Photo: NPS / John ChaoRedwood National and State Parks protects the world's largest remaining old-growth coast redwood forests, where some trees have been growing for over 2,000 years and can reach heights of 380 feet — taller than the Statue of Liberty. The parks stretch along 40 miles of rugged Pacific coastline, combining towering cathedral-like groves with pristine beaches, tidepools, and prairie grasslands where Roosevelt elk graze freely. Unlike other forest parks, the redwoods create their own weather system, capturing coastal fog to water their canopy 300 feet above ground. Families discover an ecosystem so unique that many of its plants and animals exist nowhere else on Earth, from the banana slug to the endangered marbled murrelet that nests high in the redwood crowns.
Junior Ranger Program at Redwood National and State Parks
The Junior Ranger program at Redwood invites kids to become forest detectives, learning about the unique ecosystem that supports these ancient trees. Young explorers complete activities focused on wildlife habitat, forest conservation, and the incredible symbiotic relationships that keep these towering ecosystems thriving.
- Walk through massive hollow tree trunks that kids can stand inside
- Search for Roosevelt elk, black bears, and over 40 endangered species
- Learn how these 2,000-year-old trees survived ice ages and natural disasters
Program Details
Download Junior Ranger Booklet
Get a head start! Download and print the booklet before your visit.
Source: NPS Junior Ranger Program Page
Best Ages for Redwood National and State Parks
Ages 4–6
Young children love the hands-on nature activities in the booklet like drawing redwood leaves and spotting wildlife along easy trails like Simpson-Reed Trail. The wildlife observation and tree identification activities work perfectly at their pace, especially when combined with short walks through the cathedral-like groves.
Ages 7–12
This age group thrives with the booklet's variety of activities that guide them through different areas of the park to discover fascinating plants, animals, and cultural significance. They can handle moderate trails like the Karl Knapp Loop while completing wildlife observation activities, and the summer ranger-guided programs are designed specifically for ages 7-12.
Ages 13+
Teens and older kids can dive deeper into the cultural history sections of the booklet while tackling more challenging trails like Boy Scout Tree Trail. They often enjoy the scientific aspects of how redwoods create their own ecosystem and the conservation stories behind protecting these ancient forests.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
The parks stretch 60 miles along the coast with four visitor centers from north to south, so plan your route based on which activities you want to prioritize. Parking at popular spots like Fern Canyon requires advance reservations May 15-September 15, and several trailheads have limited parking that fills early in summer.
Van & RV Notes
RV camping fills quickly so book well in advance at Prairie Creek or Gold Bluffs Beach, both offering good amenities for families. Note that some popular trails like Simpson-Reed have limited parking with RVs and trailers not permitted, so plan alternative parking strategies for your Sprinter.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early fall offers the warmest weather for hiking, though summer fog can be magical for photos and keeps temperatures cool. Winter brings 60-80 inches of rain but fewer crowds and dramatic storm-watching opportunities along the coast.
How Long to Spend
Plan at least two full days to experience both the towering groves and coastal elements while completing Junior Ranger activities at a comfortable family pace. Many families spend 3-4 days to fully explore the different ecosystems from redwood cathedrals to tidepools.
Don't Miss
Fern Canyon offers an otherworldly experience walking through 50-foot walls covered in ferns (though you'll get your feet wet crossing streams), while watching Roosevelt elk graze in the prairie grasslands near visitor centers creates unforgettable wildlife memories. The contrast between standing among 300-foot trees and exploring Pacific tidepools in the same day makes this park truly unique.
Fun Facts for Kids
Coast redwoods can live over 2,000 years and grow to be taller than a 35-story building
Redwood bark can be up to 12 inches thick and is naturally fire-resistant, helping trees survive forest fires
The trees capture up to 40% of their water from coastal fog, drinking through their needles 300 feet above ground
Roosevelt elk can weigh up to 1,100 pounds and were nearly extinct before being reintroduced to these grasslands
Plan Your Stay
Save on park entry with the America the Beautiful Pass — $80 for unlimited access to all 400+ National Park sites for a full year.
Where to Stay
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