Redwood
Redwood National and State Parks protect the largest remaining Coastal Redwood old-growth forests, with some of the tallest and oldest known trees in the world.
These redwoods are surviving remnants of groups of trees that were once found throughout many of the wet regions of the world. The parks also hold 60km of coastline with specific flora and fauna. This contiguous area consists of Redwood National Park and California's State Parks: Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek.
Community Perspective: impressive, especially when a sea of mist from the Pacific Ocean descends into Redwood and creates an otherworldly atmosphere. The parks see only a fraction of the visitors compared to Yosemite or Yellowstone. Kyle recommends the Lady Bird Johnson Grove and the Fern Canyon Trail, and Frederik the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
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Jay T
O Mammutbaum, o Mammutbaum! How towering are your branches. The giant redwoods are truly majestic trees, and the Redwood National and State Parks in California are a superb location to admire the sheer size and beauty of these ancient evergreens. As referenced in other reviews, this World Heritage Site consists of Redwood National Park, as well as Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek state parks. A drive along the California coast on Route 101 between Eureka and Crescent City will take one right through the heart of these protected groves; it is an extremely memorable experience.
I visited this World Heritage Site driving north from the San Francisco Bay area in July 2017, and along the coast there are ample opportunities to visit other non-World Heritage Site state parks protecting redwoods. On the way, I took a detour through Humboldt Redwoods State Park to drive the Avenue of the Giants, which includes a tree with a house built into it, as well as (on private property) a drive-through tree. Leaving the spectacle behind, I was treated to a superb collection of old-growth forest when I arrived at Redwood National and State Parks. The trees in the parks are some of the oldest and largest in the world; a tree named Hyperion in Redwood National Park is currently the world's tallest, at almost 116 meters. The average age for these trees is between 500 and 700 years old, although some in the park are over 1000 years old. Conservation groups in the early to mid-20th century successfully saved many of these forests that make up the current parks from prolific logging on the Pacific coast.
The California coast is spectacular, but the cold water currents offshore create a constant fog in the summer. This fog not only keeps the climate moist and conducive for growth for the redwoods, but it also creates an otherworldly atmosphere when wandering the many trails through the parks. As others have mentioned, the Lady Bird Johnson trail is one of the best places to experience the misty mystery of the parks, with hollowed habitats inviting exploration and giant ferns evoking a primeval landscape. Fallen tree trunks are fertile ground for new growth, and along the paths you may find the oozing, bright yellow banana slug (namesake of the athletic teams from the University of California, Santa Cruz). The parks are full of wildlife, and in tranquil sections you may encounter the large Roosevelt elk (do not approach). As of March 2022, the Northern California Condor Restoration Program began reintroducing the critically endangered species to Redwood National and State Parks; I visited five years too early to see the California condor back in the wild at the parks, but the reintroduction will hopefully mean future visitors can spot these rare raptors.
It is hard to put into words the sheer joy that can be found from exploring the old-growth forests of Redwood National and State Parks, but, if in California, I highly recommend taking the time for the detour from the urban jungle to a more sedate and serene wonderland in the north.
Logistics: Redwood National and State Parks are most easily traversed by private transportation. The closest major airports to the parks are in San Francisco, California, and Portland, Oregon, although there are smaller regional airports near the parks in Eureka and Crescent City, California.
Frederik Dawson
Driving along the Pacific coast from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon is maybe one of most stunning road trip routes in America, and one of the most memorable parts along the way is between Eureka and Crescent City in Northern California, the home of the impressive coastal redwoods. It was a really fine day of early summer when I reached Eureka and started to find a sign of Redwood National and State Parks. Since I was not sure what the redwood is, except that it should be a very high tree, so at the beginning I misunderstood that the very high pine and fern trees along the highway were redwood which I already impressed for its height and how dense of the forest was, but I started to noticed that among those dense forests, there was a kind of tree that specially higher than the others with different leaves and branch patterns. When the highway approached the Stone Lagoon and Freshwater Lagoon while entered into the Prairie Creek Redwood State Park, the view of redwood forest and the Pacific coast with misty cloud were quite stunning. I stopped at the Freshwater Lagoon to see beautiful wildflowers fields next to the beach, the unique saline bushes and flowers were pretty interesting. My next stop was Lady Bird Johnson Grove, named after US First Lady. When I entered into the grove inner area and really saw the gigantic redwood trees for the first time along the easy hiking trails, I was extremely impressed for this natural wonder.
