California’s redwood forests are worth seeing because of their enormous trees and kilometers of hiking trails. However, determining the ideal time to visit Redwood National and State Parks can be challenging because many factors can influence your trip.
For instance, the weather is arguably the finest throughout the summer (June to September). Highs are at 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and it is raining. However, it is also the most expensive and congested time of year.
Winter, on the other hand (December to March), is the complete opposite. Although few people are around and you can budget your travel, it may rain up to 15 days every month. The transitional seasons of spring (March to June) and fall (September to December) include aspects of both the warmer and colder months.
But be careful not to let planning overwhelm you. After reading this essay, you plan the ideal trip to this famous California monument.
Weather, Prices, and Crowds in Redwood National and State Parks
Things to know about Redwood National and State Parks’ weather, prices, and crowds
In Redwood National and State Parks, hiking is possible all year round.
Redwood National Park in January
There are several benefits to visiting Redwood National Park in the winter (December to March). The park is moderately cold, so trekking is still possible. Although January highs are typically about 57 degrees, lows can reach 46 degrees.
The parks have frequent rain in January, which is a drawback. There is a 50% probability that you may see some precipitation while traveling, with up to 15 days of rain anticipated over the month. But you can take advantage of that. The trails will be fine because there are few visitors to the park in January, and most hotels and airlines provide discounts.
Redwood National Park in February
It’s too busy to visit Redwood National Park in February. Although the environment in the region precludes any sharp decreases in temperature, it may nevertheless be quite cold—as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Many tourists avoid coming at this time of year due to the colder temperatures and an average of 13 days of rain.
The state parks’ campgrounds will have lots of space because there will be few people in the neighborhood, and the overnight cabins won’t cost you anything. However, you may also get discounts on rooms if you’d like the conveniences of a hotel.
Redwood National Park in March
With an average of up to 15 days of precipitation, March is one of Redwood National Park’s rainiest months. The humidity may make the atmosphere unpleasant even when it isn’t too cold—typically between 45 and 58 degrees Fahrenheit. If you intend to hike in March, you should also be cautious and wear sturdy hiking boots with lots of traction.
On the plus side, trails will be largely vacant because continuous rain generally results in fewer visits to the park. Plenty of space will be available in nearby motels and the campsites at Redwood State Park for overnight stays. Even on reservations, you could discover a few discounts.
Redwood National Park in April
The weather at Redwood National Park begins to change from winter (December to March) to spring (March to June) in earnest in April. On average, highs reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit, while the month’s total number of wet days falls to about 11.
On weekends in April, population numbers may start to increase as in-state visitors begin to take advantage of the region’s progressively improving weather to visit before the park’s busiest season. However, since few visitors from outside the state see the parks, you can obtain lower rates on lodging and travel to the region.
Redwood National Park in May
Locals claim that May is the ideal time to explore Redwood National Park. You have to cope with precipitation on average one to two times a week now that the brunt of the region’s rainy season is over. It’s also hotter in the park, with highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and a low around 52.
The excellent weather comes with a price: more people and money. Since schools in most states conclude in the second half of May, more individuals may travel. Memorial Day towards the end of the month is trendy, so secure a place in advance if you wish to camp at one of the on-site sites.
Redwood National Park in June
Redwood National Park’s summer season (June to September) is in full swing in June. The weather is perfect for trekking because temperatures range from 57 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit. You won’t have to worry about the tracks being too muddy because there are typically just three days of rain each month.
However, given that many people are taking summer holidays, there are better months than June to organize a last-minute trip. To guarantee that you receive a campground, flight, or hotel room, you should make your bookings at least a month or two in advance. Additionally, it will enable you to negotiate better travel and lodging rates.
Redwood National Park in July
The most excellent season to visit Redwood National Park is summer (June to September), and July has some of the most ideal weather. Only one day of rain is forecast, and daily highs seldom go over 81 degrees Fahrenheit, so you may take in nature without being too hot or fearing that lousy weather will interfere with your plans.
