Redwood National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is home to some of the world's tallest trees. The park features a visitor center, campground, day use area, swimming beaches along the Smith River and the popular Stout Grove and Grove of the Titans. The scenic Howland Hill Road winds through the park's towering redwoods along an old stage coach route. The narrow, unpaved road provides trail access to Stout Grove and Grove of the Titans.

The Hiouchi Visitor Center features exhibits, a park store, passport stamps, restrooms, a picnic area and ranger-led activities. Check with a ranger about guided kayak tours on the Smith River.

Myrtle Beach is one of the best swimming holes on the Smith River! The parking area is at the intersection of Highway 199 with South Fork Road. Just look for the Myrtle Beach parking sign.

Take the short (quarter-mile), steep trail down to the clear, jade-green waters. There are pit toilets halfway down the trail. This spot is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, tubing...and even cliff jumping!

This 44-acre group of giant redwoods in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park was named after Frank Stout, the former president of the Del Norte Lumber Company. His widow donated this land in 1929 as a living memorial to her husband.

The easy, half-mile, loop trail meanders through 300-foot tall trees with an optional trail down to the Smith River. When you walk through the grove, please stay on the designated trail to protect this fragile habitat.

The Grove of Titans is part of the National Tribute Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and is home to some of the tallest trees in the world. This magnificent stand of redwoods just opened to the public in 2022.

The park service constructed a 1500-foot-long elevated walkway through the grove. It not only looks amazing and allows visitors to gaze up into the canopy, but it also protects the habitat for future generations to enjoy.

Roadside parking for the trailhead is coming up on the left. There are vault toilets across from the trailhead.

Crescent Beach, located just south of Crescent City, is a lovely three-mile stretch of sand with picnic areas and restrooms.

At the end of Enderts Beach Road is the Crescent Beach Overlook. This viewpoint offers spectacular views of Crescent Beach, Crescent City and Battery Point Lighthouse. It's a great place to watch for whales or come back for the sunset.

Park by the trailhead at the end of the road. Then, trek down to Enderts Beach–one of the park’s hidden gems with its dramatic cliffs and fascinating tidepools. The trail’s a moderate, 1.5-mile round-trip hike that ends with a short scramble down a big boulder. At low tide, you can get face to face with colorful starfish and anemones. However, if the tide’s up, you’ll wanna save this secluded beach for another time. And whenever you visit–pay close attention to the rising tide and keep alert for dangerous sneaker waves.

Conveniently located right off Hwy 101, The Trees of Mystery is a popular tourist attraction dedicated to the majesty of the coast redwoods. Meander along well-maintained interpretive trails, explore their museum of fascinating artifacts, walk on skybridges up in the redwood canopy and glide through the forest on a magical gondola ride that takes you above the tree tops. The popular tourist attraction is a bit spendy, but if you have the budget for a splurge, we highly recommend it!

The Klamath River Overlook is situated 600 feet above sea level and offers a stunning view of the point where the Klamath River meets the sea. For a closer view, you can hike down half a mile to a second viewpoint. It's an excellent place to watch for migrating whales or return to enjoy a sunset over the ocean.

Located in Klamath, the Yurok Country Visitor Center is a beautiful tribal interpretive center where you can learn more about Yurok history and culture, as well as pick up a few souvenirs.

Before the turn onto Coastal Drive, you’re gonna see what’s left of the old Douglas Memorial Bridge. Built in 1926, the bridge once spanned the Klamath River but was destroyed in the Christmas Flood of 1964. All that’s left are the iconic bear statues at each end. Over on Highway 101, the new bridge pays homage to the old one, with replicas of these original grizzly bear statues.

Located on the Coastal Drive, High Bluff Overlook is another fantastic place for whale watching or enjoying a sunset. The overlook features interpretive signs, picnic tables, grills, pit toilets and an expansive view of the coastline to the south. You'll also find a short trail leading to even more stunning views below.

During WWII, the Coast Guard built Radar Station B-71 along the Northern California coast near Klamath as an observation station. But instead of using camouflage to hide the buildings, the Coast Guard ingeniously disguised the radar station as a farm. Hiding in plain sight, the "farmhouse" and "barn" secretly housed a power building and operations building. The station was part of a network of 65 coastal stations stretching from Mexico to the Canadian border.

Located off the Newton B. Drury Parkway, the Corkscrew Tree is a unique example of a fairy ring or cathedral tree. These four redwoods sprouted from one parent tree, and as they grew, they twisted around each other to form one sinuous trunk.

Aptly named "Big Tree," this ginormous redwood is one of the oldest old-growth redwoods in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park! The giant is estimated to be around 1500 years old and over 300 feet tall. The tree is located off the Newton B. Drury Parkway and can be accessed by car via the wayside or by foot from the visitor center via the Karl Knapp Trail, Foothills Trail or Cathedral Trees Trail. The wayside features interpretive signs and restrooms and a short walking path to the giant tree. Don't miss this great photo opportunity!

Located on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, the Prairie Creek Visitor Center features park information, exhibits, a bookstore, camp sites, restrooms and picnic area. There are a few trails that begin near the center including the short and accessible Revelation Trail as well as the popular Karl Knapp, Foothills and Cathedral Trees Trails. The historic building was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

The scenic Karl Knapp/Foothill/Cathedral Trees Loop Trail begins at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center and follows Prairie Creek north. About a mile in, take the spur trail on the right and follow signs to the "Big Tree." Cross the parkway then follow the Foothill Trail south to the Big Tree Wayside. From the wayside, you can choose the shorter Foothill Trail or the longer Cathedral Trees Trail back to the visitor center to complete the 2- to 3-mile loop.

The Elk Meadow Picnic Area features restrooms, picnic tables and trails. If you are lucky, you may even spot elk in the fields! If you do, remember to keep a safe distance (at least 50 yards) when viewing them.

The Trillium Falls hike is a nice option. It’s an easy, one-mile round trip walk to a small, picturesque waterfall through peaceful old-growth forests. If you brought bikes, this area also has several paved trails.

The name Gold Bluffs Beach came from actual gold found in the sand! The glittering sand was discovered in 1850. Although many tried mining here at Gold Bluffs Beach–few were successful. The gold was so fine–extracting and separating it from the sand turned out to be extremely costly and time-consuming.

A short walk will take you to the entrance of this primeval-looking world where scenes from Jurassic Park: The Lost World were filmed. You can hike through the canyon and then return through the forest on the loop trail. Or you can meander through the canyon both ways. It’s about a mile either way.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove features a family-friendly loop trail that winds through the forest and showcases a variety of ferns, colorful rhododendrons, and more tall trees.

The grove is named after Lady Bird Johnson–the wife of former President Lyndon B. Johnson. The first lady championed the creation of a national park to protect the redwoods. Thanks in part to her efforts, Congress created Redwood National Park in 1968. In 1969, President Nixon dedicated this grove to Mrs. Johnson. The grove commemorates this special lady who left the world a more beautiful place.

Redwood Creek Overlook is located past Lady Bird Johnson Grove up in the Bald Hills. The scenic overlook stands 2,100 feet, or 640 meters above sea level. From that vantage point, you can see sweeping views of redwood forests and the sparkling Pacific Ocean in the distance. It’s an incredible spot to watch the sunset or gaze at the stars.

The Thomas Kuchel Visitor Center is the main visitor center for Redwood National Park and features exhibits, park information, a park store and restrooms. Behind the center, you’ll find trails to the beach. It’s another amazing place to look for whales or watch the sunset.