How to Plan a Trip to Redwood National Park

California's Redwood National Park is home to some of the oldest and largest trees in the world. Some of the park's sequoias have lived for 2,000 years and are almost 400 feet tall and 23 feet in diameter. At Redwood National Park, drive through a giant redwood (the Chandelier tree), go hiking, explore the coast and discover wildlife.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Camping gear
• Park map
• Full tank of gas

1. Camp in a tent at one of several campsites in the forest. Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks all have camping areas. There is a fee for camping in these parks. For reservations call (800) 444-PARK. Camping along the ocean or near a lagoon are also options.
2. Stay in a lodge if your version of camping is a hotel. The DeMartin Redwood Youth Hostel in Klamath, California is the place for hotel campers. Reservations can be made by calling [phone] ext. 733.
3. Camp in the back country if you're more adventurous. There are several back country campgrounds to choose from, each having different amenities available. There is a small per person nightly fee charged. Most do not have potable water, so you will have to be sure to boil or purify it before drinking. All of the sites have a restroom, fire pits, picnic tables and food lockers.
4. Plan to take several excursions while visiting the park. There are many things planned June to September including junior ranger and campfire programs and guided nature walks. Unguided and guided activities are unlimited. Take a hike, stroll along the tide pools and explore the area. Activities are available for all skill levels and ages.
5. Plan to take a longer hike through the forest. Damnation Creek, Rhododendron, Boy Tree and Friendship Ridge trails are moderate to difficult hikes. The length varies from 4 1/2 to 8 miles long and will take from 3 to 8 hours to complete. Much shorter hikes are available on Stout Grove, Simpson-Reed and Lady Bird Johnson Grove trails. The shortest walk is a half mile, and the longest is 1 mile. These should take about an hour to complete. The trails are easy and well suited for families with children.
6. Drive on a scenic route. There are four adventurous drives to take. The roads are generally gravel, and some are easier to travel than others. All of the driving trails offer breathtaking views of the amazing redwood trees and some offer spectacular views of the ocean. The longest trail is 20 miles round trip. Be sure to have a full tank of gas before taking off on theses excursions. The Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon Road have a fee for day use.
7. Take in some fishing or white water rafting on the Smith River. The river has 145 miles of class 4 or 5 rapids and 175 miles of fish habitat. Salmon are great October through December, and from December through April you'll find plenty of steelhead. If you don't feel like getting wet, the Smith River Scenic Byway passes through forests and canyons and past turbulent rapids. For more information on activities at Smith River, call [phone].

Tips & Warnings

• Be on the lookout for bears and mountain lions. Make noise, move a lot and stand tall if you encounter one. Do not run.

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