The good weather has the drawback of attracting many tourists to the region. Although the week around Independence Day is often one of the busiest of the year, traffic is heavy the whole month. As a result, if you wait too long to make a reservation, hotels, and campgrounds will likely run out of openings, and rates will also be at their highest because of the strong demand.
Redwood National Park in August
Due to the arrival of the final few weeks of the school summer vacation (June to September), August is the busiest travel month for Redwood National Park. Compared to the second part of the month, when some students have already returned to the classroom, the first half of the month often has larger crowds.
Prices for local flights and hotel rooms will decline as crowd levels fall. There may be more open spaces in the campgrounds. Fortunately, there hasn’t been much rain recently, and the weather is still virtually ideal, with warm days about 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Redwood National Park in September
The ability of California’s redwoods to reach great heights is one of the state’s most intriguing characteristics. The 380-foot-tall tree fondly known as the Hyperion, which has grown to be one of the park’s most well-known icons, is among the most significant instances of this.
The Hyperion tree and other natural beauties are seen at Redwood National Park in September without dealing with crowds of tourists. Out-of-state visitors usually decrease after Labor Day weekend at the beginning of the month. Since residents who arrive on weekends make up the majority of park visitors, hotels frequently have a lot of openings and start giving discounts.
The weather in September is agreeable. The rainfall is often less than once a week, and the temperature range between 62 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit is pleasant.
Redwood National Park in October
Consider booking a trip in October if you want peace while taking in Redwood National Park’s breathtaking scenery. The month is relatively quiet save for the weekend around Indigenous Peoples’ Day, also known as Columbus Day in some areas of the nation. This is a great time to go on a budget due to the decreased crowd levels.
Fortunately, October offers excellent outdoor weather for bicycling, hiking, and camping. The typical low temperature is 56 degrees Fahrenheit, while the specific high temperature is 71 degrees Fahrenheit. However, given that there are typically six days of precipitation, be ready for possible downpours.
Redwood National Park in November
November is a month that typically goes unnoticed if you need guidance on when to visit Redwood National Park. In contrast to other holiday destinations, it provides decent weather, controlled crowd levels, and inexpensive rates.
Despite the 13 average days of rain, Redwood National Park does not experience severe weather. Therefore, the temperatures are decent. They typically stay between 49 and 61 degrees Fahrenheit, so you may hike about comfortably as long as you are clothed in layers.
However, tourists avoid the Redwood region since they often look for sunny weather when they travel to California in the winter. The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one exception to this norm. More visitors may come to the park. As a result, however, they are mostly Californians.
Additionally, pricing in November is relatively affordable. Flight discounts to Rogue Valley International Medford Airport and reduced hotel costs may be offered if booked in advance.
Redwood National Park in December
Winter at Redwood National Park (December to March) begins in December. While December is possibly full in some locations, the park generally experiences a peaceful month.
The month’s weather is mostly to blame for the decline in tourists. Due to the usual 14 days of rain and temperatures between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, many out-of-state visitors only go in December.
However, you may take advantage of the December off-season by finding affordable housing in or close to the parks, provided you pack a raincoat and dress warmly for the weather. Even one of the on-site cottages, which fill up rapidly during the peak season, can be available for reservation.
In Summary
The Redwood National and State Parks have natural beauties worth seeing at any time of year. However, the calendar page that you mark for your vacation will depend on your choices.
Winter (December to March) is the wettest season to visit the park, although it may be more enjoyable for budget tourists and those seeking a peaceful getaway. Instead, summer vacations (from June to September) offer the ideal hiking conditions.
Whether you pack your bags and travel to Redwood National Park, this list has assisted you in finalizing your vacation arrangements. Now all you have to do is book your bookings!
How to Plan a Vacation to Redwood National and State Parks
When is the ideal time to visit Redwood State and National Parks?