I continued my journey to Crescent City, along the highway, there were more and more redwoods, and the forest became denser and denser that car’s front light was mandatory during driving in this wonderful forest of Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park. Since this group of forests was just next to the Pacific Coast, there was mist covered the whole forest, I decided to stop and parked my car along the highway and did some hiking in the misty forest, the atmosphere was indescribable, it was like walking in the enchanting forest in fairy tales. The mist covered the whole forest, and I could not see the top of the tree. One thing I noticed that the forest soil was really moist because of the mist, which really contrast to the one I saw at Lady Bird Johnson Grove. I walked around the forest for an hour; happily, saw many mushroom, wildflowers and impressive redwoods. I ended my day at Crescent City, after had one of best clam chowder I’ve ever eaten, I checked in the hotel and discovered that the view from my room was the whole redwoods forest. The next morning, I drove on the famous Howland Hill Road which cut through the redwoods forest of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The view along this dirt road was really stunning with hundreds of giant redwoods, much better than the one I saw in other state parks. On the way I stopped at Stout Grove which was very beautiful and very scenic next to the river. The trees here are also bigger than other places. I really enjoyed my time in this grove before I continued my trip to other impressive US national parks, the Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.
Visiting Redwood National and State Parks turned out to be one of my favorite places in California. Before I came here, I was doubt that these were just forests of big trees, and I would satisfy with only one grove; however, after one grove, I wanted to see more and more since the forests are really stunning. I also lucky enough that in only half day I encountered the sea of mist from Pacific Ocean descended into the Redwood twice, and really enhanced my experience and understanding of how unique of these forests. The wildflowers along the coastal beach were also great, something that truly unexpected. After saw many groves of redwood in this World Heritage Site, in my opinion the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is the best place to enjoy the redwood, especially along the Howland Hill Road and Stout Grove which are really stunning; however my favorite turn out to be Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park for an indescribable experience of hiking in the thick mist under countless of giant trees. Redwood is another great World Natural Heritage Site of USA.
Gale
We went thru then every years for about 7 years on vatacation each year, going to Cal. ,when I was a child. I have pictures of us kids in the shoe made out of one of the Redwood trees.There is windows in the shoe and one of us is in each window looking out while our picture was taken.They called it "The Shoe House I think.For thats what it was.I also remember a Novelty Shop built in one of the trees.Very big inside.You could buy things to take home.All kinds of things that were shape like the trees,like the shop & etc. I remember a drive thru tree,where u drive thru it with your car..I hav pictures of my dad and us standing on top or a fallen tree also standing beside the large trees.Never will forget this experience.Lots of memories of those days and the fun we had there.
Kyle Magnuson
California - United States of America - 30-May-12 -
Following the previous days 11 hour drive from Los Angeles, visiting Redwood National Park is a challenge because of its remote location. (5 hrs drive north from San Francisco) Nevertheless, having the privledge and opportunity to visit such an ancient coastal Redwood forest was without a doubt a worthwile experience.
What sets Redwood National Park aside from other California National Parks that have old-growth forests is the diversity of landscape. For those wanting to stroll around ancient trees, visit the Lady Bird Johnson Grove. During the morning fog, this grove is something you will never forget. There are numerous other groves throughout the park, but to provide the full picture of this incredible ecosystem visit other areas as well. I would recommend hiking Fern Canyon Trail, a fairly short hike that follows a small stream amidst vertical vine/fern covered canyon walls. Furthermore, there are over 50 km of coastline in the park. Enjoy a perfectly empty California beach in the summer! This is another unique aspect of Redwoods National Park, it recieves a fraction of the visitors compared to Yosemite or Yellowstone. Large areas of prairie are also found in the park, and it is not uncommon to spot a herd of Elk grazing. Redwood National and State Parks is one of the United States best national parks and a worthy world heritage site.
Read more from Kyle Magnuson here.
kainen
I took my annual pilgrimage up Highway to revisit one of my favorite places to be on the planet that is Redwood National Park. The feeling i got while wandering through old-growth redwood forests. Everything is so big, misty, and primeval that you can’t help but expect to spot a dinosaur munching on giant ferns. California contains the most spectacular redwood forests in the world—including the world’s tallest trees—yet it always amazes me how few Californians have experienced one of nature’s grandest displays. www.wildlifeworld360.com
Ben Pastore
This unique forest environment is well worth the time and residual neckache to see in person, otherwise the concept of scale just can't be fully transmitted. These giants are more than just tall, they're monumental. Feeling small is part of the fun as you gaze upward, though the rest of the scenery merits a look down now and then. Among the world's oldest living things, these trees more than deserve their place on the list.
jaxon nobori
A walk among the redwoods, and a sore neck from cranning to see the tree tops. The redwoods create their own micro-environment so insects can thrive among the giants. For these tress, fire is a good thing, otherwise they won't drop their seeds.
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Site Info
- Full Name
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Unesco ID
- 134
- Country
- United States of America
- Inscribed
- 1980
- Type
- Natural
- Criteria
-
7 9
- Categories
- Natural landscape - Forest
- Link
- By ID
Site History
2006 Name change
From "Redwood National Park" to "Redwood National and State Parks"
1980 Inscribed
Site Links
Unesco Website
Official Website
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