Gold Bluffs Beach & Fern Canyon Day-use Reservations

Basic Reservation Information

Gold Bluffs Beach reservations are required from May 15th to September 15th. Reservations can only be made online. Please stop by a park visitor center if you need help making a reservation. 

The pilot permit system for the Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area launched in March, 2022. The pilot program aims to create a better visitor experience, a safer environment along the Gold Bluffs Beach Road for emergency vehicles, and protect our natural resources for future generations. 

 

Step 1: Learn about the Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area

The Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area offers many recreational activities such as walking the Fern Canyon Trail Loop, picnicing on the beach, fishing in the ocean, and so much more.

• Vehicle Access: The Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area is located off of U.S. Hwy 101 at the end of the windy Davison Road. RVs over 24 feet and trailers are not permitted on Davison Road.
  • Fern Canyon takes at least 2 hours to complete. Be prepared to drive through two (2) stream crossings and get your feet wet.
• The Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area is a fee area. You may pay using $12.00 cash/check (no cards accepted), America the Beautiful Passes, California's State Parks Annual or Poppy Pass, or a current California State Parks campground reservation.
• Pets can be walked on a 6-foot leash on Gold Bluffs Beach. Pets are not permitted in Fern Canyon. Service animals exempt. Learn more about where you can take your pet.
• Gold Bluffs Beach Campground - Visitors with a current Gold Bluffs Beach Campground reservation do not need to apply for a permit.

 

Step 2: Make a Reservation

Reservations are only issued online. Reservations will not be issued in park visitor centers and often fill up in the summer. Plan ahead in order to have the best chance to secure a permit.

• The Gold Bluffs Beach entrance station will be checking permits and taking fee payments. The government-issued photo ID associated with your permit must be shown to gain access.
• Your reservation is for the entire day (8:00 am to sunset). You may access your reserved location at any time within the designated hours.

Make a Reservation - Permits are being issued by our non-profit partner, Redwood Parks Conservancy.

There are three types of reservations available:

Location	Fern Canyon Trailhead		Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use (no parking at Fern Canyon Trailhead)
Reservation Name	In-Advance Reservation	Day-Before Reservation	Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use
Availability	Available starting 12:00 am (PT) April 14th, 2023. Must be reserved by 11:59 pm the day before.	Available beginning at 8:00 am the day before.	Available starting 12:00 am (PT) April 14th, 2023. Must be reserved by 11:59 pm the day before.

 

Step 3: Take your Reservation to the Park

Check your junk / spam folders for an email from Redwood National and State Parks. The Gold Bluffs Beach entrace station will be checking reservations and taking fee payments. The government-issued photo ID associated with your permit must be shown to gain access.

 

Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area & Fern Canyon Reservation FAQs

Why are reservations being required at Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area and Fern Canyon?

The implementation of a reservation system will allow Redwood National and State Parks to: 

1. Provide a high-quality visitor experience in which overcrowding of parking lots and trail systems will not deter visitors from having the ability to seek out recreational experiences that allow for a connection to the natural environment.

2. Permit system during peak summer months will allow for the protection of natural resources

3. Provide adequate ability for law enforcement and emergency services to provide responses during emergencies which was impeded by un-restricted parking and overcrowding of roadways.

When will reservations be required?

May 15 – September 15th. From September 16th to May 14th, day use at Gold Bluffs Beach will be unrestricted.

Who will need to obtain a reservation?

Any park visitor driving to Gold Bluffs Beach for Day-Use access who wants to park at either the Gold Bluffs Beach picnic area or Fern Canyon. There will be no restrictions to visitors walking to Fern Canyon from the Prairie Creek Visitor Center or along Davison Road during that time. Campers at the Gold Bluffs Beach Campground will not be required to obtain a day-use reservation for access.

How will I reserve a permit for Gold Bluffs Beach Day-use area?

Find an available date and time and reserve your spot. A confirmation email will be sent to you immediately after booking your permit, and will also be re-sent to you 24hours before the date/time of the permit. Visitors will be required to either print out this confirmation email, or take a screen shot, and present this at the time of arrival at the Gold Bluffs Beach entrance station. The person whose name is designated on the permit must be present in the vehicle at the time of arrival, and show a valid proof of identification.

How many reservations will be available each day?

There will be several reservations available to visitors.

• 100 In-Advance Fern Canyon Trailhead Reservations
• 50 Day-Before Fern Canyon Trailhead Reservations

• 25 Gold Bluffs Beach Picnic Area Reservations

How far in advance can I make reservations?

In-Advance reservations will be available for the 2023 season starting at 12:00 am PT, April 14, 2023. 
Day-before reservations will be available starting at 8:00 am the day before the reservation date.

How do the reservations work?

After booking your reservation on https://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm you be given the option to save this event on your calendar (from the booking website) and will also immediately receive an email confirmation. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don’t see this email in your primary inbox. This email will be sent from Redwood National and State Parks.

Please read this confirmation email thoroughly as it will pertain important information to help you plan your visit. After reading your confirmation email, and visiting the permits page on https://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm, if you still have questions, you are welcome to visit any of the Visitor Center locations within Redwood National and State Parks. You are also welcome to call [phone] (general park information line) but please be advised that this phone number is not always staffed and your best place for information regarding your permit will be either the email confirmation or website.

Proof of reservation will be required upon entry to the Gold Bluffs Beach Day-use area. The reservation holder must be in the vehicle and will be required to provide their name and a valid photo ID.

Can I cancel/change my reservation?

Yes, you can cancel or change your existing permit using the email confirmation you receive immediately after making your reservation. Please save this email.

If you are unable to visit on the day of your reservation, please take the time (less than 2 mins) to cancel your reservation. Limited reservations are available and we appreciate your assistance with ensuring that as many visitors as possible are able to get a reservation.

Can I still visit Fern Canyon without a reservation?

Yes. You will still be able to access Fern Canyon via trails within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The hike is approximately 10.4 miles round-trip from the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, located off of the Newton B. Drury Parkway, via the James Irvine Trail. If you plan to hike to Fern Canyon, please start your hike early and be prepared by planning ahead.

Are these reservations transferable?

No. Once a reservation is reserved with a name, that person will need to be present in the vehicle upon your arrival to Gold Bluffs Beach to gain entry. You are required to show the government-issued photo ID coorelated with your permit in order to gain entry. No ID, no reservation.

Where does the reservation allow me to go?

The Gold Bluffs Beach reservation will allow a vehicle to enter Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area via Davison Road. Parking is permitted only at the designated parking area listed on the reservation along Gold Bluffs Beach and the Fern Canyon parking lot.

What if I have a Gold Bluffs Beach Campground reservation?

Visitors with a Gold Bluffs Beach Campground reservation will not need to apply for a day-use reservation.

 

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  Gold Bluffs Beach Pilot Permit Program, Public Information Session

  The public information session was hosted using video conferencing on March 16th, 2022 at 6pm (PST). Park management and law enforcement discussed the need for the new permit program, how to reserve a permit online, and alternatives routes to Fern Canyon that do not require a permit.

  Duration:

  1 hour, 1 minute, 42 seconds