5-day Redwood National Park Itinerary, Tips, and Photos
Years later, my road trip to Redwoods National and State Park is one of the most I look back on most fondly. The trees are wildly impressive, the green, lush ferns blew me away, and the quiet, tranquil vibe of Northern California was idyllic.
For this Redwood National Park itinerary, I’ll highlight our five-day trip to see the tallest trees in the world. You’ll get everywhere we went, professional photos to get you stoked, and share more tips from the Redwoods road trip.
Buckle up, because you’re in for a ride!
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What to do in Redwood National Park: 5-Day Itinerary For Visiting the Redwoods
Here’s how I planned our five days in Redwood National and State Parks! We drove up from Yosemite National Park after spending a few nights camping and hitting the trails.
We started our Redwood National Park itinerary at the southern end and worked our way up.
Day 1: Avenue of the Giants, Eureka, Trinidad, and Redwood National Park
Our first stop on the Redwoods itinerary portion of the trip was the Avenue of the Giants. It runs parallel to Highway 101 for 32 miles. This is a must-see.
While it’s a slower drive than the highway, it’s worth it and lets you pull over at various points to walk around. Because our drive was longer than, say, coming from San Francisco, we only stopped briefly and decided to see more of it at the end of the road trip.
As it was nearing dinner time, we stopped in Eureka at Lost Coast Brewing for a flight and food. No complaints from me!
After filling up, we continued north to Trinidad and Emerald Forest, where we’d be camping the next two nights. This was a PERFECT campground. Incredibly lush, massive trees, and homey. Camping rates range from $35 to $38. (They also have cabins and RV options for those who don’t want to sleep on the ground.)
Note: We were very focused on seeing Redwoods, so we didn’t explore Trinidad. While we were on a time crunch, I somewhat regret this. The area looks stunning. I suggest Trinidad State Beach at a minimum.
Day 2: Trillium Falls, Prairie Redwoods State Park, Sue-Meg State Park
Adventure day in Redwood National and State Parks. After cooking breakfast and enjoying a quiet morning in the trees, we set out.
The first stop on our trip was the Lady Bird Johnson Trail, 30 minutes north of our campground.
There are at least two routes in – one a short 1.5-mile walk, and another around 5 miles. We opted for the shorter hike. All these years later, I honestly can’t remember much from it. It’s just big trees, honoring the former First Lady. Surely a nice walk, but nothing overly memorable.
Trillium Falls
Next up was Trillium Falls, some 15 minutes down the road.
The “falls” aren’t very big, but they’re the focal point of the trip and very picturesque.
As for the hike, the forest part was fantastic. I’ll say this a lot in the article, but walking amongst the Redwoods in Northern California is so spectacular. The distance is less than 3 miles, with a steady elevation gain throughout, but not challenging.
After the hike, we enjoyed watching the nearby Roosevelt Elk that live in the Barry Glenn area.
Sunset at Patricks Point
To cap off the evening, Jaimie and I headed to Sue-Meg State Park to watch the sunset on the coast. I highly recommend this area and going to Patrick’s Point. The views were 10/10, with the calm ocean waves below us and coastal views spanning as far as the eye can see to the north and south.
Day 3: Fern Canyon, Klamath River Overlook, Boyscout Tree Trail
Day three of our Redoods itinerary was really fun! We started off along the coast with a short hike into Fern Canyon. It’s probably one of the most popular trails in Redwood National Park and requires a permit to access.
Fern Canyon
Fern Canyon is famous for appearing in the Jurassic Park movie. I will say, the ferns of Fern Canyon were not very green nor lush. I’m thinking it was the time of year, but it was somewhat disappointing.
There are multiple ways to do the Fern Canyon hike. The gist is, Fern Canyon is a creek, so when you hike it, be prepared to A) get your feet wet with sandals or B) wear waterproof boots and be nimble at rock hopping.
We did option B as we hiked upstream through the canyon, and then returned on the hiking trail, which was far speedier.
Side Note: The drive is along the coast and has some sandy sections. I was in my Prius, so we stopped before the final trailhead and then walked in. If you have more time in the area, I suggest exploring the coastline.
Klamath River Overlook
After the two-plus-mile hike, we continued the trek north to Klamath River Overlook. This is where the Klamath River flows into the Pacific Ocean. It’s nothing life-changing, but a nice spot to get out and enjoy the views.
(Other places to see on the way north: Damnation Creek Trail, Tall Trees Grove, Endert Beach, Crescent Beach Overlook.)
Boy Scout Tree Trail
This trail doesn’t get a lot of love online (at least from what I’ve seen), but this was our favorite hike of our time in NorCal. First, the drive-in is beautiful and is on a narrow, dirt road, so RVs/trailers aren’t allowed. Second, we didn’t see another soul on teh trail, which helped make it so peaceful.
Thirdly, the amount of ferns was phenomenal, as was the size of the ferns.
The trail is much longer than the one we did. But still, going a couple of miles and flipping around will give you a beautiful display of nature and the trees’ size.
