Is Redwood National Park Worth Visiting?

Is Redwood National Park Worth Visiting? Our Family’s Journey Through America’s National Parks: Expert Tips & Trusted Insights

Is Redwood National Park worth visiting on your California vacation? While driving up the California coast, should you continue north on US-101? Should you make a trip just to see these majestic trees? 100% absolutely yes! Redwoods are known for being tall, but until you get the chance to stand next to one, you really have no idea. Our family’s adventure to Redwood National and State Parks was in the fall of 2024 on our quest to visit every National Park and I have never said “wow” as many times as I did that week. But is standing next to one actually worth visiting? And what else do the National and State Parks have to offer? Read on as we answer, “Is Redwood National Park Worth Visiting?”

As an experienced family of National Park explorers, we’ve spent years uncovering the best trails, hidden gems, and tips for adventuring with kids. Our firsthand knowledge ensures you can confidently plan your next trip!

What is so special about Redwood National and State Parks that makes Redwood National Park worth visiting?

Have you ever felt like you were back in time, like a dinosaur might peek its head around the corner at any moment? Have you ever not been able to see the tops of the trees when you look up, drive by elk casually munching away, or witnessed the mist slowly roll in on the coast while you’re watching the waves crash against tide pools? Have you ever stood in awe of something that pictures just don’t do justice? That’s why these parks are worth visiting. There is something for everyone here. Just interested in driving through? There’s a scenic drive for that. Seeing wildlife is your thing? They’ve got that too. Stopping to bathe in the silence surrounded by 2000-year-old trees towering in the sky? That was my favorite part.

How long do you need to spend in the redwoods?

A trip through Redwood National Park can be as quick as 2 hours to a leisurely week. We spent 4 days and felt like we were able to take in each part without being rushed. Is it worth visiting if you only have a day? Definitely. Find our 4 day itinerary here with ideas to make it quicker or extend to your liking. Any length of trip will make Redwood National Park worth visiting.

When should you visit?

We always strive to make the most of our trips and often this relies on timing. There really is no bad time to make Redwood National Park worth visiting. Temperatures are relatively consistent and mild. Lows are in the mid 40s in the winter and mid 60s in the summer.

When we visited Redwoods, we wanted good weather for hiking without having to be bundled up but also wanted to have the opportunity to enjoy these forests without many around. Fall was perfect for that and definitely contributed to making our trip worth visiting. We were lucky to miss out on any rain even though we were in the transition period of dry to rainy season. If swimming and enjoying a warm beach is more your style, I’d visit during the summer, but be ready for crowds. You’ll need to get up early to enjoy a hiking trail on your own. Winter and spring offer a lot of the same experiences as the fall, just at cooler temperatures, averaging in the 50s, but expect more rain as they tend to get about 10-12” per month. In the winter, you might find some snow.

Regardless of when you go, be ready for a variety of temperatures and possibility of rain! Pack layers, lightweight gloves for chilly morning, rain gear, and water shoes.

How do you get to and get around the Redwoods?

First off, to make Redwood National Park worth visiting, you will need a vehicle to get around in the Redwoods. The size of your vehicle depends on how adventurous you’d like to get. There are many RVs, but some of the roads are narrow, have sharp turns, or big potholes. If you stay on the main roads, you won’t struggle with a longer vehicle.

If you’re flying in, the major surrounding airports are San Francisco, Sacramento, and Portland. These are all about 6 hours away, so it’s worth taking a look at Redding and California Redwood Coast-Humboldt Airport in Eureka, too. Sometimes cost may be slightly higher to fly into the regional airports, but not having to drive far allows for more time in the park. Eureka is the closest airport to the actual park, just on the south side.

If you’re driving in, there are 3 main highways:

• From the east: CA-299 E
• From the south: US-101 S
• From the north: 1-5 N

We drove in from Lassen Volcanic via CA-36 E because we started our Redwood Adventure down at the Avenue of the Giants. Little did we know, while it is an amazing scenic drive, it requires 100% focus from the driver. There are 1,811 curves in just 140 miles! Combine this with an uneven road surface filled with potholes, blind curves, sheer drop-offs with no guardrails, and very limited cell service for a sphincter clinching experience. That being said, if this doesn’t sound exciting to you, it’s worth driving a little out of the way to avoid it.

