Redwood National Park 2 Day Itinerary

Last Updated on March 31, 2026 by Ale

Redwood National Park is one of the best hidden gems of the US National Parks. It’s my favorite park! Tucked away in northern California, here you’ll find ancient, towering redwood trees, picture perfect coastal views, and abundant wildlife.

There’s a lot to do in the park, and this Redwood National Park 2 Day itinerary will help to ensure you make the best of your trip to the Redwoods. 

In fact, whether you only have one day in Redwood National Park (or two, three or more days!) you’ll find something in this Redwood National Park itinerary and guide you’re sure to fall in love with. 

Ready to start exploring? Read on to discover the best hiking in Redwood National Park, where to stay, how many days to allocate, tips for visiting Redwood National Park and everything else you need to know. 

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Basic Information for your 2 day redwood national Park Itinerary

This is the very basic information you’ll need to start planning your trip, so don’t skip it! Redwood National Park is different than most other national parks, so you’ll want to come prepared. 

Entrance Fee 

I recommend you buy a National Park pass, which will get you free entry into all the National Parks AND the Redwood State Parks.  

There’s no entrance fee to Redwood National Park, but the State Parks do charge entrance fees, depending on what area you’re visiting. Entrance fees are waived with a National Park pass.

• $12 per day use fee to access Gold Bluffs Beach / Fern Canyon 
• $8 per day use fee at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park 

Redwood National Park Layout + Location 

Redwood National Park is a unique joint partnership between Redwood National Park and three California state parks (Jedediah Smith, Prairie Creek, and Del Norte Redwoods State Parks). 

The parks hug the northern California coast, from Eureka, California to Crescent City, California (right by the Oregon border.)

Beginning in the south, the first park you’ll encounter is Redwood National Park, the largest of the four. 

Continuing on Highway 101 going north along the California coast, you’ll then encounter Prairie Creek Redwoods, Del Norte Redwoods, and finally Jedediah Smith Redwoods near Crescent City. 

The easiest way to visualize the parks and plan your trip is to divide them in two areas: north and south of the Klamath River (about the halfway point). 

South of the Klamath River you’ll find Redwood National Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. North of the Klamath is Del Norte Coast Redwoods and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. 

If you’re struggling to decide where to stay, stay as close to Klamath as possible. This is the most central and convenient location for exploring the park. 

The parks cover a lot of land and coast, giving you plenty of things to do on your visit to the redwoods. 

Here’s a tip: download or print out this map of the park to orient yourself before and during your trip! 

Quick 2 Day Itinerary for Visiting Redwood National Park 

In a rush? Save or screenshot this quick itinerary for later! 

DAY 1

• Hike Fern Canyon 
• Chill out at Gold Bluffs Beach 
• Hike the Tall Trees Trail 
• End with a Scenic Drive 

DAY 2

• Drive the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway 
• See and Photograph the Wildlife (Elk) 
• Explore Prairie Creek Redwoods  
• Hike the Lady Bird Grove Trail 

How Many Days to Spend in Redwood National Park 

I recommend you plan to spend at least two days in Redwood National Park (or three days if you can!). The park is huge, and you can easily be driving several hours in a single day if you’re trying to cram everything in. 

Two full days in Redwood National Park will allow you to spend a day each in the north and south areas of the park. Three full days in Redwood gives you even more flexibility. 

Note that I’m not factoring in driving time from major airports as one of your days in the park, which could easily add another full day to your trip, so plan accordingly.

How to Get Here

Redwoods National and State Parks are located less than a 6 hour drive from both San Francisco in the south, and Portland in the north. 

Due to its remote location, the best way to get to Redwood National Park is by car. I recommend you make it a road trip from a major city like San Francisco. 

Note that you’ll need a car to get around, there’s no public transportation in the parks. There’s a couple of dirt roads you may have to navigate, so get a high clearance vehicle if possible, especially if you’re planning to visit Fern Canyon. 

Nearby Major Airports

Consider flying into one of these major airports and renting a car to make the drive up to Redwood National Park. Take your time and make a trip out of it, northern California is beautiful! 

