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How to Get to Redwood National Park (2024)

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Majestic Redwoods stand in Redwoods National Park. You'll want to know how to get to Redwood National Park to see these natural wonders.
Image by Redwood Coast.

An Important Question for Two Reasons

“How to get to Redwood National Park” may seem like a silly question, especially if you’ve grown up on the West Coast. Take the Interstate to the correct State Route and then go west to PCH, right? Well, not quite.

How to Get to Redwood National Park Safely

Redwood National Park is located in a remote part of the Pacific Northwest. GPS programs and online-maps often have inaccurate route information. Travelers can find themselves driving their car, RV, or trailers up backcountry roads and into trouble. This won’t be you if you learn how to get to Redwood National Park.

How to Get to Redwood National Park Enjoyably

Hikers are dwarfed by enormous redwoods at Headwaters Forest Reserve. You can explore the Redwood Coast if you know how to get to Redwood National Park.
You can encounter Redwoods long before you arrive Redwood National Park. Image by Jeff Fontana/BLM.

But there’s another reason to ask this question. The best national parks involve a journey. Iconic parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite require you to trek through their surrounding countryside before reaching the park gate. And this kind of trip is almost as rewarding as the destination.

Redwood National Park is no different. Highways cross steep gorges, mighty rivers, and stunning vistas en route to reaching the actual park. Historic and interesting stops aren’t hard to come by either.

Our family had a blast exploring nature, visiting historic places, and eating great food on our five-day Redwoods road trip.

@dinkumtribe We had an epic 5 days visiting southern Oregon and the Redwoods! @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe #redwoods #oregonbeaches #oregoncoast #redwoodtrees #scenicbyways #jacksonvilleoregon #oregonhistorydiscovered #californiaadventure #adhdfamilytravel #familytravelcreator #oregonfamily #pnwfamily #pnwfamilies #oregonfamilies #familytravelvlog #familytravelblog #familytravelinfluencer #travelwithkids ♬ Epic Music(863502) – Draganov89

In this post, I’ll provide you with the travel planning tips you’ll need to navigate the Redwood National and State Parks. Then I’ll walk you through the best routes for an epic redwood national park roadtrip

I’ve outlined our complete roadtrip route so that you can get a sense of what’s possible. I’ve also included pertinent info for flying into the area. 

Our family walks amid towering redwoods at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Driving Redwood National Park & State Parks

When it comes to Redwood National Park, GPS means “getting pretty stressed.” Satellites and computers don’t take into account differences in road conditions or the limitations of your vehicle.

Motorists who blindly follow their GPS can easily get stranded on remote logging roads. Here’s how to get to Redwood National Park without all the trouble.

Plan Ahead

The National Park Service provides three downloadable maps of the Redwood National and State Parks. These maps provide excellent details that are essential for knowing how to get to Redwood National Park.

Notice that each road comes with its own description, including vehicle limitations. Park Visitor Centers feature prominently on the map, showing you where to get your questions answered. 

I strongly suggest that you use this map to determine where you’d like to start your tour of Redwoods National Park. Identify the sites that you’d like to see, prioritize them, and identify the visitor centers that correspond to those sites.

A section of a park prominently shows the location of the Kuchel Visitor Center. Red type also alerts drivers to the fact that motor homes and trailers shouldn't take Bald Hills Road.

Ask Question & Go Analog

You can’t afford to skip a trip to the visitor center at this park. Here’s why:

  • Paper Map: Reception is poor and GPS is unreliable in the Redwoods. Be sure to pick up an official park map and written directions from a park staff member. 
  • Current Conditions: Inclement weather, road closures, and other factors will impact your experience. It pays to know these details ahead of time and plan according, rather than “winging it” in the wilderness.
  • Check the Sunset: The forests grows very dark as the sun begins to set. Build your itinerary around the daylight or be prepared to navigate in night time conditions. 
  • Avoid Pitfalls: Check over your route and itinerary with an experienced Ranger. Park Rangers know where you’re likely to run into trouble because they’re the ones who are always getting visitors out of trouble.
Annotated maps, highlighted directions, and laminated placards are all used by park staffers to help you know how to get to Redwood National Park.

