Redwood National and State Parks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Redwood National and State Parks
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
A forest of coast redwoods in fog
Redwood National and State Parks Location in California Show map of California Redwood National and State Parks Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Humboldt County & Del Norte County, California, US
Nearest city	Crescent City
Area	139,091 acres (562.88 km2)
Established	October 2, 1968
Visitors	458,400 (in 2022)
Governing body	National Park Service and California Department of Parks and Recreation
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Criteria	Natural: (vii), (ix)
Inscription	1980 (4th Session)

The Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) are a special group of parks in northern California. They include one national park and three state parks. These parks protect nearly 139,000 acres (560 km²) of land. This area holds 45 percent of all the remaining ancient coast redwood forests.

These parks are home to the amazing coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) trees. These trees are the tallest, some of the oldest, and among the biggest living things on Earth! They grow well in the cool, wet temperate rainforest climate. The parks also protect 37 miles (60 km) of beautiful coastline. You can find many native plants, animals, and important waterways here. Some animals, like the Chinook salmon and northern spotted owl, are threatened.

Long ago, redwood forests covered over two million acres (8,100 km²) of California's coast. After 1850, the Gold Rush brought many changes. This led to many challenges for the native people and a lot of tree cutting. Later, groups like the Save the Redwoods League and the Sierra Club worked hard to protect these forests. They helped create the state parks in the 1920s. In 1968, the National Park Service (NPS) created Redwood National Park. In 1994, the national park joined with the three state parks to form one big protected area.

The United Nations recognized these parks as a World Heritage Site in 1980. This was because of their unique nature and history. In 2023, local tribes also created an Indigenous Marine Stewardship Area. This helps protect the coast and ocean waters. You can visit the parks for free, but some activities like camping need a pass. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, biking, and horseback riding on about 200 miles (320 km) of trails.

Park History

Native American Heritage

A Tolowa woman working in the park in 1982.

For thousands of years, many Native American groups lived in this region. Tribes like the Yurok, Tolowa, Karuk, Chilula, and Wiyot have deep connections to this land. Historians believe more than thirty native nations once lived in northwestern California.

The Yurok, Chilula, and Tolowa tribes were especially connected to the areas that are now the parks. The Yurok people were the largest group, with many villages. The Chilula lived near the redwood trees in the Redwood Creek valley. The Tolowa lived near the Smith River. Evidence shows people have lived in this area for at least 8,500 years.

Native Americans used redwood trees for many things. They used the strong wood to build boats, houses, and villages. Some tribes, like the Chilula, even saw the redwoods as special gifts from a creator. They would cut redwood planks and use them to build sturdy homes. These homes often had roofs made from redwood boards.

A reconstructed Yurok plankhouse made from redwood boards.

European Explorers and Settlers

The first Europeans likely visited the coast near the parks in 1543. Later, explorers like Bruno de Heceta and Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra anchored near a Yurok village in 1775. In 1828, Jedediah Smith was one of the first European explorers to travel through the redwood forests inland. He and his group explored the Trinity, Smith, and Klamath rivers.

The California Gold Rush began in 1848. The discovery of gold nearby in 1850 brought many new settlers to the area. This led to big changes and challenges for the native people. Many lost their lands, and their populations greatly decreased due to conflicts and new diseases. For example, the Yurok and Chilula tribes saw their numbers drop significantly.

After the Gold Rush, people started logging the redwood trees. Redwood wood was very valuable because it is strong and resists weather. Loggers used large saws to cut down the trees. Teams of oxen or special machines like the steam donkey helped move the huge logs. This led to a lot of clearcutting, where all trees in an area were cut down.

Protecting the Redwoods: State Parks

The coast redwood is the tallest tree species on Earth.

After much logging, people became worried about losing all the redwood trees. Conservationists and concerned citizens wanted to protect the remaining forests. Groups like the Save the Redwoods League and the Sierra Club worked hard to save these ancient trees.

In the 1920s, the Save the Redwoods League helped create several state parks. These included Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Parks. These parks were important steps in protecting the redwood forests.

Creating a National Park

A map of Redwood National and State Parks (2020).

By the 1960s, both the Save the Redwoods League and the Sierra Club wanted a national park for the redwoods. After much discussion and effort, the bill to create Redwood National Park was signed in October 1968. President Lyndon B. Johnson made it official.

