Top 10 National and State Parks for Redwood Viewing in the US (2023)

The redwoods, also known as Sequoioideae, are one of America's many landmarks. These trees can be 300-350 feet tall and 16-18 feet wide, making them the tallest trees in the world. Every year millions of locals and tourists visit parks like Redwood National Park to see these creations of Mother Nature.

In the United States, California is known as the home of the giant sequoias and one of the reasons people flock to the Golden City. Apart of thisMalibuYSan Diego BeachesCalifornia is also visited by tourists who want to see the redwoods with their own eyes. You will be able to photograph these giants or take a nice walk among the redwoods. Redwood Tree Parks also offers overnight camping for those who want to spend more time surrounded by nature.

However, here are some of the best places to visit in the US to see the redwoods.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State ParkIt is one of the best parks to view the amazing redwoods and is known for preserving ancient redwoods. It is part ofRedwood National and State ParksComplex along with Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast and Redwood National Park. The park is also one of California's most treasured UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a testament to its beauty and timelessness. Due to its otherworldly appearance, the park also served as a filming location for the iconic movie Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

In the park you can enjoy a smooth walk while enjoying the tranquility of the park. Drive down Howland Hill Road and feel transported to another world, far from the busy city life of California. The view of the fern-covered hillsides and redwoods is simply incomparable. Stroll the easy trails and marvel at the pristine redwood forest. Follow the Boy Scout Tree Trail for an up-close look at the redwoods, or choose Stout Grove for an easy but scenic trail.

ADDRESS:Crescent City, CA 95531, USA. UU.

Big Basin Redwoods State Parkit is the oldest state park in California and one of the best places to see the redwoods. The park covers more than 18,000 acres with 80 miles of trails and is home to a variety of animals, including coyotes, deer, woodpeckers, and bobcats. Big Basin Redwoods State Park is known for its trees almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty. The park is also known for what is known as the Mother of the Forest, a tree nearly 300 feet tall, and the Father of the Forest, another tree that is approximately 1,800 years old.

The park has been open to the public since 1902 and offers numerous opportunities for hiking and camping. From the park headquarters, follow the moderately difficult Sequoia Trail to find waterfalls and redwoods. The Redwood Trail is the easiest and offers spectacular views of the redwoods. It is perfect for short nature excursions, bird watching, and hiking. Seasoned hikers can hike the Skyline-to-the-sea Trail, a three-day backpacking adventure.

ADDRESS:21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006, EE. UU.

Located in the northernmost part of California,redwood national parkIt is home to several redwoods and is visited by millions of tourists and locals. It forms the Redwood State and National Parks complex along with Prairie Creek Redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Parks.

Redwood National Park offers various activities, whether for hikers or simple nature lovers. Lady Bird Johnson Grove is a mile long hike that can easily be completed in under an hour. This trail winds through old-growth redwoods and Douglas-fir trees and is paved with firm gravel, making it an easy hike. The Lost Man Creek Trail is an ideal hiking trail for tourists with limited mobility. The Tall Trees Grove and Redwood Creek trails are more challenging and perfect for experienced hikers. There are hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate and difficult in Redwood National Park.

ADDRESS:Highway 101 Orick, CA, Redwood National Park, CA 95555

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State ParkIt is named for Julia Pfeiffer Burns, a prominent rancher who lived in the Big Sur area until her death. Like Redwood National Park, this state park is known for its redwoods, but it also offers views of the Pacific coast. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is home to nearly 300-foot-tall Coast Redwoods that are nearly 2,500 years old. In addition to redwoods, there are other trees such as blue gum, tanoak, strawberry trees, and brook willows. You'll also find abundant wildlife at Julia Pfeiffer Burns Park, including bald eagles, California condors, sea otters, and the rare Smith's blue butterfly.

Enjoy magnificent views of the Coastal Redwoods overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Follow the Ewoldsen Trail, hike through redwood canyons, and catch a glimpse of California's famous coastline. Easily accessible from the park entrance, the Overlook Trail allows you to view the impressive McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that tumbles down a granite cliff into a bay and directly into the Pacific Ocean. During the rainy season, areas and roads may be closed or prohibited.

