Camping Information
They are four state-run campgrounds within the Redwood National Park. The Campgrounds are located in the Gold Bluff Beach State Park, Jedediah Smith State Park, Mill Creek State Park, and Elk Prairie State Park. At all of these Parks, have a fifteen night stay limit with a $12.
Trails and Maps
There are many trails within the Redwood National Park. The coastal trail is the longest trail, stretching 35 miles between Crescent Beach and Orick. The Redwood Creek Trail, east of Orick, is an 8 1/2 mile hike to the Tall Tree Groves.
Each area of the Redwood National Park has its own trails. The Southern Trails contain old growth redwoods and prairies. The Miners trail is an easy 11 mile round trip hike. It follows a trail used by goldminers in the 1800s. It is flat, and passes through old-growth redwoods, the 30-foot wall of ferns, and along Gold Bluffs Beach. Dolason Prairie is a moderate 10 mile round trip hike. It is an all day hike with steep grades and switchbacks through prairie country. The trail descends gradually into Redwood Creek drainage through old-growth and second growth trees. It connects with the Tall Trees Trail. The Lady Bird Johnson Nature Loop is an easy 1 mile loop through a grove of old-growth redwoods.
The middle area trails include coastal trails, old-growth and second growth trees, and streamside environments. The Nature Loop Trail is a one mile trail. It takes about 20 minutes, and teaches people about redwoods through interpretative signs. Flint Ridge is a Strenuous 9 mile trail, that is an all day hike for most people. It is a solitary, steep climb through the Redwood Forest's best trees. The Damnation Creek trail is a strenuous 4.5 mile hike. It has a steep trail that descends 1,000 feet from a grove of old-growth trees to the ocean. It was used by the Tolowa Indians to gather food. It takes 3 hours to complete.
The northern area trails hike through the inland redwoods, this part of the forest is generally drier and warmer than the areas by the ocean. The Stout Grove Trail is a very easy paved 0.5 mile hike. It is about an hour hike along the clear, aqua-colored Smith River. The river creates an unusually sparse area of vegetation and spout trees grow near the river. The Mill Creek Trail is a moderate 5 mile round-trip hike. It is a half day hike through an old-growth grove of redwoods. The Mill Creek itself is a clear stream surrounded by thick trees. It is good for fishing. The Little Bald Hills Trail is a strenuous 10 mile hike. It is an all day hike for most people, but can become an overnight hike. It begins at an old-growth tree grove and ascends gradually 1800 feet. Shortly into the hike, the redwoods are replaced by conifers and prairies. This hike is great for bird watching and wildflowers.
The middle area trails include coastal trails, old-growth and second growth trees, and streamside environments. The Nature Loop Trail is a one mile trail. It takes about 20 minutes, and teaches people about redwoods through interpretative signs. Flint Ridge is a Strenuous 9 mile trail, that is an all day hike for most people. It is a solitary, steep climb through the Redwood Forest's best trees. The Damnation Creek trail is a strenuous 4.5 mile hike. It has a steep trail that descends 1,000 feet from a grove of old-growth trees to the ocean. It was used by the Tolowa Indians to gather food. It takes 3 hours to complete.
The northern area trails hike through the inland redwoods, this part of the forest is generally drier and warmer than the areas by the ocean. The Stout Grove Trail is a very easy paved 0.5 mile hike. It is about an hour hike along the clear, aqua-colored Smith River. The river creates an unusually sparse area of vegetation and spout trees grow near the river. The Mill Creek Trail is a moderate 5 mile round-trip hike. It is a half day hike through an old-growth grove of redwoods. The Mill Creek itself is a clear stream surrounded by thick trees. It is good for fishing. The Little Bald Hills Trail is a strenuous 10 mile hike. It is an all day hike for most people, but can become an overnight hike. It begins at an old-growth tree grove and ascends gradually 1800 feet. Shortly into the hike, the redwoods are replaced by conifers and prairies. This hike is great for bird watching and wildflowers.