Redwood itinerary

Here is how to spend one to three days in Redwood, built from the hikes and activities the National Park Service lists and the time it says each takes. Short on time? Do Day 1. Times are for the activity itself; add time for driving, parking and shuttles between stops, and swap anything that is closed or out of season.

Day 1

About 4.5 hours of listed activity time, plus stops with no listed time.

Start at Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center for maps, current trail conditions and ranger advice.

Morning

• Bike the Davison/Streelow Creek Loop (2 hours). Start at a meadow where elk gather before biking through dense, Douglas-fir forests that have grown back since the old-growth redwoods were logged here in the 1960s.

Afternoon

• Go Tide Pooling at Enderts Beach (60 to 120 minutes). Tidepooling at Enderts Beach will bring you experience some incredible coastlines and give you a glimpse into life at the edge of the ocean.
• Walk the Fern Canyon Loop Trail (45 to 90 minutes). A unique, beautiful, and popular location in the park. (permit or reservation needed)
• Watch Wild Elk (time not listed). Watch Roosevelt elk at Redwood National and State Parks

Day 2

About 6.5 hours of listed activity time.

Morning

• Hike the James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon Loop (4 to 8 hours). One of the longest hikes in Redwood National and State Parks, this 12-mile loop will take you from Redwoods, through spruce forests to the ocean - and back.

Afternoon

• Stroll to the Big Tree Wayside (10 to 30 minutes). For those short on time then this 5-minute walk will lead to some amazingly large trees.

Day 3

About 4.5 hours of listed activity time, plus stops with no listed time.

Morning

• Hike to the Tall Trees Grove (3 to 6 hours). A half-day hike in the southern part of the parks for those ready for an adventure. (permit or reservation needed)

Afternoon

• Bike Redwoods to Beach on the Ossagon Trail Loop (time not listed). Follow a 19-mile loop through old-growth redwood forests to the Pacific coast and back.

Make it work

• When to go: May and August to October. See the best time to visit.
• Where to stay: 4 campgrounds in the park; see camping and lodging.
• Before you go: check today’s alerts and read know before you go. More ideas: all things to do.

Sources

• National Park Service: things to do in Redwood National and State Parks (Data API, public domain)

Last checked 1 November 2026.