Anyone can experience the Redwood National & State Parks on their own by simply following a hiking trail, but we’re sharing five really unique ways to elevate your park visit to Del Norte County, California – home of two of the three Redwood National Parks: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is only five short miles from the town of Klamath, California.

The Redwood National and State Parks protect 45 percent of California’s remaining ancient old-growth redwoods and is Northern California’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Del Norte County has some of the tallest trees on earth, so get packing to see these giants!

1. Namaste in a Redwood Grove: Experience Outdoor Yoga

The Smith River ripples through Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park and sets a stunning stage for an outdoor yoga experience like no other. Try a “Flowga” yoga class that takes place overlooking the Smith River. Yoga newbies will easily get into a “flow state” with Lauren’s artfully taught classes, while devoted yogis will be gobsmacked by the river views. Natalie of Natalie Jane Yoga takes individuals and small groups into the redwood forest for a two-hour tranquil hike paired with a serene yoga session. You’ll come away feeling refreshed and stretched in more ways than you think. Rumor has it that if you remove your shoes and walk barefoot at the base of a redwood tree, you can feel the tree’s vibration!

2. Find Your “Awe” Again with a Forest Bathing Hike

Get in touch with your sense of awe and “ahhh” with a forest bathing experience under ancient redwood groves. It’s not as strange (or woo-woo) as it sounds and is simple: the art of forest bathing is easy to do, really restorative, and has been rooted in Japanese culture as “ecotherapy” since the 1980s. The Redwood Path tour takes you into a quiet redwood grove where you’ll be guided through a number of feel-good, mood-lifting, and self-reflective exercises proven to deepen your connection to nature and improve wellness. There’s a special surprise at the end.

(Photos by Momentum River Expeditions)

3. Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking on the Smith River

There’s only one place where you can whitewater raft and kayak through the Redwood National Park, and that’s right here on the alluring aquamarine Smith River. For those who crave more action – and adrenaline – Redwood Rides offers (almost) year-round whitewater rafting on the south, middle, and north fork of the Smith. Not many people know that the Smith River’s superb rafting conditions make for the best spring whitewater rafting in California.

(Photos by Crescent Trail Rides)

4. Only the Sound of Hoofbeats: Horseback Riding

Four hooves are better than two feet when it comes to trekking through the redwoods. Crescent Trail Rides takes horse-lovers of all riding levels on daily horseback riding tours through lush old-growth redwood forests along trails and dirt roads skirting the edge of the Redwood National Park.

5. Pedal Along the Most Scenic Biking Trails

Cover more ground by pedaling through the park. Breathe in the redwood forest and Pacific Ocean sights with a mountain bike ride along the old Redwood Highway, which was closed to vehicles in the 1930s. Don’t miss rolling along Howland Hill Road – one of the most scenic gravel roads fringed by towering redwood trees with access to several of the top redwood hiking trails – Grove of Titans, Boy Scout Tree, and Stout Grove. Redwood Rides offers both of these bike tours for all levels, including transportation, bikes, gear, and plenty of local insider knowledge. Mark your calendar for the first Saturday of the month between October and May. Head south of Klamath to Newton B. Drury Parkway for “Hike and Bike Day” where the scenic redwood parkway is closed to cars and open only for biking and hiking.

Plan your stay at VisitDelNorteCounty.com to get digital travel guides, find the top places to see, stay, and eat. Need more help planning? Reach out to us on the website for specific questions and customized itineraries to make the most of your stay in Del Norte County.

A Few Tips to Know Before You Go

1. There’s no park entrance fee to Jedediah Smith or the Del Norte Coast parks. From May 15 through September 15, a pass is required to drive into Prairie Creek’s famous Fern Canyon where Jurassic Park was filmed. You must reserve the pass online before you arrive.

2. It’s worth a stop into the Crescent City-Del Norte County Visitor Center to pick up maps, souvenirs, and get the “local secrets” on where to go and what to do.

3. Check the Redwood National Parks website for any trail closures before heading into the parks.

4. We are a four-season destination – the weather is mild here and there’s nothing like looking up at big trees in the rain. Those who visit outside of the summer months will likely have trails and beaches all to themselves.

5. Road tripping here is a gorgeous drive whether coming from Oregon or California. However, hopping on a quick flight from Oakland (OAK) or the Los Angeles basin area via Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR) can allow you more time to explore the beaches and coastlines, wild and scenic rivers, and the National Parks. We recommend renting a car due to limited public transportation options – car rentals are available at the Del Norte County Regional Airport.