Ranger-led programs are offered during the summer season (mid-June to Labor Day). Check at a park visitor center for details.

Weekly schedules for the programs are posted in the state park campgrounds and at visitor centers (where most programs occur). Topics for various activities may include bears, tidepools, American Indian cultures, and redwood ecology.

Campfire programs held at:

Jedediah Smith and Mill Creek campgrounds
Gold Bluffs Beach
Elk Prairie campground

California State Parks Junior Ranger programs for children ages 7-12 held at:

Jedediah Smith and Mill Creek campgrounds
Prairie Creek Visitor Center
Gold Bluffs Beach campground

Nature walks:

Redwood walks - Join a ranger to learn more about natural communities in the redwood ecosystem. Offered daily, check posted schedules for times, topics, and locations.
Tidepool walks - All tidepool walks meet at the Enderts Beach parking area. The walk takes about 2-½ hours. Check at a visitor center for times and dates.

Permits to visit the Tall Trees Grove are available for no charge at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center, located on Highway 101, one mile (1-½ km) south of Orick, at the Crescent City Information Center at 1111 Second Street, and at Prairie Creek Visitor Center on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Visitors should plan to spend three to four hours for this hike. Limited to 50 cars per day.

Special events are offered throughout the year, call for dates and times, (707) 464-6101.

Special events may include:

National Park Service Founder’s Day
Banana slug festival
Candlelight celebration of the redwoods
An organized bike ride in the park

American Indian dance demonstrations presented by members of the Tolowa and the Yurok tribes are performed in RNSP every summer season. The Tolowa conduct a renewal dance demonstration at the Hiouchi Information Center, on Highway 199 just west of the community of Hiouchi.

Yurok demonstrate the traditional brush dance at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center, one mile south of Orick on Highway 101. Each demonstration begins with an introduction explaining the dance's significance to each American Indian culture. Both dance demonstrations are open to the public and free of charge.

Call for dates and times, (707) 464-6101, ext. 5064 or 5265.

Do not approach or feed the wildlife!

Gray whales

Peak migration months for viewing gray whales are November - December and March - April. A resident population may be seen any month of the year at the Klamath River Overlook. Pick a clear, calm day. Bring your binoculars and watch for their spouting!

Other good viewing spots include:

Crescent Beach Overlook
Wilson Creek
High Bluff Overlook
Gold Bluffs Beach
Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center

Roosevelt elk

Roosevelt elk, one of the largest members of the deer family, are the most easily observed wildlife in the parks. They are seen throughout the parks, but primarily south of the Klamath River in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Gold Bluffs Beach, along the Bald Hills Road, and in the Orick area. Males sport large antlers in late summer through winter. Females are smaller in stature and have no antlers. The rut, or mating season, occurs in fall. Calves are born in grassy, open areas in May and June. Be careful: elk are wild and unpredictable animals. They are particularly dangerous during calving and the fall rut. Always observe them at a safe distance.

Tidepool marine life and seabird viewing:

Enderts Beach, ½-mile (1-km) walk down the Coastal Trail from the Crescent Beach Overlook
Lagoon Creek/Yurok Loop, 1-mile (1-½ km) hike to Hidden Beach
Pick up a tides schedule at a visitor center

 

GUIDED TOURS

Pride Enterprises, 1401 East Avenue, Eureka, CA, provides fully narrated 5 1/2-hour tours to the most spectacular stands of ancient redwoods north or south of Eureka; 130 miles round trip includes additional points of interest and picnic lunch of local products. $60 per person, group size 2-15. Originates from Eureka, CA (800) 400-1849.

Redwood Field Seminars pair subject-matter experts with small groups of amateur naturalists for concentrated and personal day-long field trips. Redwood Park Association, a non-profit partner in the parks' education programs, directs the seminars.

Kayak the Smith and Klamath Rivers (the programs teach basic river craft skills)
Other seminar subjects may include: photography, wildflowers, tidepools, Roosevelt elk, and astronomy
Pre-registration is required
A fee is charged for each course
Contact (707) 464-9150

Picnic areas are located at almost every scenic site, visitor center, and campground.