Redwood National Park and the tall trees of Crescent City
Published on 09/21/2026 at 07:20 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Redwood National Park on California’s far north coast is anchored by scale: giant coastal redwood trees rising from misty valleys, with the Pacific Ocean close at hand. The park forms the federal part of the wider Redwood National and State Parks complex in Del Norte and Humboldt counties, with Crescent City as the nearest city and administrative base.
A coast of ancient forests and ocean light
Redwood National Park lies along a strip of the northern California coast between Crescent City and the Redwood Creek watershed south of Orick, in Del Norte and Humboldt counties. The protected area brings together rugged coastal mountains, river valleys and a section of Pacific shoreline where forest meets open sea.California’s far north coast The wider cluster of Redwood National and State Parks spans roughly 50 miles of coastline, with park headquarters located in Crescent City.
The park’s defining feature is the coastal redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, a species that has existed for around 160 million years and now survives in significant stands only along the wet Pacific fringe of North America.coastal redwood forest In Redwood National Park these trees rise from dense understory and fern-filled gullies, particularly along valleys such as Redwood Creek, creating enclosed corridors of wood, leaf and filtered light. The forested slopes give way in places to open bluffs and beaches, where the Pacific surf underlines the park’s coastal character.
From legislation to World Heritage landscape
Redwood National Park was formally established on 2 October 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the act creating the park to preserve primeval coastal redwood forests, associated streams and seashores for public inspiration, enjoyment and scientific study.Act establishing Redwood National Park The protected area was expanded in March 1978, and in May 1994 the National Park Service and California Department of Parks and Recreation signed an agreement to manage Redwood National and State Parks cooperatively.cooperative management agreement in 1994
The combined Redwood National and State Parks – including Redwood National Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park – are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for preserving the largest remaining contiguous ancient coast redwood forest in their original forest and streamside settings.UNESCO World Heritage inscription This status highlights not only the exceptional height and age of many trees within the property, but also the rich intertidal, marine and freshwater habitats that weave between coastline and coastal mountains, from sea lions on offshore rocks to salmon and other species in shaded streams.
Exploring forests, rivers and shoreline
Visitors encounter Redwood National Park as a network of drives, trails and viewpoints linking forested hills, river corridors and ocean edges. The main block of the national park lands is centred around Orick, encompassing hills to the north and east of the town, the lower Prairie Creek valley and a section of Pacific coastline with beaches backed by forested slopes.main part of Redwood National Park Away from the road system, large tracts south along Redwood Creek are reached only on long trails and forest tracks, giving a sense of how extensive these protected woodlands are.
Within the broader Redwood National and State Parks, different sectors have distinct characters. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park protects dense stands of old-growth forest near the Smith River; Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park combines steep slopes and ocean views; Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is known for its blend of forest, open prairie and coastal scenery.Redwood National and State Parks complex Together with Redwood National Park they form a continuous protected landscape where tall trees, ferny canyons and surf-washed beaches sit within one connected system.
Visiting Redwood National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Redwood National Park and the wider Redwood National and State Parks extend along the northern California coast between Crescent City near the Oregon border and the Redwood Creek watershed south of Orick, with access by road from Crescent City and other nearby towns.
- The terrain includes forested hillsides, river valleys and Pacific shoreline; some areas are only reached on longer trails and unpaved forest tracks, so visits can involve extended walking on uneven ground.
- The parks lie in Humboldt and Del Norte counties in the United States; the official language is English and the currency is the US dollar.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Redwood National Park on social platforms
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Frequently asked questions about Redwood National Park
Where is Redwood National Park in relation to Crescent City?
Redwood National Park forms part of the Redwood National and State Parks along California’s northern coast, with Crescent City as the nearest city and site of park headquarters.
What can visitors expect when exploring Redwood National Park?
Visitors encounter tall coastal redwoods, fern-filled river valleys, forested hillsides and sections of Pacific shoreline, accessed by a mix of roads, trails and tracks.
What makes Redwood National Park distinctive among forest parks?
The park protects ancient coastal redwood forests containing some of the tallest and oldest known trees, integrated with marine and river habitats and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