• San Francisco International (SFO): about a six (6) hour drive, if taking the faster (non-coastal) route.
• Oakland International (OAK): about a six (6) hour drive (non-coastal route.
• Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International (SJC): about 6.5-hour drive (non-coastal route)
• Sacramento International (SMF): about a six (6) hour drive
• Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFD): about a two (2) to three (3)  hour drive 
• Portland International (PDX): about a six (6) hour drive (non-coastal route)

If you’re flying into SFO, Oakland or San Jose, there are tolls that apply when crossing the bridges in or out of the Bay Area. If you’re renting a car, check with the rental car company for how they handle this. 

Smaller Regional Airports 

These airports will put your super close to the parks, but flights are likely to be limited and / or expensive. 

To compare prices, I recommend adding all the airport codes into Google Flights when running your search to see what option is cheapest. 

• California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (ACV): about a thirty (30) minute drive to Orick (Redwood NP Main Area)
• Del Norte County Regional Airport (CEC): about a one (1) hour drive to Orick, or a 15 minute drive to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Note that there are no entrance fees to drive any of the scenic roads in the National or State Parks (including the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway). 

Best Time to Visit Redwood National and State Parks + Weather 

Any time is the best time to visit Redwood National Park, but I’m partial to late spring or early fall for even smaller crowds.

The weather in the northern California coast is cool and damp year-round. 

Temperatures generally range from the mid-40s°F (7°C) to the mid-60s°F (18°C). Summers can bring slightly warmer and foggier weather, with winter weather being cooler and rainy. 

If your main reason for visiting Redwood National Park is to see Fern Canyon, you’ll want to avoid visiting between October-April. The winter rains can swell the creeks you need to cross to get to Fern Canyon, potentially shutting down the hike and the canyon itself. 

Best Area to Stay near Redwood National Park 

Due to the size of Redwood National and State Parks, figuring out the right place to stay can be a challenge, but I highly recommend you stay close to the Klamath River. 

Why? The Klamath River acts as a sort of natural halfway point “splitting” the parks in two sections. 

Not only will this save you some serious driving time, but it’ll put you close to some of the most popular attractions in the parks (like the Tall Trees Grove and Fern Canyon). 

I highly recommend you stay at one of the following two: 

• Klamath River RV Park: we set up our tent here on a whim and loved it. There’s only six or seven tent sites, all right by the river with beautiful views (and away from the RVs so do don’t worry about too much noise!)

• Holiday Inn: this is the best option if camping isn’t your thing. Awesome location, has a casino on-site, breakfast, and is super convenient to the parks. 

IMPORTANT: there isn’t much in terms of restaurants or shops by the Klamath River. This wasn’t a big deal for us since we spent most of the day exploring the parks, but if this is important to you, I recommend you stay in Trinidad. More info included below!

Other Areas to Stay

Looking for more options? The following areas all have pros / cons for making them your base as you explore Redwood National and State Parks. I’ve listed them from the South to the North, in order. 

Eureka / Arcata / McKinleyville

This area is about an hour away from the Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Fern Canyon. But it’s a good place to spend your first night when you get in late if you’re coming from the south or exploring Humboldt County. 

These are “real”, albeit small towns, so there are more restaurants and shops around. Stay at either of the following vacation rental or hotel: 

• Beach House on Perch: super cute beach house in Eureka. Perfect for families or small groups looking to unwind. 
• Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn: heated pool, hot tub, and pretty affordable.

Trinidad 

Trinidad is my second choice of where to stay near Redwood National Park. It’s only about a 30 minute drive from the Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Fern Canyon. 

This is a super cute small town right by the water, with lodging  options dripping with coastal redwood charm. 

• View Crest Lodge: super cute cottages, kitchenettes, and a hot tub. Perfect for couples looking to get away. 
• Whalesong House: gorgeous 3-bedroom house with partial ocean views in the heart of Trinidad. Great for families or larger groups! 

Crescent City

If you’re driving down from Portland, Crescent City might be your best option. This small town is a 10 minute drive from Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, and has hotels, restaurants, and a beautiful light house. 

