Redwood National and State Parks, also known as RNSP, sits just south of the Oregon border along the coast of northern California. The 131,983-acre park features more than 200 miles of developed hiking trails with a variety of difficulty levels. You can go on short out-and-back hikes, or longer day trips through the park's backcountry, with options for camping at developed sites or in remote areas. The park also offers trails for horseback riding and mountain biking, but hikers will mostly have the designated hiking trails to themselves, as bikes and horses are only allowed on specified paths.
Geography
The most recognizable geographic trait in Redwood National and State Parks are the coast redwood trees, which tower over the landscape to a maximum height of 367 feet and a width of 22 feet at the base. These giants grow as tall as they do in part because of the surrounding geographic features, including the proximity of the Pacific Ocean, which keeps the forest areas damp throughout the year. The parks are lined with rivers and streams, and also feature rocky cliffs, mountainous terrain and ocean beaches.
Time Frame
You can count on running into damp weather and fog on your hike no matter what time of year you travel to Redwood National and State Parks. If you're hoping for a warm-weather hike, head to the park in September, when the average high temperature is 70.8 F. For much of the year, however, you can count on daytime temperatures ranging from the low 50s to the high 60s and overnight lows from the mid-30s to the high 40s. So no matter what time of year you plan to hike at RNSP, pack something warm, just in case.
Considerations
Even when the air isn't wet in Redwood National and State Parks, the ground can be, so wear comfortable shoes or boots with good traction for your hike through the forests. It's also a good idea to bring rain gear, just in case the clouds roll in off the Pacific Ocean and decide to let loose. Be sure to pack snacks and water, particularly if you're heading on a longer hike, and don't drink from the forest's rivers and streams without first boiling the water or using filters or purification tablets; it can contain bacteria and microorganisms that could make you sick.
Restrictions
You won't be able to hike Redwood National and State Parks with your four-legged friends; pets are not allowed on any hiking trails within the park. RNSP also prohibits firearms, hunting of any kind and any motorized vehicles on trails and throughout the backcountry. You can hike in to a remote spot to do some fishing on a catch-and-release basis at locations along the Smith River and Klamath River, provided you have a fishing permit.
Trails
More than a dozen of the park's trails begin in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park near the north end of the redwood forests. You'll find trail heads for 15 hiking trails in this area, with access points just off Highway 101. Six trails start off in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, near Mill Creek Campground. The campground is closed from October through April, but you can still hike these trails by parking along Highway 101. Farther south, you'll find more than 30 trails between Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and Redwoods National Park, including the famous Tall Trees Trail.
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