Redwoods California
Welcome to a forest of ancient giants. Nestled along the misty coastline of Northern California, the majestic Redwood forests stand as timeless sentinels of nature's grandeur. The Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world and can reach heights up to 379 feet. These ancient giants have fascinated generations with their awe-inspiring presence. In addition to their towering height, the Redwoods have longevity stamina, some are more than 2,000 years old.
The Redwoods are a unique park system. The California State Parks and the National Park Service co-manage several parks, creating the Redwood National and State Parks encompassing 133,000 acres.
Scenic Drives in the Redwoods
Howland Hills Road - a 10-mile scenic drive through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. This was my favorite! This is a really fun drive down a very narrow single-lane road. Traffic is two-way so you will have to do some maneuvering when passing another vehicle. This dirt trail winds through the Redwoods so close to the trees that you can reach out the window and touch them.
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway - another 10 mile scenic drive. This alternative to US 101 will take you through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Here you will find a forest of old-growth redwoods including the ‘Big Tree’, which is estimated to be over 1500 years old.
Avenue of the Giants - this famous 31-mile scenic drive of towering trees runs parallel to Hwy 101. You are going to want to add this to your Redwoods bucket list. It feels like driving through a fairytale. The ancient trees are so dense and tall that the sunlight barely reaches the ground giving it a magical vibe. This is also where you will also find the drive-thru tree.
Other Adventures in the Redwoods
As it turns out there is so much more to the Redwoods than just trees. The park system also encompasses over 40 miles of coastline. In addition to gorgeous coastal views of the Pacific Ocean, you might also spot sea lions. If you are visiting in the winter, you might also get to see a grey whale.
Another adventure that looks so incredible is kayaking the Smith River. It is only available for a limited time during the summer, so plan accordingly. The Smith River is a designated National Wild & Scenic River and is the largest free-flowing river system in California. The tour is approximately 3 miles through pristine water.
While there are numerous visitor centers, if you are into RVing check out Humboldt Redwoods State Park visitor center. Here you can view a carved out redwood tree turned into a ‘Travel Log’
Hiking in the Redwoods
If you truly want to appreciate the majesty of this ancient forest, hiking amongst the trees will put their grandeur into perspective.
Grove of the Titans - a 1.5-mile loop trail that allows access to a group of ancient redwood trees named for their remarkable shape and size.
Trillium Falls - one of the more popular trails in the park at just under 3 miles. In addition to a small waterfall, you will also see old-growth redwoods, maples, trillium flowers, ferns, and fir trees.
Fern Canyon Loop Trail - you won’t see any Redwoods here, instead this short hike follows a stunning mini-canyon covered with ferns. Reservations are now required during summer months.
Camping in the Redwoods
While camping under the Redwoods sounds enchanting, there are limitations. There are four campgrounds in the Redwoods managed by the California State Parks. Because they were constructed before the 1940’s, the campgrounds can’t accommodate most RV’s. They are also dry camping, meaning water and electricity are not available at the sites.
Luckily there are other options for RVers. For a unique RVing experience check out Elk Country RV Park. A herd of Roosevelt elk freely roam the RV park! Seeing so much wildlife outside the RV window was pretty amazing. The Roosevelt elk are the largest subspecies of North American elk and were named after President Theodore Roosevelt. Even though there are an abundant number of them today, in 1925 there were as few as 15 remaining in California.
Exploring the Redwoods is an unforgettable experience. The towering height of these ancient giants will leave you in awe. The uniqueness of this breathtaking landscape is a bucket list adventure that will inspire and delight you every moment you spend in this ancient forest of majestic beauties.
Redwoods Resources
✨Vacations Worth Remembering✨
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