Just keep in mind that staying in Crescent City means you will be almost an hour away from the other major attractions (like Fern Canyon).

P.S. There’s a post office here where you can mail out any postcards (I did!)

Where to stay:

• Beach house with stunning views and room to spare!
• Anchor Beach Inn – modern and affordable near the water!

Packing for Redwood National Park is going to look very different than packing for LA! The weather in the northern coast of California is cool, foggy and wet year-round, so you need to come prepared for those types of weather conditions. 

Below is a list of things you shouldn’t forget to pack for the Redwoods! 

If you’re planning to visit Redwood National Park as part of a larger California trip, check out this comprehensive California packing list + free printable! 

• Hiking Boots: this brand is amazing!
• Rain Jacket: this one comes in the cutest colors and prints!
• Sweater: for evenings when the temps drop.
• Beanie / Scarf: to keep your ears warm!
• Yoga Pants / Sweatpants
• Blankets (to cozy up): this one is my current favorite!
• Wool socks: to keep your feet warm. These are worth every penny!

Other things to bring, especially if you’re hiking include:

• First aid kit
• Sunscreen (yes, even if it’s foggy!)
• Car essentials, in case you break down. Include jumper cables, portable battery, etc.

How to Spend One Day in Redwood National Park 

If you only have 1 day to spend exploring Redwood National Park, you’ll want to minimize your driving time and focus on a couple of highlights. 

Plan to have a big breakfast, and plan plenty of snacks (plus maybe even a picnic!)

Note that if you’re visiting on a weekend in the summer, you’ll want to start your day early.

While the park isn’t too crowded, the first attraction, Fern Canyon, often fills by 10am on summer weekends! 

With that out of the way, here’s what I recommend you do with one day in Redwood National Park, in order. 

Explore Fern Canyon

• Time Commitment: 1 to 1.5 hour in the canyon only, not including driving time 
• Cost: $12 State Park Fee, free if you have a National Park Pass
• Length / Difficulty: 1-mile round trip, easy
• Reservation required from May 15th to September 15th

Wondering what should you not miss in Redwood National Park? Fern Canyon, definitely! 

Fern Canyon is a mini-canyon, about 50 feet tall and completely covered in ferns. We’re talking lush, green vegetation, dripping with water along the canyon walls and floor, even in the summer months. Pack your hiking boots, you’re going to get your feet wet! 

This place is straight out of Jurassic Park (and spoiler alert, it was actually used as a filming location for Jurassic Park 2!) 

The “easiest” way to get to Fern Canyon is by making the 10-mile drive on the (unpaved) Davidson Road. 

There’s a couple of stream crossings right before you get to the Fern Canyon parking lot, so a high clearance vehicle is definitely recommended. We made it through in my Volt (in early July), but it was a little nerve-wracking for sure! 

Once you get to the parking lot the fun begins! You can hike Fern Canyon as a loop (1-mile round trip) or out and back through the canyon (this is what we did). 

Hang Out at the Beach 

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes to an hour 
• Cost: $12 State Park Fee, free if you have a National Park Pass
• Reservation required from May 15th to September 15th

On the way to Fern Canyon you drove by the Gold Bluffs Beach campground, which sits right in front of, (you guessed it!) Gold Bluffs Beach. 

This is a long, sandy beach with wild, Pacific ocean waves. After exploring Fern Canyon, make a quick pit stop at Gold Bluffs Beach to decompress and take in the beauty of the northern California coast. 

Bring a beach blanket, some binoculars, and get ready to look for wildlife! During the months of November to December, as well as March through April, you may get lucky and spot gray whales in migration!

Tall Trees Trail 

• Time Commitment: 3-6 hours (took us about 4.5 hours, including drive time)
• Cost: no entry fee, but free permit required 
• Length / Difficulty: 4-mile round trip, moderately strenuous 

You can’t come to Redwood National Park and not see the Redwoods! There’s many places where you can hike through a beautiful Redwood forest, but few compare to the Tall Trees trail.