We made a stop at the famous Dinsmore Store for snacks and a restroom break (only porta-potties available!). You can get a mixture of everything there – groceries, alcohol, housewares, a whole room of gardening and hardware, and even a laundromat. The highlight that made it worth the stop was all the “I survived Hwy 36” goodies.

Which part of the Redwoods is the best to visit?

One thing that really confused me when I first started planning our trip to Redwood NP was all the state parks lumped in with the national park. While Redwood National Park was founded in 1968, later in 1994, Redwood National Park partnered with the three adjacent state parks, Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek so that a large portion of the world’s remaining old-growth redwoods would be managed together. This allows more resources to be channeled to this amazing area. And while Humboldt Redwoods State Park isn’t a part of the Redwood State and National Park, it is just south of there, so we made our trip worth it by visiting there too.

For our full itinerary, click here.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Humboldt Redwoods SP is the 3^rd largest California state park with over 53,000 acres including 17,000 acres of old-growth coast redwoods. Here you’ll find Rockefeller Forest, the largest contiguous old growth forest in the world. In this park, you can cruise a scenic drive, camp, hike, bike, kayak, swim, or horseback ride year-round. There is no admission fee for this park, but there are camping fees if is one of your plans.

As I mentioned, we started in Humboldt Redwoods SP on the Avenue of the Giants. This is a beautiful 32-mile scenic drive with massive trees lining both sides. Roll the windows down and soak it in! Take a moment to stop at some of the pull outs.

We also took a walk through The Founders’ Grove Nature Trail to see the fallen 362-foot Dyerville Giant. At just 0.5 miles, this was a quick chance to get an idea of just how tall these trees really are by walking along a fallen tree.

From there, we headed to the Visitor Center along the Avenue of the Giants to grab our passport stamp and pick up a sticker. This Visitor Center also had a lot of interesting displays and exhibits that the kids really loved.

From the visitor center, you could cross the road to a small old-growth grove featuring 300-foot trees and take the Gould Grove Nature Trail. This 0.7-mile trail may not have the tallest trees, but it is an easy chance to sit and enjoy the forest.

If you’re looking for another short trail on your way north towards the national park, take Bull Creek Flats Road and follow it to Rockefeller Loop Trail. This trail is just 0.6 miles, but quieter than the others as it is off the road a bit. Continue west on Bull Creek Flats to The Big Trees area where you can see Giant Tree, which at one point was the biggest known coast redwood. Cross the seasonal footbridge to witness massive redwoods as you follow along Bull Creek.

For a longer trail, clocking in at 2.4 miles, the Drury-Chaney Loop is at the north end of Avenue of the Giants. Here you can see a thicker lush underbrush because of the cooler temperatures and fog.

If the weather is right for a dip in Eel River, before you head to Founders Grove, go 3 miles north of the Visitor Center on Avenue of the Giants and turn west to see the Federation of Women’s Clubs Hearthstone and access the swimming hole right there. Sometimes there is a footbridge connecting this day use area to Rockefeller Loop Trail, adding on just a bit more adventure to make your trip to see these Redwoods worth it!

From Humboldt Redwoods SP, head north along Hwy 101 to Redwood National Park.

Redwood National Park

Redwood NP is at the southern edge of the system. There are no fees to visit any of the parks in this system, but there are some day-use areas with fees/permits and four campgrounds that require a fee and reservation. Here you will find the tallest tree in the world in the Tall Trees Grove, Lady Bird Johnson Grove, and Trillium Falls.

Just south of Orick is one of two Redwood National and State Park signs if you have a tradition of taking a picture with the sign like we do. (The other sign is just south of Crescent City on the north side.)

After taking your picture, stop at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center located right on the beach. Here you can get your usuals with a passport stamp, souvenirs, park info, and advice from friendly rangers.

