We visited Redwood for the first time back in 2010 (and even created a comprehensive guide about it) and it changed our lives. Redwood is truly one of those places where photos cannot come close to doing it justice.
Looking up at those giant trees gave us a similar feeling to staring into the Grand Canyon – one can do so for hours and still be just as mesmerized. We found the color of the trees to vary from a grayish hue near the coast to a deep red near the Humboldt Redwoods.
We have traveled to the park more times than we care to count and spent weeks in the park itself visiting all of the main attractions and photographing all of the most stunning features.
If you’re visiting the park be sure to check out our full Redwood National Park Guide!
Things to Know Before You Visit Redwood National Park
Entrance Fees
$30 per vehicle OR if you plan to visit more National Parks within the next 12 months we suggest you go ahead and purchase the America the Beautiful Pass (which can be purchased at any national park) and gets you into all National Parks, Forests, Monuments, and more including 2,000 sites for free after a one time $79 fee.
Redwood Map
The best map for the park: We like this map the best.
Best Guide Book
The best guide books for Redwood: This is our favorite hiking guide but this one is another great one that encompasses the surrounding area.
Cell Service
Cell Service is pretty reliable in the park. There are a few spots near Orick where service is more limited but overall visitors can expect to have good reception.
Getting to the Redwoods
Getting to Redwood National Park is half the fun! Out of state visitors can fly into Crescent City Airport (which is only 30mins from the closest part of the park), or San Francisco and drive up the coast (6 hours south of Redwood), or Redding (3 hours east of Redwood), or Medford, OR (2 hours northeast of Redwood).
Food & Restaurants
There are many restaurants and food options throughout the areas, cities, and towns around the park. The major towns for restaurants are Crescent City to the North, Klamath in the middle, and Trinidad to the South.
Mosquitoes
During the summer months (June – August) expect to find mosquitoes at varying levels in the Redwoods. I recommend this bug spray which has worked for me in the park and is environmentally friendly.
Best Time to Visit the Redwoods
The Best Time to Visit Redwood National Park is in Spring and Summer to take advantage of less crowds (Spring) and warmer temperatures (Summer).
Where to Stay in the Redwoods
Visiting Redwood National Park? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on visiting Redwood National Park for tips. Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in the Redwoods.
Watch the Award-Winning Redwoods Video
We made a video from our visit to Redwood National Park (it was even featured by National Geographic!) that features a lot of the photo locations from this post.
It’s a quick three minute film that’s guaranteed to give you some ideas for your visit or at the very least, a virtual vacation from your desk.
Redwood National Park Photos
20. Foggy Mornings in Redwood Groves
Fog is a beautiful thing in Redwood National Park and is actually a major life source for the redwood trees supplying a huge percentage of their annual water intake.
Photographing the trees in their natural foggy habitat provides for some wonderful shots, especially if you can get some sun rays through the fog which typically occurs in the morning.
19. Off the Road Between Crescent City & Klamath
Highway 101 between Crescent City and Klamath is one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world featuring a multitude of spectacular groves of redwoods.
All along this road are random trails that lead to incredible photo opportunities – take advantage!
18. Sunset at Wilson Creek Beach
Wilson Creek Beach is a stunning spot to watch a sunset or just cruise the pacific coast in Redwood National Park. Tide Pools here make for great dazzling reflection photos (not to mention great spots to see starfish).
17. A Dry Day at the Bald Hills
Bald Hills is a fairly remote, lesser-visited destination in Redwood National Park that offers visitors a very different experience from the Redwood groves. Visitors to the Bald Hills will be treated to sweeping views of the surrounding forested areas.
16. Sunbeams at the Tall Trees Grove
The Tall Trees Grove in Redwood National Park is one of the park’s most stunning collection of towering redwoods. Visitors to this area must obtain a free pass 24-48 hours in advance of their visit. To do so, follow this link.
Distance: 3.3 miles roundtrip (800ft elevation)
Time: 3-4 hours
Compared to many of the other easy trails, it’s a bit of a hike to get there. The trail is 3.3miles long with just under 800ft of elevation gain.
To learn more about this location check out our Tall Trees Grove post.
15. Sunset at Gold Bluffs Beach
Gold Bluffs Beach is a beautiful spot on the Pacific ocean named for the the iconic golden colored bluffs that overlook it.
The Gold Bluffs Beach Campground here is the only one in the park located on the beach making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Who doesn’t love the sound of the ocean outside of your tent serenading you to sleep?
If that isn’t enough, there is a resident herd of elk that frequents the beach along with migrating whales and dolphins.
14. Morning in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods
Jedediah Smith Redwoods is often many visitors first experience in Redwood National Park (it was for me!). This area is located on the stunning Wild & Scenic Smith River on the north side of the park near Crescent City.
There is a beautiful campground and a popular swimming hole located in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods along with some of the most popular groves in the world including the Stout Grove.
To learn more about this location check out our Jedediah Smith Redwoods post.
13. Hazy Day at Crescent Beach Overlook
Crescent Beach Overlook is a quick and beautiful roadside stop along the Highway 101 in Redwood National Park offering spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
This is a great spot to get out of the car, stretch your legs, soak in the views, and grab a few snaps on your way through the park.
12. Snack Time at Elk Meadow
Elk Meadow is one of the most reliable places in Redwood National Park to see the majestic Roosevelt Elk. It’s location, just outside of Orick and at the head of Davison Road, puts it in a great jumping off point to see more in the park.
Nearby destinations include Gold Bluffs Beach, Fern Canyon, Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Redwood Creek Overlook, and Bald Hills.
11. A Tower on the Boy Scout Tree Trail
The Boy Scout Tree Trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in Redwood National Park featuring groves of stunning old-growth redwoods. The hike itself is located off of Howland Hill Road just down from the Stout Grove.
