Towering old-growth redwoods, fern-draped canyons, windswept beaches, and evenings around the campfire make Northern California’s redwood coast feel like a world of its own.
Base your weekend at Elk Prairie Campground in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and you can move from some of the tallest trees on Earth to the Pacific coast without spending half the trip in the car. The campground sits near the southern end of the 10-mile Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, with hiking trails, wildlife viewing, Fern Canyon, and Gold Bluffs Beach all within easy reach.
Here’s how to make the most of two days among the redwoods.
Day 1: Giant Redwoods & a Pacific Sunset
Morning
If you’re approaching from the south, start the day with breakfast in Trinidad before heading toward Prairie Creek.
Beachcomber Café serves an all-day brunch menu with breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast, chilaquiles, and other hearty morning options.
From Trinidad, continue north toward Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and begin exploring before campground check-in.
Your first adventure is the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, a 10-mile drive that cuts through the heart of the old-growth forest. The paved road parallels Highway 101 but feels worlds away, winding beneath massive redwoods with frequent pullouts and trailheads along the way.
Stop at Big Tree Wayside for one of the easiest introductions to the park’s giants. The namesake redwood is estimated to be more than 1,500 years old and sits just a short walk from the parking area. If you have a little more time, add the nearby Circle Trail for an easy half-mile loop through old-growth forest.
Then make your way toward the Prairie Creek Visitor Center for maps, current trail conditions, and ranger recommendations before heading out on foot.
For a longer walk, the Karl Knapp and Foothill Trail Loop makes an excellent introduction to the forest. The roughly 2.5-mile route follows Prairie Creek beneath towering redwoods and incorporates a short stretch of Cathedral Trees Trail before looping back toward the visitor center.
Afternoon
Check into Elk Prairie Campground after the official 2 p.m. check-in time and set up your home beneath the redwoods.
The campground sits beside the open prairie that gives it its name, where Roosevelt elk are frequently seen grazing. Watch from a respectful distance and never approach or attempt to feed them.
Once camp is set, slow things down for a while. Walk one of the nearby trails, relax beneath the canopy, or simply enjoy the fact that your campsite is surrounded by some of the most impressive forest scenery in California.
If hunger hits before your evening outing, a picnic lunch at camp keeps the afternoon easy. You can also stop for lunch in Trinidad earlier in the day, with The Lighthouse Grill or Trinidad Bay Eatery & Gallery making convenient coastal options.
Evening
Trade redwoods for ocean views and head toward the coast for sunset.
Trinidad State Beach combines broad Pacific views with rocky offshore stacks and a rugged North Coast setting.
For a little more exploring, continue to Sue-meg State Park, where coastal trails and overlooks provide sweeping views of the Pacific.
After sunset, choose between dinner out or a classic campground evening.
For a special dinner, Larrupin’ Café in Trinidad serves an eclectic menu that includes fresh fish, steaks, barbecue, seafood, and other substantial entrées in a cozy North Coast setting.
Or head back to Elk Prairie and cook dinner around camp.
Campfires are allowed only in established fire rings or camp stoves and may be restricted during periods of high fire danger, so always check current rules before lighting one. Firewood should be purchased rather than gathered inside the park.
Then settle in beneath the trees, listen for owls, and keep an eye on the open sky above the campground before calling it a night.
Day 2: Fern Canyon & Gold Bluffs Beach
Morning
Wake early and check the prairie for Roosevelt elk before breakfast. Morning is a great time for wildlife viewing, but keep plenty of space between yourself and the herd.
Make coffee and breakfast at camp, then pack a picnic lunch before heading toward one of the park’s most famous landscapes.
Your destination is Fern Canyon, where sheer canyon walls rise around a narrow creek beneath curtains of ferns. The loop itself is less than a mile, but expect water, slippery footing, fallen logs, and plenty of opportunities to get your boots wet.
The drive there is part of the adventure.
Davison Road is an approximately eight-mile, mostly gravel route leading to the Gold Bluffs Beach area. The road is narrow and includes two stream crossings. Vehicles are limited to 24 feet long and 8 feet wide, and trailers are prohibited. Check current park conditions before heading out, especially after heavy rain.
Afternoon
After hiking Fern Canyon, make the short trip to Gold Bluffs Beach.
Spread out your picnic and enjoy a completely different side of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, where forested bluffs give way to a broad, windswept Pacific shoreline.
The Gold Bluffs Beach day-use area has picnic spots, beach access, and plenty of room for a leisurely walk along the sand.
If you still have energy, extend the afternoon with a section of the Coastal Trail or return toward Elk Prairie for another short forest walk.
Know Before You Go: Fern Canyon Reservations
Vehicle reservations are required for the Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon day-use area from May 15 through September 15.
If you are currently camping at Elk Prairie Campground, you do not need a separate day-use reservation, but you must show your current campsite or campground tag at the entrance station.
Visitors arriving outside those dates do not need the seasonal vehicle reservation, but park fees and access rules still apply.
Evening: One Last Redwood Road Trip
After returning from Fern Canyon and packing up camp, make your final few hours depend on which direction you’re heading.
Heading North
Stop at the Klamath River Overlook, perched high above the mouth of the Klamath River. The viewpoint is especially worthwhile during gray whale migration, but seals, sea lions, seabirds, and sweeping Pacific views can make it a rewarding stop at any time of year.
If you have extra time, continue to Trees of Mystery near Klamath. The longtime roadside attraction combines walking trails through redwoods with its SkyTrail gondola, which rises above the forest canopy for views across the surrounding mountains and Pacific coast.
Continue to Crescent City and finish the trip with dinner at SeaQuake Brewing before heading home.
Heading South
Return toward Trinidad and Eureka for one last stretch of North Coast scenery.
Stop for dinner at Lost Coast Brewery & Café on Fourth Street in Eureka, a relaxed option for travelers heading south before continuing toward Humboldt Bay and Highway 101.
Best Time to Camp Among the Redwoods
Spring
Expect intensely green forests, rushing creeks, wildflowers, and fewer crowds. Rain is still common, so waterproof gear is essential.
Summer
Long daylight hours make summer especially convenient for hiking and camping, but don’t expect constant sunshine. Coastal fog and cool temperatures are common even during the warmest months.
Fall
Fewer crowds and generally comfortable hiking conditions make fall an excellent time to visit. September can still be busy around Fern Canyon, while later fall brings cooler temperatures and increasing chances of rain.
Winter
Winter brings foggy forests, dramatic ocean conditions, and a much quieter park experience. It is also the wettest season, so expect muddy trails, storms, changing road conditions, and possible seasonal closures.
What to Pack
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Warm layers
- Rain jacket
- Headlamp or lantern
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing
- Picnic supplies
- Reusable water bottles
- Camp cooking equipment
- Firewood purchased outside the park or from authorized sellers
- Dry socks for Fern Canyon
- Offline maps or a printed park map, since cell service can be limited