While in Redwood National Park, take the opportunity to hike Tall Trees Grove. Like I said, this hike requires a free permit. This is to limit the number of people who visit daily. Within the grove is Hyperion, the tallest tree in the world. It is no longer marked because people were trampling the ferns surrounding the base to take pictures, resulting in permanent damage. We implore you to NOT try to find it, so you don’t contribute to further destruction. Also, you can be fined if you are found off the trail. Half of the fun was looking up at every tree wondering if this was the one! This hike is 4.5 miles round trip and considered moderately strenuous with an 800 foot drop in the first 1.5 miles. It’s not bad going down into the grove, but remember you have to come back up! Take your time and enjoy the sights while hiking back up. Expect a 4 hour time commitment. It takes about 1 hour to drive to the trailhead. There is a locked gate that you’ll receive a code to the day before. The hike itself took us 2 hours and 45 minutes with plenty of stops because we still have little legs in our party. This was one of our favorite hikes! If you only do one hike the whole time you are here, this is the one. This hike makes your whole trip to Redwood National Park worth visiting! Click here for more logistical information and the link for reservations.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove is nearby and worth a visit. This is an easy 1.6-mile round trip hike, which after Tall Trees feels like a cake walk! Along the way, you learn about the history of Redwood National Park and how Lady Bird Johnson was an instrumental player in creating this national park. Use the NPS app for a guided tour as you walk along.

Waterfalls are always a favorite of my family’s, and Trillium Falls did not disappoint! The whole loop trail is a moderate 2.7 miles and takes about 2 hours, but if you’d like to cut some of it out, go right at the fork. About 0.5 miles up that trail is the falls. We took this path and then turned back as we had done several longer hikes at that point. It took us just about 40 minutes there and back.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

The next park heading north is Prairie Creek Redwoods SP, and it is definitely worth visiting! This park not only has old-growth redwoods, but also beautiful prairies with Roosevelt Elk, 10 miles of beach at Gold Bluffs, and the breathtaking Fern Canyon.

The Prairie Creek Visitor Center is at the Elk Prairie Campground. Stop here to get another passport stamp and other souvenirs. For more information about our camping experience there, check out this post.

Right there at the visitor center is Elk Meadows. This area is absolutely beautiful, especially in the morning. There are often Roosevelt Elk casually grazing along the road, but this area can become full! Remember to observe all wildlife from a safe distance. Don’t approach them as you could easily get hurt.

The highlight of Prairie Creek for us was Fern Canyon. This 1.1 mile round trip hike is quite easy, but very adventurous! The walls are lined in ferns, making it feel like you are stepping back in time. Clearly Steven Spielberg had similar thoughts because parts of The Lost World: Jurassic Park were filmed here! As you walk along the creek, keep an eye out for a dinosaur or two, or maybe more realistically a banana slug. These big gastropods are an integral part of the Redwood ecosystem and often found in this canyon. To help you cross the creek, there are seasonal footbridges, but if you visit during off season, expect to get your feet wet! Part of the adventure was balancing on down logs and rocks, which my kids loved! Definitely worth a visit! Getting there is an adventure in and of itself. The dirt road is narrow, windy, and full of potholes. Vehicles over 24 feet aren’t permitted, and I don’t think I’d want to try it anyway! Of note, from May 1^st to September 30^th, a permit is required for entry and there is a $12 cash fee for access. Good news, your The America the Beautiful Pass, state passes, and campground reservation all cover this fee.

After a morning at Fern Canyon, stop at Gold Bluffs Beach. This is an amazing campground (one of our favorites!), but there is also a day use area that is covered by the fee you paid for Fern Canyon. This beach is the picturesque northern California beach with cliff and mountains in the background. Every day we were there, the sea lions were playing in the surf and whales feeding a bit further out. If you stay long enough, you can watch the fog roll in. This area alone makes Redwood National Park worth visiting.

If you haven’t had your fill of adventure, or can’t get a Fern Canyon permit, check out Miner’s Ridge and James Irvine Trail Loop. This 12.1 mile loop hike starts at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, goes down through Fern Canyon via James Irvine Trail, traces Gold Bluffs Beach and returns back to the visitor center by way of Miners’ Ridge Trail. Considered moderate to strenuous due to length, plan for 5-6 hours on the trail, so bring plenty of food and water.