Later, in 1978, the park was expanded. This added more land, including areas that had been logged. The National Park Service (NPS) then worked to restore these lands. In 1994, the NPS and the California Department of Parks and Recreation decided to manage the national park and the three state parks together. This created the Redwood National and State Parks we know today.

Special Recognition for the Parks

The United Nations recognized the Redwood National and State Parks as a World Heritage Site in 1980. This means the parks have global importance for their natural beauty and history. In 1983, they were also named an International Biosphere Reserve.

In 2023, three local Native American tribes created the Yurok-Tolowa-Dee-ni' Indigenous Marine Stewardship Area. This protects 700 square miles (1,800 sq km) of ocean waters and coastline. It helps conserve the area and supports California's goal to protect 30 percent of its land and water by 2030.

How the Parks are Managed

Redwood National Park is managed by the National Park Service (NPS). The three state parks are managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. These two groups work together to care for the entire RNSP. They also work with tribal leaders, as the parks include lands important to the Yurok and Tolowa people.

Park managers do many things to protect the redwoods and other species. They set rules for vehicles, boats, drones, and even pets. They also manage camping, campfires, and food storage to keep visitors and wildlife safe.

When Redwood National Park first opened in 1969, it had only a few employees. By 2023, the combined RNSP had many staff members. They work to restore the land, protect wildlife, and help visitors enjoy the parks. In 2021, over a million people visited the Redwood National and State Parks.

Park Geology

Coastline area with rocky masses.

The parks include both beautiful coastline and parts of the California Coast Ranges mountains. Most of the rocks in the parks are from a group called the Franciscan assemblage. These rocks are very old, formed during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. They include sandstone, siltstone, and shale.

This area is one of the most seismically active in the country. Many small earthquakes happen here, both in the park and offshore. These earthquakes can cause rivers to change course, trigger landslides, and erode seaside cliffs. Three tectonic plates—the North American, Pacific, and Gorda Plates—meet about 100 miles (160 km) southwest of the parks.

Because of this, the area is also very prone to tsunamis. Visitors near the coast are always told to move to higher ground right away if they feel a strong earthquake. The park's elevation ranges from sea level up to 2,746 feet (837 m) at Rodgers Peak.

Park Climate

Fog is persistent during the summer.

The Redwood National and State Parks have a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This means they get a lot of rain, especially in winter. Summers are drier, but fog helps keep things moist.

The nearby Pacific Ocean greatly affects the park's weather. Temperatures near the coast usually stay between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (4–15 °C) all year. Redwoods love this steady, cool climate. They get moisture from heavy winter rains and the constant summer fog. The fog is actually more important for the trees' health than the rain. It helps them get enough water and keeps temperatures cool.

Sometimes, parts of the parks are affected by climate change. Warmer temperatures can reduce water quality, which impacts fish and other animals. Rising sea levels could also damage park structures near the coast. However, redwoods are strong and benefit from higher carbon levels. Scientists are studying how climate change might affect where redwoods can grow in the future.

Park Ecology

The Redwood National and State Parks protect a special area. It has the largest continuous ancient coast redwood forest. It also provides homes for many rare and endangered species.

Coast Redwood Trees: Life Cycle and Growth

The base of a giant Sequoia sempervirens tree.

In 2006, the tallest living tree in the world, named Hyperion, was found in Redwood National Park. It stands at an amazing 380 feet (116 m) tall! Other very tall trees, like Helios and Icarus, are also in the park. To protect these special trees, visitors are asked to view other tall redwoods instead. There are rules against getting too close to Hyperion.

Mature coast redwoods usually live for 500 to 700 years. Some have even lived for 2,000 years! These trees grow huge limbs that collect rich soil. New plants and even small trees can grow from this soil high up in the redwood canopy. These "epiphytes" create homes for insects, snails, worms, and salamanders.

Redwoods grow best on moist, flat ground along rivers, below 1,000 feet (300 m) in elevation. The coastal fog provides about 40 percent of the water they need each year. Coast redwoods have lived along the northern California coast for at least 20 million years. Sadly, about 96 percent of the world's original old-growth coast redwood forests have been cut down. Almost half of what remains (45 percent) is in the RNSP. The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the coast redwood as an endangered species in 2011.