Read Your Map with Care

Many national parks have a scenic, easy-to-use, auto tour design. Redwood NP isn’t one of these parks. The history and geography of the park don’t allow this. Instead, you’re going to have to do a little thinking before getting behind the wheel. Let me give an example of what I mean.

Epic Fail: Klamath River Overlook to WWII Radar Station

The north/south orientation of Redwood National Park can be deceptively simple. I studied the map several times before our trip and I quickly became familiar with the series of stops that we would encounter as we worked along Highway 101.

A segment of the national park map shows a number of sites around the Klamath River. The map shows both the Klamath River Overlook and the WWII Radar Station are hard to reach locations on either side of the Klamath River. Be sure to read your maps carefully if you want to know how to get to Redwood National Park.

What I failed to see was that not all of these stops were equally accessible from the 101. A cluster of park sites are located around the mouth of the Klamath River. My epic fail in map reading occurred when I focused on the attractions and overlooked the obstacles. 

In reality, an enormous river separated the Klamath River Overlook from the World War II Radar Station and neither of these attractions were located right on the 101 Fwy. The actual route required me to return to the 101 via the steep, bumpy Requa road, drive across the river, and then drive several miles along Klamath Beach road. 

Three of my children look out over the mouth of the Klamath River at the Klamath River Overlook.
Here we are at Klamath River Viewpoint. The WWII Radar Station is on headlands across the river.

Yes, I know: simple geography right? But after years of being spoiled by no-brainer auto-tour loops and GPS assistance I’d forgotten how to read a map well.

How to “Auto-Tour” Redwood National Park

You can do an auto-tour of sorts through the park by driving along the 101 and the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. These north-south routes guide you through most of the park and provide easy access to several of the park’s attractions. The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway brings you through the heart of the park system allowing you to get the most out of a drive-by experience. 

That said, many of the best Redwood attractions will only be found by exiting the parkway and the 101 freeway. And that will require you to look at a map and think.

Know Your Road Before You Go

A yellow triangular sign stands behind a dirt road in Redwood National Park. The sign shows an elk cow attacking a stickman for getting to close to her calf.
A number of roads at Redwoods NP are hazardous (in more than one way!) Image by daveynin.

Redwood National Park has several roads that are narrow, rough, and potentially hazardous. We can attest to this personally.

A Close Shave: The Grove of the Titans

My son walks along a walkway at Grove of the Titans. Our trip to Grove of the Titans shows why it's important to consider how to get to Redwood National Park.

The Grove of the Titans is absolutely worth visiting, and absolutely worth getting directions to reach. Thankfully, a park staffer was more than ready to prepare me for the journey. 

The staffer walked me through the directions using a highlighter, ball-point pen, and laminated pictures of key landmarks that occur along the route. He also provided me with printed directions. All of this proved helpful because the actual route was windy, narrow, and counterintuitive.

A passenger's hand holds up a highlighted map and directions for finding Grove of the Titans. Analog maps are a must if you want to know how to get to Redwood National Park.

The Grove of the Titans is accessed via Howland Hill Road, a narrow gravel road that doesn’t accommodate RVs or Trailers. Getting to Howland Hill Road poses its own set of challenges. You actually have to leave the park and backtrack up Highway 199, cross the Smith River, and drive up Douglas Park Road!

Douglas Park Road is a small, paved road that meanders through tiny forest neighborhoods before entering Redwood National Park and transforming into the unpaved Howland Hill Road. At this point I was thanking my lucky stars for that park staffer and that we’d chosen to do this trip during the off-season.  

@dinkumtribe These beautiful pillars are at the entrance to the new trail at Grove of Titans in the Redwoods. The metal walking path is designed to do the least damage to the forest around, while still allowing people to interact with the trees closely. @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe #redwoodsnationalpark #redwoodscalifornia #redwoodstatepark #groveoftitans ♬ Dandelions – The Young Ebenezers

Our experience at The Grove of the Titans was fantastic, but it would have been a nightmare if we tried it without assistance. Use the park map and list of roads to learn about the road that you’ll be using before you set out on a Redwoods adventure.

