In the United States, the Redwood National and State Parks include one national park and three state parks that are co-managed and situated along the northern California coast. Combining Redwood National Park and three California state parks, the merged RNSP totals 139,000 acres and has old-growth temperate rainforests. At a total of 38,982 acres, the four parks in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties safeguard 45 percent of the surviving coast redwood old-growth forests. These trees are some of the tallest, oldest, and largest on the planet. There are 37 miles of unspoiled shoreline, as well as a variety of native plant and animal life and grassland prairie. Cultural elements are also protected, as are sections of rivers and streams.
The tallest trees on Earth may be found in Redwood, a fact well-known to the general public. There are 40 miles of rocky shoreline, as well as extensive plains, oak trees, and wild rivers, all protected by the Parks. For millennia, humans have thrived in this lush environment. This site is being cared for and restored by the National Park Service in collaboration with the California State Parks Department.
Entrances and how to reach Redwood National Park
At a distance of 325 miles north of San Francisco, you’ll find the Redwood National and State Parks. The parklands are about 50 miles long, extending from Crescent City, CA (near the Oregon border) to the Redwood Creek basin south of Orick, CA. Along this north-south axis, there are five information centers. To go to Park Headquarters in Crescent City, you’ll need to head to 1111 Second Street.
Users of GPS devices should be aware that most digital navigation systems have sent tourists in the wrong direction at least once before. Getting to and through Redwood National and State Parks may be as simple as consulting a map and following the directions on the road signs.
By Air
There are commercial flights on a regular frequency to and from the following towns nearby:
Crescent City, California
Airport: Jack McNamara Field at Del Norte County Airport (CEC)
Carrier: It is a Contour Airlines flight. Direct flights to Oakland, California, are available every day of the week.
Information Center: Crescent City Information Center, about 4 miles south of the airport, is the closest information center.
The city of Medford in Oregon
Airport: Rogue Valley-Medford International Airport (MFR)
Carrier: United Airlines and United Express, SkyWest Airlines, Delta Connection, Allegiant Air, and Horizon Air.
Information Center: Hiouchi Visitor Center, some 100 miles west of the airport, is the nearest information center.
In McKinleyville, California
Airport: Arcata-Eureka International Airport (ACV)
Carrier: SkyWest Airlines operates United Express. Denver, San Francisco, and LAX all have daily direct flights.
Information Center: The Kuchel Visitor Center, some 25 miles north of the airport, is the closest information center.
By Car
A 50-mile stretch of US 101 connects Crescent City, California, to Orick, California, and the Redwood National and State Parks. Other roads and highways (including scenic drives) may be used to reach different parts of the national parks. It’s possible to drive past some of the world’s most beautiful woods and tallest trees without even realizing it, so please be aware of this while planning your route through these parks.
From the Oregon Coast (Highway 101): Located 26 miles south of Brookings, Oregon, on U.S. 101 in the Crescent City Information Center, which serves as the park’s administrative and visitor center headquarters. After driving 16 miles south of Brookings, Ore. on U.S. 101, exit North Bank Road/Calif. 197; continue southeast 7 miles to the junction with U.S. 199 in the heart of the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, which includes the Jedediah Smith Campground, the Jedediah Smith Visitor Center, and the Hiouchi Visitor Center.
From the Grants Pass, Oregon/Interstate 5 area in Central Oregon: On US 199/Redwood Highway from Grants Pass go another 70 miles southwest to Hiouchi, Calif.; continue west 5 miles on US 199 and then south 4.5 miles on US 101 to Crescent City, Calif. The park’s northeast limit is at Hiouchi, Calif. (home to the Crescent City Information Center).
From the California Coast (Highway 101): The Kuchel Visitor Center on the southern edge of the national parks is located around 40 miles north of Eureka, California (or 312 miles north of San Francisco, California) right off of U.S. 101.. 1-mile south of Orick, Freshwater Beach is the location. The Kuchel Visitor Center / Park Information may be found by following the brown highway signage. This tourist center is NOT located in the town of Orick, therefore don’t depend on web maps for instructions.
There are two ways to get reach Bald Hills Road and Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway from US 101.
Redding, Calif./Interstate 5 corridor in Central California: Exit Eureka Way/Calif. 299 from Redding, California, and go west for about 140 miles to U.S. 101 in Arcata, California.. from there. The Kuchel Visitor Center is located about 30 miles north of the park’s southern limit on U.S. 101. Bald Hills Road is a short 3 miles up U.S. 101, while the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is a 7-mile detour. This tourist center is NOT located in the town of Orick, therefore don’t depend on web maps for instructions.
Public transportation
Redwood Coast Transit (RCT) connects Smith River, Crescent City, Gasquet, Klamath, Orick, and Arcata, California, with one another and with the rest of the state.
National parks
Visit all of the national parks in southern Oregon and northern California, including the Klamath National Parks.
- Crater Lake National Park is 140 miles from Crescent City, California, and 312 miles away; Orick, California is 217 miles away.
- Crescent City, CA is around an hour and a half away by car, whereas Orick, CA is about 114 miles from Oregon Caves National Monument.
- Orick, CA is 160 miles away from Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, which is located 414 hours away from Crescent City, CA.
- Crescent City, California, 230 miles; Orick, California, 231 miles; Lassen Volcanic National Park is a 5-hour drive away.
- Orick, CA is 262 miles away from Lava Beds National Monument in California, which is accessible in six hours by car from Crescent City.