Redwood National Park: planning guide
Coast redwood forest in far northern California. Tall trees, fog, and state-park stretches mixed into the visit.
Redwood National Park is in CA, United States. The nearest town is McKinleyville — roughly 25 mi (40.2 km) out, about 55 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: May through October. Shoulder season: April and early November.
Winter brings cold, shorter days, and reduced services, though lower-elevation trails often stay walkable.
Peak summer weekends and autumn colour weekends fill parking lots early — arrive before mid-morning.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| McKinleyville | 25 mi (40.2 km) | 55 min |
| Arcata | 30.3 mi (48.7 km) | 1 hr 4 min |
| Willow Creek | 31.4 mi (50.6 km) | 1 hr 6 min |
| Bayside | 31.8 mi (51.2 km) | 1 hr 7 min |
| Bertsch-Oceanview | 32.3 mi (52 km) | 1 hr 8 min |
| Crescent City | 33.2 mi (53.4 km) | 1 hr 9 min |
| Eureka | 35.4 mi (57 km) | 1 hr 13 min |
| Happy Camp | 46.7 mi (75.2 km) | 1 hr 32 min |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Bluffs Beach Campground - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park | First-come, first-served | — |
| Jedediah Smith Campground - Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park | First-come, first-served | — |
Where Redwood National Park sits
Official Redwood National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park sits close enough to Lassen Volcanic National Park and Crater Lake National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | 142 mi (228 km) | 3 hr 48 min |
| Crater Lake National Park | 149 mi (240 km) | 3 hr 59 min |
Parks close by
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
A volcanic landscape in northern California with hot springs, cinder cones, and a plug-dome peak.
- Crater Lake National Park
A deep, clear lake in the collapsed caldera of an old volcano in Oregon. The rim road and overlooks are the usual visit.
- Yosemite National Park
A granite valley and high Sierra country in California. Waterfalls in spring; valley floors get crowded in summer.
- Pinnacles National Park
Volcanic rock spires and talus caves east of the Salinas Valley in California. Condors sometimes soar overhead.
Common questions
Where is Redwood National Park?
Redwood National Park sits in CA, United States. McKinleyville, about 25 mi (40.2 km) away — roughly 55 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Redwood National Park?
Generally May through October, with April and early November quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Redwood National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 2 campgrounds at Redwood National Park. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.