Other Plants in the Parks

Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

Besides redwoods, you can find other tall trees like the coast Douglas-fir. Closer to the ocean, red alder trees grow, as redwoods don't like salty air. The tallest known Sitka spruce tree also lives in the parks. Other trees include tanoak, Pacific madrone, bigleaf maple, and California laurel.

Smaller plants like huckleberry and snowberry grow beneath the trees. Beautiful flowering shrubs like the California rhododendron and azalea are common. You will also see many ferns, such as the sword fern, and redwood sorrel.

In Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, there is a famous place called Fern Canyon. Its walls are 50 feet (15 m) deep and completely covered in different kinds of ferns. Some of these ferns have ancestors that lived 325 million years ago!

Park Animals: Life Cycle and Habitats

The northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is a threatened species found in the parks.

The parks have many different environments: coastline, rivers, prairies, and dense forests. These areas provide homes for numerous rare and endangered animals. About 66 types of land mammals live here. These include black bears, coyotes, cougars, bobcats, beavers, and black-tailed deer.

Roosevelt elk are the largest mammals you are most likely to see. Their herds have grown successfully after almost disappearing from the region. Smaller mammals like minks, raccoons, and different kinds of squirrels also live in the parks.

About 28 species in the park are listed as endangered or threatened by the government. The bald eagle is an endangered species in California. The Chinook salmon, northern spotted owl, and Steller's sea lion are also threatened. The marbled murrelet, an endangered bird, nests high up in redwood branches.

Along the coast, you might spot California sea lions, Steller sea lions, and harbor seals. They live near the shore and on rocky islands called seastacks. Sometimes, dolphins and Pacific gray whales can be seen offshore. Many birds, like brown pelicans and various gulls, live along the coast. Inland, birds like osprey and herons depend on freshwater. About 280 bird species have been seen in the parks.

You can also find reptiles and amphibians here. Four types of sea turtles live offshore. Tailed frogs, clouded salamanders, and three kinds of newts call the parks home. Famous decomposers like the banana slug and the yellow-spotted millipede also help keep the forest healthy.

Invasive Species in the Parks

Over 200 types of non-native plants and animals live in the RNSP. About 30 of these are considered invasive species. Ten of these invasive species are a threat to the local plants and animals. About one-quarter of all plants in the parks are non-native. In some open grassland areas, up to 75 percent of plants are non-native.

Fire Management and Protection

A Forest Service researcher conducting a cultural burn in 2019.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) manages fires in the state parks. The NPS manages fires in the national park. Redwood trees have thick bark that resists fire, and they can regrow after burning. The redwood forest is often foggy and humid, so fires are not very common. Most fires are started by people.

For a long time, Native American tribes like the Tolowa and Karuk used controlled fires. They would set small, low-intensity fires to protect trees like tanoaks, which provided acorns for food. These fires also helped improve hunting grounds and reduce pests. Today, park managers use controlled fires in grassland areas. This helps control invasive plants and makes materials available for local tribes to use in basket weaving.

Fun Activities in the Parks

The parks have five visitor centers. Here you can get maps, information, and souvenirs. During the summer, park rangers lead fun activities. There is no entry fee for the RNSP, but some camping areas and special activities require a paid pass.

The parks are about 325 miles (523 km) north of San Francisco. You can reach them by car or public transport. There are no hotels inside the parks, but you can find places to stay in nearby towns like Crescent City, Klamath, and Eureka.

The state parks have four campgrounds where you can park your vehicle and camp for a fee. It's a good idea to make a reservation. These campgrounds are at Mill Creek, Jedediah Smith, Elk Prairie, and Gold Bluffs Beach.

Horseback riders entering Redwood National Park.

If you like adventure, you can hike to seven backcountry camping areas. These require a permit. Always store your food properly to avoid attracting bears. Remember to take all your trash with you, following the Leave No Trace principles.

The parks have almost 200 miles (320 km) of hiking trails. Trails can be wet, so be ready for rainy weather. Check with visitor centers for updates on trail conditions. Some footbridges are removed during the rainy season because of high water.

You can also go horseback riding and mountain biking on certain trails. Kayaking is allowed, and ranger-led kayak tours are offered in the summer. The Smith River is a great place for kayaking and canoeing. Visitors can fish for salmon and trout in the Smith and Klamath rivers. A California sport fishing license is needed to fish in the rivers and streams.

Related pages

• National park
• List of national parks of the United States
• Redwoods Rising
• National parks in California
• Lost Man Creek Dam