Key Roadways for Redwood National Park

Three highways are important when it comes to knowing how to get to Redwood National Park:

  • Highway 101: Leads north and south along the center of the park system.
  • Highway 299: Navigates from the southeast park area.
  • Highway 199: Navigates from the northeast park area.

The Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway is a key thoroughfare of Redwood National and State Parks. This scenic parkway is particularly important for Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

A viewpoint from Bald Hills Road shows prairie land and forested hills in the distance. Bald Hills Road is often a pitfall for people who don't know how to get to Redwood National Park.
Bald Hills Road leads to remote parts of Redwood National Park. Image by Tony Webster.

Bald Hills Road

Beware of Bald Hills Road! This road is not a primary road into Redwoods National Park. A paved section of Bald Hills Road leads you from the 101 to Lady Bird Johnson Grove. 

Other than this initial section, Bald Hills Road is a rough, unpaved road that is prone to strong winds. This country road leads to remote parts of the park including Dolason Prairie and the Lyons Ranch.

Redwood National Park & State Parks In Order

An elk stag rests in the prairie at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
Image by Ken Lund.

Over half a dozen parks protect the California Redwoods. These parks stretch along the entire coastline of Northern California. Three California state parks actually lay within the boundaries of Redwood National Park!

All of these details and options can quickly get overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. Here’s a quick rundown of the most important Redwood Parks and their key attractions. We’ve listed these parks in order from south to north:

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

A carpet of green undergrowth covers the forest floor at Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Humboldt Redwoods State Park is over 90 minutes away from Redwood National Park, another reason why its important to know how to get to Redwood National Park.
Image by Redwood Coast.

This is a remarkable park that’s known for the Avenue of the Giants. Humboldt Redwoods SP is at least 90 minutes away from Redwood National Park. We will return to Humboldt Redwoods SP in our section on the best roadtrip routes to take to Redwood National Park.

Humboldt Lagoons State Park

Quiet lagoon waters rest at Humboldt Lagoons State Park.
Image by Kirt Edblum.

Humboldt Lagoons State Park is located just south of Redwood National Park. 

Stone Lagoon Visitor Center

  • The largest lagoon system in the United States
  • A unique variety of salt water and freshwater habitats
A creek cascades beside fern and moss covered rocks at Redwood National Park.
Image by John Chao / GPA Photo Archive.

Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park preserves a long stretch of Northern California coastline and coastal redwood forests located just below the Oregon state line. The national park boundaries enclose not only federal land but also three California state parks: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Thomas Kuchel Visitor Center (South)

Crescent City Information Center (North)

  • Prominent Sites include:
    • Tall Trees Grove
    • Lady Bird Johnson Grove
    • Trillium Falls Trail
    • Big Tree Wayside
    • WWII Radar Station
    • Klamath River Overlook
    • The Coastal Trail
Sky high trees soar at Tall Trees Grove in Redwood National Park.
Tall Trees Grove. Public Domain.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

The Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is located about midway up Redwood National Park. 

Prairie Creek Visitor Center

  • Prominent sites include:
    • Fern Canyon
    • Gold Bluffs Beach
Walls of green welcome explorers at Fern Canyon in Redwood National Park.
Image by daveynin.

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is a large state park located in the northern half of Redwood National Park.

Crescent City Information Center

  • Prominent Sites include:
    • Mill Creek
    • Enderts Beach
    • Crescent Beach
The sunset at a beautiful beach in Redwood National Park.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Jedediah Smith State Park is located at the northernmost tip of Redwood National Park.

Hiouchi Visitor Center

  • Prominent sites include:
    • The Grove of the Titans
    • Stout Grove
    • Boy Scout Trail
My wife stands beside a massive redwood at Redwood National Park.
Awesome beauty at Grove of the Titans.

