Gold Bluffs Beach & Fern Canyon Parking Permits

Online Permits

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. 

Permits are required in order to visit Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area and the Fern Canyon Trailhead from May 1st to September 30th.  

 

Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area Permits

Includes parking for the Fern Canyon Trailhead and Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Parking Area

Plan Ahead & Prepare

• Fern Canyon is located off of U.S Hwy 101 and requires at least 2 hours to complete. Be prepared to drive through two (2) stream crossings and get your feet wet. Learn more about Fern Canyon.
• Looking to picnic or fish at Gold Bluffs Beach? We offer a Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use permit for exactly that! See application for details.
• Trailers & RVs - RVs over 24 feet and trailers are not permitted on Davison Road.
• Pets - Furry friends 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.
• Fees - The Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use area is a fee area. You may pay using $12 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.
• Gold Bluffs Beach Campground - Visitors with a current Gold Bluffs Beach Campground reservation do not need to apply for a permit.

Basic permit information

• Permits are only available online and will not be issued in visitor centers or at park kiosks.
• Permits are required to park at the Fern Canyon Trailhead and Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area parking area from May 1st to September 30th.
• 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.
• The Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use area is a fee area. You may pay using $12 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.
• Gold Bluffs Beach Campground - Visitors with a current Gold Bluffs Beach Campground reservation do not need to apply for a permit.

• Permits are currently available for reservation for the entire summer and can be reserved up until 11:59 pm (PST) the day before. The following permits are available daily.

  • Fern Canyon Trailhead

    • 35 half-day permits (4 hours) starting at 8am and 1pm

    • 20 all-day permits (8 hours) starting at 8am

  • Gold Bluffs Beach Day-use Parking Area (no parking at Fern Canyon Trailhead)

    • 20 all-day permits (8 hours) starting at 8am

Apply for a permit. Permits are being issued by our non-profit partner, Redwood Parks Conservancy.

 

Gold Bluffs Beach Day-use Area & Fern Canyon Pilot Program FAQs

Why are permits being required at Gold Bluffs Beach Day-use area and Fern Canyon?

The implementation of a permit 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 permits be required?

May 1 – September 30th. From October 1 – April 31, day use at Gold Bluffs Beach will be unrestricted.

Who will need to obtain a permit?

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 Elk Prairie Visitor Center or along Davison Rd during that time. Campers at the Gold Bluffs Beach campground will not be required to apply for a day use permit 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 24hrs 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 permits will be issued each day?

There will be several options of permits available to visitors.

• 35 reservable morning half day permits (8am to 12:00 pm) for Fern Canyon parking area
• 35 reservable afternoon half day permits (1:00 pm to sunset) for Fern Canyon parking area
• 20 reservable all day permits (8:00am to sunset) for Fern Canyon parking area
• 20 reservable all day permits (8:00am to sunset) for Gold Bluffs Beach picnic parking area

How far in advance can I reserve a permit?

Visitors can reserve permits for May 1st – Sept. 30th now!

How do the permits work?

After booking your permit 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 and 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 [e-mail].

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 permit will be required upon entry to the Gold Bluffs Beach Day-use area. The permit applicant must be in the vehicle and will be required to provide their name, a valid photo ID, and proof of permit (either a screen shot of permit on their phone, or a printed permit confirmation email in order to gain entry to Gold Bluffs Beach & Fern Canyon.

Can I cancel/change my permit?

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

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

What if I didn’t get a permit and there aren’t any permits available that day? Can I still visit Fer

Yes. You will still be able to access Fern Canyon via trails within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The hike is approx. 10.4 miles round trip from the Prairie Creek Visitor Center on 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 permits transferable?

No. Once a permit 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 permit.

Where does the permit allow me to go?

The Gold Bluffs Beach permit will allow a vehicle to enter Gold Bluffs Beach Day-use Area via Davison Rd. Parking is permitted only at the designated parking area listed on the permit 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 permit.

 

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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