The 131,983-acre Redwood National Park is located in Northern California. Visitors have the opportunity to visit this park year-round to sight huckleberry bushes, grazing elk, Chinook salmon and marbled murrelets, in addition to the redwoods. From scenic drives to active pursuits, outdoor enthusiasts experience the land and water through hiking, biking, kayaking and fishing. When engaging into these activities, visitors should follow the park's guidelines to avoid encounters with wildlife.
Hiking
As one of the most popular park activities, Redwood National Park features more than 200 hiking trails to novice or expert trekkers. The diverse terrain allows hikers to view the natural backdrop, including beaches, forests, meadows and prairies. With the option to hike the north, south or coastal section of the park, trails are generally moist and require rain gear to stay dry. Popular, family-friendly Crescent Beach Trail is a relatively flat 3.5 mile hike. The trailhead is accessible from the Crescent beach picnic area. With sights like the beach, Colossal Sitka spruce and Roosevelt Elk, this hike offers a combination of beach and forest terrain.
Biking
Cycling the Redwood National Park is breathtaking visually and physically. From park roads to six trails, cyclists have the option to choose easy to challenging rides. The 19-mile Ossagon Trail Loop features a variety of terrain switching from easy to dramatically steep terrain. This loop utilizes the Coastal Trail, Gold Beach section and Davison Road, which starts at mile marker 132.9 on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.
Kayaking
Redwood Adventures Tours features kayak rentals and tours for families and serious paddlers. Experience the coastal lagoons or the oceans while paddling among native marine life. Possible sightings include seals, dolphins, whales and birds. Instructed lessons are available for novice paddlers before the tour. According to the tour website, wetsuits, helmets, life-jackets, windbreakers, booties, kayaks, and paddles are provided.
Sport Fishing
Sport fishing requires fishermen to obtain a California fishing license for any person over the age of 16. Fishing is offered at Smith River, Klamath River, Redwood Creek and Freshwater Lagoon. Visitors can catch a variety of trout, salmon and bass. Surf fishing is also popular to catch perch and smelt. More information can be found at any of the visitors' centers located within the Redwood National Park.
Camping
Visitors have two camping options in Redwood, which includes family-friendly developed campgrounds or primitive, backcountry campsites. The backcountry sites are ideal for the long distance hiker, biker or horseback rider. Before primitive camping, visitors should inquire at the visitors' center for trail conditions, fire danger levels and wildlife information. Ossagon Creek, Redwood Creek and Miners Ridge backcountry campsites all require camping permits that are available at the visitors' centers.
Four developed campgrounds are available, with three within the redwood forest and one along the coast. These grounds include the Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, Elk Prairie Campground, Mill Creek Campground and the Jedediah Smith Campground. All grounds feature outdoor recreation that is child-friendly with hiking, ranger and campfire programs.
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