How to Get to Redwood National Park: 4 Routes

Redwood National Park is an ideal roadtrip destination because the journey holds as much value as the park itself. Here are four routes to consider as you plan how to get to Redwood National Park. You’ll find our personal review of the routes 3 and 4 under Our Redwoods Roadtrip Itinerary: Southbound From Oregon.

The sun sets into the Pacific Ocean
Image by Justin Dolske.

Northbound From California

The Bay Area and Sacramento Area provide the fastest southern routes to Redwood National Park. The National Park is around a 6-hour drive from either of these metropolitan areas. These two routes lead you through some of the best aspects of wild and rustic Northern California.

Route 1: Cruise the Coast

A dramatic ocean coastline welcomes those who would follow the coast north to Redwood National Park.
California Coastal National Monument, Image by Bob Wick/BLM.

San Francisco and the Bay Area may be the ideal starting point for a Redwood National Park roadtrip. Redwoods naturally grow in the Bay Area. In fact, three Redwood California state parks lie just west of San Jose!

The Bay Area Redwood Parks and other forest greenways are a great place to take a “dress rehearsal” for your National Park visit. You can test your stamina and equipment while you’re still in the big city. 

Better to make those last-minute adjustments or purchases before you get out into the small towns and limited options of the Redwood Coast.

An enormous redwood stands at Big Basin Redwood State Park. Learning how to get to Redwood National Park affords you with more opportunities to see these amazing trees.
Image by mindgrow.

The Bay Area is the gateway to the wild, rugged coastlands of Northern California. More than half a dozen Redwood state parks and federal reserves lie along this northern route. 

Some of these parks are located on the Pacific Coast Highway, while other are on Highway 101. These lesser known parks allow you the chance to get more time in nature with less crowds. That’s a big plus when you’re roadtripping with a family.

A close up of an albino redwood reveal the bright whiteness of this strange redwood found throughout the redwood coast.
Image by Cole Shatto / Wikimedia.

Redwood Coast Stops & Sites

There’s a lot more than just redwood trees along this coast. Here’s a sample of what can be discovered along California’s Northern coastline:

  • Point Reyes National Seashore: A dramatic and historic coastal region.
  • Fort Ross State Historic Park: A historic Russian fur outpost.
  • The Lost Coast: The longest undeveloped coastline in the contiguous US.
The Lost Coast is the longest section of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous US, and one of many sites to see if you know how to get to Redwood National Park.
Lost Coast Headlands, Image by Bob Wick / BLM.
  • Humboldt Redwoods State Park: The largest expanse of ancient redwoods on earth.
  • Headwaters Forest Reserve: A lesser-known preserve of old-growth redwoods.
  • Ferndale: A Victorian village in California’s Coastal Range.
  • Eureka: The Victorian Queen of the North Coast.
  • Sue-Meg State Park: A complete Yurok Tribal Village.
Fort Ross stands in the moonlight. Fort Ross is one of many wonders to explore if you know how to get to Redwood National Park.
Image by John Hile.

Route 2: Follow the Valleys to the Coast.

Sometimes the inland route is the better way to go. You can avoid Bay Area traffic by beginning your roadtrip on the Interstate 5 and then taking a state highway west to the 101 and the California Coast. 

State Highway 20 may offer the best bang for your buck. Exit I-5 at Williams and take the 20 west and you’ll be able to journey most of the North Coast en route to the National Park (see Route 1). The 20 West has at least three interesting stops:

  • Anderson Marsh State Historical Park: A historic ranch site.
  • Clear Lake State Park: California’s largest natural lake.
  • Hot Springs: hot springs and even a geyser inhabit this area.
A photo of Clear Lake from high up in the air.
Image by Hitchster.

A second option is to drive north on I-5 and exit at Red Bluff. Follow the 36 West through the rugged mountains of Northern California until connecting with the 101 a little south of Eureka. Frankly, I would avoid this option, especially if you have young children. It’s 134 miles of mountain driving through one of the emptiest parts of California. 

