02
Backcountry escape
Lacks Creek Management Area
Northeast Of Blue Lake • Remote Ridge And Creek Canyons • Best For Solitude And Big Views
A high, rolling BLM landscape of open ridges, oak pockets, and quiet creek drainages that feels surprisingly wild for being so close.
Reached via a winding dirt road above Blue Lake, Lacks Creek offers lightly used multi-use trails with broad views toward the Trinity Alps on clear days. Expect more exposure and fewer amenities than the coastal parks—bring extra water, layers, and a map or downloaded route. It’s a good choice when the coast is socked in and you want sun, space, and a backcountry feel.
03
Iconic redwood walk
Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
Redwood National Park Near Orick • Short Interpretive Old-Growth Loop • Best First-Time Redwood Stop
A gentle loop at the top of a ridge, weaving through some of the most photogenic old-growth redwoods in the region.
This mile-plus loop sits just off Highway 101 and makes a perfect leg-stretcher on the way north from Blue Lake. Elevated above the fog line, it often feels airy and bright, with interpretive signs that explain the forest’s history and ecology. Go early or late in the day for quieter trails and atmospheric light filtering through the canopy.
04
Coastal standout
Sue-meg State Park
Headlands North Of Trinidad • Clifftop And Forest Coastal Paths • Best Ocean-And-Forest Combo
Short interconnected trails link dramatic sea cliffs, pocket beaches, and wind-shaped spruce and pine forests.
Within the park, you can stitch together a few miles by following the Rim Trail between overlooks and then dropping down to viewpoints like Wedding Rock or Agate Beach. The hiking itself is moderate, but the scenery—offshore stacks, pounding surf, and seabirds riding the wind—feels big and wild. It’s an easy half-day outing from Blue Lake when you want salt air more than towering trunks.
05
Full-day adventure
James Irvine and Fern Canyon Loop, Prairie Creek Redwoods
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park • Big-Mile Redwood And Canyon Route • Best Long, Immersive Hike
A classic all-day circuit that threads deep redwood groves, open prairies, and the mossy walls of Fern Canyon in one ambitious outing.
Starting from the Prairie Creek visitor center, the James Irvine Trail gradually leads you through increasingly grand old-growth before dropping into the lush, stream-carved corridor of Fern Canyon. Many hikers return via the Clintonia or Miners Ridge trails to make a satisfying loop with some elevation change. It’s a longer drive from Blue Lake and a solid time commitment, but the variety and scale make it one of the standout hikes on the entire North Coast.