If you’re planning a trip to Northern California and don’t know where to begin, this Redwood National Park map guide has everything you need. Redwood National Park is home to the world’s oldest redwood groves, as well as the world’s tallest tree. Planning a visit to the park can be confusing, but using the Redwood National Park map makes it simple!
Redwood National Park Map (Official)
Redwood is a combination of one National Park and three State Parks. The California State Parks include Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek Redwoods. This can make navigating the massive 131,983 acres confusing, making the Redwood National Park map necessary.
Download the Official Redwood National Park Map PDF (2.7 MB)
Consider a Detailed Topographic Map for Redwoods
If you plan extensive hiking and backpacking in Redwoods, I highly recommend getting a professional-grade topographic map from National Geographic.
Every Trails Illustrated map is printed on “Backcountry Tough” waterproof, tear-resistant paper. An entire UTM grid is published on the map to aid GPS navigation.
Redwood’s combination of National Parks and State Parks protects half of the world’s old-growth redwoods. You’ll find Redwood National Park along the northern coast of California. It’s a place where 2,000 year old trees meet lush moss and fern-covered forest.
While there is no entrance fee for the National Park, each of the three state parks charges a daily use fee; the day use fee is around $8. However, the best way to save on entrance fees, in general, is to purchase an America the Beautiful National Park Pass.
There are a few days when entrance fees are waived:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 16, 2023
- National Park Week – April 15 – 23, 2023
- National Park Service Birthday – August 25, 2023
- National Public Lands Day – September 30, 2023
- Veterans Day – November 11, 2023
Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is at the southern end of the redwood forest and is by far the largest of all the parks. Over 70,000 acres of redwood trees can be found in the park, including the world’s tallest tree, Hyperion.
Due to its beautiful coastal location, banana slugs, gray whales, black bears, and sea anemones are all at home within the park. Within the park, you can explore on a scenic drive, take a hike, or fully experience the park by camping.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Visitors will find that Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is the final in an extended line of redwood parks along Northern California’s coast. Just a few miles from the ocean, this state park contains 7% of the world’s old-growth redwoods.
You may recognize this state park location from The Last Of The Mohicans. While at Jedediah Smith Redwoods, visitors can take a historic drive on Howland Hill Road or enjoy a campfire program at Jedediah Smith Campground. Other recreational options include fishing, snorkeling, kayaking on the Smith River, or hiking over 20 miles of trails through the lush rainforest.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
The most remote location within the redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park features the best basecamp for exploring this stretch of the redwoods. The Mill Creek Campground makes an excellent base for exploring all 4 of the parks that comprise the redwood group.
At this 8-mile stretch of California coast, visitors can explore the fern-covered mystical beauty of an old-growth redwood forest. Keep in mind there is no coastal access from Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. This State Park also has some exciting geology as the cliffs of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park are formed of some of North America’s most jagged rocks.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
The most picturesque of the redwood group, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, protects both sandy beaches and open meadows where you’ll find magnificent herds of Roosevelt elk grazing. You’ll see two famous redwoods in the park, “Cathedrals” and “Octopuses,” just a short walk from the visitor center.
Explore Prairie Creek Redwoods via three scenic drives, over 75 miles of hiking trails, or the 19-mile bike loop. Visitors can also take the self-guided nature trails and the Revelation Trail. This unique trail is meant to ease exploration through all five senses. Another unique trail is the Redwood Access Trail, explicitly designed for those with physical limitations.
Camping in Redwood National Park
Redwood National and State Parks don’t offer lodges or hotels within the park boundaries. For those wanting to stay inside the park, you’ll need to camp at one of the park’s 4 campgrounds. The parks offer both backcountry and developed camping options.
The parks 4 campgrounds are spread throughout all of the parks and include
- Jedediah Smith Campground – Developed, 86 campsites
- Mill Creek Campground – Del Norte Coast Redwoods, Developed, 145 campsites
- Elk Prairie Campground – Prairie Creek Redwoods, Developed, 75 campsites
- Gold Bluffs Beach Campground – Prairie Creek Redwoods, Developed, 26 campsites
Redwood North District Map
The Redwood North District map gives visitors an excellent overview of all the parks that make up the redwood group. This includes the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and part of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Followed by Prairie Creek Redwood State Park and Redwood National Park.
Download the North District Redwood National Park Map PDF (0.7 MB)
The Redwood North District map is handy while planning your trip to determine how you will get from park to park.
Redwood South District Map
Showcasing Prairie Creek Redwoods National Park and Redwood National Park, use the South District map to figure out what you want to explore within the parks. The map includes points of interest, trails, and campgrounds, making it easy to plan your adventure into the South District of Redwoods.
Download the South District Redwood National Park Map PDF (2.7 MB)
Redwood Gold Bluffs Beach Campground Map
The Redwood Gold Bluffs Beach Campground map gives visitors all the information they need when staying there. This campground is small and unsuitable for RVs, but it is located on the coast. This is the only campground in Redwoods with the best beach access.
It’s open year-round and has 26 campsites.
Download the Gold Bluffs Beach Campground Redwood Map PDF (0.3 MB)
Redwood Jedediah Smith Campground Map
The Redwood Jedediah Smith Campground map provides visitors with an overview of one of the larger campgrounds in Redwoods. This popular campground is located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, is open all year, and includes unique hike-in and bike-in sites.
It has 86 campsites but no hookups.
Download the Jedediah Smith Campground Redwood Map PDF (0.3 MB)
Redwood Mill Creek Campground Map
Located in Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park, the Redwood Mill Creek Campground map gives visitors everything they need to know about the largest campground in Redwoods. With 145 campsites, campers have easy access to the nearby hiking trail.
This campground is only open from May – September.
Download the Mill Creek Campground Redwood Map PDF (0.3 MB)
Redwood Prairie Creek Elk Campground Map
The Redwood Elk Prairie Campground map helps visitors choose from the 75 campsites. This campground is close to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center in the southernmost part of the park.
Keep an eye out for Roosevelt elk roaming through the nearby meadow.
Download the Prairie Creek Elk Campground Redwood Map PDF (0.3 MB)
Redwood Pack Animal and Overnight Camps Map
The Redwood Pack Animal and Overnight Camps map gives visitors an excellent overview of the park’s backcountry areas that are accessible for pack animals. It provides designated pack animal trails and pack animal camps; a free permit is required to use these primitive camps.
Download the Redwood Pack Animal and Overnight Camps Map PDF (0.3 MB)
What is the Best Time to Visit Redwood National Park?
Due to its coastal California location, Redwood National Park has mild weather all year. However, winter can be rainy, making the best months to hike and camp amongst the redwoods from May to September.
Consider a Detailed Topographic Map for Redwoods
If you plan extensive hiking and backpacking in Redwoods, I highly recommend getting a professional-grade topographic map from National Geographic.
Every Trails Illustrated map is printed on “Backcountry Tough” waterproof, tear-resistant paper. An entire UTM grid is published on the map to aid GPS navigation.
Redwood National Park Map | Final Thoughts
Redwood National Park is a unique system of national parks that preserves majestic California’s old-growth redwood forests. Unlike many other places in North America, you’ll feel the magic of walking among giants in the redwood parks.