If cruising along is more your style, take the Newton B Drury Parkway. This 10 mile scenic drive goes directly through Prairie Creek SP. It takes about 30 minutes and allows you to take in the sites of an old-growth forest right from the comfort of your vehicle. The first Saturday of the month from October to May is “Hike and Bike Day”, meaning you can meander along this Parkway at your own pace. Make note of this if you are traveling here on the weekend!

Del Norte Redwoods State Park

Continuing north along Hwy 101 is Del Norte Redwoods SP. Here you’ll find more coastal redwoods, but also multiple beaches and overlooks. Tide pooling in this SP was our favorite. If you talk to the kids, getting to see the starfish, sea anemones, cool redwood drift wood, and Dad almost get crashed into by a big wave made the whole trip worth it!

There’s no visitor center exactly in Del Norte, but there is an information center in Crescent City along with one of the other Redwood National and State Parks signs just south of town. Both are worth a stop after you finish up in Del Norte.

As your leaving the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and entering back on Hwy 101, you’ll come to High Bluff Overlook and then Klamath River Overlook shortly thereafter. High Bluff Overlook lets you see that quintessential rocky coastline, but the road is steep – not ideal for long RVs. Klamath River Overlook has a nice picnic area and overlooks the mouth of Klamath River.

Just north of Klamath River Overlook is the 1.7 mile out and back Hidden Beach Trail. This is a moderate hike along the coast to a beach that is truly hidden behind the brush. If you’d like to make it a longer hike, you can take the Yurok loop along the Coastal Trail for 4 miles. This loop can be started at the overlook.

Farther up the road is Damnation Creek Trail. This one was on our to-do list, but we decided to skip it in favor of Enderts Beach at low tide (more to come!). At 3.4 miles, this moderate hike starts in the redwood forest and ends on the beach! For something a little more adventurous, this is where I would stop!

We opted to keep heading north to make it to Enderts Beach at low tide. Turn west onto Enderts Beach Road to first reach the Crescent Beach Overlook where you can take in a gorgeous view of Crescent Beach and Crescent City. Keep heading down the road to reach Enderts Beach. At just 0.5 miles to the beach, it’s a quick walk down to a spectacular view. Keep an eye out for a spur trail to the right about 1/3 of a mile in. At the bottom of the trailhead, you can turn right, which will take you up a rocky beach with the iconic large rocks in the water. Or, you can turn left and walk under an arch. Keep going all the way down to reach amazing tide pools. Here we saw starfish clinging to the rocks despite the waves, anemones lining all the crevasses, and scurrying hermit crabs. There is another archway here that you can cross to get to another beach, but be careful. As the tide comes back in, this could easily become dangerous. Like I said, this beach is best at low tide, so time your trip out. We spent a total of 2 hours there with plenty of time for exploring.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Next up the road is Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP. This park is more inland compared to the other parks. It includes Smith River, which is California’s longest major free-flowing river. Jedediah Smith SP is also known for its beautiful ancient trees.

Nine miles east of Crescent City, you’ll come to Hiouchi Visitor Center. This Visitor Center is open year-round, but the one at Jedediah Smith campground is only open in the summer. Both offer another passport stamp and the typical souvenirs. We stayed at the Jedediah Smith campground right along the river. It was beautiful and peaceful. I go into full detail here. If you’re not interested in camping, you can still visit the Day-Use area. There is a fee.

The first hike along Hwy 199 is Simpson-Reed Grove. This is a 0.8 mile easy loop with a lot of tall trees, downed trees with exposed roots, and beautiful ferns. I will say, this area was kind of a disappointment because of the amount of graffiti on the trees and evidence of people climbing all over the trees. This is a good reminder to leave no trace. This is really the only area we came across this in such abundance. If you are looking to cut any hike out, this would probably be my recommendation.

Next drive along the Smith River on your way to the Howland Hill Road. Smith River is legitimately one of the most beautiful rivers I have ever seen. You can go kayaking and rafting down the river, but since we were there in October, trips weren’t running. If you are there in the summer, I highly recommend it and let me know how it goes! This river is also known for the best fishing in the state as the top destination for trophy salmon and Steelhead. The California record Steelhead at 27 pounds came from Smith River! Worth a visit if you want to cast your line!

