Redwood National Park

Along with the tallest trees not just in America, but on earth, Redwood National Park (as well as the string of state parks in the area) protects a unique landscape of prairies, oak forests, riverways, and coastline, as well as a variety of endangered animal species including Steller’s sea lions and northern spotted owls. With a total combined area of 139,000 acres, the park complex is home to 45% of the remaining coast redwoods in the world, which once covered more than 2,000,000 acres of the California coast.

Due to its location along the northern California coast, the weather at Redwood National Park remains relatively constant throughout the year. Visitors can expect daytime temperatures between 40-60 F, with relatively high humidity and a fair chance of rain. This is especially true from October through April, when regular storms dump the majority of the region’s annual 60-80 inches of rainfall. Dress in moisture-wicking layers and shoes with non-slip soles, as the damp forest floor can be slippery.

Visitors can eat, stay, and explore in a variety of small towns in the Redwood area, including Klamath, Mckinleyville, Trinidad, Arcata, Fortuna, and Eureka. To the north of the park, the relatively large Crescent City offers more resources and attractions.

Common park activities include hiking, biking, kayaking, and exploring the unique micro-ecosystems of the area’s tidepools. Visitors can also try their luck at spotting large mammals, both on shore (elk) and off the coastline (whales). The park also offers a variety of organized events, and local Native American tribes conduct traditional dance demonstrations during the summer. To see the park’s full calendar of events and plan your own adventures, click here.