If you do need to take this route, then be sure to make the most of these two stops:

  • William B. Ide Adobe State Park: A historic adobe with pioneer history.
  • Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park: A secluded, quiet redwood park. 

Our Redwood Roadtrip Itinerary: Southbound from Oregon

River waters cascade down mountain rapids on an autumn day Oregon's mountain valleys.
Mill Creek by Gary Leaming / ODOT.

Call me biased, but I think these two southbound routes are the best options for family roadtrips. What the routes lacks in redwoods they more than make up for in scenery and convenience.

Unlike California’s northbound routes, these two routes are equally appealing. Finally, more Oregon means less sales tax on your pricey road trip!

Our family took the valley route (Route 3) to Redwood National Park and then returned home by way of the coast (Route 4). I’ve outlined our complete trip in the two routes below.

Mist hides forested headlands along Oregon dramatic coastline.
Image by Michael Fallert /ODOT.

Route 3: Exploring the Valleys en Route to the Redwoods.

We began our journey by following the Interstate 5 south through the Willamette Valley and into the mountain ranges of Southern Oregon. From there we took Highway 199 to cross into Northern California and Redwood National Park. Along the way we encountered several remarkable stops:

Applegate Trail: California National Historic Trail

My sons examine a historic cart at Valley of the Rogue State Park.
A pioneer wagon at Valley of the Rogue State Park.

The Applegate Trail is a dark chapter of American history. Trail blazers led by Jesse Applegate sought to find a southern route into Oregon. Unfortunately, they sent emigrant wagon trains down the trail before a road was completed or even fully blazed.

These wagon trains found themselves in a race against time. They had to build a way through the wilds of Southern Oregon in spite of winter weather and hostility from the indigenous tribes.

A passing car lights up the inside of Grave Creek Covered Bridge.
Grave Creek Bridge Image by James Ronan.

We followed the hardest stretch of the Applegate Trail from its end-point in Eugene Oregon to the Rogue River Valley.

Historic sites and interpretive stops can be found along the Interstate 5, making it easy to learn about the trail as you travel. Grave Creek and similar landmarks tell the harrowing story of the first Applegate emigrants and the heroism that brought them into safety.

There’s even more to find if you’re willing to do a little research. Highway 99 was built over the Applegate Trail and you can still find signs of the trail along some portions of the 99.

It’s easier to envision what life was like for indigenous tribes and early settlers when you’re driving the scenic and undeveloped valleys of Southern Oregon.

The Story Telling Stone sits beside the Rogue River in Southern Oregon.
The Story-telling Stone is an ancient, indigenous site along the Applegate Trail.

Wolf Creek Inn State Heritage Site

The Wolf Creek Inn & Tavern stands in holiday finery.

One Applegate Trail site welcomes guests with warm food and a comfy room! The Wolf Creek Inn and Tavern is a historic stagecoach stop and one of Oregon’s oldest operating businesses. We stopped in for dinner and were more than satisfied.

Wolf Creek is a quiet stop along a mountainous stretch of Interstate 5. There’s nothing to see from the actual highway and most people don’t know that it’s there. The town is a little pocket of history, that appears just when you could use a break from all the driving.

@dinkumtribe This is a replica of an old covered wagon from the days of the Oregon Trail and Applegate Trail. @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe #historictrailswest #coveredwagon #coveredwagons #applegatetrail #oregontrail #californiatrail #historictrailroad #howthewestbegan #pioneerhistory #youroregon #thatoregonlife #traveloregon #visitoregon #oregonisawesome #bestoforegon #oregonstateparks ♬ Epic Cinematic Dramatic Adventure Trailer – Romansenykmusic

Wolf Creek Inn State Heritage Site is well designed and maintained. The Inn staff are friendly and happy to give tours of the Inn and its various rooms. An Applegate Trail Interpretive Park stands just across from the Wolf Creek Inn. 

A leash free dog area can be found behind the Inn and an EV charging station stands in the parking lot. Be sure to also check out the old apple grove that still growing beside the parking area!