Howland Hill Road is another 10 mile scenic drive that is absolutely gorgeous. This dirt road is narrow, but as a result you are up close and personal with tall redwoods on either side of the road. Follow this road to Stout Grove, Grove of Titans, and Boy Scout Tree.

Our favorite hike in this area was Stout Grove. At just 0.5 miles, it was short and easy. There is a steep hill down into the grove at the beginning that you do have to climb back up, but this hike is definitely worth visiting! The trees are gigantic and the understory is clear, so there is plenty of space between trees. Stop along the way, look up, and take it all in.

Grove of Titans is another old-growth redwood grove along Howland Hill Rd. This 1.7-mile hike is a little more of a moderate challenge and takes about 1 hour to complete. Here you’ll find massive trees including the Lost Monarch which is the largest single-trunk tree in the Grove of Titans and currently the 5^th largest by volume in the world.

Last on Howland Hill Rd is Boy Scout Tree. This is another hike that we missed out on, mainly because at this point we had hiked a total of 25 miles for this trip and we were tired! But I am very sad that we missed it. At the end of the out and back trail is Fern Falls, one of two waterfalls in Redwood. You can also see Boy Scout Tree, which is one of the largest trees in the area. This is considered a more strenuous hike at 5.5 miles total taking about 3 to 4 hours.

Itinerary

If this is all overwhelming, and you’re like, just give me an itinerary to follow, click here. This is the itinerary we followed during our trip, starting in the south. It allowed for plenty of time for enjoying the forest, hiking, and relaxing. You’ll definitely want to have a plan before you head out to make visiting Redwood National Park worth it!

Where should you stay?

The Redwood National and State parks are spread out, spanning about 85 miles, and as you can see, there is a lot to do. To really experience the whole area without several hours in the car each day, staying in a couple of different places will leave you more time for enjoying this magical place.

For this trip, we decided to try out van life for the first time! We rented a 19’ van from Outdoorsy.com. This was a wonderful opportunity to fully enjoy the different areas of the park and we can’t say enough about our van hosts, Jess and Kirk. We stayed at several campgrounds: Elk Prairie, Gold Bluff Beach, and Jedidiah. For a full review of these campgrounds, other options within the parks, and our first adventure in van camping, check out this post. If you’re interested in camping too, make sure you get your reservations early by going to reservecalifornia.com.

If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, there are several cities both at the north and south of the park with hotels and rentals. In the north, Crescent City is a good hub for Jedediah Smith SP and Del Norte Coast SP. Down south, Trinidad, Arcata, and Eureka offer great access to Prairie Creek SP, Redwood NP, and Humboldt SP as an added bonus. Check out booking.com or vrbo.com for a wide variety of accommodations depending on your budget and needs.

What should you pack?

There are so many activities that you can do while visiting Redwood NP & SP and the weather can change quickly, so it’s important to be prepared.

Specifically on a trip to Redwood, pack layers as it is often cool in the morning and evening but heats up during the day. Each day, we started with a t-shirt and a sweater. We were there in the fall, so we stuck to hiking pants or leggings each day. We also brought swimsuits for the beach, water shoes for Fern Canyon, rain jackets, lightweight gloves, and beanies. Besides the usual hiking gear, we also brought quick dry towels so we could dry off our feet after changing out of water shoes and our homemade “powder ball” that we bring along for any beach trip. This handy thing dries off your feet and allows you to dust off the sand before putting your socks and shoes back on. To make one yourself, lay out a square of cotton fabric (we just cut up an old t-shirt), dump 1-2 cups of baby powder in the center, gather the edges, and secure. We tie it with ribbon so we can easily refill, but you could use a rubber band as well. Trust me, this is life changing!

Leave No Trace

I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you to leave no trace while in the National Parks and nature in general. We’re passionate about preserving the beauty of the outdoors for future generations. Follow the Leave No Trace principles:

• Pack out all trash. This includes toilet paper and biodegradable things you might not think of, like orange peels.
• Stay on designated trails.
• Respect wildlife.
• Leave nature as you found it.

