The redwood forest is a complicated and beautiful series of habitats. NPS Photo / Steve Olson
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.
A majestic grove of redwoods next to the Smith River in the northern part of the park. This trail requires some planning about how you will access it. Hours can be spent on a summer's day relaxing on the banks of the Smith River.
A unique, beautiful, and popular location in the park. Getting here does require some planning, reservations are required May 15th through September 15th (available online), there are two (2) stream crossings that you have to drive through, and your feet will get wet. Definitely an adventure!
A California State Park entrance fee is required. $12 per vehicle. State passes accepted. All Federal "America The Beautiful " passes will be accepted.
Time:45-90 Minutes
Stroll the Simpson-Reed Trail
Free
Description
An easy walk through beautiful old-growth redwood forests in the northern part of the parks. Limited parking, RV's and trailers not permitted.
Tidepooling at Enderts Beach will bring you experience some incredible coastlines and give you a glimpse into life at the edge of the ocean. For some, its like seeing science fiction come to life. Check the tides, and take a few hours to make the hike to the tide pools and back.
Walk the Karl Knapp (Prairie Creek) to Foothill Trail Loop
Free
Description
Located in the southern third of the parks, this family-friendly loop trail takes you under some of the tallest trees in the world and follows along a beautiful creek. There is parking, restrooms, and picnic tables located near Prairie Creek Visitor Center.
View from forest floor looking straight up. Ferns as seen close up and redwood trunks meet.Redwood trees line a narrow dirt road.Two visitors looking at tidepools.Five young women read the park map.Visitors chatting with a ranger above a river mouth.Three people stand on a walkway in the trees. It is foggy.A ranger helps a father and son learn about being a junior ranger.Visitors pose with one of the widest Redwood trees.Rocks, rockpools and wavesA tree stump is covered with plants.A small waterfall cascades past different treesThree adults stand and look curiously toward the tree topsFour adults stand on a trail surrounded by redwood treesFog surrounds tall redwoods on a trail. A park ranger stands in the distance.Gray cobbles on the foreground and 300foot redwoods behind.A footbridge with people crosses a road on a foggy dayA trail meanders into a grove of tall trees. A family is seen at the far end of the trail.Waves run-up on a beach, and sea stack rocks are seen in the distance.Green ferns cover two natural walls cut by a creek. A calm creek is covered with grey cobbles.Reddy-brown colored redwoodsA circle of redwood trees with black fire scars.Young redwood sprouts grow off a horizontal redwood logA trail and bridge crosses a tree-line gully.A visitor stands next to a forest of enormous red and brown colored trees.Orange and red leaves on maple trees.Rugged coastal cliffs drop to blue ocean and waves. Pink flowers in the foreground.
