Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood National and State Parks is a joint name for several parks in Humboldt County managed by the National Park Service and California State Parks, not a single park. Spanning 138,999 acres and established in 1968, this park offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | California |
| County | Humboldt County |
| Park Size | 138,999 acres |
| Established | 1968 |
Location & Getting There
Redwood National and State Parks is located California. The park’s coordinates are 41.3000, -124.0000.
Things to Do
California state parks span an extraordinary range of landscapes — from ancient redwood forests and rugged Pacific coastline to Mojave Desert dunes and Sierra Nevada alpine meadows. Depending on the park, visitors can enjoy hiking through old-growth groves, swimming and surfing along miles of wild beaches, camping beneath towering sequoias, kayaking coastal sea caves, mountain biking oak-studded foothills, fishing in alpine lakes, rock climbing granite formations, and wildlife watching for everything from elephant seals to California condors. Many parks also preserve important cultural and historic sites, including Native American heritage areas, Gold Rush-era settlements, and Spanish mission ruins.
Best Time to Visit
California’s parks are a year-round destination, though the ideal season depends on the region. Coastal parks enjoy mild weather from spring through fall, with summer fog keeping temperatures comfortable along the central and northern coast. Desert parks like Anza-Borrego are best visited October through April — summer temperatures can exceed 110°F. Mountain parks in the Sierra Nevada are most accessible June through October, when snow melts and trails open. Spring (March–May) brings wildflower super blooms in the southern deserts. Fall offers warm days, thinner crowds statewide, and stunning foliage at higher elevations. Winter is the quiet season at most parks and brings excellent whale watching along the coast.
Visitor Tips
Redwood National and State Parks are managed jointly by the National Park Service and California State Parks. Redwood National Park has no entrance stations and charges no entrance fee. Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast and Prairie Creek Redwoods state parks collect day-use fees at their developed campground entrance stations and accept California State Parks passes as well as the federal America the Beautiful passes. The four developed campgrounds cost $35 a night and must be booked at least 48 hours ahead through ReserveCalifornia. Cell service is limited or nonexistent in many parks, so download maps and directions before you leave.
Explore More California State Parks
Redwood National and State Parks is one of many outstanding state parks in California. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in California guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Redwood National and State Parks — 139,000 acres — protect nearly half of all remaining old-growth coast redwood forest. The parks contain Hyperion — the tallest known tree on Earth at 380.3 feet (exact location kept secret to prevent damage). Coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) — the tallest organisms ever to live — can reach 2,000+ years old and grow over 350 feet. Roosevelt elk (1,000+ lbs) graze the prairies. Northern spotted owls and marbled murrelets nest in the canopy.
Nearby Attractions
Tall Trees Grove — in the park — has some of the tallest trees (permit required). Prairie Creek Redwoods SP — within — has Fern Canyon and elk. Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP — northern section — has the Smith River (the last major undammed river in CA). Trinidad — 15 miles south — has the coastline. Crescent City — 20 miles north — has the Battery Point Lighthouse.
Nearby parks: If you have extra time, Humboldt Lagoons State Park is a short drive away.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Redwood National and State Parks
Park policy: Redwood National and State Parks publish one pet policy for the national park and the three state parks (Prairie Creek Redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods and Jedediah Smith Redwoods). The NPS pets page (last updated November 2024) says pets are not permitted on trails or during ranger-led programs and must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
- Pets allowed?
- Leashed dogs (6-foot maximum) in developed campgrounds, on beaches, in picnic areas and on roads, but not on any trail
- Park-specific rules
- Beaches open to leashed dogs: Freshwater Beach, Gold Bluffs Beach and Crescent Beach. Campgrounds: Elk Prairie, Gold Bluffs Beach, Mill Creek and Jedediah Smith. For a walk among old-growth redwoods with your dog, the parks point to the gravel Cal Barrel Road in Prairie Creek Redwoods and Walker Road in Jedediah Smith Redwoods.
Are dogs allowed at Redwood National and State Parks?
Leashed dogs (6-foot maximum) in developed campgrounds, on beaches, in picnic areas and on roads, but not on any trail.
More: California state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
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