How to See Five Cool Things at Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is one of America's favorite wilderness destination, not only for the ancient trees, but also for the unique wildlife, such as the Roosevelt elk, the Chinook salmon and the endangered marbled murrelets. If you are planning a trip to California's redwood forest, you are sure to see far more than five cool things.

Instructions

1. See the life that lingers amongst the trees, hiking just over a mile from the Elk Prairie Campground to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center. Not only can you marvel in the size of the redwoods, you can see other cool things such as yellow banana slugs, wildflowers and even tiny garter snakes.

2. Drive 8 miles along the unpaved Davidson Road as you spy elk in the prairies out your window. This beautiful drive leads you to Gold Bluffs beach and on to Fern Canyon, where you will hit a dead end and have to retrace your path; however, you will not be disappointed the second time either.

3. Enjoy the two and a half mile hike along Trillium Falls trail, exploring the natural beauty of Fern Canyon along the way. Be sure to stop at the "wild beach" and stroll beside the surf, enjoying the pieces of drift wood and scattered seashells spread along an unspoiled beach that stretches as far as the eye can see.

4. Hang out with the fog that loops through the towering trees along Brown Creek Trail, a short yet beautiful walk. Not only can you enjoy the lookout views and sites of the fairy-tale like woods, you can listen to the strange music of nature as it echoes through thick vegetation and fog.

5. Keep the ocean in view and hike the coastal trail, an ongoing state project which will eventually stretch along the entire coastline of California. Walk or bicycle along the paved path system, where you can see tide pools, wild forests and incredible ocean views. Currently the Southern trail begins just off highway 101 north of Orick, California and the Northern trail begins at the end of Endert's Beach Road.