Just imagine yourself standing there, looking up at a giant tree towering above you into the sky. Even the blueberries are several feet above your head. Being among these giants really puts life into perspective, and the silence of the forest floor is so quiet that your footsteps sound like thunder.
Welcome to California Redwoods, part of a unique ecosystem that includes these ancient trees as well as some of the most beautiful coastline in California. In the Redwood Forest, you can bike, raft, fish, swim, or picnic, but simply walking among these giant trees is enough to amaze most people.
If you’re in the mood for a scenic drive, you can see the sights without leaving your car or RV on one of the park’s scenic drives. The most famous of them is the Avenue of the Giants. If the name gives you any indication, it’s pretty spectacular.
Avenue of the Giants is 31 miles from Highway 101, approximately 5 hours north of San Francisco. Without even leaving your RV, you’ll see some of the largest trees in the entire forest. The parkway is also close to the Humboldt National Forest, where the oldest stand of virgin redwoods still stands.
On the other hand, if you want to get out and walk among the giants, there are trails along the way. Anytime you see a trail sign, stop and take it. Wherever it takes you, it will be spectacular and well worth the walk. There are also plenty of great places to stop and have a picnic. The Avenue of the Giants is also dotted with quaint little towns where you can stop along the way to eat, shop for souvenirs, or learn more about these massive trees.
You’ve probably seen the photos of the Shrine Drive-Thru tree. That’s located on Myers Flat, and there’s a bypass on Avenues for that. Here you can drive through one of these huge trees!
But, redwoods are more than just trees. They are part of a complete ecosystem, including grasslands, rivers, and the coastline as well. There are places like the Klamath River Overlook, where you can look down on where the Klamath River meets the Pacific Ocean. You may also see leaping salmon, sunbathing sea lions, flying seabirds, seals, and even gray whales.
In this pristine environment there is a variety of protected wildlife such as Roosevelt’s elk, gray whales, black bears and sea anemones. There are also lots of interesting little critters, like the huge banana slugs, named for their bright color and the size of a fruit.
The California Redwoods are a great destination for RV travelers, and there are some wonderful campgrounds where you can stay. Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is open from May 1 to September 30 and is located right in the middle of the forest. There are 145 sites that allow tents and RVs, but there are restrictions on the length of RVs. Call them for more information and reservations.
Campground at Jebediah Smith Redwoods State Park is open year-round, and its more than 100 sites accommodate RVs. However, there are no connections and they also have length restrictions. Call ahead for more information.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park has 2 campgrounds that are slightly smaller than the others. One has 75 sites and the smallest has 25 and does not allow trailers. Prairie Creek is ideal for those who really want to get away and prefer a little more rugged accommodation.
Everyone should see the redwoods at least once. You won’t believe it!