First off, know that you need a permit to do this hike, and there’s only ~50 for any given day, so you need to plan in advance. 

With your permit in hand, to get started, you’ll need to drive seven (7) miles on a dirt road to a small parking lot where you’ll find the start of the trail. 

You’ll start by descending about 800 feet in the first 1.5 mile through the forest, until you eventually reach a large grove of old-growth redwood trees. Some of these trees are over 350 feet tall! 

Here’s a tip: Keep your eyes peeled along the way for banana slugs! These yellow slugs like to hang out in damp areas, so if you spot some water, start looking. 

The return hike is harder since you’ll be gaining significant elevation, but just take your time.

The redwoods provide a lot of shade, which helped make the hike a little easier.

Bring plenty of water, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes, and a rain jacket. 

Alternate Itinerary: If you don’t want to hike the Tall Trees trail, or can’t snag a permit, don’t worry! Replace this part of your day with a short stroll on the Lady Bird Johnson trail, and the Newton B. Drury Scenic Drive. See details on the “How to Spend 2 Days in Redwood National Park” Section of this itinerary. 

What to Do About Food?

After hiking the Tall Trees trail you’ll probably be starving (I was!) But know that there’s very limited restaurant options near this area of Redwood National Park.  

So what should you do about food? You have some options:

• Bring a picnic meal! Pack some sandwiches the night before and enjoy them after the hike. 
• Grab food in Orick, right off the 101 (but there isn’t much). The Snack Shack has burgers, fries, etc. 
• If you’re camping, pack your camping stove and make food in one of the picnic areas. Try the Redwood Creek Picnic Area (near the water). 
• Drive to Trinidad, Eureka or Arcata for food. You’ll have more options in these towns, but the drive is long (about an hour or more) and will eat up a lot of your day. 

End with a Pretty Drive

• Time Commitment: about 45 minutes round-trip, ~9 miles long
• Cost: FREE!
• Get Here: take exit Klamath Beach Rd from Hwy 101 and follow the signs to Coastal Drive

There’s no better way to end your first day in Redwood National Park than with a pretty drive along the ocean. 

The Coastal drive is exactly what it sounds like, a short drive along the coast with views of the Pacific, Klamath River area, and opportunities to spot wildlife. 

Along the drive, look out for a WWII Radar Station and the high bluffs overlook where you can get pretty ocean views. 

If you want to stretch your legs, walk a bit of the Flint Ridge trail (look out for the backcountry camp sign, the trail starts here) you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery! 

Most of the drive is paved, but a small section isn’t. Also, the drive has a one-way section (the unpaved area) – we did the drive in a regular car and it was fine.

Finally, make sure you drive slowly to take in the views. 

How to Spend Two Days in Redwood National Park 

Planning a 2 day trip to Redwood National Park? You’ll have plenty of options to fill your days. Spend Day 1 as described above and add the activities below on your second day. 

Drive the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway 

• Time Commitment: about 30 minutes one-way, but add 1-2 hours for stops
• Cost: FREE!
• Get Here: take exit 753 or 765 from Hwy 101

There’s several scenic drives in Redwood National and State Parks, but the Newton B. Drury Drive is special. 

Located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, the drive is an easy, 10 mile long paved road that parallels Highway 101, but takes you along and through a beautiful redwood forest. 

One of the best things about doing this drive is how many different things there are to do along the way. 

You’ll be ooh-ing and aah-ing in no time! Bonus: there’s plenty of pull outs along the road, as well as small hidden trails to explore. 

HERE’S A TIP: download this map of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park before you visit – it’s got all the hikes along the drive + mile markers. Want an adventure? Take a guided e-bike tour of the park!

The best stops are included below, but feel free to explore anything along the drive that catches your eye.

Stop at the Big Tree Wayside

• Time Commitment: about 30 minutes
• Cost: FREE!
• Location: off the Newton B. Drury Parkway, about 0.5 mile north of the Prairie Creek Visitor Center

Want to see some giant redwoods? Stop at the Big Tree Wayside! Here you’ll find the “Big Tree,” a giant redwood that stands over 300 feet tall. 