Together, we can protect these incredible spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Tips to Make Redwood National Park Worth Visiting

• Redwood National and State Parks are open year-round and there are no park entrance fees. There are Day-Use Area fees for Jedediah Smith, Gold Bluffs Beach/Fern Canyon Trailhead, and Elk Prairie Picnic Area. These can be paid on site by cash, check, or Yodel App.
  • Federal passes, like The America the Beautiful Pass, and California State Park passes cover these fees.
• Reservations are required for Fern Canyon Trailhead (May – September), Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use (May – September), and Tall Trees Trailhead (year-round).
• Cell service is spotty throughout the park. Download all maps before you reach the park. We also recommend a GPS app while hiking. We particularly like Gaia.
• Traffic in the park is variable during the year. Expect some waits in the summer.
• Be prepared for damp weather! The fog rolls in quickly and the area gets a lot of rain! Have your rain gear handy.
• There is no lodging or restaurants within park boundaries. Bring plenty of food and snacks to last you for your time within the park. For lodging recommendations, check out the Where to Stay section.
• There are 4 campgrounds in the park: Jedediah Smith, Elk Prairie, Gold Bluffs Beach, and seasonal Mill Creek. Reservations are required at least 48 hours in advance and can be made up to 6 months in advance. There is a $35 fee for use with discounts for California pass holders. There are limits on RV and trailer lengths at each site, so double check before you book! For a full review of the three sites we stayed at, click here.

