Redwood National and State Parks

A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes
Trek into the wilderness and sleep in the backcountry
Ideal for first-timers

Trekking through majestic groves in Redwood National and State Parks

Trekking through majestic groves in Redwood National and State Parks

Trekking through majestic groves in Redwood National and State Parks

Trekking through majestic groves in Redwood National and State Parks

Designed by
Share this itinerary
Last updated
August 8, 2023

Trip · 3-day backpacking trip

For · Friends and first-time backpackers

Vibe · Moderate and fun

Distance  · 16 miles round trip and 692 feet of elevation gain

Permits · Yes, apply online for a Redwood Creek Gravel Bar permit and a Tall Trees Day Use Permit (during the summer)

Drive · 6.5 hours from SF

Ideal dates · June to September

Pets · Welcome at certain campgrounds, but not on trails

Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) preserves some of the most majestic forests on Earth. It's home to ancient coast redwoods which can grow up to 360+ feet tall (imagine a 35-story skyscraper!) and live up to 2,500 years old. These towering beauties are why Redwood National Park is designated as a UN World Heritage Site. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park are also part of the joint national-state park partnership. Thank the Save the Redwoods League; they're a big reason why we have 133,000 acres of redwood groves to camp and frolic in today.

Directions to Trailhead

Official Park Website

Official Redwood Creek Camping Guide

Main image credit: N/A

Stuff to know

  • Reserve a free backcountry permit up to a month or at least 48 hours before your trip. Each permit covers up to 8 campers.
  • Black bears have been spotted by the creek so hang a bear-proof Ursack or use a bear canister to store your food overnight.
  • Backcountry campfires are allowed in RNSP. Make a fire ring to contain the flames and fully extinguish your campfire before you sleep.
  • Redwood NP has no park entrance fees! Woot, woot.
  • Park rangers recommend parking at Tall Trees Trailhead due to reports of car break-ins. Try to bring your valuables with you on the hike or leave them at home.
Check the weather
Redwood National and State Parks
No items found.

Itinerary

Day One

 Tall Trees Grove Trail in Redwood National and State Parks
Tall Trees Grove Trail

Leave SF by 8 AM and swing by Cafe Phoenix for lunch

  • Diners love their fresh ingredients and healthy brunch menu
  • Located at 1360 G Street in Arcata
  • Open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9 AM to 3 PM
  • ​Last pit stop · Chevron - 101 Main Street in Trinidad

Arrive at Tall Trees Grove Trailhead

  • You'll need a code to unlock the gate that accesses the trailhead so apply online for your backcountry permit. Redwood Creek Gravel Bar is the only area in Redwood NP where you can freely disperse camp.
  • Once you've parked, hide or remove any valuable belongings from your car
  • Hike 2.5 miles to reach the first seasonal footbridge, which is usually set up by early June through September. If you go during winter months, get ready for some creek crossings!
  • Once you're at least 0.25 miles from Tall Trees Grove, you can camp anywhere you'd like. Stay at least 1.5 miles from Redwood Creek Trailhead as well.

Set up camp along Redwood Creek

  • Find a soft, gravelly spot along the creek.
  • Create a fire ring near your campsite and settle in for the evening

Cook up dinner and roast s'mores

  • YAY! Soak up the stars overhead and chow on some s'mores
  • Fully extinguish your campfire before you head to bed and store all of your food and scented items in a bear canister. Bears love to visit the creek at night too!

Car to camp - 3 to 4 miles with 276 feet of elevation gain - 2 to 3 hours

The CA Department of Parks and Recreation partnered with the National Park Service in 1994 to preserve RNSP: the four-park ecosystem we have today

Day Two

Redwood Creek
Redwood Creek

Make brekkie, pack a lunch, and day hike along Redwood Creek

  • Fill up on water, bring your water filter, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, sun hat, towel, bug spray, down jacket, a book, and lunch!
  • Leave any food and scented items in the bear canister back at camp
  • It's an easy 7.3 mile round-trip hike, with 417 feet of elevation gain, to reach the second seasonal footbridge, but honestly, hike as far as you'd like
  • Find a cool mid-way spot for lunch and chill for the rest of the afternoon

Return to camp and prep dinner

  • Clean up from the day's hike

Make dinner, dessert, and hang around the campfire

  • Savor your last night at Redwood National Park and spend the rest of the night stargazing around the campfire. More s'mores, plz.

