Redwoods Tree Guide
The famed redwoods of northern California are some of the
largest and oldest in the world. A visit to see the Redwoods
is an adventure you'll never forget.
Reaching 350 feet high and over 2,000 years old, the 100,000
acres of redwoods are protected from logging companies by
3 state parks and 1 national park, The Redwoods National
Forest.. Popular activities are hiking, biking, backpacking,
horseback riding, fishing and boating. During the winter
and spring months, the  beaches
are a perfect place for watching the migration of the gray
whale; however, the water is too cold for swimming regardless
of the season.
To see the park on a more interactive level, backcountry camping is the best. There are more than 200 miles of walking trails that traverse through a variety of land areas--old-growth redwood forests, mixed evergreen forests, coastal scrub, prairies, streams, marshes, and unspoiled beaches. Backpackers are asked to set up camp in designated campsites except along the Redwood Creek gravel bars. Alternatively, you can set up camp along Redwood Creek's gravel bars beyond the first seasonal bridge but no closer than within 1/4 mile of Tall Trees Grove.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is a great area for hiking, picnicking and camping amid the rhododendrons growing on its steep slopes. At the Mill Creek campground you will find restrooms, four loop trails, hiker/biker sites, dump station, fire pits,
no hookups, handicap access,
ranger-led walks, junior ranger
and evening campfire programs.
 The
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is home
to Stout Memorial Grove located 4 miles from the park entrance.
While there you can go swimming, fishing, hiking, picnicking
and camping. Amenities include nature center, bookstore,
no hookups, restrooms, river sites, picnic area, many miles
of trails, hiker/biker sites, dump station, fire pits, handicap
access, ranger-led walks, junior ranger and young naturalists
programs, and evening campfire programs.
The Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park has many ways to spend
the day. Located in the heart of the Redwood Forest, Elk
Prairie Campground is a great place to pitch your tent or
park your RV.
You will find a nature center, bookstore, no hookups, showers,
restrooms, picnic area, more than 70 miles of trails, hiker/biker
sites, dump station, fire pits, handicap access, ranger-led
walks, junior ranger programs and evening campfire programs.
Also in Prairie Creek is the Gold Bluffs Beach campground which has 25 RV or 29 tents sites, however, trailers are prohibited. Amenities include solar showers, restrooms, access to over 70 miles of trails, Fern Canyon, hiker/biker sites, fire pits, no hookups, ranger-led walks, junior ranger programs and evening campfire programs.
Redwood National Forest
www.nps.gov/redw
707-464-6101
Photo Credits: Fallen Redwood Tree by Margarita
Nitz; Driving through the Redwoods by Maurice; Redwood grove
by Gemma Longman
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