FAQ

• How is Redwood National Park different than Sequoia National Park?
  • First, what is the difference between the trees? They are related, but they have several differences but because of their unique habitats, they have evolved into distinct species. The redwood grows around the Pacific coast for about 450 miles along the coast and only 15 miles wide. The giant sequoia, meanwhile, is on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevadas for about 250 miles at 4000 – 8000 elevation. Notably, the giant sequoia is the largest tree in the world as far as volume in its trunk. The redwood is the tallest tree in the world.
  • So the difference between the two parks basically comes down to climate and habitat. Redwood National Park has the tallest trees in small groves along the Pacific Coast in a temperate rainforest. Sequoia National Park has the highest volume trees on the dry mountain side.
• What are the best hikes?
  • This is a loaded question! There are so many great hikes and it really depends on the type of hike you’re looking for. All of them have great opportunities to see redwoods up close.
  • For ADA accessible hikes, check out Revelation and Karl Knapp at Prairie Creek Visitor Center, the Circle on Newton B. Drury Parkway, and Simpson Reed in Jedediah Smith State Park.
  • For easy adventures that are great for kids, check out Lady Bird Johnson Grove and the waterfall portion of Trillium Falls in Redwood National Park, Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek, and Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith.
  • Looking for something a little longer? Tall Trees was one that made our trip to Redwood worth visiting! Add on the full Trillium Falls Trail, Karl Knapp, and Grove of Titans for some other moderately challenging hikes.
  • As far as more strenuous hikes go, check out the James Irvine Loop which will take you to Fern Canyon or Boy Scout Tree to see Fern Falls.
• How do you visit a beach?
  • Head to Del Norte State Park! There you can visit Crescent Beach, Enderts Beach, and Hidden Beach. In Prairie Creek State Park, you can visit Freshwater Beach just south of the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center or, our favorite, Gold Bluffs Beach.
• What wildlife can you see?
  • Roosevelt Elk are frequently seen throughout the park, specifically at Elk Prairie, Elk Meadow, Gold Bluffs Beach, Bald Hills Road, and Enderts Beach Road.
    • Remember that elk can be aggressive! Enjoy them from a distance of at least 75 feet. If they seem agitated, you’re too close!
    There are also black-tailed deer and beaver. Keep an eye out for mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats, and black bear!On the beach, you may see whales, dolphins, sea lions, and seals. In the tide pools, you’ll see sea stars, giant green anemones, sea slugs, starfish, and sea urchins.
  • Redwood is a great place for birding as well! There are more than 280 species including loons, ducks, seagulls, terns, pelicans, bald eagles, and herons among others.
• Is Redwood National Park pet-friendly?
  • Pets on a 6 foot leash are allowed at designated campgrounds, picnic areas, public roads, parking areas, and beaches with road access (Crescent, Gold Bluffs, and Freshwater beaches).
  • If you are looking for a walk through the redwoods with Fido, check out Walker Road and Cal Barrel Road.
• Bonus: What movies have been filmed in Redwood?
  • Gun Glory (1957) – On Tooby Ranch outside of Garberville
  • After Earth (2013) – In Burlington, Founders, Dyerville Giant, Bull Creek, and south fork of Eel River
  • The Gnome Mobile (1967) – along Avenue of the Giants and Blue Side Road
  • Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) – 100 Del Norte residents starred at Storm Chasers; Chetham Grove path in Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park; also in Jedediah Smith SP
  • The Majestic (2001) – In Ferndale
  • Outbreak (1955) – Throughout Humbolt County, main town shots in Ferndale
  • Salem’s Lot (1979) – Sequoia Park in Eureka and the Ferndale Cemetery
  • An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn (2018) – Bob’s Footlongs, the Eureka Inn, and Gas 4 Less in Arcata
  • A Death in Canaan (1978) – Humboldt County Jail, Ferndale, and Fortuna
  • Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) – former milk bottling plant in Loleta
  • Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes (2012) – Private property in Southern Humboldt and Sequoia Park in Eureka
  • A Wrinkle in Time (2018) – Sequoia Park and Trinidad, Patrick’s Point State Park, Eureka
  • The Immigrants (1978) – Eureka’s Old Town
  • The Wine of Summer (2013) – Eureka’s Old Town
  • Valley of the Giants (1919) – Arcata, Korbel, and Carson Mansion in Eurkea
  • Jennifer 8 (1992) – Trinidad Harbor, Jim Dunn’s Tavern in Old Town Eureka
  • The Love Witch (2016) – Arcata Plaza and Eureka
  • The Lass of the Lumberlands (1916) – Arcata and Eureka
  • Valley of the Redwoods (1960) – Arcata and Eureka
  • Willow Creek (2013) – in Willow Creek
  • Almost Heros (1998) – Trinidad, outside of Willow Creek on Trinity River
  • Woodstock (2017) – Blue Lake’s Logger Bar, Old Town Eureka, Arcata Plaza, and in Humboldt and Del Norte SPs
  • Humboldt County (2008) – Blue Lake, Eureka, College of the Redwoods, Arcata, Trinidad, Luffenholtz Beach
  • Jezebel’s Kiss (1990) – Mad River Community Hospital, Moonstone Beach, Trinidad Pier
  • Swiss Army Man (2016) – Agate Beach in Patrick’s Point SP, Houda Point and Humboldt Redwoods SP
  • The Big Trees (1952) – Orick and Humboldt SP
  • The Tree of Life (2011) – Grizzly Creek SP, Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek SP
  • The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) – Patrick’s Point SP, Fern Canyon
  • Last of The Mohicans (1936) – the Mohicans were played by 20 local Yurok tribe members; several rivers in Del Norte, mountains near Lake Earl in Crescent City
  • Dead Man (1995) – on the mouth of the Klamath River
  • Not a Moment Too Soon (1994) – Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent city
  • The Final Terror (1983) – Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith SP
  • Bird Box (2018) – Smith River
  • Love in the Time of Monsters (2014) – Patrick Creek Lodge, Trees of Mystery
  • E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – private property of Palmer Westbrook Ranches
  • Primal Rage (2016) – Palmer Westbrook Ranches

For a printable map with more info about the movies, visit this map of the movies.

Bottom Line: Is Redwood National Park Worth Visiting?

So, after reading all of that, do you think Redwood National Park is worth visiting? We definitely do! It is so worth visiting, I know we will be back again in the future! With so many areas of the park with different things to do and areas to see, there is something for everyone! You can cruise through without ever getting out of your vehicle, backpack along the coast, or anything in between and the Redwood National Park is absolutely worth visiting.