Admission Fees

There is no admission charge for visiting Redwood National Park.

Nearest Major Airports

San Francisco, 347 miles; Oakland, 348 miles; Portland, 362 miles.

Budget Airlines to Shop

AirTran, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit (San Francisco); Frontier, Southwest (Portland); Southwest (Oakland).

Nearby Cities with Budget Rooms

Redwood National Park is actually a series of smaller parks located along about 40 miles of the Northern California coastline.

The largest city in the area is Eureka, which is south of most of the parks. a quick hotel search for Eureka shows a number of budget chain offerings starting at about $60/night. If you'd rather look at bed and breakfast options in the area, they start at about $100/night.

Camping and Lodge Facilities

There are four developed campgrounds in the Redwood National Park area, three of which are in the forest and one along the coast: Jedediah Smith, Mill Creek, Elk Prairie and Gold Bluffs Beach. Although camping here is a great experience, you'll pay for the privilege, with fees running $35/night per vehicle. Bikers and hikers pay $5/night and the day-use only fee is $8. The parks are operated through the state park system.

Although each of these campgrounds is operated on a first-come, first-served basis, reservations are taken at all but Gold Bluffs Beach. It is strongly recommended that you make reservations during peak season, which is May 27-Sept. 4. Make your reservation at least 48 hours in advance.

Top Free Attractions in the Park

Hiking in the park is a major attraction, but you'll also be able to take some excellent scenic drives. Some take you through spectacular coastal scenery, while other narrow paths lead through the ancient forests. Some of these roads are unpaved and unsuitable for larger vehicles.

Ranger walks at Redwood National Park include campfire talks and exploration of tidal pools.

Parking and Ground Transportation

Unless you're an avid hiker willing to trek many miles a day, Redwood National Park best lends itself to exploration by car. For those who can't make it here, Muir Woods National Monument near San Francisco is an alternative that is much closer to urban transportation hubs.

The park headquarters is on the northern end, in the town of Crescent City.

Driving Distance (in miles) from Major Cities

San Francisco, 347 miles; Seattle, 502 miles, Los Angeles, 729 miles

Other Attractions with which to Combine a Visit

San Francisco, Yosemite National Park

Need more information? Check out the Official Park Web site.

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