Top Ten Redwood Hikes for 2024

The Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California is a surreal destination that leaves hikers in awe of its serene and magnificent nature. Exploring the Redwoods is a must for anybody who loves the outdoors, and these parks are full of lush trails that are scattered across this magical green coast. Below are the top ten hikes in the Redwoods, and how they each contribute to making these National Parks a true heaven on Earth.

Agate Beach Trail

Located in Sue-meg State Park is Agate Beach, a half-mile trail starting from the campground parking lot. The trail is open year-round and leads down to a beach full of collectable agate rocks that reflect the specific beauty of Nor-cal that can only be found in the Redwoods.

Patrick’s Point Trail

Also located in Sue-meg State Park is Patrick’s Point, a very easy .2 mile hike that is located on the cliff-lookout above and to the left of Agate Beach. It is a very short hike with beautiful views of the surrounding coast, just be aware of the trail as it gets more condensed on the actual lookout point. A beautiful pit stop for a quick peak of the Pacific Ocean.

The Big Tree Loop

Just north of Prairie Creek, is the Big Tree Loop, a collection of small hikes that surround one of the largest trees in Northern California at 286 ft tall. Accessible from the visitors center, the trails make a full loop of this scenic area, which is also accessible with free parking nearby at Drury Parkway.

Trees of Mystery Trail

The Trees of Mystery is a popular tourist destination outside of Klamath, California. It is essentially a park consisting of several moderate to challenging paths and hikes that are surrounded by the site’s historic trees. The lower paths are easy for any type of hiker, the ropes course is probably for someone who loves views high up, and the challenging hike next to the Sky Trail Observatory Deck is a 2 mile downhill climb through the beautiful trees for more experienced hikers.

James Irvine Trail

For experienced hikers or people in need of a beautiful workout, the James Irvine Trail is a gorgeous 10.3mile there-and-back trail through the Redwoods and also meeting the coast at Gold Bluffs Beach. The trail runs through Fern Canyon, and you can also access Miners Ridge Trail from the beach after this hike to make for a full loop back to Prairie Creek Campground from the coast.

Fern Canyon Loop

This 1.1 mile trail is accessible from the Gold Bluffs Beach Fern Canyon lot (permit required) or the James Irvine Trail that can be accessed from Prairie Creek. It is a lush path filled with walled greenery on each side that extends high into the forest sky, and was also a location used in a Jurassic Park movie making it a very popular tourist spot.

Miners Ridge Trail

Also connecting from James Irvine Trail is the Miners Ridge Trail which goes west from Prairie Creek towards Gold Bluffs Beach. It is a beautiful route to loop with James Irvine, but be aware that each trail is pretty long so bring plenty of water, and of course a camera to capture the beautiful nature on the Miners Ridge Trail.

The Elk Prairie Trail

Moving east from and starting from Elk Prairie Campground, is the Elk Prairie Trail, a path running along the edge of the Redwoods near the road, and back to the campground. This trail also connects to a plethora of other trails located to the right of Prairie Creek including the Big Tree Loop.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail

A good starter hike as you go into the Redwoods is, Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, a 1.5 mile loop trail that is very easy and higher up in the redwoods versus some of the more coastal hikes. That means there are incredibly large trees to experience on this trail that is very flat and maintained, and also extends over the road on the gorgeous wood bridge seen above, and leads back out to the main road of the Redwoods.

Corkscrew Tree and Cathedral Tree Trail

Just a few hundred feet left of Newton B. Drury Parkway is the Corkscrew tree, a massive collection of various combined trees that have shaped themselves over one another the past several decades. The end result is an incredible work of nature that is easily available for viewing on the maintained path that is perfect for all ages and hiking abilities. Overall it’s a very quick and easily accessible little path straight off the road, providing an opportunity to experience another gorgeous piece of the Redwoods.

Those are the Top Ten Hikes in the Redwoods, and they each influence this nature lover’s hotspot in their own unique ways. So explore each of these hikes and maybe find some new spots of your own in the magical, coastal, forest land that is Redwoods State and National Parks in Northern California.