The optimum time to visit Redwood National Park is challenging to determine because each season offers advantages and disadvantages. For instance, the best weather is in the summer (June to September). Only one to three times a month does it rain, and the temperature is between 71 and 82 degrees F.
The parks are one of California’s most well-known tourist destinations, so it makes sense that summertime is busier and consequently more expensive. Therefore, traveling in the fall (September to December) would be wiser if you want to go while tourist is low.
The weather is similar at that time of year, with temperatures ranging from 61 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, remember that it may rain up to three times per week.
What are the best hikes in Redwood National Park?
Deciding the more than 100 trails in Redwood National Park might be intimidating. Make sure you research the trail’s difficulty before starting a trek so you know what to anticipate. Here are a few visitor favorites if you need some ideas.
First, the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail is a favorite among casual walkers. It’s a two-mile loop that usually only takes 30 minutes to complete. Additionally, it’s a beautiful alternative for family trekking because the terrain is simple and often level.
The three-mile Trillium Falls Trail circle takes more than an hour to complete. Because of the trail’s moderate difficulty and includes steep, uneven terrain. Children and others with mobility issues may struggle on this walk, but most hikers shouldn’t have too much of a problem.
The Mill Creek Horse Trail, on the other hand, is an excellent option if you’re a dedicated hiker. It can take up to five hours to complete the almost ten-mile loop. You might use a mountain bike on this route, though, as it is rough and has several inclines.
Where can I park my RV in Redwood National Park?
It’s hardly surprising that Redwood National Park draws many campers since it’s one of the most well-liked national parks on the West Coast. People who want to remain overnight stay in four campsites within the park. These campsites are convenient because they accept bookings and are open all year.
This campground can fit up to 86 tents or RVs up to 25 feet long. You should bring your generator and use the on-site bathroom because there are no water or power lines. There are also four houses for rent at this site.
The 145 tent sites at Mill Creek Campground, available from May 18 to September 30, can accommodate RVs up to 28 feet long. Once more, these sites lack hookups. So you’ll want to bring a portable generator and utilize the shower facilities at the park.
There are four cabins for rent at Elk Prairie Campground, but you may also tent camp here. It has 75 sites for tents or RVs up to 27 feet long at the park, available all year. Again, the campground does not have any hookups.
The final campground in Redwood Park is Gold Bluffs Beach Campground. It often remains open all year. However, financing for this campground occasionally only allows it to stay open during peak tourist seasons, so verify before going. Only 26 sites are available for tents or RVs up to 24 feet long, making it the smallest campground.
Where are the best campgrounds in Redwood National Park?
The Redwood National and State Parks have just four campsites, so your options are restricted. If you wish to spend the night there. Even though all of these campgrounds provide comparable facilities, two appear by locals a bit more frequently. But remember that these campgrounds remain in national parks, but rather in Redwood forest state parks.
Locals and visitors agree that Jedediah Smith Campground is the greatest. Up to 86 tents or RVs can be set there, and it is open all year. Additionally, the campsite accommodates guests with various levels of mobility and features a visitor center, food lockers, fire pits, and a bathing facility on-site. Most of the national park’s woodland is also closest to this campground.
The size of each campsite and the number of sites available make Mill Creek. The campground is the largest of the four camps. RVs up to 28 feet long may still fit here without difficulty. The fact that this campground is only available from May 18 to September 30 prevents it from ranking as the best campground.
Which airport is just a short distance from Redwood National Park?
The Redwood National and State Parks sits in California, although the closest airport is in Oregon. Medford International Airport (MFR) serves the Rogue Valley. According to the park you decide to visit, the distance from this airport is between 99 and 109 miles. The distance between the airport and a park entrance is one or two hours by car.
MFR, however, only has direct flights to 12 other places in the western US because it is a tiny airport. Booking a connecting flight will likely be required if you wish to fly from a more convenient airport or are planning to arrive from the east. You could fly into San Francisco International Airport or Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and then link there.
