Planning a trip to the Redwoods? These are the best hikes in Redwood National Park that you absolutely can’t miss.
I’ve visited Redwood National and State Parks half a dozen times, and these trails are some of my all-time favorites. They’re all easy to moderate, incredibly scenic, and give you that up-close, jaw-dropping experience with some of the largest trees on Earth.
If you’re looking for hikes that deliver maximum magic without requiring an all-day trek, this list is for you.
Before you hit the trails, make sure you’re prepared with the 10 hiking essentials that will make your Redwoods adventure safe and stress-free.
Karl Knapp Trail
📍 Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Distance: 2.5 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 1–1.5 hours
If you want a peaceful hike without the crowds, this is your trail.
The Karl Knapp Trail starts right near the visitor center in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, but it somehow still feels quiet and tucked away. Almost immediately, you’re surrounded by lush ferns, towering redwoods, and the soft sound of Prairie Creek winding alongside the trail.
This hike is all about atmosphere. It’s not dramatic or flashy—it’s calm, grounding, and incredibly serene. You’ll walk through classic old-growth forest with filtered light coming through the canopy, and if you go early or later in the day, you might have it almost entirely to yourself.
Midway through the hike, you’ll cross the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and find yourself face-to-face with the Big Tree. There’s a restroom at the wayside here, making it a great place to take a quick break.
From this point, you also have the option to add on the Circle Trail (0.5 miles) or the Cathedral Tree Trail (0.5 miles) if you want to extend your hike a bit. Or, you can simply continue back along the Karl Knapp Trail, heading through more stunning old-growth forest toward the visitor center.
👉 Best for: a quiet, immersive redwood experience
👉 Pro tip: Go in the morning or evening for soft light and fewer people
Lady Bird Johnson Grove
📍 Redwood National Park
Distance: 1.5-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Located in Redwood National Park, this trail sits at a higher elevation than most of the other hikes in the area—and it feels completely different because of it.
The Lady Bird Johnson Grove loop is one of the most accessible hikes in the park, but don’t let that fool you. When the coastal fog rolls in, this place transforms into something almost surreal. The tall, straight redwoods disappear into the mist, and the entire forest feels quiet and otherworldly.
It’s one of the best spots for photography in the park—especially if you catch that moody fog.
👉 Best for: easy hiking + epic photos
👉 Pro tip: Check the weather and go when fog is likely for that dreamy look
Simpson-Reed Trail
📍 Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Distance: 0.9-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30–45 minutes
This trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is seriously underrated.
Even though it’s right off Highway 199, the moment you step onto the trail, you feel completely surrounded by dense forest. The redwoods here are massive, and they grow incredibly close together, which makes the whole experience feel immersive and almost enclosed in the best way.
It’s short, easy, and perfect if you’re short on time—or traveling with kids.
👉 Best for: quick stop with a huge payoff
Stout Memorial Grove
📍 Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Distance: 0.8-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30–45 minutes
If you’re looking for the biggest bang for your buck in the Redwoods, this is it.
Located off Howland Hill Road, a historic wagon route turned narrow, unpaved scenic drive, Stout Memorial Grove is one of the most iconic old-growth areas in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Just getting here feels like part of the adventure—winding through dense forest on a dirt road surrounded by towering redwoods.
The trail itself is short and mostly flat, but the scenery is unreal—think massive trees, moss-covered everything, and soft light filtering through the canopy.
It’s also right along the Smith River, which adds to the magic. You can take a short connector to the River Trail (about 0.2 miles) and spend some time down by the water—it’s the perfect place to slow down and just take it all in.
👉 Best for: classic redwood scenery with minimal effort
👉 Pro tip: Visit early or late to avoid crowds—it’s popular for a reason and the parking lot fills quickly
Grove of Titans
📍 Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Distance: ~1.7 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1–1.5 hours
If you’re looking to be completely awed, this is the trail.
Located off Howland Hill Road, the Grove of Titans was reopened in 2022 with a thoughtfully designed elevated boardwalk that protects the fragile forest floor while allowing visitors to experience this incredible area up close.
This hike takes you deep into one of the most impressive sections of old-growth forest in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, where you’ll be walking among some of the tallest trees on the planet. These ancient redwoods are truly massive, and the scale is hard to put into words—you’ll feel incredibly small in the best way.
The largest tree in the grove, known as the Lost Monarch, stands around 320 feet tall. And even that number doesn’t fully capture what it feels like to stand beneath it. It’s one of those places where photos just don’t do it justice—you have to see it in person to really understand the scale.
👉 Best for: seeing some of the tallest and most awe-inspiring trees on Earth
👉 Pro tip: Pair this with Stout Grove since they’re along the same road
Fern Canyon
📍 Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Distance: ~1 mile loop (plus access trails/roads)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 1–2 hours
This hike feels like you stepped straight into another world.
Located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Fern Canyon is completely different from the rest of the Redwoods. Instead of towering trees, you’ll find yourself in a narrow canyon with walls covered in lush, green ferns.
To access the canyon, you’ll turn off the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway onto Davison Road toward Gold Bluffs Beach. You’ll pass through an entrance kiosk where you’ll either pay the $12 day-use fee or show your national park pass. The road is a bit rutted and includes a small stream crossing, though most vehicles can manage it (I even saw a Honda Civic make it through). From the parking lot, it’s a short 0.2-mile walk to the start of the canyon.
If you prefer not to drive, Fern Canyon is also accessible via the James Irvine Trail from Elk Prairie Campground, which adds a bit of hiking but avoids the road entirely.
Once you enter the canyon, you’ll follow a shallow stream, crossing it multiple times on logs or stepping stones. Expect to climb over fallen trees and get your feet a little wet—but that’s part of the fun. The towering ferns, moss-covered walls, and filtered light make it feel almost magical—like you’ve stepped into another world entirely.
Fun fact: scenes from The Lost World: Jurassic Park were filmed here, and once you’re inside the canyon, you’ll understand why.
👉 Best for: a totally unique hiking experience
👉 Pro tip: Bring waterproof shoes or sandals—and check if a permit is needed for access. From May 15–September 15, an entry permit is required for driving to Fern Canyon (more info here).
These hikes are some of the most memorable experiences you can have in the Redwoods. They’re accessible, diverse, and each one offers something completely different—from quiet forest walks to otherworldly canyon adventures.
If you’re planning your trip, you really can’t go wrong with any of these—but if you have time, do them all. Trust me, it’s worth it.