Walks and Hikes

No matter your comfort level and experience, there are walking and hiking options for you in the redwoods. For orientation purposes, we consider the Klamath River as the boundary between the northern and southern areas of the parks. Crescent City and Hiouchi is in the north, Klamath is in the middle, and Orick is in the south.

Be sure to check the weather and park conditions before your trip! Storms and other hazards may force roads or trails to close.

Ask Yourself:

• Do you have less than an hour, or a full day?
• Am I visiting in winter or summer? (Some trails with footbridges are only open in summer)
• What is the fitness level of your group?
• Which area of the parks are you visiting?
• Do you need to park an RV? Are you prepared to drive on dirt roads?
• What are your accessibility requirements?
• Are you traveling with a pet?

Our visitor centers, visitor guide and newspaper and our backcountry trip planner also have detailed information about walks, hikes, and trails.

 

Do I Need a Permit?

Permits are required for Gold Bluffs Beach/Fern Canyon (summer) and Tall Trees Trails (year-round) due to limited parking.

 

Hikes By Time

• 

  Have Less Than An Hour?

  A Short Stop in the Forest

  Ideas for visits lasting less than an hour.

• 

  Only Have A Few Hours?

  A Few Hours in the Redwoods

  Walks, hikes and experiences that take two hours or less.

• 

  You've Got Half A Day? Excellent!

  Suggestions For Half Day Activities

  Half a day will immerse you in some amazing places.

• 

  A Full Day To Fill? Awesome!

  The parks are full of day-long hikes.

  Hundreds of miles of trails to choose from.

 

Hikes by Region

• 

  North Area Trails

  Explore the park north of Klamath River on these trails

• 

  South Area Trails

  Explore the park south of Klamath River on these trails.

• 

  Coastal Trail

  70 miles (142 km) of Coastal Trail offers hikers options for short walks, day-long trips, and even multi-day adventures.

 

Accessible Trails

Explore the forests and coasts on these more accessible trails. Some are fully wheelchair accessible, while others feature wide, level paths and/or paved walking surfaces. Many include benches along the route. Please note that not all trailheads have reserved accessible parking.

An all-terrain track chair, beach wheelchairs, and standard wheelchairs are also available for loan at certain park visitor centers, free of charge.

North: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

• Simpson-Reed Grove
• Leiffer Loop
  

South: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

• Big-Tree Wayside
• Elk Prairie Trail
• Foothills - Prairie Creek Loop
• Revelation Trail.

Note: The Lady Bird Johnson Trail in Redwood National Park is partially paved, but it has some steeper slopes and is not considered accessible for hikers using mobility aids.

 

Pet on Trails?

Pets are not allowed on any national and state park trails, as even the best-behaved pets disturb wildlife and can harm this irreplaceable environment.

However, there are options for walking with a leashed pet in the parks. Head to Cal Barrel Road for a pleasant walk under old-growth redwoods. Your dog can also become a BARK! Ranger! Learn how and more about pets in the park.

 

What To Expect?

More than 200 miles of trails weave through a variety of environments; including prairies, old-growth redwood forests, and beaches. Elevations range from sea level to just over 3,000 feet (1,000 m). Consistently mild temperatures make year-round exploration a possibility. The parks' trails are well maintained - though weather conditions may make the trails slippery. Few trails are paved.

Due to the wet winters and the strong winds we have, large trees often fall, and they will block trails. These natural events will cause a trail closure. Find out more about current conditions.

Walking through a redwood grove on a fog-shrouded morning can be an unforgettable experience. Sounds are reduced to the musical gurgle of water trickling amongst ferns and mossy rocks. Light ebbs with the somber mist and shafts of sun hang like cobwebs. Stillness and peace weave their spells upon the respectful traveler.

 

Seasonal Bridges

In summer, seasonal foot-bridges are constructed across some waterways to allow for easier access to some of the parks' frontcountry, and backcountry highlights. Check our current conditions page for day-today updates on the bridges. Depending of the water-levels, these footbridges can installed by June and may be removed by October. These trails are not wheelchair accessible.

• Redwood Creek's bridges are in the backcountry of Redwood National Park and allow for easier access to several backcountry campsites.
• Fern Canyon's bridges are in the front-country of Prairie Creek State Park. Fern Canyon is a popular summer destination, and it will be very busy.
• Smith River's bridges in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park allow for walking access to Stout Grove.