Redwood National Park — Visitor Info

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Redwood is jointly managed by the National Park Service and three California State Parks (Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek Redwoods), home to the tallest trees on Earth. There's no entrance fee anywhere in the complex, though the state park side collects day-use and camping fees at some developed sites. Here's what to know before you go.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: Gold Bluffs Beach Road and Fern Canyon access can close due to weather or road damage, and some trails/roads flood in winter — always check the official Redwood Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Crescent City, California
Entrance Fee
None — free to visit
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No
Permit Needed For
Backcountry camping (free)
Lodging
None in-park — camping only, or stay in nearby towns
Managed By
NPS + 3 California State Parks (joint operation)

Visitor Centers

Five visitor centers are spread across the parks — tap one for official hours & facility info.

Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center
Near Orick, on the south end of the parks — close to the coast.
Prairie Creek Visitor Center
In Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, near the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and Elk Prairie.
Hiouchi Visitor Center
Near Hiouchi, on the north end of the parks close to Jedediah Smith Redwoods.
Jedediah Smith Visitor Center
In Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, near the Smith River.
Crescent City Information Center
In town, near park headquarters — a good first stop for orientation and trip planning.

Hours vary seasonally — confirm current hours on the official NPS visitor centers page before you go.

Fees & Passes

Redwood National Park has no entrance stations and no entrance fee — it's free to visit. The three California State Parks that share the complex (Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek Redwoods) collect day-use fees at some developed sites, including a fee to drive to Gold Bluffs Beach/Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods. All three honor America the Beautiful passes for discounted or waived pricing.

Because there's no NPS entrance fee here, the park doesn't sell the federal Senior or Annual passes — those are only useful at other fee-charging federal sites.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

Since Redwood has no entrance fee, this pass doesn't apply here directly — but it's worth grabbing at everykidoutdoors.gov for other fee-charging federal sites on the same trip, and it also waives the Prairie Creek Gold Bluffs Beach state park entrance fee.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the parks or day-hike. You do need one for:

Backcountry Camping

A free online permit is required for all overnight use of the 7 designated backcountry campsites along the park's 200 miles of trails (Gold Bluffs Beach backcountry sites charge $5/person/night). Backcountry stays are capped at 5 consecutive nights and 15 nights per calendar year per site, with a mandatory 14-day gap between multi-day stays at the same site.

Campgrounds & RV Options

Camping is the only way to stay overnight in Redwood National and State Parks — there's no lodging inside the park boundaries. Four developed campgrounds are managed by California State Parks and take both tent and RV campers, though many sites predate the 1940s and have strict, enforced size limits for larger RVs and trailers. Reservations are strongly recommended in summer via ReserveCalifornia. Fees and current RV length limits change year to year — confirm before booking.

Jedediah Smith Campground
In Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, on the Smith River near Hiouchi. Tent and RV sites; historic layout means size restrictions apply to larger rigs. Reserve via ReserveCalifornia — search by campground name, not park name.
Mill Creek Campground
In Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Tent and RV sites, seasonal. Reserve via ReserveCalifornia.
Elk Prairie Campground
In Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, among old-growth redwoods and open prairie where Roosevelt elk are commonly seen. Tent and RV sites. Reserve via ReserveCalifornia.
Gold Bluffs Beach Campground
On the coast in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, near Fern Canyon. Tent and RV sites; reached via an unpaved road with its own state park entrance fee (waived for America the Beautiful pass holders). Reserve via ReserveCalifornia.

Reservations are made at least 48 hours in advance by phone (1-800-444-7275) or online at ReserveCalifornia. Hammocks and ropes are prohibited on trees park-wide to protect the bark.

Good to Know

  • No park-wide shuttle: the parks span nearly 40 miles along Highway 101 — plan driving time between areas.
  • No lodging in-park: hotels and lodges are all in nearby towns like Crescent City and Orick.
  • Fog and rain: common year-round, especially near the coast — pack layers regardless of season.
  • Cell service: spotty to nonexistent through much of the redwood forest.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees, campground availability, and road/trail conditions change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Redwood National and State Parks site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Visitor Centers · NPS – Backcountry Camping · NPS – Developed Campgrounds · NPS – Current Conditions & Alerts