A serving of Parmisan Fries, a glass of beer, and a glass of Ice tea are among the goodies on our table at Wolf Creek Inn & Tavern.

Historic Jacksonville

The historic County Courthouse now serves as the Jacksonville City Hall. Here it is decked out for the holidays with a wreath and garland.

We followed the stagecoach road south until we reached an Oregon boomtown. Jacksonville is one of Oregon’s best preserved frontier settlements. The charming town now sits at the heart of the Southern Oregon Wine Country. 

We came to Jacksonville to experience a Victorian Christmas. Every year the Town decks the halls with traditional holiday decor, carriage rides, carolers, and a first-rate Christmas parade. Jacksonville was easily one of the best stops on our holiday redwoods roadtrip.

@dinkumtribe The Christmas Parade in Jacksonville was a festive way to start off the holiday season! @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe #christmasparade #christmasparade2022 #victorianchristmas #christmasinoregon #adhdfamilytravel #familytravelcreator #oregonfamily #pnwfamily #pnwfamilies #oregonfamilies #familytravelvlog #familytravelblog #familytravelinfluencer #travelwithkids #youroregon #thatoregonlife #traveloregon #visitoregon #oregonisawesome #bestoforegon ♬ Here Comes Santa Claus – Gene Autry

The Rogue River Valley

Big Foot (statue) takes a selfie with my daughter at the home we rented in the Rogue River Valley.

You can get a lot of bang for your buck in the Rogue River Valley. This scenic part of Southern Oregon is relatively undeveloped, but only a short drive away from the small cities of Grants Pass and Medford. In an afternoon you can get into nature, get to the grocery store, and get back to the rental home for a nap.

We were able to find an affordable rental home located right on the Rogue River. The accommodation was just what we needed as we geared up to head southwest to California and Redwood National Park. 

@dinkumtribe Location is everything with this house! @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe #airbnbfinds #airbnbhost #airbnbexperience #oregonairbnb #rogueriveroregon #oregonisthebeststate #oregonisbeautiful #oregonfamilytravel #traveloregon #southernoregoncheck ♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic

Oregon Caves National Monument

Our holiday redwoods roadtrip did have one downside. Our off-season itinerary meant that we’d have to miss out of Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve. This national park site only operates from spring through fall. 

An enormous pillar of marble stands in the Oregon Caves at Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve.
Image by NPS.

Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve is located in Oregon’s wild Illinois Valley, right along the Oregon route to Redwood NP. The marble caves are beautiful, the lodge is historic, and the preserve occupies an entire mountainside.

Oregon Caves NM offers a variety of guided tours including a Candlelight Cave Tour and an Off-Trail Caving Tour. Visitors must meet certain fitness requirements to take part in a cave tour. 

Footlong icycles hang near the cave exit at Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve.
Image by NPS.

Siskiyou Smokejumpers Base Museum

The historic parachute loft preserves the historic of the heroic Siskiyou Smokejumpers.

Our children were quite struck by the Siskiyou Smokejumpers Museum. It’s heroic enough to fight forest fires, but to parachute into them is something else entirely. The Siskiyou Smokejumpers provide immediate response to forest fires, keeping them small and easy to contain.

Oregon’s smokejumper units included the Triple Nickles, an African American infantry battalion that protected the US during WWII. Imperial Japan launched Balloon Bombs at the US mainland in order to start forest fires and stir up panic.

The Triple Nickles not only countered this wartime threat but also participated in the successful desegregation of the US military

@dinkumtribe Smokejumpers parachute into a forest fire to fight it at its source. They were even involved in defending Oregon from the balloon bombs during World War 2! @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe #oregonhistory #oregonhistorydiscovered #worldwar2 #parachutejump #smokejumper #smokejumpersforever #ww2history #oregonfamily #adhdfamilytravel #pnwfamily #homeschoolfamily #homeschoolfieldtrip ♬ Mission Impossible (Main Theme) – Favorite Movie Songs

The Siskiyou Smokejumpers Base was a great place to stop for lunch. We could enjoy a picnic and tour this remarkable, quiet place at our own pace. 

