Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Travelationship
Welcome to one of the most awe-inspiring destinations on the planet. Standing at the base of a 300-foot ancient coastal redwood isn’t just a hike—it is a deeply humbling experience. Northern California’s Redwood National and State Parks are a unique network of protected lands that span multiple parks, offering towering canopies, rugged coastlines, and a sense of prehistoric magic you simply can’t find anywhere else.
Whether you are a seasoned hiker, an avid photographer, or just looking for the ultimate family road trip, we consider this area an absolute must-see. Here is our breakdown of the best places to see wildlife, drive, hike, and stay when exploring the majestic Redwoods.
Best Places to See Wildlife
The Redwoods aren’t just about big trees; the wildlife viewing here is top-tier.
- Elk Meadow & Elk Country RV Resort: If you want to see Roosevelt Elk, these are the spots. You will frequently find massive herds grazing in the open prairies right alongside the road. Just remember to keep a safe distance—especially during the fall rutting season!
- Klamath River Overlook: Sitting high above where the Klamath River meets the Pacific Ocean, this is our favorite spot for marine wildlife. Bring your binoculars to spot gray whales, sea lions, and brown pelicans riding the updrafts.
- Prairie Creek Visitor Center: The open meadow right in front of the visitor center is a frequent hangout for elk, and the surrounding old-growth forest is home to black bears, bobcats, and spotted owls.
Best Scenic Drives
You could spend days just driving through the parks and never get bored. Here are the routes you absolutely cannot miss:
Avenue of the Giants
- Length: 31 miles
- Location: Humboldt Redwoods State Park
- Corresponding Hikes: Mahan Plaque Trail, Founders Grove Nature Trail, Rockefeller Loop.
- Top Wildlife: Black-tailed deer, woodland birds, and the occasional black bear.
- Major Points of Interest: The Shrine Drive-Thru Tree and the Humboldt Redwoods Visitor Center. This historic highway weaves parallel to Highway 101 and is arguably the most famous redwood drive in the world.
Howland Hill Road – Our Favorite!
- Length: 10 miles (mostly unpaved gravel)
- Location: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Corresponding Hikes: Stout Memorial Grove, Boy Scout Tree Trail.
- Top Wildlife: Look down! This moist, shaded drive is famous for bright yellow Banana Slugs.
- Major Points of Interest: You are driving literally through the trees here. It’s a narrow, winding, dirt road that forces you to drive slowly and take in the massive trunks scraping the edges of your mirrors.
Requa Road
- Length: 2.5 miles
- Location: Klamath, CA
- Corresponding Hikes: Klamath River Overlook Trail.
- Top Wildlife: Gray whales, harbor seals, and soaring bald eagles.
- Major Points of Interest: Historic World War II radar station and the breathtaking Klamath River Overlook at the road’s end.
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
- Length: 10 miles
- Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Corresponding Hikes: Prairie Creek Trail, Cathedral Trees Trail.
- Top Wildlife: Roosevelt Elk (frequently blocking the road at the northern and southern entrances) and river otters in the nearby creeks.
- Major Points of Interest: Big Tree Wayside (a massive redwood just steps from the road) and the Corkscrew Redwood. This parkway is completely surrounded by old-growth forest.
Davison Road
- Length: 7 miles (unpaved and narrow)
- Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Corresponding Hikes: Fern Canyon Loop, Coastal Trail.
- Top Wildlife: Huge herds of elk in the meadow at the start of the drive, plus coastal shorebirds.
- Major Points of Interest: Gold Bluffs Beach. Note: Motorhomes and trailers are strictly prohibited on this narrow dirt road.
Bald Hills Road
- Length: 17 miles (to the park boundary)
- Location: Redwood National Park
- Corresponding Hikes: Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Tall Trees Grove.
- Top Wildlife: Black bears, coyotes, and elk roaming the open prairies.
- Major Points of Interest: Redwood Creek Overlook and stunning spring wildflower blooms (lupines) in the open, high-elevation prairies.
Bonus View: Wilson Creek Beach
Just off Highway 1, a couple of miles north of Klamath, the Wilson Creek Beach pull-off gives you a nice peek of the coastline California is famous for.
Best Hikes
If you only have time to stretch your legs a few times, make sure it’s on one of these trails.
Fern Canyon Loop
- Standard Rating: Easy to Moderate
- Distance: 1.1 miles (Loop)
- Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (Access via Davison Road)
- Description: This is straight out of Jurassic Park (literally, parts of The Lost World were filmed here). You will hike through a spectacular, prehistoric canyon with 50-foot vertical walls completely draped in bright green ferns. Expect your feet to get wet, as the trail requires crisscrossing the creek multiple times. Water shoes or waterproof hiking boots are highly recommended!
Lady Bird Johnson Grove
- Standard Rating: Easy
- Distance: 1.5 miles (Loop)
- Location: Redwood National Park (Access via Bald Hills Road)
- Description: Sitting at a higher elevation, this upland grove is frequently blanketed in a moody, atmospheric fog. The lack of road noise makes it incredibly serene. The trail is flat, wide, and features a lovely dedication plaque for the former First Lady who championed the protection of these lands.
Stout Memorial Grove
- Standard Rating: Easy
- Distance: 0.5 miles (Loop)
- Location: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (Access via Howland Hill Road)
- Description: Arguably the most majestic and photogenic grove in the entire park system. Sitting on the banks of the Smith River, the forest floor is unusually open, allowing you to fully appreciate the colossal size of these ancient giants. If you can time your visit for the late afternoon, the sunbeams piercing through the canopy are legendary.
Mahan Plaque Trail
- Standard Rating: Easy
- Distance: ~0.5 miles (Out and back / short loop)
- Location: Humboldt Redwoods State Park (Access via Avenue of the Giants)
- Description: A quiet, deeply peaceful offshoot path in the Founders Grove area celebrating Laura Perrott Mahan and her relentless conservation efforts to save the redwoods from logging. You can expect massive fallen logs, a lush clover-covered forest floor, and pure tranquility away from the heavier crowds.
Big Tree Wayside Loop
- Standard Rating: Easy (ADA Accessible)
- Distance: 0.3 miles (Loop)
- Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (Access via Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway)
- Description: If you are short on time or have little ones in tow, this is the quickest and easiest way to walk among true giants. The paved, fully accessible trail leads directly to the “Big Tree”—a staggering 1,500-year-old coast redwood standing over 300 feet tall and 68 feet in circumference. Don’t miss the audio boxes along the trailhead where you can hear from Yurok elders about the cultural significance of the redwoods. While it can get busy with tour groups, the sheer scale of the trees makes it an absolute must-do.
Where to Stay
- Holiday Inn Express Klamath: We highly recommend basing yourself here. Located right in the middle of the park’s network, it makes exploring the northern and southern groves incredibly convenient. It offers modern amenities, a great free breakfast to fuel your hiking days, and beautiful views right near the Klamath River.
- The Historic Requa Inn: If you want a touch of history, this charming inn sits right on the Klamath River and offers cozy rooms and a wonderful old-world ambiance.
Where to Eat
- Country Club Bar and Grill (Klamath): An unassuming one room bar and grill, offering burgers and staples and a descent beer selection. Good after a long day of hiking.
- Log Cabin Diner (Klamath): Hearty, delicious breakfasts and burgers in a fun, rustic log cabin setting. It’s exactly the kind of comfort food you want on a road trip.
Travelationship Rating: 5 out of 5 Travelationship High Fives. The Redwoods are awe-inspiring, grounding, and a bucket-list destination for any nature lover!