Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center

Begin your adventure at the southern gateway to Redwood National and State Parks. Before hitting the road, explore exhibits on redwood ecology and Roosevelt elk, speak with park rangers, and enjoy a short walk to the Pacific shoreline. It's the perfect introduction to the landscapes and wildlife you'll encounter throughout the journey.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove

This peaceful old-growth grove honors First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, whose conservation efforts helped make Redwood National Park a reality. A relatively easy forest loop leads visitors beneath towering redwoods often wrapped in cool coastal fog, creating one of the park's most tranquil experiences. The grove also marks the site where President Richard Nixon formally dedicated the park in 1969.

Redwood Creek Trail

Follow a gentle trail through maple forests and elk meadows before reaching the gravel banks of Redwood Creek. The mostly flat hike offers opportunities to spot wildlife, admire towering redwoods, and experience one of the park's quieter corners away from the highway.

Roosevelt Elk at Elk Prairie

One of the tour's unforgettable wildlife encounters comes at Elk Prairie, where North America's largest elk subspecies frequently grazes in open meadows beside the forest. These magnificent animals have become one of the park's greatest conservation success stories, and early morning or evening often provides the best viewing opportunities.

Fern Canyon

One of the most extraordinary things to do in Redwood National Park, Fern Canyon transports visitors into a narrow gorge where towering walls are draped in lush living ferns. Tiny springs nourish the canyon year-round, creating an environment so ancient in appearance that Steven Spielberg selected it as a filming location for The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Reservations are required during the busy season, making advance planning worthwhile for this unforgettable stop.

Hyperion — The World's Tallest Known Tree

Somewhere within these forests stands Hyperion, the tallest known living tree on Earth. While its exact location remains protected to preserve the surrounding ecosystem, the story behind this record-breaking redwood highlights the importance of conservation and responsible visitation throughout the park. Visitors learn why protecting these ancient giants sometimes means leaving them undiscovered.

Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway

Leave US-101 behind and enjoy one of the most scenic drives in Northern California. This ten-mile parkway winds beneath an uninterrupted canopy of ancient coastal redwoods, offering a peaceful alternative to the highway with trailheads, wildlife viewing opportunities, and towering forests around nearly every bend. Named after former National Park Service Director Newton B. Drury, the route celebrates decades of redwood conservation.

Prairie Creek Visitor Center

Located along the scenic parkway, Prairie Creek Visitor Center is an excellent place to pause your journey. Here you'll find knowledgeable park rangers, exhibits on Roosevelt elk and Yurok history, trail maps, and restrooms before continuing deeper into the redwood forest. It also serves as a gateway to several of the park's most popular trails.

Big Tree Wayside

A short, paved, wheelchair-accessible path leads to one of the park's most impressive ancient redwoods. Estimated to be around 1,500 years old and nearly 290 feet tall, Big Tree offers visitors the chance to stand beside a living monument that has witnessed centuries of history. A viewing platform protects its delicate root system while providing an unforgettable perspective beneath its enormous trunk.

Corkscrew Tree

One of the forest's most unusual natural wonders, the Corkscrew Tree is actually four separate redwoods that gradually fused together over centuries. From a distance, their trunks appear to spiral into a single twisting column, showcasing the remarkable ways these ancient trees adapt and grow together over time. It's a quick stop with a truly unique reward for observant visitors.