That evening, we began a two-night stay at a hotel in Crescent City.
Day 4: Adventure Day in Jedidah Smith State Park
Jedidiah Smith State Park is an absolute gem.
Stout Grove
We started the day at Stout Grove. It’s a very short loop trail, less than a mile long, but it offers some picturesque photo opportunities. I remember the parking lot being small, so keep that in mind.
This is one of my top photo spots in the area. The wide dirt path makes for a great leading line, and the trees and light were perfect!
Grove of the Titans
After exploring that area, we continued down the road a short bit to the Grove of the Titans. This is a slightly longer hike, closer to two miles. The first part is on a dirt path, with the last loop portion on an elevated walkway to protect the terrain. The trees were massive, and the two of us had a great time on this hike.
Simpson Reed Trail and Sunset on the Smith River
To wrap up our last full day in Redwood National and State Parks, we headed out on the short, 0.8-mile Simpson Reed Trail. This again offered more giant Redwoods and an ability to enjoy our time outside. Four years later, I can’t remember anything too awe-inspiring, but we had a nice time.
Then, we found a nice spot to hang out along the Smith River, skipping stones, drinking a brew, and soaking up the last hour of daylight.
Day 5: Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Avenue of the Giants
We were sad to leave Northern California and head back to the Bay Area (and then even further south to our then-home base in Santa Barbara). But we still had a little time to explore on the way south.
Our first stop was along the coast near Crescent City, though I can’t remember the exact location. The, we explored Humboldt Redwoods State Park, as well as another drive through the gorgeous Avenue of the Giants.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
After driving for nearly 2.5 hours since leaving Crescent City, we made our first stop along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Our first trail was the Drury-Chaney Trail. It’s an easy two-mile trail that’s almost literally flat.
The trail is easily defined, surrounded by lush ferns and towering Redwoods. Highly recommend.
Ten minutes down the road was our final stop before returning to the chaos of the modern world.
Founders Grove
The Founders Grove is a short, half-mile loop trail that showcases what many say is the most impressive grove in the state park. The highlight is the Founders Tree, which many 70-90 years ago considered the tallest tree in the world.
It’s also one of the most popular spots in the area, thanks to the highway nearby.
A little after 3pm, we sped south towards the Golden Gate Bridge, with nothing short of incredible memories from our time in Northern California amongst the magical Redwoods.
Top Hikes to do on your Redwood National Park Itinerary
Hiking in Redwood National Park is honestly some of my top-ranked hikes of all time. The enormous size will dazzle, and the lush green fern-covered landscapes will mesmerize. I’ve hiked in A LOT of places, and while these aren’t rigorous hikes to a mountain summit, they were among my favorites.
- Fern Canyon: Requires a permit to enter, situated along the beach. Drove most of the way in my Prius, but parked further back on the road due to sand. The location was in Jurassic Park.
- Stout Memorial Grove: Very mellow, short half-mile loop through gorgeous trees. One of my favorites.
- Lady Bird Johnson Grove: More tall trees! I wouldn’t say this was anything special. Had far more crowds than the others. Two trails in. One is 1.5 miles, and the other is 5.5 miles long.
- Grove of the Titans: This one was pretty cool. The back portion is on a boardwalk to protect the terrain. Those trees were TALL! 1.8 miles long, not much elevation gain.
- Tall Tree Grove: We didn’t do this one on our 2022 trip. It requires a permit now. It’s 4.5 miles round-trip, with some steep sections. Considered moderate to challenging.
- Trillium Falls: Make sure to add this one to your Redwood National Park itinerary. It’s amazing. While the falls are relatively small, I loved the forest hike. Maybe it was our mid-week visit, but the crowds weren’t too bad—around 2.5 miles round trip with moderate difficulty.
- Boy Scout Tree Trail: This one felt like a dream! There wasn’t another soul on the trail. The massive trees and lush ferns had us on cloud nine. Highly recommend. I will note that we didn’t hike all the way due to time constraints. (Note: The Howland Road is a dirt road, not meant for RVs or trailers.)
Pro Tip: What to Pack
National Parks Pass
Hiking Pants
Long sleeve sun hoodie
Wool Hiking Sock
Trail Runners
25L backpack
Was 5 days enough in Northern California?
I believe a five-day trip in the Redwoods is a perfect amount of time. Due to its location, you’ll lose half a day on both sides of the drive north, but it’s not a terrible drive from the Bay Area. (5 hours from SFO to Trinidad.)
Over five days, you’ll get to see impressive trees, the most popular areas, and immerse yourself in the beauty of Redwoods National and State Park. You’re in for a treat. I had no idea how much I’d love the area and hold the area in high regard.
Where we stayed and other lodging options
We camped for two nights in Trinidad and then spent two nights at a hotel in Crescent City as we explored the northern region of Redwood National Park and Jedidiah Smith State Park.
I think this is a good way to do things. You really don’t want to do the drive back and forth from Crescent City (Jedidah Smith State Park) to Trinidad, for example. Limiting your driving will make the trip far more enjoyable.
