The coast redwood is the tallest living thing on Earth, and the forests along California’s far north coast protect the greatest surviving concentration of these ancient trees. Redwood National and State Parks — a cooperative unit combining one national park with three California state parks — stretches along roughly 40 miles of coastline in Del Norte and Humboldt counties, preserving old-growth groves that were actively being logged as recently as the 1970s. Walking beneath a cathedral of thousand-year-old redwoods, their trunks disappearing into fog and canopy, is one of those experiences that recalibrates your sense of scale.

The Tallest Trees on Earth

The champion coast redwoods in these parks reach over 380 feet — taller than a 35-story building. The tallest known living tree on Earth, Hyperion, is located somewhere in the park’s backcountry; its exact location is not publicly disclosed to prevent the trampling damage that killed so much of the fragile root zone around earlier record-holders.

What you can easily access is equally impressive. The old-growth groves throughout the parks contain trees 8–12 feet in diameter and 1,000–2,000 years old in significant numbers. The forest understory is equally rich — sorrel carpets the ground in vivid green, sword ferns grow to extraordinary size in the deep shade, and the silence of an old-growth redwood grove, broken only by the sound of wind moving through the canopy above, is unlike any other forest experience.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove

The Lady Bird Johnson Grove, reached via a 1.4-mile loop trail off Bald Hills Road above Orick, was dedicated in 1969 during a ceremony attended by then-First Lady Johnson. The grove is a classic old-growth redwood forest with interpretive signs explaining the ecology of the forest and the history of its preservation. The loop trail is accessible and not strenuous, making it one of the best introductions to the park’s old growth for visitors with limited time or mobility.

The grove is most atmospheric in morning fog — the redwoods drip with condensation, the air smells of damp wood and earth, and the light filtering through the canopy has an almost aquatic quality. Even in clear weather, the trees alone make this worth the short detour.

Tall Trees Grove: Permit Required

The Tall Trees Grove protects some of the largest redwoods in the park, accessible via a 4-mile round trip trail that descends steeply into Redwood Creek. Access requires a free permit obtained at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center in Orick on the day of your visit — permits are limited to protect the grove from overcrowding, and they typically go quickly on summer mornings.

The hike into Tall Trees is worth the effort. The trail passes through recovering second-growth before entering old-growth forest near the creek, and the density and scale of the trees at the grove floor is extraordinary. Wear waterproof footwear — the crossing of Redwood Creek at the trailhead requires wading during high water periods.

Roosevelt Elk and Prairie Creek

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, within the park complex, is home to a large herd of Roosevelt elk — the largest elk subspecies in North America. Gold Bluffs Beach, accessible via a dirt road, is one of the most reliably productive elk viewing spots in the parks. You’ll often find the herd grazing in the beach meadows in the morning hours, seemingly indifferent to human observers.

The elk are genuinely large animals, with bulls carrying enormous antlers during the fall rut. Keep a respectful distance and never approach or feed them. The NPS Redwood wildlife information has guidance on wildlife viewing throughout the park complex.

Fern Canyon

Fern Canyon, reached via the Gold Bluffs Beach area or a longer trail hike, cuts a narrow slot through a coastal bluff, its walls covered from floor to canopy in five-finger ferns that hang in overlapping layers of deep green. The canyon is only about 50 feet wide and walls rise 50 feet overhead. A small creek runs through the floor — bring waterproof footwear, as you’ll cross it repeatedly.

Fern Canyon has appeared in films precisely because it looks unreal — a dripping green passage that seems designed rather than grown. It’s one of the most visually distinctive hiking experiences on the California coast, and the drive to Gold Bluffs Beach through the prairie elk habitat adds to the experience.

Planning Your Visit

The parks are located along US-101 in far northern California, roughly 330 miles north of San Francisco and 80 miles south of the Oregon border. The town of Orick is the main southern gateway. Cell service is limited throughout the park; download offline maps. Fog is characteristic of the coast year-round — the trees depend on it — and can make summer mornings feel cool even when temperatures climb to the 60s. Bring layers.

For California natural area trip planning, see the Park Guides section including Muir Woods National Monument for old-growth redwoods closer to San Francisco and Lassen Volcanic National Park for volcanic landscapes. The Planning Tips page has useful logistics for northern California road trips.

FAQ

What’s the difference between Redwood National Park and the state parks? The area is jointly managed as Redwood National and State Parks — one federal unit and three California state parks (Prairie Creek Redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods). They’re managed cooperatively, and a single visit often crosses between them. The state parks charge day-use fees separately from the national park.

Do I need a permit to hike to Tall Trees Grove? Yes. Free day-use permits are required and are distributed starting at 8:00 a.m. at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center in Orick. They’re limited in number and often run out by mid-morning in summer.

When is the best time to see Roosevelt elk? Elk are present year-round but most visible and active in the morning hours. The fall rut in September and October brings bulls into open areas and makes for memorable wildlife viewing. Gold Bluffs Beach and the Elk Prairie area of Prairie Creek are the most reliable viewing locations.

How far is Fern Canyon from the main road? Fern Canyon is accessible via a rough dirt road (passable by most vehicles in dry conditions) to Gold Bluffs Beach, adding about 4 miles of driving beyond the Prairie Creek visitor center. High-clearance vehicles are recommended when the road is wet.

Are the redwoods accessible year-round? Yes, though some facilities and roads may have limited hours or be closed in winter. The groves themselves are accessible and beautiful throughout the year. Winter brings fewer visitors and a quieter, more intimate forest experience.