There is a destination in the United States that contains the tallest living organisms in the world. Huge trees so tall that you can’t capture them in a single photograph, and so large that tunnels were carved into their trunks to let cars through. We are talking about the mighty California redwoods of Redwood National Park.
Redwood National Park is full of beauty that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, many of whom choose to RV there. Let’s see what accommodations Redwood has for RVers, things to see, places to go, and the best times to visit the best trees on Earth.
A brief history of Redwood National Park
Redwood National and State Parks is considered a rainforest by modern standards established in 1968. Located along the northern California coast, Redwood National Park contains more than 139,000 acres of land. Home to the majestic coastal redwoods, more than 45 percent of the remaining trees in the world live within the park. These trees are the tallest in the world and some of the largest you will ever see.
To ensure cooperation between the California State Parks and Recreation Department and the National Park Service, both organizations combined the National Park and the State Parks that comprise the area to facilitate the management of the forestry needs of the area. This happened in 1994, allowing the stabilization and management of the watersheds as a single unit to support the redwood trees in the future.
Redwood National Park is threatened by the lack of sustainable water, invasive plant species, and territorial animal life in the area. It is both a World Heritage Site and a California Coast Ranges International Biosphere Reserve. This unique ecosystem is one of the most threatened in the world.
Where to stay in Redwood National Park
If you hesitate to leave your creature’s comforts behind, then you may not want to stay at one of the park’s service camps, as none provide electricity, gas, or water. If you enjoy dry camping or boondocking, the park offers four campgrounds that can accommodate RVs up to 36 feet and trailers up to 31 feet.
If you want to camp in the heart of the forest, I recommend choosing Jedidiah Smith, Mill Creek, or Elk Prairie Campgrounds. If you like the beach more, I recommend Gold Bluffs Beach, located on the Pacific coast of northern California.
If you want to stay connected to energy and water, there are options for you too. I recommend Redwoods RV Resort in Crescent City. Redwoods Resorts has sites available with full hookups and has plenty of facilities for RVers such as showers, laundry, and even Wi-Fi.
What to do once you arrive in Redwood National Park
There is more to Redwood National Park than the tree itself. The park contains a variety of wildlife and nearly 40 miles of Pacific coastline. If sightseeing is your favorite activity, then there are many outlets available to you.
Howland Hill Road winds ten miles through ancient growth forest, as does Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. If you’re looking to see gray whales, it’s best to take the eight-mile trip down Coastal Drive and gaze out over the Pacific. RVers should note that some of these routes are not open to RVs and travel trailers. If you only have your RV, drop it off at the campground and see the park like nature on foot or by bike.
If you are a wildlife buff, I have some great options for you. Find your way to the Klamath River Lookout for the best view of the gray whale migration. Highbluff Overlook is the best place for bird watching, and Davison Road overlooks the so-called Elk Meadow, where you can watch Roosevelt Elk graze and relax in the woods.
The Kuchel Visitor Center is the largest in the park and offers several different exhibits about the park, its history, the science of giant trees, the Save the Redwoods League, and the native culture of Northern California.
Between the different points of interest, there are hundreds of miles of trails that you can hike or bike.
When to go to Redwood National Park
As with most national parks, crowds tend to flock to Redwood in the spring and summer seasons. From June to August you will see the most pleasant temperatures, but you will also see most of the people. If you agree with cooler temperatures and some snow, I recommend going from March to May and from September to early November.
Redwood National Park offers some of the most beautiful views in America, whether you’re traveling by motorhome or not. If you are an RVer and you have not yet made your way to this California park, plan a trip as soon as possible, you will not regret it.
