After Olympic, Mt. Rainier and North Cascades National Parks it’s hard for other parks to live up to the hype. To my own surprise Redwood National and State Parks were just as diverse and amazing. From coastal scenery to giant couple-thousand year old redwoods.
First we drove along the coast stopping at multiple beaches just get our feet wet, take pictures and to make lunch.
I even ended up going back a couple days later just to have lunch one more time on the beach with a beautiful ocean view. It was cloudy, but still better than any back yard I’ve ever been in. That’s what this life is all about.
Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park
Next driving through a couple small towns and into Jedediah Smith Campground. The way it was configured with so many one-way loops was confusing, but the fact it was set in a breathtaking old growth Redwood forest with hot showers, right along the Smith river made up for the confusion.
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do many of the hikes I intended because the roads to get to them did not accommodate RVs. You will find this to be the case a lot in this park. I wanted to do Stout Grove trail but there are no trailers/RVs allowed, and also no dogs. Same with Hill Road, no RVs.
Also, there is only one hike that allows dogs, Walker Road. This limited my adventures further. Here is a map for anyone interested.
Simpson – Reed Grove Walk
Elk Prairie Campground
Next, we traveled about 40 miles south, down Scenic 101 and then Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway to Elk Prairie Campground.
It was also very beautiful surrounded by creeks and tall trees, near a visitor center with a gift shop and many hikes starting from below pictured Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway. They had showers, but it already took all my quarters by the time the water got hot. So pretty much another cold shower for me 🙁
The only dog friendly hike in that area was Cal- Barrel Road. No RVs allowed, so we walked from Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway. The is a basically a narrow dirt road with sharp turns, drop offs and grade. Walking just a couple miles up the road had us nice and out of breath.
Cal- Barrel Road Walk
The last attraction as we were leaving the park were giant Roosevelt Elk right by the road. Usually they can be spotted by large prairie next to the campground, but I rode there on my bike couple time every day trying to unsuccessfully spot them.
Once I left here, I had a long drive to Yosemite Valley, however, due to a long day and Sacramento rush hour traffic we didn’t make it all the way. I stayed at Glory Hole for just one night, but that place was so amazing that I will write a separate post on it.
O my goodness, just look at those beautiful redwood trees – is there anything more impressive? It’s one of the places I would love to visit one day 😀
It looks so incredible!
These pictures don’t even capture the size and beauty of these ancient trees.
This doesn’t even capture the size and beauty of these ancient trees.
Wow Ursula! Absolutely breathtaking!!! The redwoods are on my bucket list! You have such a good eye for photography! What a blessing to be able to experience these beautiful and amazing parks and wonders! Thank you so very much for sharing! Absolutely beautiful!!!
Yes, Redwoods are great. What I looked about that park was having these beautiful old forests and beaches right next to each other.