Coast redwoods are the world’s tallest trees, but looking upward is only the beginning of a Redwood National and State Parks visit. Ferns, fallen wood, streams, and coastal habitats make the landscape far richer than a collection of giants.
The parks protect a connected world of forest, prairie, river, and shoreline.
Walk slowly beneath the redwoods
Choose an established grove trail that fits your time and mobility. Notice how trunks change the light and how smaller plants use the space beneath them.
The official parks guide provides route descriptions and current access information. Particular roads or popular areas may have restrictions, so check before setting off.
Look at what supports the forest
Fallen trees continue to provide habitat, and the understory is part of the living system. A log or patch of ferns may reveal as much as a famous trunk if you take time to observe it.
Remain on designated paths and avoid walking across roots or sensitive vegetation for a photograph.
Add the coast to the story
The Pacific shoreline offers a striking contrast to the forest. Choose a safe public beach or overlook and check weather and tide guidance.
A coastal stop helps show why these parks should not be understood only through their trees. Water, weather, and land all connect the different habitats.
Learn about people and restoration
Indigenous communities have long connections with these lands. Seek interpretation that includes those histories as well as logging and modern conservation.
Stay clear of wildlife, do not feed animals, and respect restoration closures. Leave natural objects where they belong.
A redwood forest can make a person feel small in the best way. Look up at the canopy, then look down again: the quieter details are part of what allows the giants to exist.
Part of Visit America’s 100 places to visit in the USA.
Photo credits
Featured image: Coast redwoods and ferns in fog at Redwood National Park. Photo: Michael Schweppe. Original photograph; CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized for web display.
Body image 1: Hidden Beach on the Redwood National Park coast. Photo: W. Bulach. Original photograph; CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for web display.
Body image 2: Redwood forest scenery in northern California. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith. Original photograph; Public domain. Resized for web display.
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