Since Redwood National Park was designated a National Park in 1968, the area has become a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers who want to enjoy the best Redwood National Park hikes within the park’s 172 square miles.
With over 200 miles of Redwood hiking trails suited to all levels of experience, there are so many Redwood hikes to choose from, from short, easier trails to multi-day hikes. But any hike among the old-growth Redwoods will be spectacular.
In this Redwoods hiking guide, I’m sharing the best easy hikes in Redwood National Park that anyone can do on their trip to Redwood National Park.
Where is Redwoods National Park?
Located in Northern California, close to the border with Oregon, the Redwood Coast is a vast area covering over 172 square miles. With over 40 miles of coastline and 40,000 acres of old-growth Redwoods, Redwood hiking means a variety of landscapes, terrain, and epic scenery.
Where are the best trails in Redwood National Park?
There are Redwood trails throughout the Redwood National Park and California State Parks. But I highly recommend basing yourself in Crescent City to access the easy Redwoods hikes I mention in this guide.
Only 5% of the world’s old-growth redwoods still exist and half of those are in Redwood National Park. Most of the Redwood National Park hiking trails in this guide include the stunning old-growth forests on the route.
How to get to the Redwood National Park trails
The easiest way to reach all the Redwood trailheads is by car. Most major airports are between 3-6 hours drive away, depending on whether you’re arriving from Oregon or California, so I recommend bringing your own vehicle or renting a car from the airport if you’re flying in.
When is the best time of year for hiking Redwood Forest trails?
You can hike Redwood National Park trails throughout the year, but seasonal changes might limit access to some trails or sections of trails.
Generally, spring is the best time of year for Redwood forest hiking, when the weather is fair but not too hot and the trails are green and lush with plenty of ancient ferns in full-growth and fire risk is low. Summer brings more crowds and the possibility of fires through fall.
Winter Redwood hikes are possible and often very atmospheric if you get rain or fog within the Redwood forests, but be prepared for changeable weather if you’re planning winter hikes in the Redwoods.
Tips for Redwoods National Park hiking trails
Even on the best Redwood trails for easy hikes, you should still be prepared for the conditions:
- Old-growth trails will be the best hikes in Redwoods National Park if you want stunning scenery
- Consider how long you have for your hike – allow ample daylight
- Consider what is your fitness level or the fitness level of your group – pick a trail to match your ability
- Download trail maps and offline maps for navigation should you need them
- Although trails are maintained, they are not often paved. Make sure you have suitable footwear for hiking the Redwoods
- No dogs are allowed on the Redwood trails
- Check fire warnings if visiting during the summer and early fall
- Always bring plenty of water
What to wear for hiking in Redwood National Park
- Suitable, sturdy hiking shoes or boots
- Lightweight, breathable layers if visiting during cooler seasons
- Long sleeves and pants to protect you from insects or branches
- Waterproof jacket
- A backpack with adequate food and water supplies
Is there a fee for hiking in the Redwoods?
Unlike most National Parks, there is no fee to visit the Redwoods. The only area that has an entry fee is Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach which I share more details about below.
The best easy hikes in Redwood National Park
Fern Canyon Loop Trail
- Area: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Roundtrip distance: 1 mile
- Elevation gain: 150 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- Trailhead: Location on Google Maps
- Permit Required: Apply online here
Although there aren’t any huge redwoods on Fern Canyon trail, this mile loop is a stunning canyon covered in lush green ferns, spruces, and conifers that provide shade and the natural beauty of the area means this is a popular and well-maintained route.
In fact, this area was featured in the second Jurassic Park film ‘The Lost World’, and with fern species dating back millions of years, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular route.
Because this trail passes through a canyon, it can often get wet and boggy after rain and throughout the fall and winter. The park service usually installs wooden footbridges over these areas from June through September, but I really recommend having waterproof footwear and hiking shoes or boots with good traction grip.
This is the only Redwoods trail on this list that requires a permit from May 1 until September 30. However, you can also use the day-use reservation to check out Gold Bluffs Beach while you’re in the area which I highly recommend! The trail is open year-round.
This is a really unique and easy hike to enjoy, definitely one of the best hikes in the redwoods for stunning scenery and low difficulty.
Karl Knapp and Foothill Loop
- Area: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Roundtrip distance: 2.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 95 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy. ADA Accessible.
- Trailhead: Location on Google Maps
- Permit Required: No
If you’re having trouble finding this trail, be aware that it used to be called the Prairie Creek Trail and still is labeled as such on some route and trail maps.
This easy redwoods hike is also one of the best redwoods hikes in California thanks to some of the world’s tallest trees on this trail that are over 310 feet high!
The stunning loop begins and ends at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center and you have the option to combine it with the Cathedral Tree Trail Loop which we did and I definitely recommend.
There are several other trails that fork off from this trail, but the whole route is well-marked and is also wheelchair accessible.
The trail is opposite an elk meadow and Roosevelt elk can sometimes be blocking the trail too. Seeing grazing elk is incredible, just remember not to approach these wild animals.
Stout Memorial Grove Trail
- Area: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Roundtrip distance: 0.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 32 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy. ADA accessible.
- Trailhead: Location on Google Maps
- Permit Required: No
This stunning grove of giant redwoods is the gem of Jedediah Smith State Park and it’s not hard to see why – there are huge 300-foot redwoods in every direction.
The whole grove covers 44 acres but the trail is just over half a mile, meaning this short walk is one of the easiest trails but with epic views!
However, a word of caution, accessing this trail can be more challenging than the route itself. Access is via dirt road only so you will need to check conditions before you visit. The parks service recommends accessing via Howland Hill Road to reach the grove – the scenic drive is a bonus!
Once you’re there, don’t miss the Smith River which is also a great swimming and picnic spot during the summer months.
Simpson Reed Trail
- Area: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Roundtrip distance: 0.8 miles
- Elevation gain: 52 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy.
- Trailhead: Location on Google Maps
- Permit Required: No
With towering redwood groves, lush ferns, babbling creeks, large trees, and ancient forests, this easy redwoods hike feels like you’ve stepped into the jungle.
This is another easy, short hike and mostly flat route in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park that’s right off the highway with easy access. It’s also one of the top hikes in Redwood National Park to find yourself quickly immersed in the magnificent redwood groves.
You can easily do this walk in about 20 minutes but allow longer to enjoy the scenery.
When you come off the highway, take the Walker Road exit to reach the trailhead but be prepared for a pretty sharp turn off towards the trailhead.
If you’re keen to do more of this trail, I recommend adding Peterson Loop Trail for a longer hike.
Lady Bird Johnson Trail
- Area: Redwood National Park
- Roundtrip distance: 1.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 101 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- Trailhead: Location on Google Maps
- Permit Required: No
This is the best redwoods hike if you’re looking for an alternative to the Tall Trees Grove trail without the elevation, making Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail a popular choice for easy redwoods trails.
Because this is an upland grove, there are fewer old-growth redwoods, but this is one of the best redwood hikes to learn about the history, logging, conservation, and restoration of the redwoods that has happened since Redwoods National Park was established in 1968.
You’ll see a dedication plaque to First Lady Bird Johnson, who President Nixon dedicated this grove to.
Due to the conservation work done here, this is also one of the few hikes in the Redwoods where you can see second growth forests right next to old growth forests. There are also towering Douglas fir trees.
This is a well-maintained and family-friendly, easy Redwood hike.
The best hikes in the Redwoods don’t have to be challenging, multi-day hikes. Hopefully, this guide has given you plenty of inspiration for the best easy redwood hikes to try on your Redwoods National Park trip!
xx,
Ashley
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