Your Guide to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Over half of the world’s old-growth redwood can be found in the 40,000 acres of the Redwoods National and State Parks, such as the stunning Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

As soon as you enter the state park, you will feel you have been shrunk amongst these huge trees!

There are some incredible hikes and things to see in the park, and we will take you through the most worth-it spots.

8 Best Trails in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

There’s more to this park than just trails, but this is where most of the good stuff is! Like… the redwoods! So here are all of our recommended trails and more things to do to follow below…

1. Redwood Creek Trailhead

Distance: 15.4 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,112 feet

This long and twisting trail takes you along the creek, with several bridge crossings only accessible during summer.

What this trail lacks in old-growth trees, it makes up for in bubbling creek sounds, and tall trees as far as the eye can see.

TIP: Be aware that this trail gets rather overgrown, so check for closures before visiting Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

2. Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail

Distance: 1.4  miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 101.7 feet

Get the best of both worlds with old and new growth rolled into one trail, with substantial, sturdy trunks mixed with creeping, slender trunks that have just started their journey of becoming forest giants.

The short and easy loop first takes you through second-growth Douglas-fir trees, but as soon as you cross the hikers’ bridge, you’ll reach the stillness of old-growth redwoods that have never been logged.

3. Fern Canyon Trail

Distance: 1.1 miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 127 feet
Check here for permit/reservation info.

The Fern Canyon Trail is the shorter of the two, taking you through a 59-foot-deep canyon filled with rich green ferns.

We felt like we stepped straight onto the set of Jurassic Park. Some of the canyon was used in several scenes from the films!

Take in the stunning natural beauty, and expect a few shallow creek crossings and lots of log and stump scrambling.

4. Miner Ridge Trail

Distance: 7 miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 790 feet
Check here for permit/reservation info.

The Miner Ridge Trail is a much longer version of the above trail.

It still allows you to enjoy the beauty of Fern Canyon but also takes you on further adventures through the old-growth redwoods that Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is known for.

5. Revelation Trail

Distance: 0.3 miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 9.8 feet
*Accessible trail

We wouldn’t be surprised if this trail were the highlight of your day; it was ours. There are some massive redwoods in this area, and the trail is super easy and flat.

Interpretive signs along the path encourage you to use a variety of senses, rather than just sight, to experience the giant redwoods in this area.

6. Brown Creek Trail

Distance: 2.4 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 423.2 feet

The Brown Creek Trail has you wandering through tall trees and seas of bright green ferns, following the stream. Along the way, you’ll crisscross back and forth over a series of bridges.

You’ll feel completely cut off from the sounds of the road in one of the densest redwoods trails, where the paths are a bit quieter than some of the other near the visitor center.

7. Foothills and Cathedral Trees Trail

Distance: 2.4 miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 150.9 feet

This was another of our favorite hikes during our visit to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. You can take the loop in either direction, but the Foothills trail is the easiest, so it might best to finish with this one.

It takes you past some of the biggest trees in the park, including the Big Tree, one of the oldest. Go past Big Tree to enjoy the magic of the forest with fewer crowds.

8. Prairie Creek Trail

Distance: 2.4 miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 95.1 feet
*Accessible trail

Take in the trees, ferns, streams, and sounds of the park on the Prairie Creek Trail. The relatively flat trail takes you around some of the park’s tall trees, some reaching heights of 310 feet!

Make your way past interpretive panels to help you learn more about some of the tallest trees in the world.

Prairie Creek Visitor Center

This visitor center is located in the heart of the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

Think of it as your knowledge hub for all things park-related, be it the best trails to venture on, info about the redwoods exhibits about the Civilian Conservation Corps, fun Junior Ranger Programs, and more.

Gold Bluffs Beach

Gold Bluffs Beach is a stunning area, so stunning in fact that the area runs on a permit system during the summer months to protect the natural resources and create a nicer, less crowded visitor experience.

The beach is known for its miles of fine gray sand, picturesque dunes, driftwood, and abundant wildlife.

Day Use Picnic Area

A bit of a hidden gem this day-use picnic area found here is hard to find on Google—meaning it is one of the quieter areas (shhh, it’s our secret!).

It is complete with picnic tables and plenty of parking. You can sit for lunch or dinner with views of the ocean. There is also a small campsite if you’re looking to spend the night close to the trees!

Redwood Creek Picnic Area + Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center

If you are after beachside picnicking, the Redwood Creek Picnic Area is your stop. The beach here is expansive, so stop and stretch your legs and have a snack while enjoying the sound of the surf.

Located right on the beach, you’ll find the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center, which is packed with information to help you learn more about Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

Big Tree Wayside

Want to see a really big tree? You have come to the right place.

All the trees seem huge within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, but they don’t have anything on Big Tree Wayside.

It is estimated that this gentle giant, seen from a viewing platform, is more than 1500 years old. It is 286 feet high and 74.5 feet in circumference —now that’s a big tree!

Corkscrew Tree

The Corkscrew Tree is an incredible piece of nature, made up of not one but four redwood trees that twist tightly around each other, hence the name.

You can get right up to the base of these twisted trees via a very short trail, and it’s when you get closer to them, the scale will also take your breath away as they reach the sky.

High Bluff Overlook Picnic Area

This just might be the most scenic overlook in the park…

You’ll be greeted with sweeping views out over the foggy coastline, with the sounds of crashing waves below. The day we visited, we felt so high up as the clouds were so low that we couldn’t see the ocean below us!

Look out for soaring eagles and peregrine falcons and whales out to sea. However, be aware that parking is quite limited.

We hope this helped you plan your trip to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park!

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