Day hike - 7.3 miles with 417 feet of elevation gain - 3 to 4 hours

Thousands of years ago, the Tolowa, Yurok, Chilula, Wiyot, and Karok tribes lived in the North Coast region. The Yurok had around 55 villages and 2500+ inhabitants at one point

Day Three

Redwood Creek
Redwood Creek

Pack up and hike back to Tall Trees Grove Trailhead

  • Depending on where you decided to camp, head south along Redwood Creek to return to the first seasonal footbridge, which is about 2.5 miles from the trailhead parking lot

Return to your car and grab lunch at Beachcomber Cafe

  • Diners love their local, organic ingredients and fresh-baked goods!
  • Located at 363 Trinity Street in Trinidad (next to the beach!)
  • Open Fridays to Mondays from 8 AM to 2 PM

Head home!

Camp to camp - 3 to 4 miles - 2 to 3 hours

When logging began in the 1850s, there were over 2 million acres of redwood forests, but by the 1960s, nearly 90% of all original redwoods were gone
October 14, 2023

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Visit Bewilder Basecamp, a family-friendly place to camp, bike, and play outside

Event in 2 days

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Join Bezzi the Yeti on her first spooky camping adventure!

Shop curated gear

Subheading about gear and affiliate links.

Search icon
Price Range
Reset
Scroll
Price Range
Bezzi's Pick
$$

NEMO Disco 15 Women's Sleeping Bag

A spacious sleeping bag that will help you stay warm for spring, summer, and fall camping.

Bezzi's Pick
$

Sea to Summit X-Series Collapsible Silicone Cup

Whether it's coffee or cocoa, bring a silicone mug like this one into the wild. Your tummy will thank you.

Bezzi's Pick
$$

Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack

Leave your backpacking pack at camp, and use this sleek, compressible pack for day hikes.

Bezzi's Pick
$

Eddie Bauer Stowaway 20L Daypack

An affordable day pack for bringing snacks, sunglasses, and water on your next day hike.

Bezzi's Pick
$$$

Feathered Friends Egret UL 20/30 Women's Sleeping Bag

Handmade in Seattle, Washington, this sleeping bag is pricey, but you can count on it lasting for years.

Bezzi's Pick
$

Stoic Madrone 2 Person, 3 Season Tent

A fun, affordable tent for beginner car campers that can be used in the spring, summer, and fall.

Bezzi's Pick
$$

Kula Pee Cloth

An absorbent, antimicrobial fabric that will keep you clean and dry down under.

Bezzi's Pick
$$$

GCI Outdoor Master Portable Camp Kitchen

This cook station has plenty of storage and counter space, and is easy to set up and carry out.

Bezzi's Pick
$

NEMO Quasar 3D Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

If you like to toss and turn at night, this sleeping pad is known for being a quiet, quality option for car campers.

Bezzi's Pick
$

Marmot Catalyst 2-Person Tent with Footprint

A solid, lightweight, and relatively affordable tent for people are new to backpacking.

Bezzi's Pick
$

Soto Helix Coffee Maker

Don't let the backcountry stop you from enjoying a hot, quality drip coffee in the morning.

Bezzi's Pick
$$

Coleman WeatherMaster 6-Person Tent with Screen Room

This spacious tent is known for its enmeshed screen room, which will keep you dry and bug-free during the summer.

Woops! We don't have any results. Try resetting the filters and try again.

Meal and snack ideas

Subheading about meals and affiliate links.

Search icon
Dietary Preferences
meal Type
Bezzi's Picks
Reset
Dietary Preferences
Meal Type
Bezzi's Faves
Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Food For The Sole Blueberry Banana Crunch

Gluten Free • Vegan

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Packit Gourmet Diner Deluxe Eggs with Sausage

Bezzi's Pick
Dessert

Campfire cinnamon roll ups

Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Snack

Brookside Dark Chocolate Covered Blueberries

Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Snack

Angie's Boom Chicka Pop

Gluten Free · Vegan

Bezzi's Pick
Snack

Santa Cruz Organic Apple Sauce

Gluten Free · Vegan

Bezzi's Pick
Lunch

Summer rolls with almond butter satay

Gluten Free · Vegan

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Dan dan noodles

Gluten Free · Vegan

Bezzi's Pick
Lunch

Asian chicken lettuce wraps

Gluten free

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Pho ramen

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Curry ramen

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Peanut butter cheesecake overnight oats

Vegetarian

Have feedback on this itinerary? Send us an email!
Spread the love
Explore our most popular trips
Explore our most popular trips
Explore our most popular trips
Explore our most popular trips
Self-Guided Trip

Catching desert sunrises and shooting stars at Joshua Tree National Park

Camp underneath the stars and watch glorious sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park, the second largest national park in California.

Self-Guided Trip

Beachside backpacking and sea lion sightings at Santa Rosa Island

This winter trek on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park is a one of a kind itinerary for experienced backpackers.

Self-Guided Trip

Tidepooling and climbing Valencia Peak in Montaña de Oro State Park

Go tidepooling and camping in Montaña de Oro State Park, one of the largest state parks in California.

Looking for more?

View all itineraries