Enjoy a Midsummer Day’s Bike Ride on Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway

Bicyclists on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

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News Release Date: June 21, 2012

Contact: Park Information, 707-465-7335

Redwood National and State Parks invite the public to enjoy "A Midsummer Day's Bike Ride" at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park this Sunday. In celebration of summer vacation, the summer solstice, and just plain summer fun, the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway will be closed to vehicle traffic all day Sunday, June 24, 2012. The closure offers the public a chance to safely explore the beauty of the redwoods on bike or foot without competing traffic. And, it's free! 

The parkway gates will be closed to vehicle access at 10 pm on June 23rd and reopened at 10 pm on June 24th. Whether you are a child on a tricycle, your first two-wheeler, or an adult daydreaming of Tour de France glory, this is an excellent opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy walking or biking without the worry of traffic. 

 Redwood National and State Parks staff especially hope that families will take advantage of the closure and bring their children out for a ride or walk. Mounting evidence from recent studies suggest that being outdoors connects children to the natural world, helps them focus in school, and reduces chances of obesity. Even in places like Northern California and Southern Oregon where opportunities for outdoor recreation abound, too many children today spend far more time inside than out. Walking or biking with children through the wonders of the ancient coast redwood forest not only helps young people get physical exercise and enjoy quality time with family, but it also fosters a better understanding and appreciation of the environment in which they live and a burgeoning enthusiasm for exploration. 

Visitors wishing to take advantage of this event should park vehicles appropriately: South of the closure, park only in designated spaces parallel to the roadway and adjacent to Elk Prairie in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park-do not block the gate or park in lots reserved for visitor center or backcountry use. In the north, parking is available at the junction of Coastal Drive and Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway-again, please do not block the gate. All park trails will remain open and Elk Prairie Campground, the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, and Davidson Road out to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon will still be accessible by vehicle. 

For more information, maps, and suggestions for exploring your parks, stop by any visitor center: Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center off US 101 just south of Orick, Calif.; Prairie Creek Visitor Center at Elk Prairie on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway; Hiouchi Information Center off US 199 near Hiouchi, Calif.; Jed Smith Visitor Center in the Jedediah Smith Campground off US 199; and, the Crescent City Information Center located at 1111 Second Street in Crescent City, Calif. All five visitor centers are open seven days a week during this time of year. Information can also be obtained by calling (707) 465-7335 (M-F) or visiting the RNSP website at: www.nps.gov/redw.

This News Release can also be viewed, downloaded, and/or printed here (PDF, 179 KB).



Last updated: November 21, 2017

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