Redwood National and State Parks

Along the far northern coast of California grow the tallest living things on earth, the coast redwoods, ancient trees soaring over a hundred metres into the fog. Protected across a joined system of national and state parks, and a UNESCO site, their cathedral groves are among the most humbling places in America, wrapped in coastal mist.

Background

The complex joins Redwood National Park with three California state parks, Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith and Prairie Creek, in Del Norte and Humboldt counties. Its 139,000 acres hold 45 percent of all the old-growth coast redwood forest left, along with 37 miles of coastline. Redwood forest once covered more than 8,100 km2 of the California coast, but logging after the Gold Rush cleared most of it. The national park was created in 1968 and enlarged in 1978, the parks have been managed as one unit since 1994, and they became a World Heritage Site in 1980. Entry is free, and about 200 miles of trails are open to hikers, cyclists and riders.

Source: Wikipedia, "Redwood National and State Parks"

What you'll find

• The tall groves - the ancient redwoods towering into the canopy along trails like Tall Trees.
• Avenue of the Giants - the scenic road through the old-growth (in nearby Humboldt).
• Fern Canyon - the walls of ferns in a green ravine.
• Roosevelt elk - the herds grazing the prairies among the forest.

When to go

Late spring to autumn for the driest weather, though the coast is often foggy, which suits the redwoods' mood. Winter is very wet. The forest is green and impressive year-round.

Practical notes

It is a long way up the northern coast, a real drive from the main California cities. The coast is often foggy and cool even in summer, so bring layers. The parks are spread out along the highway, so plan which groves to visit.

Nearby

The rugged northern California coast and Oregon border spread around; the Avenue of the Giants lies to the south.

Key facts