Among America’s greatest and most famous natural treasures are the California Redwood Forests, a nature lover’s paradise, visited by more than 1.25 million people annually, who come to enjoy camping, hiking, kayaking, horseback and bicycle trails, picnic grounds, scenic dives, and more, much more.
80 kilometers in length and 0.3 to 14 kilometers in width, the Redwoods are famous for being home to the tallest trees on Earth, sometimes simply called ‘big trees,’ or ‘giant sequoias’ (sequoiadendron giganteum), which, on average, grow up to 280-325 feet at height, with a trunk 10 to 20 feet in diameter. They may reach ages of 3,000 years, though; much more common are trees that are 600-800 years of age. Simply imagine a 35-story skyscraper in your city and you begin to understand the size of these trees.
The redwood park complex that makes up 45 % of all the old-growth redwood forest remaining in California comprises 4 separate units: Redwood National Park, occupying a large and heavily-logged inland valley and three state parks that include Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, each with its own charm and all administered by the state of California. Together these parks are a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, protecting resources cherished by citizens of many nations.
The parks are blessed with abundant and varied flora and fauna, including some 856 flora species (699 of which are native), some 75 mammalian species (including Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, banana slugs, grey fox, bobcat, black bear, sea lion, puma, etc.), as well as avifauna, exceeding 400 recorded species.
Prairie Creek, for instance, is an extremely lush and green coastal forest, while Jedidiah Smith is filled with light and is the most photogenic. California’s Redwood Coast is a scenic region, offering sparkling beaches, cascading rivers, peaceful countryside, historic communities and a forest as old as the dinosaurs. At least 15 other parks have small old-growth groves, many of them being just as enjoyable as the big ones, offering a wide variety of other scenery, from the splendid coastal bluffs of Big Sur to the majestic rolling farmlands of the Anderson Valley.
Hikes and Trails in the Redwoods
The forest, groves, and coast area feature miles of hiking trails many of them accessible to all visitors. One of the best trails is definitely Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods that will take you through a narrow canyon where the walls are completely covered by an amazing variety of magnificent ferns and other moisture-loving plants, and continue on to a trail that climbs up out of the canyon to enjoy dramatic views into the canyon and other interesting sights.
Another scenic hike and bike trail that will immerse you into a beautiful journey through the Redwood forest is Lost Man Creek Trail, ideal for viewing wildlife, photography, family hikes and gathering fall mushrooms. This trail is accessible to people with disabilities and is a moderate 2 to 8 hour hike or ride with non-level grades. At the trailhead one can find a fine picnic area, where you can enjoy scenic views and fresh air at your heart’s content. Other notable routes include Trillium Falls, Skunk Cabbage Creek, Berry Glen and James Irvine Trail, all well-worth a try.
Good hiking is also available at Jedediah Smith Redwoods, featuring about 20 miles of hiking and nature trails, river access, a visitor center with exhibits and a nature store. Do not miss out to stroll in the Stout Grove. Keep in mind that a good hike in the redwood grove is a Wow experience never to be forgotten!
Camping in the Redwoods
Camping in the redwood forest means to be amongst the tallest living things on the Planet, an adventure that many have linked to spending time in a natural cathedral. Four developed campgrounds – three in the redwood forest and one on the coast, offer unrivaled camping opportunities for families with kids, groups and individuals. Jedediah Smith Campground is a fine place for family getaway, allowing visitors to camp along one of the cleanest rivers in the country. Hidden Springs and Burlington in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park are another two impressive campgrounds that lie deep within the park and must be hiked into.
Sea Kayaking on the Redwood Coast
With stunning scenery, fascinating wildlife, protected flat-water on coastal lagoons, challenging open ocean and rock gardens along breathtaking shores and diverse paddling conditions, Northern California’s coastline is one of the world’s best sea kayaking locations. From the mouth of the mighty Eel River to the spectacular coastal areas of Crescent City Sea Kayaking the Redwood Coast is a lifetime experience you’ll not soon forget.
All the redwood parks can be visited year-round, but most people visit in the summer months, when it hardly ever rains and all the trails are open. Fall is also a good time to admire the beauty of this wondrous place, but if it’s sheer scenic beauty you are looking for, winter is perhaps the best time to visit the redwoods. What concerns to Spring, this is the time of rhododendron blooms, which start in mid-May and can still be seen in spots like the Lady Brid Johnson Trail in early July.