Trinidad and Crescent City have decent lodging options. Otherwise, there’s not a lot in between the two places.
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Find Lodging near SFO Airport | Find Lodging in San Francisco
Photography Tips for your Redwood National Park Itinerary
- Use a wide-angle lens (24-70mm, 16-35mm, 20mm) to capture the scale of the trees
- Use people to show how big the trees are
- The tree canopy will help keep the light soft throughout the day
- Foggy conditions look incredible
- Play with the light coming through the trees and hitting various points on the ground.
- Morning and evening are still the best for lighting
What to know for planning your Redwood National Park Itinerary
Can I see the tallest tree in the world?
Unfortunately, the tallest tree in the world, the Hyperion Tree, is not accessible to tourists.
While it’s located across the river from Tall Trees Grove, the park service no longer allows people to access it to ensure its protection, as well as the protection of the surrounding ecosystem.
Fines or jail time are the punishments if caught.
It stands 380 feet and is estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old. If it makes you feel any better, it supposedly doesn’t look any different than any other tree you’ll see.
Drive time from the Bay Area
The drive from San Francisco to Redwood National Park takes 5-6 hours. Remember, Redwood National Park covers a large area, so the southern part is obviously closer than the northern part, which is basically the Oregon border.
Plan for 5.5–6 hours and consider breaking it up with a stop in Eureka or the Avenue of the Giants.
Best time to visit Redwoods
One of the best aspects of Redwood National Park is its accessibility year-round. Other than heavy rain, it rarely sees inclement weather.
When I visited in early April, our weather was fantastic. Like it couldn’t have been any better. That said, if you are looking for the classic foggy tree photos, you’ll want to visit during the summer. The warmer inland temperatures draw in the fog, creating the spooky scenes.
So to answer the question, I would say April through September is a perfect time to visit for warmer temperatures, less rain, and longer days.
What are the average temperatures throughout the year?
Over the course of the year, temperatures typically vary from 41°F to 65°F, and it’s rarely below 32°F or above 72°F. Here’s a month-by-month breakdown:
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F | 36°F | 11.7″ |
| February | 55°F | 38°F | 9.7″ |
| March | 57°F | 38°F | 9.2″ |
| April | 59°F | 39°F | 5.0″ |
| May | 62°F | 42°F | 3.3″ |
| June | 65°F | 46°F | 1.2″ |
| July | 68°F | 48°F | 0.3″ |
| August | 69°F | 48°F | 0.6″ |
| September | 70°F | 46°F | 1.5″ |
| October | 65°F | 43°F | 5.0″ |
| November | 57°F | 40°F | 9.8″ |
| December | 52°F | 37°F | 11.8″ |
The park’s weather is heavily influenced by the Pacific Ocean, resulting in foggy conditions, especially during the summer months, which helps sustain the iconic redwoods.
Understanding the Park System
This is a common point of confusion. Redwood National Park is actually made up of four parks (Redwood National Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Parks), and understanding how they’re laid out helps a lot with planning.
They’re all intertwined, hence the Redwood National and State Park. But for simplicity, people use the short form Redwood National Park.
How Many Days Do You Need
Unless you’re already headed north along the Oregon Coast or north to say Crater Lake National Park, there’s no reason not to spend 3-5 days in the Redwoods. Because it’s a decent drive north, you want the trip to make sense and be worthwhile.
You’ll obviously have a good time, but I’d recommend at least 3 days to enjoy the views and hiking trails.
Permits You’ll Need
Several popular spots require reservations. Fern Canyon requires a free reservation, and Tall Trees Grove requires a free permit — visitors can apply 48 hours to 4 weeks in advance. Redwood isn’t overly popular, so you likely won’t have trouble getting a permit. If you’re there for a few days, you should be able to grab a permit.
Wildlife Watching
Roosevelt elk sightings are very common, especially at Elk Prairie. This is a big draw that people don’t always expect. For us, they were lying under a tree, not doing much. But during elk rut season, they can be quite active.
Remember to keep your distance when viewing wildlife. 75 feet (25 yards) is a good distance to stay away.
Another opportunity, much less consistent, is seeing whales offshore. Bring binoculars, and you might see these gentle giants swimming north or south in their migratory path.
Cell Service Warning
Cell phone signal is spotty or non-existent in most places, so download offline maps of the entire area before you go.
Food & Dining
There are no food options in any of the parks; restaurants are either in Crescent City or Trinidad, so carry snacks and water. Crescent City is really close to the northern area, like Jedidiah State Park, so you’ll have ample options.
Final thoughts on a 5-day Redwood National Park Itinerary
I absolutely loved our trip and the Redwood National Park itinerary that we planned. It allowed us to do fun hikes, see gorgeous views, camp, and soak up time in nature. Honestly, it was one of the most perfect trips I’ve done in a while.
And best of all, Redwood National and State Parks are perfect for all types of hikers and the entire family. The trails aren’t too hard or long, giving all types of outdoors people teh opportunity to see teh sights.
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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