Redwood National Park and its associated state parks, including Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and Humboldt Redwoods State Park, are open year-round for visitors to explore and enjoy the majestic redwood forests. The parks offer a range of activities, from hiking and camping to wildlife viewing and photography, and provide an opportunity to experience the unique ecosystems found within the redwood forests.
Year-Round Accessibility
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks are managed cooperatively by the National Park Service and California State Parks, and together with Redwood National Park, protect 45 percent of California’s remaining old-growth redwoods. These parks are open year-round, with day use hours from sunrise to sunset. Campgrounds within these parks also have year-round availability, with some operating on a first-come, first-served basis from October to April.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which is not managed by the National Park Service, is also open year-round, with its visitor center open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm during May to September, and from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm during October to April. This park spans 53,000 acres, making it an area almost twice the size of San Francisco, and contains the largest expanse of ancient redwoods left on the planet, with approximately one-third of the park consisting of old-growth redwood forest.
Seasonal Hours for Visitor Centers and Campgrounds
Redwood National and State Parks have seasonal hours for visitor centers and campgrounds, with summer hours typically from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (late April to early November) and winter hours from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (early November to late April), with some facilities closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
| Facility | Summer Hours | Winter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Centers | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (late April to early November) | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (early November to late April) |
| Campgrounds | Open year-round, some on first-come, first-served basis from October to April | Open year-round, some on first-come, first-served basis from October to April |
Entrance Fees
The parks are free to enter, with the exception of day use areas within the Prairie Creek Redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Parks, which require a state park day use pass or an Interagency Federal Pass.
Conclusion
In summary, Redwood National Park and its associated state parks are open year-round, providing visitors with opportunities to explore and experience the majesty of the redwood forests throughout the year. The parks offer a range of activities, from hiking and camping to wildlife viewing and photography, and provide an opportunity to learn about the unique ecosystems found within the redwood forests.
References:
– California State Parks – Redwood National and State Parks
– California State Parks – Humboldt Redwoods State Park
– National Park Service – Redwood National Park – Hours
– National Park Service – Redwood National Park – Basic Information