every mile or two, and it's where the scale of the trees really clicks. I'd drive it slowly and stop at the Big Tree wayside, where a short, flat loop puts you next to one of the largest trees in the park.
Lady Bird Johnson Grove — the easy, high-reward loop
A gentle loop off Bald Hills Road through a mature old-growth grove with rhododendrons in spring, and a trail that's well graded and shaded all the way. It's the most accessible place in the park to feel the full quiet of the forest. I'd go in the morning, when the fog is still burning off and the grove feels soft and still.
Elk Prairie — the wildlife stop
Roosevelt elk graze in the open meadow beside the Prairie Creek visitor center most mornings and evenings, and you can watch them from the roadside or the nearby short trails. Keep your distance — they are large and unpredictable, especially in the fall rut.
If there's still daylight, the Trillium Falls Trail, a roughly 2.5-mile loop, is a gentle, shaded walk with a small waterfall at the midpoint.
Got a 2nd Day? Fern Canyon and the Gold Bluffs Beach Road
The second day is the one that needs the reservation, and it's worth planning for. The gravel road to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon is a 12-mile unpaved drive that crosses a couple of shallow creeks, but the payoff is the most photographed place in the park.
Fern Canyon Loop — the 30-foot green walls
Walls about 30 to 50 feet high, covered in ferns, close in on a stream you walk through. You'll cross the creek on logs and in the water, so waterproof shoes are worth it. It's a short, easy loop, but the footing is wet, and the canyon is small enough that crowds make it feel tight by midday. I'd go early.
Gold Bluffs Beach — the wide-open shoreline
A long, wild beach at the foot of golden bluffs, usually empty, with elk wandering near the access road. It's the quiet counterpoint to the canyon, and the place I'd stop for a picnic.
James Irvine Trail — the no-reservation route
If you can't get the Gold Bluffs reservation, the James Irvine Trail from the Prairie Creek visitor center walks you through old-growth forest to the same canyon, with no access permit needed. It's a long day, but it's the honest alternative, and it means you can see Fern Canyon on a weekend without fighting for the reservation.
The Full 3 Days — Jedediah Smith and the Northern Coast
With a third day I'd head to the northern end, where Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park holds the most photogenic groves on the Smith River, and where Highway 101 meets a rugged stretch of coast near Crescent City.
Stout Grove — the postcard grove
A flat loop through one of the most beautiful old-growth groves in the park, reached via a narrow, unpaved Howland Hill Road (check conditions before you go). The trees here are dense and enormous, and it's one of the places where a wide-angle lens earns its keep.
Boy Scout Tree Trail — the quiet hike
A longer walk through deep forest, away from the crowds, to a large tree with a shelter-sized hollow at its base. It's a good option if you have time and want solitude — I'd start early and bring layers, since the shade keeps the trail cool.
Damnation Creek Trail — the cliff-top coast walk
A steep trail that descends through redwoods to a rocky beach, with a tough climb back out. It's a rewarding walk if your legs are up for it, and the beach at the bottom is almost always empty.
Where I'd Eat
Restaurants are in the towns outside the park, not inside it, so I'd base meals around Orick, Trinidad, and Crescent City. Hours are seasonal, so I'd check before driving out.
Rolf's Park Cafe
A quirky, long-standing spot in Orick with an unmistakably German-leaning menu and a big breakfast. It's the practical stop at the park's midpoint.
View on Google Maps ↗Larrupin Cafe
A well-loved Trinidad restaurant known for mesquite-grilled dishes and a cozy room. I'd save it for the last night of the trip and book ahead in summer.
View on Google Maps ↗Seascape Restaurant
Right on the Trinidad pier with harbor views — a straightforward place for fish and chips or a crab sandwich after a long day.
View on Google Maps ↗Good Harvest Cafe
A comfortable Crescent City café with good coffee and sandwiches — an easy start before a northern-end day at Jedediah Smith.
View on Google Maps ↗The Chart Room
A longtime harbor spot in Crescent City for fresh seafood with an ocean view.
View on Google Maps ↗Historic Requa Inn
A historic inn on the Klamath River that serves dinner to guests and the public in season, in a setting that's closer to a lodge than a restaurant.
View on Google Maps ↗Where I'd Stay
There's no lodging inside the park boundaries other than campgrounds, so you're choosing a gateway town. I'd decide based on which day matters most.
Elk Prairie Campground
Inside Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, with elk often wandering through the sites. Reservations fill early in summer.
View on Google Maps ↗Historic Requa Inn
A historic inn overlooking the Klamath River, about 20 minutes from Prairie Creek and 30 minutes from Crescent City. A good midpoint for a two-day trip.
View on Google Maps ↗View Crest Lodge
A cottage-style lodge on a bluff above Trinidad, with ocean views and kitchens. It's the best base if you want to explore the southern end and have easy dinners.
View on Google Maps ↗Build This Exact Trip, Free
I built ParkPlan because I wanted this kind of plan for every park, not just the one I happened to write up. It turns this into a real day-by-day itinerary with your own dates, travelers, and budget.
Start My Redwood Trip → Or see full park details first at parkplan.org/?park=redwoodNearby Parks to Pair With Redwood
Building a longer road trip? These guides sit within a day's drive of this one.
Permit rules, road conditions, and seasonal hours change from year to year — always confirm current conditions, road status, and reservation rules at nps.gov/redw before you go.