Smith River National Recreation Area

Pristine blue waters carve through forested mountain valleys at Smith River National Recreation Area.
Image by Clinton Steeds.

The final leg of our journey to Redwood NP was breathtaking, and we hadn’t even reached the park! Highway 101 winds its way toward the coast through the beautiful Smith River Canyon. The crags and rapids of the Smith River are a fitting gateway for one of America’s most remarkable parks. 

Smith River NRA is right next to Redwoods National Park. This park may be an excellent alternative to camping in the National Park.

Route 4: Returning North Along the Oregon Coast

The sun sets behind Chetco Point on the Southern Oregon Coast.

The Oregon Coast route to the Redwood NP has a lot going for it. For one, it follows the Oregon Coast, which is legendary for its natural beauty. Better yet, Oregon’s stretch of the 101 holds closely to the coastline. That means that you spend less time in coastal valleys and more time watching the waves

Oregon’s southern coastline offers plenty of beauty, culture, and opportunities to see wildlife. We found more than enough to interest us on our return trip along the coast.

Oregon’s Redwood Coast

My wife stands beside a huge, bleached redwood stump at McVay Rock State Recreation Site.

We had a fantastic time in Brookings, Oregon. Oregon’s southernmost coastal town is an ideal setting for a holiday redwoods roadtrip. The weather was warm, the food was good, and the sights were incredible.

McVay Rock State Recreation Site is a case in point. Massive, bleached Redwoods lay along the beach. These landmarks are truly awesome and a joy to climb and explore. The beach rocks were filled with rich tide pools and harbor seals rested and played just off the shoreline. 

If that wasn’t enough, the beach gravels bore agates and jaspers! I can’t remember the last time we found so much fun at one beach.

Samuel L. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Edenic beauty can be seen in this picture of a cove found along the Samuel L Boardman State Scenic Corridor.

We didn’t get very far out of Brookings before we had to get out of the car. The Samuel L. Boardman Scenic Corridor is arguably the most beautiful part of the Oregon coastline. This rugged, undeveloped region is known for its pristine coves, formidable cliffs, and verdant rainforests.

A hike is the best way to experience this area. Our family took a moderately strenuous walk to explore the forest, bluffs, and coves before resuming our trip home.

@dinkumtribe The Samuel L. Boardman Scenic Corridor is one of the most breathtaking stretches of the Oregon Coast. @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe #scenicbyways #scenicbyway #oregoncoast #oregoncoastvibes #oregoncoastlife #pacificnorthwest #oregonisthebeststate #oregonisbeautiful #coastaloregon #hikinginoregon #oregoncoasttrail #exploregon ♬ Nature – Filip Lackovic

We passed no less than three scenic coastal corridors on our way north. The Pistol River State Scenic Corridor and Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor are two great places to take in Oregon’s coastal splendor.

Ocean tides wash among sea stacks on Oregon's picturesque coastline.
Image by ODOT.

Gold Beach & Port Orford

Evening sunlight gilds a historic bridge in Gold Beach, Oregon.
Image by ODOT / Peter Murphy.

The Southern Oregon Coast has a rich past. We enjoyed exploring Oregon history as we cruised through the coastal towns of Gold Beach and Port Orford. 

The children enjoyed the wreck of the Mary D. Hume, a shipwreck located along the 101 in Gold Beach. We were even more delighted by the harbor seals that were resting on a nearby pier!

@dinkumtribe Gold Beach was a fun quick stop off the 101 freeway in Southern Oregon. Seals right in the harbor, an old shipwreck, and a beautiful bridge. @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe #shipwrecked #sealsoftiktok #harborseal #oceancreatures #sealshow #oregoncoast #oregoncoastvibes #southernoregoncoast #oregoncoastcheck #adhdfamilytravel #familytravelcreator #oregonfamily #pnwfamily #pnwfamilies #oregonfamilies #familytravelvlog #familytravelblog #familytravelinfluencer #travelwithkids ♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic

The Geisel Monument was a somber stop. This family grave marks the resting place of a father and two sons who were killed by Native Americans in 1856.  