Distance: 5.3 miles roundtrip (750ft elevation)
Time: 3-4 hours
The hike itself is 5.3miles long (round trip) and takes about 3-4 hours to complete.
Top 10 Redwood National Park Photos
10. Dark Shadows on the Avenue of the Giants
The Avenue of the Giants is a magnificent 31.5 mile drive that weaves you through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park located about an hour south of Eureka. While this area is not technically part of the “national park” we included it anyway because it’s so close and not to be missed.
The drive itself is not long but there are many, many stops along the way so prepare for a full days worth of activities if you plan to drive the route.
To learn more about this location check out our Avenue of the Giants post.
9. Stout Grove Little Trails
The Stout Grove is one of the most magnificent and highly photographed groves of old-growth Redwoods in Redwood National Park.
Located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods North of Crescent City, the Stout Grove features a relatively small grove of giant, 300ft tall redwoods.
8. Looking Up in Lady Bird Johnson Grove
The Lady Bird Johnson Grove is one of the most spectacular groves of ancient, old-growth Redwoods in the world. This grove is located near the town of Orick in Redwood National Park at about 1,000ft above sea level and is one of the most popular hikes in the park.
Distance: 1.3 miles roundtrip
Time: 1-2 hours
The trail itself is only about 1.3miles long with little elevation gain making it great for folks of all ages and fitness levels. If you’re visiting Lady Bird Johnson Grove be sure to check out Redwood Creek Overlook just down the road for the park’s best sunsets!
To learn more about this location check out our Lady Bird Johnson Grove post.
7. A Cloudy Day at Stone Lagoon
Stone Lagoon is located on the coast of Redwood National Park and is a popular location to spot migratory birds. The lagoon is separated from the ocean by a hundred yards or so and features mesmerizing turquoise green colors.
6. Humboldt Redwoods Hiker
The Humboldt Redwoods are technically not located within Redwood National park but are equally stunning in a very different way and close enough to where it’s certainly worth the drive.
The trees in Humboldt Redwoods are, well, redder than their coastal counterparts. This region is more drier and more arid than the coastal section.
Top 5 Best Redwood National Park Photos
5. Sunset at Redwood Creek Overlook
Redwood Creek Overlook is hands down the best spot in Redwood National Park to catch a sunset. Situated at over 1,000ft above the ocean it overlooks, this location often sees cloud inversions near sunset sweep through the redwoods below.
It’s location near Lady Bird Johnson Grove makes it an easy add on to the end of a day.
To learn more about this location check out our Redwood Creek Overlook post.
4. Stout Grove Fallen Tree Wanderer
The Stout Grove is one of the most magnificent and highly photographed groves of old-growth Redwoods in Redwood National Park. Located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods North of Crescent City, the Stout Grove features a relatively small grove of giant, 300ft tall redwoods.
Distance: .7 mile roundtrip
Time: 45mins – 1.5 hours
The Stout Grove is located in the northernmost section of the park in Jedediah Smith Redwoods. The road leading to the Stout Grove is unpaved but passible with 2WD vehicles. Mosquitoes here can be pesky in early to mid Summer.
To learn more about this location check out our Stout Grove post.
3. Fern Canyon Explorer
Fern Canyon is a stunning, world-renowned destination, made famous by it’s appearance in the Jurrasic Park movie franchise. Literally dripping with ferns from wall to wall with a creek flowing through, this canyon is a mesmerizing spot that everyone visiting Redwood National Park should see.
Distance: 1.1 miles roundtrip
Time: 1-2 hours
The trail can be done as a 1.1mile loop or an out and back which is more popular as visitors get to see the spectacular parts twice.
Fern Canyon is located just down the road from Gold Bluffs Beach which is a great place for a stop or to camp! On your way in or out be sure to stop by the very popular Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Redwood Creek Overlook, & the little-visited Bald Hills.
2. A Sunset at Lady Bird Johnson Grove
The Lady Bird Johnson Grove is one of the most spectacular groves of ancient, old-growth Redwoods in the world. This grove is located near the town of Orick in Redwood National Park at about 1,000ft above sea level and is one of the most popular hikes in the park.
Distance: 1.3 miles roundtrip
Time: 1-2 hours
The trail itself is only about 1.3 miles long with little elevation gain making it great for folks of all ages and fitness levels. If you’re visiting Lady Bird Johnson Grove be sure to check out Redwood Creek Overlook just down the road for the park’s best sunsets!
To learn more about this location check out our Lady Bird Johnson Grove post.
1. Stout Grove Explorer
The Stout Grove is one of the most magnificent and highly photographed groves of old-growth Redwoods in Redwood National Park. Located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods North of Crescent City, the Stout Grove features a relatively small grove of giant, 300ft tall redwoods.
Distance: .7 mile roundtrip
Time: 45mins – 1.5 hours
The Stout Grove is located in the northernmost section of the park in Jedediah Smith Redwoods. The road leading to the Stout Grove is unpaved but passible with 2WD vehicles. Mosquitoes here can be pesky in early to mid Summer.
To learn more about this location check out our Stout Grove post.
List of Best 10 Photo Spots in Redwood National Park
- Stout Grove
- Lady Bird Johnson Grove
- Fern Canyon
- Redwood Creek Overlook
- Gold Bluffs Beach
- Avenue of the Giants*
- Tall Trees Grove
- Crescent Beach Overlook
- Boy Scout Tree Trail
- Elk Meadow
Map of Redwood Photos Spots
Further Reading
If you’re interested in visiting Redwood National Park be sure to check out our visually stunning comprehensive guide before you go here: Redwood National Park Guide
Check out our 12 Amazing Things to Do in Redwood National Park post for inspiration on what to do when you visit!
