What are the best hikes in Redwood National and State Parks ?

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Answer

Redwood National Park has 200 miles of trails through old-growth redwood forests with elevations ranging from sea level to just over 3,000 feet. Trails north of the [place id="24968" slug="0oz5NhxLY/klamath-river-klamath-river-us" label="Klamath River"] in the northern part of the park do not have parking for trailers or RVs. Pets are not allowed on the trails. Consult the current conditions webpage before heading out on a hike.

Trails North of the Klamath River

Northern trails start along Hwy 199 near [place id="24969" slug="WdcAFHg87/hiouchi-california-us" label="Hiouchi"] and end at the Klamath River and include:

[place id="24961" slug="lAWvgIWYG/leiffer-trail-crescent-city-california-us" label="Leiffer Trail"] (2.6 mile; non-level, some grades, not steep): A gentle wheelchair accessible trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
[place id="24962" slug="Ja54lSrCR/simpson-reed-trail-crescent-city-california-us" label="Simpson-Reed Trail"] (.8 mile; easy, level): A trail through redwood groves in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
[place id="24963" slug="YQSJnByKB/yurok-loop-trail-klamath-california-us" label="Yurok Loop Trail"] (1 mile; non-level, some grades, not steep): A family-friendly trail with views of False Klamath Cove and Lagoon Creek in Redwood National Park.

Trails South of the Klamath River

Southern trails start at the Klamath River and end at Lyons Ranch and include:

[place id="24964" slug="1f89x6xmi/fern-canyon-trailhead-mendocino-california-us" label="Fern Canyon Trailhead"] (.7 mile; non-level grades, not steep): A redwood-free trail that goes through a mini-canyon covered with ferns in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
James Irvine Trail (4.2 miles; moderate, non-level grades, not steep). A hike along Godwood Creek that ends at Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
[place id="24965" slug="TLHwNkDPj/lady-bird-johnson-grove-trail-orick-california-us" label="Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail"] (1 mile; easy, level): An historic, family-friendly trail that winds through a forest of redwoods and tall conifers.
[place id="24966" slug="UvrE7IYrw/ossagon-trailhead-orick-california-us" label="Ossagon Trailhead"] (1.8 mile; moderate, some steep grades): Bikeable trail that leads to the Pacific Ocean in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and Redwood National Park.
[place id="24967" slug="S3BBXJaUh/redwood-creek-trailhead-orick-california-us" label="Redwood Creek Trailhead"] (8 miles to Tall Trees Grove Trail plus 6 miles to Dolason Prairie Trail; Redwood Creek Trail: moderate; Dolason Prairie: all uphill, strenuous): A challenging hike through a stream valley flanked by giant redwoods and big-leaf maples. A permit is required for Tall Trees Grove.

Coastal Trail Sections

There are 70 miles of coastal trails. Divided into seven sections, the Coastal Trail is nearly continuous and runs through Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and Redwood National Park.

Crescent Beach Section (3.5 miles; easy, flat): A family-friendly trail to the beach. Roosevelt elk are often seen in the prairie areas.
Flint Ridge Section (4.5 miles; strenuous, steep grades and switchbacks): A challenging hike featuring a steep climb through one of the best redwood forests in the park.