The best part? This area is super easy to access. It’s located less than a 5 minute walk from the road, and is the perfect stop for everyone. 

Plus, there’s a super short “Circle Trail” walk (about 15 minutes) that will let you stretch your legs and take in some pretty forest views quickly.

Note that this stop is really popular with tour groups and pretty much everyone that visits the park. The parking lot can fill, but because people spend only a little time here, you can often find a spot with a bit of patience. 

See the Elk 

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes 
• Cost: FREE
• Location: off the Newton B. Drury Parkway, about 0.5 mile north of the Prairie Creek Visitor Center

Seeing wildlife is always one of the most exciting parts of visiting any national park, and Redwood National and State Parks does not disappoint in this department. 

The parks are home to the seven herds of largest subspecies of elk in North America: the Roosevelt Elk. 

The creatures are huge, and incredible to see in person. The herds are scattered throughout the parks, and seeing one of them is never guaranteed. 

However, they love to hang out along the Newton B. Drury Parkway, right near the visitor center to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. 

If you’re approaching from the south, as you begin doing the scenic drive you’ll notice two large meadows on either side with plenty of roadside parking. Stop here, these are the meadows where the elk like to hang out. 

Other places to see the elk:

• Elk Meadow
• Lower Redwood Creek
• Crescent Beach Area 
• Gold Bluffs Beach

Hike the Revelation Trail

• Time Commitment: 15-30 minutes 
• Cost: FREE
• Length / Difficulty: 0.3 mile loop, easy
• Get Here: starts outside the Prairie Creek Visitor Center 

The revelation trail is one of the easiest “hikes” to do on this Redwood National Park itinerary! Starting from the Prairie Creek Visitor center, this short little loop will take you through huge, old growth redwoods. 

There’s several interpretative signs along the trail that will encourage and guide you to experience the trail through various senses (smell, touch, etc.). 

If you’re visiting the Redwoods with kids, this is a perfect trail to explore together! 

Optional Addition: hike to Trillium Falls while you’re in the area. 

Lady Bird Johnson Grove 

• Time Commitment: about 1 hour
• Cost: FREE
• Length / Difficulty: 1.5-mile round trip loop, easy
• Get Here: take exit for Bald Hill Road on Hwy 101

The Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail is one of the most popular in the park, and with good reason! This is a pretty easy, mellow hike that allows you to see and be surrounded by tall redwoods. 

To get here, you’ll need to drive a few miles down Bald Hills Road, which is pretty narrow and windy (and not suitable for RVs). Follow the signs and you’ll see a small parking lot and a footbridge. 

You’ll start the hike by crossing the picturesque bridge, and will loop back around to this same place (so don’t worry about having to do an out and back hike!) 

The redwoods here aren’t as old as the ones you’ll see elsewhere in the park, but the trees are tall and you’ll get glimpses of the sky. 

Ferns can be found throughout the trail, adding to the lush feeling of this grove of redwoods. 

Best Things To Do in Redwood National Park 

Some of the best things to do in Redwood National and State Parks are:

• Hiking Fern Canyon
• Drive the Newton B. Drury Parkway (and make plenty of stops along the way)
• Hike the Lady Bird Johnson Grove
• Hike the Tall Trees trail
• Watch the Elk

Tips for Visiting 

• If you only have a limited amount of time in the Redwood National and State Parks, don’t try to cram everything in, take it slow. 

• The redwoods are a place that invite quiet reflection and solitude, and are the perfect place to slow down and unwind. 

• Don’t forget to dress in layers when visiting, the weather can change at any moment. 

• Get familiar with the park layout before you visit – they’re spread out over a vast chunk of land. Download official maps ahead of time! 

• Plan ahead for food – you don’t want to have to drive an hour and break up your day too much if you’re wanting to get a bunch of hikes in.

Save This For Later 

Other California National Parks You’ll Love 

• Lassen Volcanic National Park
• Sequoia National Park
• Death Valley National Park