Less than 200 years ago redwoods dominated the coast of California. Today approximately 3 percent of the original forest remains, according to California State Parks. National and state park services manage vast expanses of California redwood forests, with miles of trails for visitors to enjoy. Hiking trails welcome visitors to explore remaining redwood species such as giant sequoias, coast redwoods and dawn redwoods. California's redwood forests can offer recreational opportunities for an afternoon jaunt or extended family vacation.
Redwood Parks
Major California redwood parks include Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Redwoods State Park, Redwoods National Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park and Humboldt Redwoods State Park, each presenting its own environment. Prairie Creek features lush coastal woodlands, while Redwoods National Park lies in a valley. Humboldt Redwoods includes dense, dark forests, and Big Basin features a mixture of woodlands species.
Locations
While redwood forests dot much of the California coastline, the majority of major redwood parks lie between the Big Sur seashore and the Oregon state line. Redwood National Park lies along the coast less than 20 miles from the Oregon state line, while Humboldt Redwoods is situated inland between Fort Bragg and Eureka. With the exception of Big Basin (south of Monterey), all major redwood parks are located north of San Francisco. Visitors traveling up the coast by car from San Francisco can also enjoy smaller redwood forests along the way, including Muir Woods National Monument, Grove of the Old Trees and Montgomery Woods State National Reserve.
Trails
Trails in the parks vary in length, altitude and physical demands. Jedediah Smith offers the 0.6-mile Stout Grove trail, typically navigable by persons with average physical fitness levels, while Redwood National Park features the more strenuous 22-mile Lost Man Creek trail. Redwood National Park features close to 200 miles of trails. Select trails, including Orick Horse Trails, Little Bald Hills Trail and Mill Creek Horse Trails, also allow horses. Trails at Big Basin take visitors through more than 18,000 acres of redwoods. With more than 80 miles of trails, visitors can enjoy coastal views, waterfalls and canyons. Prairie Creek's Ah Pah Trail is less than one mile in length and 40 feet above sea level, while the park's Miners' Ridge and James Irvine trails stretch out over more than 11 miles, reaching an altitude above 1,300 feet.
When to Go
The majority of redwood parks in California welcome visitors year-round, every day. Parks see the highest visitor counts from May to August, and the lowest counts from November to February. Annual rainfall typically peaks between November and January, with July and August enjoying the lowest precipitation. Average high and low temperatures vary, depending on the month and the location of the park.
Fees
Fees can vary, depending on how you arrive to a park, which agency manages a park (state or federal park services) and what activities you want to participate in. Select redwood parks offer free admission, but charge fees to enter with cars or buses. The majority of parks charge a fee for camping, along with campsite reservation requirements. Visitors to any of the redwood forests are advised to contact specific parks for current fees.
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