Photo by: Jacob Lips
Redwoods National and State Parks is the collective name of the local and federal parks traversing Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, in California. The combined parks cover 139,000 acres of protected biodiversity.
More than 480,000 people visited the park in 2018.
History
The redwood forest in the park had covered two million acres of the California coast, in the mid-1800s. The California Gold Rush brought people to the state in hopes of mining gold. Failing to strike it rich, they turned to the large redwood trees instead. Residents finally noticed that the logging of redwood trees is detrimental to its old-growth rainforest. Save the Redwoods League was founded in 1918 to save the Californian rainforest.
Redwood National Park was finally established in 1968. By that time, only 10% of the redwoods were left. Close to the national park are three state parks: Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods. For the National Park Service to collectively manage the area, the state parks and national parks were combined in 1994. The California Department of Parks and Recreation co-manages the parks.
Things to do
Hike the redwoods
When in the redwoods country, walk amongst them. For those who want to take it easy, the Big Tree Wayside Walk is for them. There are big trees everywhere in this area, which is evident in a funny sign erected in the region. There is also a viewing platform that is great for capturing photos.
For moderate hikes, visitors can follow the Simpson-Reed Trail in the Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. There are so many things to see in this trail aside from the obvious redwood trees: creeks, ferns, hemlocks, huckleberries, nurse logs, and some forest creatures.
The Stout Memorial Grove Trail provides a picturesque view of the calm Smith River, surrounded by conifer forest and green shrubs. There is also a makeshift bridge so hikers can cross the river without getting themselves wet. But it’s nice to swim in the Smith River, too.
Prairie Creek – Foothill Trail Loop passes through a beautifully cascading creek, along with some of the park’s tallest redwood trees.
Scenic drive
Tourists will feel like Alice in Wonderland moving through the forest, driving down the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. But while four-wheeled vehicles are allowed on the road, most visitors prefer to bike around the 10-mile road. There are also several pullouts on the road to enjoy scenic views of the parks.
Picnic
A picnic near the Trillium Falls would mean walking through a verdant forest with old-growth redwoods, ferns, maples, fir trees, and trillium flowers. Lucky visitors may even chance upon a herd of Roosevelt elk on the way to the picnic area. This part of the park has its picnic tables.
Visit the memorial of Lady Bird Johnson
At the southern end of the park is a small forest known as the Lady Bird Johnson Grove, in honor of American first lady Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson, wife of the 36th U.S. President Lyndon Johnson. In the middle of the grove is a plaque dedicated to Lady Bird for her role in the conservation of natural habitats.
Backcountry hiking
For the more adventurous hikers, the Tall Trees Trail is a more strenuous option. It covers four miles that include an ascent of up to 1,600 feet. It descends to Redwood Creek. The Tall Trees Grove, which is the centerpiece of this trail, prompted the campaign to create the Redwood National Park. The grove was featured in a 1963 publication of the National Geographic. As expected, backcountry permits will be required but are also available at the visitor centers.
Camping
The park has four developed campgrounds. Three of the campgrounds are within the redwood forest: Jedediah Smith Campground, which is a stone’s throw away from the beautiful Smith River; Mill Creek Campground, which is shaded by imposing redwoods and maples; and Elk Prairie Campground, which offers the possibility of witnessing Roosevelt elk and black-tailed deer in their own element. The Gold Buffs Beach Campground has the backdrop of the Pacific coast for the campers’ pleasure.
Photo by: Jacob Lips
Animal watching
Aside from redwoods, the park is also noted for its animal activities. During November and December, as well as March to April, whales are abundant in the sea. There are several overlooks in the park where the gray whales’ migration activities can be viewed: Crescent Beach Overlook, High Bluff Overlook, Klamath River Overlook, Wilson Creek Overlook, among others.
Roosevelt elk are the most common animal resident in the park. While they may be seen grazing in almost all parts of the park, they are mostly seen by the Klamath River in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Gold Bluffs Beach ad along Bald Hills Road.
The beach is also rich in tidepool marine life, and some of the creeks and lakes have a large population of seabirds.
Photo by: Jacob Lips