• Image of coast redwood forest along Cal-Barrel Road

    Redwood

    National and State Parks California

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Tall Trees Access Road and the Skunk Cabbage Trail Road are CLOSED to vehicles.

    Effective June 3, 2013, these closures are necessary due to key vacancies in park staffing, including heavy equipment operators required to grade and maintain these roads. Access to the Tall Trees Grove is still available via 8 mile hike. More »

  • Miners Ridge and Ossagon backcountry camps closed indefinitely.

    Backpacker sites avail. during summer only at Gold Bluffs Beach Campground (8 sites avail.; free permit req'd; $5 fee paid on site) and year-round at Elk Prairie Campground (hiker/biker sites avail., first-come, first-served; $5 fee paid on site). More »

Pets

Even "First Pet" Bo Obama isn't allowed on park trails.

Even "First Pet" Bo Obama isn't allowed on park trails.

EOP/Pete Souza

Pets are wonderul creatures that give comfort and companionship. A national or state park, however, is not the best place for the. For the safety of visitors and all animals (domestic and wild), and for the continued protection of your parklands, pets-with the exception of guide animals-are not allowed on park trails, at ranger-led programs, or in park buildings.

Checkout this "Pets" brochure (PDF, 3.02 MB)for more information, including a map of suggested locations for pets in the parks and surrounding areas.

What's the Harm?

  • Predators including bears, mountain lions, and coyotes may see pets as prey, placing both pet and owner in danger
  • Some pets may mark territory with scent or spread domestic disease, interfering with natural patterns and causing injury to wildlife.
  • Even normally well-behaved pets can become stressed by unfamiliar surroundings, threatening visitors and wildlife in close situations such as on park trails.
  • Dead salmon, found along riverbanks throughout the parks, can be extremely toxic to dogs.

Places for Pets

In Redwood National and State Parks, pets on a leash not exceeding six feet in length, under owner control, and without creating disturbance to visitors and wildlife are allowed:

  • On all road-accessible beaches (excluding dune habitat).
  • Within 100 feet of public roads and parking areas (but not on trails).
  • At designated picnic areas.
  • Within all road-accessible campgrounds.

Checkout our "Pets" bochure (PDF, 3.02 MB)for a map of suggested locations for pets in the parks.

Pets under your control are are allowed at the following nearby locations (be sure to inquire locally for specific regulations), from north to south:

  • Smith River National Recreation Area-all campgrounds and trails (pets must be leashed): west of Crescent City, Calif. via U.S. 199.
  • Public beaches in Crescent City, Calif.
  • Moonstone Beach: Westhaven Drive exit off U.S. 101, just south of Trinidad, Calif.
  • Clam Beach County Park: Clam Beach exit off U.S. 101, near McKinleyville, Calif.
  • Arcata Community Forest in Arcata, Calif.

Did You Know?

Did You Know?

The Columbia Lily, also known as Tiger Lily, colors the road sides and forest edges with brilliant yellow-orange blossoms from May through August. The stem is two to three feet tall and has several whorls of long, narrow leaves.