Is Redwood National and State Parks worth it?
Redwood is one of the few parks that earns a perfect breadth score and still manages to feel unhurried.
The trees are the obvious draw, but the real revelation is how much else is here: genuine Pacific coastline with surfing and saltwater swimming, paddleable rivers, horse trails, and mountain biking alongside the towering groves. It is free to enter, open year-round, and built for long stays rather than quick windshield tourism. Anyone willing to dress for the coastal damp will find a park that rewards every extra day spent.
Who it is for
Hikers, families, equestrians, and paddlers who want more than one ecosystem in a single trip. Road-trippers after a quick grove photo can see highlights in a day, but the park's depth suits multi-night campers far better.
Highlights
- Standing beneath the world's tallest trees on front-country and backcountry trails through old-growth groves
- A working Pacific coastline with surfing, saltwater swimming, and kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on coastal rivers
- Scenic driving routes that thread through the redwood canopy, with self-guided auto tours adding context without a guide
- Horse camping and horseback riding that let you access the forest at a pace that actually matches its scale
Editor's tipSummer fog is persistent and temperatures rarely break 65 degrees F even in July, so pack waterproof layers regardless of the season. Campground availability tightens fast from June through August, so book Prairie Creek or Jedediah Smith sites well in advance.
