Giant redwoods, ferns and elk on the California coast
Redwood National and State Parks, CA
- Who it suits
- Families with little kids, families with teens, couples and friends
- How long
- 5 or 7 days
- Getting there
- Fly
- Seasons
- Spring, Summer, Fall
Why it works
- Redwood National and State Parks protect some of the world's tallest trees, coast redwoods that are often more than 300 feet tall.
- The Trillium Falls Trail is an easy, family friendly 2½-mile loop through old-growth redwoods and past a small waterfall.
- Fern Canyon is famous for its 30-foot fern-covered walls, and a day-use reservation is required for it from May 15th to September 15th.
- Seven elk herds call the parks home, in areas such as Elk Meadow, Gold Bluffs Beach and the Bald Hills.
Watch out for
- Winter brings heavy rain to the coast, and storms can close roads and trails such as Davison Road to Fern Canyon, so check the park's current conditions page before you go.
- Elk can be aggressive during calving season, late May through June, and the fall rut, late August through October, and the recommended viewing distance is 25 yards.
Sources
- Redwood National and State Parks protect some of the world's tallest trees, coast redwoods that are often more than 300 feet tall. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- The Trillium Falls Trail is an easy, family friendly 2½-mile loop through old-growth redwoods and past a small waterfall. source 1 · source 2 (checked 2026-11-14)
- Fern Canyon is famous for its 30-foot fern-covered walls, and a day-use reservation is required for it from May 15th to September 15th. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- Seven elk herds call the parks home, in areas such as Elk Meadow, Gold Bluffs Beach and the Bald Hills. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- Winter brings heavy rain to the coast, and storms can close roads and trails such as Davison Road to Fern Canyon, so check the park's current conditions page before you go. source 1 · source 2 (checked 2026-11-14)
- Elk can be aggressive during calving season, late May through June, and the fall rut, late August through October, and the recommended viewing distance is 25 yards. source (checked 2026-11-14)