15 Awesome Things to Do in Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is one of California’s amazing national parks, but because it’s located further away from major cities than the state’s more popular parks, it’s not as well known what things there are to do in Redwood National Park.

If you’re wondering if Redwood National Park is worth a visit or what there is to do, this is the guide for you.

I’ve explored all over Redwood National Park and put together this list of things to do all throughout the park. In short, there are a lot of trails and scenic drives to get up close to these incredibly tall and rare trees.

Ready to start planning your trip? Here are 15 awesome things to do in Redwood National Park.

Overview of Redwood National Park

“Redwood National Park” is actually made up of the national park and 3 surrounding state parks, plus a stretch of coastline in between these areas.
The national park portion is free but some areas of the state parks charge day-use fees. Those fees are waived if you have an America the Beautiful Pass. (Learn more about the America the Beautiful Pass in my tips for planning a national park trip.)

Things to Do in Redwood National Park: Northern Section

The northern section of Redwood National Park includes Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and the coast range.

Check out the National Park Service’s official map of the northern district to find each of these locations.

Simpson-Reed Trail

The Simpson-Reed Trail is a great easy trail to immerse yourself in the beautiful forest of the redwood parks.

This path is a 0.8-mile loop that will guide you through redwoods, creeks, and ferns. It’s a great way for visitors of all ages to enjoy this fascinating ecosystem.

Signs along the trail describe the natural and cultural history of this area.

The Simpson-Reed Trail can be found off of highway 199 in Jedediah Smith State Park. Note that you can only park at this trail if you have a smaller vehicle. RVs and vehicles with trailers cannot park here.

Stout Grove Trail

Another short trail in Redwood National Park is the Stout Grove Trail (called the Stout Memorial Grove trail in some places online).

This family-friendly hike will take you on a half-mile loop through an ancient redwood forest by the Smith River. It’s one of the main attractions in the northern section of the park complex.

There are two ways to access the Stout Grove trail. The main trailhead is along the windy, narrow Howland Hill Road, so it takes a long time to drive to and it does not have parking for large vehicles. Alternatively, you can park at the day use area at the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park campground, but you’ll have to pay the day use fee.

Howland Hill Road

If you want to get up close to the redwoods by car, check out the scenic drive along Howland Hill Road.

This 10-mile dirt road cuts through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

It’s a narrow, winding road that takes you very close to the redwoods. Large vehicles like RVs, trucks, and trailers are too wide for the road, so this drive is for smaller cars only.

There are also numerous trailheads along the road including the Stout Grove, Grove of Titans, Boy Scout Tree, and Nickerson Ranch.

Because of the road conditions, allot about an hour for this scenic drive.

Crescent Beach Overlook

Whether you are just passing through Redwood National Park or staying for a longer visit, it’s worth taking a short detour to Crescent Beach Overlook.

This overlook offers a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. You may also be lucky enough to see a whale.

There is also a picnic area, signage, and the trailhead for the Coastal Trail (Last Chance Section).

The Crescent Beach Overlook is a 5-minute drive off of highway 101 along Enderts Beach Road.

Yurok Loop Trail

Immerse yourself in the coast range section of Redwood National Park by taking the short Yurok Loop Trail.

You won’t see any redwoods on this one-mile loop. Instead, you’ll experience the coastal ecosystem of the park, passing coastal scrub forest plants, seabirds, and seastacks.

You’ll also get to take in pretty views of False Klamath Cove.

To find the Yurok Loop Trail, park at the Lagoon Creek picnic area.

Klamath River Overlook

For another beautiful view from up above the ocean, head to the Klamath River Overlook. This is where the Klamath River meets the Pacific Ocean.

You’re likely to see marine mammals at the overlook. Seals are often on the sandspit at the mouth of the river and whales migrate by in the spring and fall.

The overlook has picnic tables and signs describing the wildlife and history of the area.

The Klamath River Overlook is along Requa Road, about 15 minutes off of highway 101.

Things to Do in Redwood National Park: Southern Section

This is the “main” section of Redwood National Park, where many of the iconic spots are found and where the actual national park section is located. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is also in this area.

Check out the National Park Service’s official map of the southern district to see where each of these things do are within the park.

Fern Canyon Loop Trail

The Fern Canyon Loop Trail is a popular, short trail in Redwood National Park.

There are no redwoods here, but it’s nevertheless a beautiful natural area as you’ll be walking through a stream in a canyon with ferns lining the walls.

It’s also a famous trail because a scene in one of the Jurassic Park movies was filmed here.

Although it’s an easy hike, make sure you read the National Park Service webpage for the Fern Canyon Loop Trail to make sure you’re prepared. There are a few things to know before heading out on this hike.

Before heading to the park, you’ll need to apply for a parking permit in peak visitation months.

There are two stream crossings on the drive to the trailhead, so low clearance vehicles may not be able to access the trail.

If this trail still is a good fit for you, make sure to read about the trail conditions, fees, and how to stay safe around elk. I did this hike in the fall during elk mating season, and there was an aggressive male elk at the trailhead that luckily moved along when I drove into the parking lot. I still found myself wishing I knew what to do if the elk came back… now I know!

Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway

If you were only going to do one thing in Redwood National Park, it should be to drive the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.

This scenic drive parallels highway 101, so even if you’re really short on time and just want to see coast redwoods, this is the easiest way to do it without taking too much of a detour.

The 10-mile road runs north to south through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, navigating through thousands of old growth redwoods.

There are trails and pullouts along the way if you want to get out of your vehicle and immerse yourself in these giant trees.

The Big Tree

Seeing The Big Tree is another great way to check out the giant trees of Redwood National Park if you don’t have much time to explore.

The Big Tree is not necessarily the biggest tree in the park, but it’s still really cool to see the stats on how large and old this tree is. It gives you a sense of how special the redwood trees are as a whole.

It’s only a two-minute walk from the parking lot to the Big Tree, and the path to the tree is wheelchair accessible, so it’s a great stop for visitors of all ages and abilities.

Karl Knapp to Foothills Trail Loop

The Karl Knapp to Foothills Trail Loop is an excellent short day hike to walk through groves of redwoods.

This loop is made up of the Karl Knapp trail, the Foothills trail, and a bit of the Cathedral Trees trail for a total hike of 2.5 miles. Note that the Karl Knapp trail was formerly called the Prairie Creek trail, so you may still see information on the internet and signs with the old name.

One special feature of the Karl Knapp to Foothills Trail Loop is two tree tunnels, dead trees that have fallen and had tunnels carved out of them so hikers can pass through. It’s a novel experience and makes for a great photo op.

Trillium Falls Trail

Another great beginner day hike to get up close to redwoods is the Trillium Falls Trail.

The trail is named for a small waterfall you’ll pass along the way. Although the waterfall is not big and dramatic, it’s still a pretty feature to see on your route through old growth forest.

The whole trail is a 2.7 mile loop, but if you just want to see Trillium Falls, the waterfall is only half a mile from the trailhead for a total in-and-out hike of one mile. However, I recommend completing the whole loop as the ancient redwoods are the real highlight of this trail.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove

The Lady Bird Johnson Grove is a great place to learn about the history of Redwood National Park.

This popular spot includes a 1.5-mile trail that loops through a grove of redwoods. On this trail you’ll see plenty of redwoods but also a variety of other tree species and understory plants. I found this biodiversity to make this grove more interesting to see than I was expecting before I came here.

The trail also provides an opportunity to learn more about the history of the park and efforts to save the redwoods from logging. You can download a digital tour that pairs with numbered signs along the trail from the National Park Service app or website.

Even if you aren’t interested in history and skip the digital tour, this is a nice trail to guide you through a section of redwood forest.

Tall Trees Grove

The trail to Tall Trees Grove is the most difficult – yet most famous – hike on this list.

This grove has received a lot of media attention in part because it used to be home to the tallest the tree in the world until its top died a few decades ago.

Due to the crowds that have swarmed to the Tall Trees Grove, you’ll need to apply for a permit at least 24 hours in advance of your hike in order to access this trail.

Consider going to the Tall Trees Grove only if you have a half a day to a full day to spend on this activity since it takes about an hour drive each way to and from the trailhead and a 4.5-mile hike with 1,600 feet of elevation gain.

If you don’t have that much time or didn’t secure a permit, don’t worry. The other trails on this list are equally great for seeing redwoods.

More Things to Do in Redwood National Park

Here are two more activities to do in Redwood National Park that are not specific to the northern or southern section of the park.

The Coastal Trail

If you’re up for a bigger adventure and have several days to explore Redwood National Park on foot, consider hiking the Coastal Trail.

This trail is 70 miles long and goes through all sections of the park, starting at Crescent Beach in the north and ending about a mile south of the Elk Meadow area of Redwood National Park.

You’ll need permits to camp along the trail which must be acquired online at least 24 hours in advance. Click here to learn more about permits, find maps, and more information you’ll need to know to plan your backcountry camping trip.

You don’t need to go on a multi-day backpacking trip in order to get a taste of the Coastal Trail. The National Park Service recommends several segments if you just want to explore a section of it for a longer day hike.

Attend a Guided Ranger Program

You’ll get so much more out of your visit to Redwood National Park if you learn about the park and the namesake redwoods through a park ranger.

This park’s guided ranger programs vary and may include tidepool walks, nature walks, and campfire programs.

Check the national park’s calendar to see what events are scheduled to occur during your stay.

Building an Itinerary for Redwood National Park

Now that you know lots of things to do in Redwood National Park, how should you narrow down which things to do during your stay?

The National Park Service website has suggestions of which things to do depending on how much time you have in the park and which section(s) of the national park you will be in.

If you aren’t just driving through the park, I would recommend prioritizing at least one of the day hikes through redwood trees like the Karl Knapp to Foothills Trail Loop or the Trillium Falls Trail.

Need more help planning your trip? Check out my seven tips to plan a perfect national park trip!

As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.