An RV weekend in the California Redwoods

July 12, 2:23 PMLA RVing ExaminerJulian Gothard

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Redwood National and State Parks on the Northern California Coast covers 110,000 acres, provides great RVing opportunities, is open year round and contains the world’s tallest living tree. A 367 foot California Redwood, the lost monarch of the North Coast.

• Click here to view a slideshow of Redwoods National Park

The park, created in 1968, was further expanded in 1978 and is one of four parks on the coast of California dedicated to the preservation of the splendid “Sequoia Sempervirens” and its coastline environment. Prairie Creek, Del Norte and Jedediah Smith State Parks, all created in the 1920’s, are encompassed by the much larger federal park. In 1980, the Redwood National & State Parks were designated a World Heritage Site. “Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the deep green woods. Here grow the wallflower, and the violet. The squirrel will come and sit upon your knee, the logcock will wake you in the morning. Sleep in forgetfulness of all ill.” (John Muir)

The drive through the park, on Highway 101, is approximately 50 miles. There is an eight mile Coastal Drive with wonderful scenic overlooks that can be reached via Klamath Beach Road (No RV’s or Trailers). You can do masses of sightseeing by car including Howland Hill Road, Davison Road and the Newton Drury scenic parkway. You should definitely stop at the Klamath River Overlook which affords stunning views across the estuary, and is a favored spot for whale watching. Alternatively, the Redwoods Park contains close to 200 miles of hiking trails. A number of trails can be used for cycling and horseback riding--and there is plenty of opportunity for freshwater or ocean fishing.

A hundred miles further to the south you can drive the Avenue of the Giants , visit the Founders Grove nature trail and camp overnight in the sleepy town of Leggett. Whether you are heading north or south, you should not miss taking the very challenging 232 mile coastal drive from Leggett to San Francisco on Highway 1. The long and winding road will be slow and is sometimes covered in a thick marine layer (depending on the season), so RV’ers should keep that in mind if choosing this route. But the views alone make this choice worthwhile. You can stop to explore the John Muir Woods National Monument just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, visit the lighthouse at Point Reyes, eat at Bodega Bay, drop in at Fort Ross, hike in the Kruse Rhododendron Reserve SNR or shop in the picturesque town of Mendocino.

• Redwood National & State Parks Map (PDF)
• Redwood National and State Parks Park Information (24 Hour) Tel:  1 (707) 464-6101
• Camping Reservations: 1 (800) 444-7275 or www.reserveamerica.com
• Driving distance from LA to Redwoods National Park: 583 miles

© Copyright 2009 Julian L. Gothard. Protected pursuant to the provisions of the Berne Convention. All rights reserved.

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