Redwood National Park Cabins

Sea lions whoop intermittently as the waves crash against the shore beneath the coastal bluffs. Look out for surfacing gray whales. Along winding trails to sequestered beaches you'll come upon driftwood that wiggles in strange shapes and crabs and sea stars writhing. Seventy miles of the Coastal Trail overlook the mighty Pacific, an endless horizon of blue on par with the grandeur of the redwoods.

A 3-mile loop trail takes you back in time along the 19th-century Crescent City Pank Road. A canyon rustles with hazel and maple trees. Bright green leaves embellish huckleberry and trillium trees in springtime. And California bay and tanoak trees filter the sunlight from on high. Redwoods are the pinnacles of this scenic ecosystem.

Wander through a thousand-year-old forest lined with musical streams. Fallen timber provides a home to insects and other wildlife, such as red-legged frogs and rough-skinned newts. Ferns unfurl in the shade beneath the huckleberry and hemlock on this 1-mile loop, which is perfect for families.

Ride horses, mules, and donkeys down the park's equestrian trails, which hug the coastline and extend through mountainous forests. Follow the 10-mile Howland Hills Trail through rugged backcountry, or the Orick Horse Trail, a complex of trails that loops through forest and along the glistening McArthur and Elam creeks.

Stand in amazement as you catch sight of gray whales dancing off the coast, a phenomenon most common between November and March. A population of whales resides at the Klamath River Overlook, too. Crescent Beach Overlook and Gold Bluffs Beach are also prime whale watching territory. Encounter the stately Roosevelt elk in Prairie Creek Redwoods Park and the Orick region. They give birth to calves in May and June.

Follow the Coastal Trail for 6 miles to Enderts Beach. Here you can spot sea stars and other marine creatures in the tide pools. The Ossagon Trail Loop offers riders stunning views and a variety of gradients.

You can also explore this mind-blowing region by car, when little legs tire. Follow the Howland Hill Road through vast old-growth redwood forests to several trailheads, including the picturesque Boy Scout Tree Trail. Requa Road offers spectacular coastal views at the Klamath River Overlook, dramatically balanced at 650 feet above the Pacific.

Your kids will treasure their experience as a Junior Ranger. Pick up an activity pack from the Visitor Center to learn more about the park's ecology, wildlife, and geology through engaging outdoor activities and games. Grab a guide to learn more about special seasonal education programs, such as stargazing nights hosted by rangers, as well as conservation talks, and demonstrations.

Fun and educational at the same time, the EdVentures program is your portal to wildlife conservation projects and guided nature hikes. Work with scientists at the park to understand the secrets of the world's tallest trees. Participate in ongoing nature projects at the park through a suite of online tools and portals for schools and families.