April 2018

The Redwoods National Park is unique since there is no real entrance to the park, which extends along the northwestern coast of California for about 50 miles, with US 101 running through much of it, and it is very integrated with Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Once we got park maps and information from the Visitor Center in Crescent City we spent one full day driving south from Crescent City along US 101, partially along the coast and partially through redwood forests.

We took a couple of side trips. One was the Newton B. Drury Scenic Byway where we were on the lookout for elk at Elk Prairie. We did spot a herd in the distance and then these four big guys lounging right by the road. Why they chose this spot next to the highway we don’t know but we were happy to see them.

We also took the Coastal Trail with the beautiful views of the ocean. Check out the WW II radar station disguised as a farmhouse. After the bombing of Pear Harbor, to guard against future potential invasions, the army built these structures complete with shingle roofs and fake windows to house an early warning radar station and two 50-caliber anti-aircraft machine guns.

On another day we drove though Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park along the Howland Hill Road and got up close and personal with some of the giant redwoods. This is supposed to be a two-way road. Luckily it was not a high traffic day!

This is a fun park to visit with opportunities to get close to these majestic trees as well as lots of beautiful coastal views and hiking trails.