ADDRESS:52801 California State Route 1, Big Sur, CA

Henry Cowell Redwoods State ParkIt is southeast of Big Bas and miles from the beaches of Santa Cruz. The park is famous for its 40 acres of 1,800-year-old redwoods. There are also giant sequoias in the park. Tourists visit Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park to see the Fremont Tree and Giant Tree, as well as the 277-foot-tall Sequoia, the tallest in the park. You can also find banana snails, white-crowned sparrows, and black-tailed deer at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

Despite being a smaller park, it includes 15 miles of hiking trails. There are also trails that give you the best views of Monterey Bay and trails that lead to the beaches of the St. Lawrence River. For a convenient tour of the park, take a 1-hour ride on the Roaring Camp Railroad. This steam locomotive has been around since the 19th century, plowing its way through the redwood forests to the top of Bear Mountain. During the train ride, your informative conductor narrates the history of the park.

ADDRESS:101 N Big Trees Park Road, Felton, CA

Only about 20 miles from San Francisco,Muir Woods National MonumentIt is easily the most accessible park for viewing the coast redwoods. It is named after John Muir, a well-known naturalist and advocate for nature conservation in the United States. Due to the proximity to the city, there are usually a lot of people here. If you prefer fewer crowds, Big Basin State Park near Santa Cruz is a must-see.

Despite its smaller size, the park offers a variety of activities and scenic landscapes. There are six miles of hiking trails of varying difficulty and distance. Rangers are also available to take guided walks and share knowledge about the forest. For the safest trip to Muir Woods National Monument, stay on the sidewalk with signs. It is also recommended to arrive early in the day to avoid crowds.

ADDRESS:Mill Valley, CA 94941, EE. UU.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parkit is home to thousands of coastal redwoods. Located in Humboldt County, the park is home to several species of ferns and towering redwoods. In addition to the coastal redwoods, the park is also home to coastal Douglas-fir, Sitka-fir, and western hemlock. Looking straight out of a Jurassic Park movie, it has drawn millions of visitors since its inception in 1925. The park is also famous for its Roosevelt elk, and during mating season you may hear the echoes of their calls.

Fern Canyon is perhaps the highlight of any visit to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Named for the ferns that grow on the 15-meter-high wall, it can be reached by a short walk. Other short hikes include the Nature Trail, a 1 mile hike that winds through riparian vegetation and coastal redwoods. Please note that while this is one of the shorter trails, it is quite steep. You can also enjoy a small but peaceful picnic on the grounds while taking in the views of the redwoods. This is also one of theCalifornia's Best CampgroundsSo don't miss your chance to spend time with nature and camp at Prairie Creek.

ADDRESS:127011 Newton B. Drury Scenic Pkwy, Orick, CA 95555, EE. UU.

The hotel is north of San Francisco.Humboldt Redwoods State Park, another popular place to view the redwoods. The park is home to the Rockefeller Forest, the largest remaining native coastal redwood forest. It is named after Alexander von Humboldt, a renowned scholar, geographer, naturalist, and explorer. The 52,000-acre park features more than 17,000 acres of ancient coast redwoods that stand over 300 feet tall and are thousands of years old.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park is the best park to experience the Coast Redwoods from the comfort of your car. Drive along the Avenue of the Giants, a 32-mile highway that winds through groves, picnic areas, and redwood forests. You can hire an automated tour guide at the visitor center to learn more about the history of this state park. Don't miss the River Eel if you want to swim, fish or sail. As in the Redwood National Park, there are numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty and distance.

ADDRESS:17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott, CA 95571, United States

bhutan state parkIt is the perfect choice if you prefer a more secluded and less crowded place. Located in the remote areas of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the park is a great alternative to the more populated Big Basin. It is made up of small to medium sized redwoods located in a coastal canyon. There aren't many giant sequoias, but it's still worth seeing. Due to its location near the coast, Butano State Park is a relaxing escape from the summer heat.

Be sure to visit the Chandelier, a mature redwood with tree-sized branches. There are nearly 40 miles of trails, some suitable for mountain biking. Butano State Park also features 21 drive-thru campgrounds and 18 walk-in campgrounds. The park is also close to other attractions like Pescadero State Beach and the Pigeon Point Lighthouse.

ADDRESS:1500 Cloverdale Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060, United States

Except for the neck-bending redwood,sequoia national parkIt is also home to several redwoods. The park may not be as popular as Big Basin or other California national parks, but it's still one of the best places to see the redwoods. There are not only the tallest trees in the world, but also some of the oldest we have on earth.

You can find the General Sherman tree in Sequoia National Park, the world's largest living single-stemmed tree by volume. It's a long way away, but it's worth every step when you can see this huge tree up close. If you want to see giant sequoias and redwoods, plan a visit to Sequoia National Park.

ADDRESS:Tulare County, California, United States