Port Orford is the oldest town on the Oregon Coast and the nearby Cape Blanco Lighthouse was the first lighthouse built in the state. You can explore the history of this remarkable region at the Port Orford Heads State Park, the Old Port Orford Jail, and Cape Blanco National Historic Site.

Prehistoric Gardens

A life-size dimetrodon statue stares through the ferns at Prehistoric Gardens.

Our roadtrip closed with a roar at Prehistoric Gardens. This delightful park is a life-size dino diorama.

A gentle walking path guided us through acres of Oregon rainforest inhabited by full-size dinosaur statues! The children were delighted at the prehistoric flora and fauna that they found along their journey.

I was impressed by Prehistoric Gardens. The tour was packed full of information on prehistoric eras, animals, and plants. Our walk presented a variety of animals from various eras including an Archelon, Ichthyosaur, and a Terror Bird. Our dino-loving children came away knowing more about prehistoric life than they already did.

@dinkumtribe This place was so much fun for all the kids! Even our teens enjoyed the full-scale dinosaur models. @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe #oregoncoastvibes #oregoncoastlife #adhdfamilytravel #familytravelcreator #oregonfamily #pnwfamily #familytravelvlog #familytravelblog #travelwithkids #dinosaurday #prehistoricbehemoth @travelsouthernoregon #prehistoricgardens #prehistoric_gardens ♬ Welcome to Jurassic World – Michael Giacchino

The tour also included prehistoric plants. Interpretive displays provided extensive information on the natural history of plants and their role in the prehistoric world. 

Prehistoric Gardens was a worthwhile stop on our return trip home. We found it to be a great way to wrap up a week of family fun.

Prehistoric Gardens provided us with free admission to their attraction. As always, our opinions are our own.

My son points out a dinosaur on his map provided by Prehistoric Gardens.

Flying In

The closest airports to Redwood National Park are Humboldt County Airport (ACV) and Del Norte County Airport (CEC). The Humboldt County Airport (also known as Eureka-Arcata Airport) is located south of the park, while the Del Norte County Airport is located north of the park.

Two airlines provide service to Humboldt County Airport. United Airlines offers flights from Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Denver (DEN). Avelo offers flights from Burbank, California (BUR).

Del Norte County Airport only oversees flights to and from Oakland, California (OAK) through Contour Airlines.

Victorian finery stands out at a mansion in Eureka, California.
Eureka’s Humboldt County Airport is the chief regional airport to use to get to Redwood National Park.

Got Questions on How to Get to Redwood National Park?

Thank you for reading our guide on how to get to Redwood National Park. Please drop us a comment or send me an email with your questions, thoughts, ideas, or memories. We’re always happy to hear from our readers. Happy traveling!

© Copyright Brian A. Warren 2022

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About the author

Brian Warren is a native of California and has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and several other countries. He's husband to Jennifer, Dad of six children, and taught middle school history for several years. His special interests include craft beers, the American Old West, and geology. Brian is also an online marketing specialist and cofounder of Dinkum Tribe, a website dedicated to healthy, happy families. Feel free to send Brian a message at [email protected].

Comments

    1. I hope you get to visit sometime too – there was a lot more to it that just the trees also, which I didn’t realize until we got there.

  1. I have always wanted to go see the Redwoods. They are so beautiful. Your pictures are beautiful too. And you gave out a lot of information, good information! I will definitely have to put this on my bucket list of places to visit.

  2. This post took me right back to hiking through dense redwood forests. The immense size of the trees always made me feel small. Visiting Redwood National Park is definitely something to plan. Good to warm people about bad GPS and cell reception. A paper map never fails! It was fun to re-visit with you.

  3. You make a very good point. So many people rush by all the wonderful things to get to the national park that they miss so much on the way. There is so much natural beauty in the state parks, or national forests surrounding the national parks. It is important to include them on your national park trip.

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