It’s hard not to think of the redwood trees when thinking of California. Located in Northern California, Redwood National Park and State Parks protect some of the tallest trees on Earth, with coast redwoods reaching over 350 feet.
The area covers four parks: the federal Redwood National Park and three California state parks (Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek). Combined, the park system spans 139,000 acres of old-growth rainforest. Admission to the national park is free, though some state park areas charge a day-use fee.
The parks sit about six hours north of San Francisco and five hours south of Portland, making them a popular stop on Pacific Coast road trips. Here are my favorite spots from exploring the Redwood National Park system.
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Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
One of the main draws to the Redwood area in northern California is the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. This 10-mile road runs through continuous old-growth redwoods and is the single best thing you can do in the park if you’re short on time. It was hard not to pull off every chance I could. You’ll find plenty of trails, groves, and stops along the way. The parkway is especially photogenic during golden hour when warm light filters through the canopy.
I loved to photograph the road curving through the redwoods and taking pictures of my car for scale.
If you don’t have much time to explore the area at a minimum you should drive the scenic parkway.
Corkscrew Tree
The corkscrew tree is an example of a cathedral tree and has a unique corkscrew appearance. It’s hard to miss the stop to the corkscrew tree since it’s located directly off of the scenic parkway. It’s only a short walk to the corkscrew tree from the side of the road.
I loved the mossy area after the corkscrew tree so be sure to walk a bit into the woods via the trail. There were tons of ferns, a wooden bridge, and of course views of the corkscrew tree.
Big Tree Wayside
One popular sight of the park is the “Big Tree,” estimated to be over 1,500 years old. It stands about 304 feet tall with a diameter of 21.6 feet at chest height. You’ll find it off the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway with a small parking lot and a short, flat walk to the tree. It’s one of the most accessible old-growth redwoods in the park system.
Cal-Barre Road
By far my favorite area of the park was Cal-Barrel Road (also written as Cal-Barre Road). Located off the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, this dirt road takes you right through the redwoods. I was surprised how close you can get to the trees on this road.
This 3.6-mile road is incredible. Be cautious while driving since you’ll see people hiking it and there are plenty of trails that cut through. I think any car can handle this drive, but keep in mind it is a tight dirt road. One bonus: Cal-Barrel Road is one of the few unpaved roads in the park where leashed dogs are allowed.
At the end of the road is a small parking lot to turn around and head back down.
Redwood National Park Pictures
Here are more of my photos from Redwood National and State Parks.
Other Spots Worth Exploring
I focused my visit on Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, but the park system has several other major attractions worth planning around.
Fern Canyon is one of the most photographed spots in the park. Fifty-foot walls covered in ferns line both sides of a narrow canyon with a shallow creek running through it. The canyon was even used as a filming location for Jurassic Park 2. Access requires driving the unpaved Davison Road (no trailers or large RVs) and a parking permit from May through September.
Tall Trees Grove is home to some of the tallest measured trees on Earth. Getting there requires a free permit from the National Park Service, limited to 50 per day. The hike is about 4 miles round trip with a steep descent and climb back out.
Lady Bird Johnson Grove offers an easy 1.5-mile loop through old-growth redwoods. It’s one of the best short hikes in the park for photographers, especially in the morning when fog drifts through the trees and creates soft, filtered light.
Stout Memorial Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is one of the most impressive old-growth groves in the system. The flat trail makes it accessible, and the trees here are massive. Getting there means driving Howland Hill Road, a narrow unpaved road that’s not suited for large vehicles.
Roosevelt Elk are commonly spotted grazing in Elk Meadow and the Prairie Creek area. Early morning is the best time for elk viewing and photography, but keep at least 50 feet of distance. These are wild animals, and the females will kick at eye level if they feel threatened.
Tips for Visiting Redwood National Park
Cell service is limited. GPS apps often give bad directions in this area, especially for unpaved roads. Download the free NPS Mobile App before you arrive and save offline maps. Park rangers specifically warn against relying on Google Maps for directions to trailheads.
Best time to visit: May through October for dry weather and accessible trails. Spring (April to June) brings fewer crowds and lush, green forest floors. Summer is the driest, but also the busiest. Fog is common year-round along the coast, which actually creates beautiful conditions for travel photography in the redwoods.
No restaurants or lodges inside the park. Bring food and water, especially if you’re hiking. The closest towns for supplies are Crescent City to the north and Orick to the south. Campgrounds inside the park require reservations during summer months.
Photography tip: Bring a wide-angle lens. Ultra-wide lenses (16mm or wider) work best for capturing the full height of the redwoods. A tripod helps in the low-light conditions under the canopy. Overcast and foggy days actually produce better photos here than bright sun, since the soft light reduces harsh shadows and brings out the green tones in the moss and ferns.
I only scratched the surface of the Redwood National Park system on my trip, but even a day driving the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and Cal-Barrel Road left a lasting impression. If you’re exploring northern California for redwoods, I’d also recommend driving the Avenue of the Giants and checking out Big Hendy Grove in Hendy Woods further south.
