Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Magical. Spiritual. Whatever your creed, you will feel a swelling in your soul when you walk among these ancient, living monuments! My favorite trails and groves butted up to the Smith River, one of the clearest, cleanest rivers I've ever seen. Beautiful is an understatement.

I'm going to go out on a limb and declare Redwoods my favorite National Park. And I've been to a lot, including: Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Tetons... All the ones typically rated highest.

It's a bit difficult to plan a trip to Redwoods because there are no entrances or fees, and the national park is made up of numerous state parks. Most of the old growth groves are in state park areas and the national park encompasses surrounding areas that have mostly been logged. Don't wing it like I did. Buy yourself a book before you get there. But even winging it, we lucked out and found some amazing groves. We camped in the Mill Creek campground which is the coolest campground I've ever been in. I kept thinking dinosaurs were going to be around every corner.

Give yourself ample time because this park is huge.

In the picturesque town of Crescent City, California, there lived an adventurous German Shepherd named Los Mitchell. One sunny day, Los set out on an exciting adventure along the famous Carl’s Barrel Road. This trail, renowned for its stunning vistas and challenging paths, was a perfect playground for an energetic and curious dog like Los.

As Los trotted along the trail, his keen senses were delighted by the sights and sounds of nature. He encountered squirrels darting through the underbrush and birds singing in the trees. The wind rustled through his fur as he navigated the winding path, each twist and turn bringing new excitement.

Upon reaching a scenic overlook, Los paused to take in the breathtaking view of Crescent City below and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. He basked in the warm sunlight, feeling a sense of freedom and joy.

After his thrilling hike, Los headed to Crescent City Beach. The beach was a stark contrast to the rugged trail of Carl’s Barrel Road. Here, he playfully chased the waves and dug in the soft, golden sand, enjoying the different textures under his paws.

As the day turned to evening, Los strolled past the Chart Restaurant, a local favorite known for its friendly atmosphere and the delicious smells that wafted from its kitchen. Los, content with his day’s adventures, made his way home, his heart full of the day’s experiences.

Los Mitchell’s adventure along Carl’s Barrel Road and at Crescent City Beach was a testament to the joy and discovery that awaited in the natural world. It was a day that Los would always remember fondly.

After his exhilarating day exploring Carl’s Barrel Road and Crescent City Beach, Los, the adventurous German Shepherd, and his owner decided to stay at the Anchor Bay Motel. Known for its dog-friendly policies, the motel was the perfect choice for them. Los was welcomed with open arms, which made them both feel right at home. The motel provided a comfortable and relaxing environment, where Los could rest his paws after a day full of activities.

The next day, they set out to explore the famous Redwoods. These majestic trees, some of the tallest and oldest on Earth, provided a completely different atmosphere from the beach and the hiking trail. The parts of the Redwoods that were accessible to dogs were a wonderland for Los. He was fascinated by the towering trees and the myriad of scents that filled the air. The forest floor, covered in a carpet of ferns and fallen leaves, was soft under his paws, and the cool, fresh air was invigorating.

Los and his owner spent hours wandering through these ancient woods, feeling small under the immense canopy. The tranquility of the forest was a stark contrast to the lively beach and rugged hiking trail, offering them a chance to slow down and appreciate the quiet beauty of nature.

Their stay at the Anchor Bay Motel and the visit to the dog-friendly parts of the Redwoods were the perfect end to Los’s adventure in Crescent City. It was a trip filled with diverse experiences, from the thrill of hiking and playing on the beach to the peacefulness of the⬤

I could sit in these beautiful trees for days just admiring their beauty. They are huge and even more majestic in the fog. For a couple weeks in the spring, you can also catch the rhododendrons in bloom for a touch of pink color against the brown and green.

I stopped here to get information and maps about the park. There are hiking trails that start from the visitor center for all experience levels of hikers. We chose the nature trail for the amount of time we had and it didn't disappoint, lots of great views and photo opportunities. Great for all ages.

Vacancy sign said no but we drove down to site anywhere to verify. Luck was with us again this Memorial weekend and we got a spot. No electricity but did have coin operated showers and bear boxes at each site. Pretty little spot down in a ravine so out of wind. Huge banana slugs and snails so be careful where you step.:)

Omg ! Nothing but amazing things to say , first the the night guard was super friendly about helping us set up for the night . Gorgeous redwoods , areas were all very well kept and bathrooms were super clean

Beautiful state park, clean facilities and a nice park ranger. Also: I recommend walking the grove of the titans trail if you want to go for a short walk.

Stunning and breathtaking views! This is really worth the travel. A lot of beautiful sceneries and lot of places to check out. We camped for 2 nights and it was serene, peaceful and well maintained. We enjoyed the beautiful and challenging hike around the redwoods took a quick dip in chilly pacific waters, waited for a spectacular sunset which had a romantic feeling and a sense of accomplishment of just being there. Memorable experience but be extra careful with wild life as that’s their territory.

AMAZING! VIBRANT! FRESH!

We got (un)lucky and were stopped on the 101 for construction for about 2 hours. We had no idea this park existed.

We went for a run though the forest. The air was fresh and misty. The plants were healthy and vibrant.

I’d like to visit this park again, not just for an unplanned stop! :-)

I love the woods the tree's are just majestic and completely peaceful, I could live in the woods with the tree's and the animals and not see another person, I would be perfectly fine happy ;) not to mention the ocean lol

We visited one morning for photo opportunities and boy was it a perfect morning! The foggy mist rolled in making for nice conditions. Didn't wander to far from the parking area because it was beautiful from the first step onto the trail. Easy walk nice maintained trail.

Great campground, a couple of "hike-in" sites (88?) that really make you feel like you're alone in the forest since you only see trees around you. Bear lockers at each site, and we didn't see any bears.

An amazing campsite right in the middle of the redwoods! You have to be careful with your food and trash because of the wildlife but if you enjoy hiking, camping, and being close to nature is a perfect spot. So beautiful!

Easy walking trails and plenty of them to keep busy all day.

Enjoyed the beauty of the Redwoods. took my paddle board out on the Smith River. Had a blast!

This place is magical... Damnation Creek Trail is spectacular spectacular! We saw only 3 people and decided to go all the way to the coast despite the warning signs. So majestic... We caught the sunset bit walked back to the car in total darkness. Totally Worth it!

Every time we visit the Redwoods National Park, we always stop by this area. There is one hike here, right off of the 101, that is fairly empty in the early mornings and is beautiful as the sun peaks through the fog. From May - August, 7:30am - 10:00am this place is usually a homer un on a nice die.

Majestic and amazing the beauty is surreal . Can't capture on camera a must see place. Every trail is beautiful

What's not to love about a beach!?! There were big ol boulders with tide pools and tiny sea creatures in them. Waves rolling in on the shore. Gorgeous ❤

Beautiful area! Beautiful trees. Everyone should see them at least once!