When: August 2009
Why: The Redwoods are found nowhere else--they are truly amazing. This was a great start to a weeklong family vacation.
What you should know: The Redwoods National and State Parks are very spread out. It's not just one park with one entrance. There are 3? state parks and several hikes and roads and areas that you can explore.
It's great for kids. I repeat, it's GREAT for kids. There are lots of short hikes, creeks, the ocean, the trees, big trunks you can climb up and walk around and it's just a really fun place!
I recommend you start at the Information Center in Crescent City, or maybe at Prairie Creek or Jed Smith state parks (the north and south ones). You need a map and some advice from a ranger on where to go to meet your family's goals.
We had a great little walk through the woods at Jedediah Smith park along Hwy 199. It's flat, maybe a mile long, and had lots to climb on and explore.Another day we drove along Hwy 101 and an old highway right along the coastal cliffs. That was fun, too--we found a little-known trail and just went exploring!
Our favorite was Fern Canyon. You've got to go here! It's a short hike and lots of fun, and beautiful! It's a long dirt road out to the beach and then up to the canyon parking area--you have to drive through some creeks! Then you hike up the creek and the walls are covered with ferns. It's where they filmed some of Jurassic Park. There are bridges to cross the creek and the kids had a blast.
We also saw Big Tree (a short hike, the kids didn't really care) and we wanted to go to Lady Bird Johnson Grove but didn't have time. There really is a lot to see and do, and it's one of the best places to take kids. There are no entrance fees except for Prairie Creek State Park. There are several campsites. There's a Jr Ranger program--it's a hard booklet! Don't wait for the last minute for that one (ahem, speaking from experience).The Redwoods were amazing. I hope you go and enjoy it as much as we did!
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