01
Classic coastal stroll
Enderts Beach and California Coastal Trail
Enderts Beach Road South Of Crescent City • Wild Ocean Bluff And Pocket-Beach Walk • Best Close-To-Town Coastal Escape
A short, view-packed hike that drops from grassy bluffs to a tucked-away cove where you can linger over the surf.
If you want instant payoff with minimal driving, this is the spot: the trail rolls gently along ocean bluffs before curving down to a rocky, driftwood-strewn beach. It’s an easy out-and-back with big-sky views, tidepooling at lower tides, and a good chance of spotting harbor seals offshore. Aim for late afternoon if you’re chasing a sunset over the Pacific.
02
Best redwood creek ramble
Mill Creek Trail
Howland Hill Road Corridor East Of Bertsch-Oceanview • Lush Creekside Redwood Canyon Trail • Go-To Half-Day Redwoods Hike
A rolling path that follows Mill Creek through dense old-growth, with constant shade and the sound of water as your soundtrack.
Mill Creek Trail feels like a sampler platter of everything people come to the North Coast for: towering trunks, ferns dripping from the banks, and a cool creek never far away. The tread is well-defined but rooty in places, so plan on taking your time and watching your footing. Go early or on drizzly days for the quietest, most atmospheric experience.
03
Big-tree pilgrimage
Boy Scout Tree Trail
Jedediah Smith Redwoods East Of Crescent City • Strenuous Old-Growth Out-And-Back • Best For Committed Hikers
A longer, rolling route deep into the redwoods that rewards steady hikers with cathedral-like groves and a tucked-away waterfall.
This is the trail locals recommend when you say you really want to ‘get lost’ in the redwoods for a few hours. The path climbs and dips along a ridge through massive, moss-draped trees before reaching the enormous Boy Scout Tree and a small waterfall at the turnaround. It’s not technical, but the mileage and elevation add up, so bring snacks, water, and enough time to linger.
04
Most dramatic forest-to-sea drop
Damnation Creek Trail
Highway 101 South Of Bertsch-Oceanview • Steep Coastal Redwood Descent • Best For Views And Leg-Burn
A shaded plunge through towering redwoods toward a foggy headland, with sweeping glimpses of sea cliffs along the way.
From the trailhead off Highway 101, the route wastes no time diving downhill through some of the tallest trees in the park system. Even if seasonal closures keep you from reaching the old bridge at the bottom, the switchbacks offer layered views of redwoods, canyon, and distant ocean. Plan on a slow grind coming back up and pack an extra layer—the marine fog keeps this canyon cool.
05
Easiest redwood immersion
Simpson-Reed Trail
Highway 199 Corridor Northeast Of Crescent City • Short, Mostly Level Redwood Loop • Best For Families And First-Timers
A compact loop that delivers giant trees, lush understory, and that classic redwood hush in under a mile.
The Simpson-Reed Trail is where many visitors fall in love with redwoods: it’s short, gentle, and absolutely packed with massive trunks and shaggy green understory. The loop’s wide path and modest grades make it a good pick for mixed-ability groups or a quick leg-stretcher on the way up or down the river. Take your time circling; the more you look up and around, the more detail you notice in the bark, lichens, and filtered light.