01
Best overall pick
James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park • Deep Redwood Canyon And Creekside Route • Best Overall Redwood Experience
A long, immersive hike from ancient redwoods down to the mossy walls and shallow creek of Fern Canyon.
This out-and-back starts high in the old-growth and gradually funnels you down a shaded canyon toward Fern Canyon and the ocean. Expect roots, narrow singletrack, and creek crossings that can be wet in winter. Many locals turn around at Fern Canyon, but strong hikers can link beach and park trails into a full-day loop.
02
Oceanfront favorite
Yurok Loop and Hidden Beach
Klamath Coastal Section • Blufftop Forest And Pocket Beach Hike • Best Coastal Views
Short but varied, combining clifftop vistas, forest shade, and a tucked-away stretch of sand just off Highway 101.
From the Lagoon Creek wayside just north of the Klamath River, the loop climbs to a series of overlooks before dropping toward Hidden Beach. The mileage is modest, but constant small ups and downs make it feel pleasantly active. It’s a great choice on foggy days, when the cliffs, surf, and sea stacks feel especially dramatic.
03
For creek explorers
Redwood Creek Gravel Bar Route
Redwood National Park, South Of Orick • Wide River Corridor With Wading And Sandbars • Most Adventurous Outing
Seasonal trek up a broad creek bed where you’re walking on gravel bars between towering canyon walls and distant redwood slopes.
Starting near the Kuchel Visitor Center, you follow the creek upstream on gravel, sand, and shallow crossings as conditions allow. Because water levels and closures change with storms, this is a route you plan around the weather, not a set-in-stone trail. Go prepared to get your feet wet, and savor the huge sense of space between the canyon walls and sky.
04
Best wide-open views
Lyons Ranch Historic Trail
Bald Hills Inland From Kep'el • Open Prairie Walk With Historic Ranch Buildings • Quiet Backcountry Escape
Gentle grades lead through elk country to an old ranch complex with sweeping vistas over the Bald Hills.
Reaching Lyons Ranch means trading dense forest for big sky, rolling grasslands, and the chance to see tule elk grazing in the distance. The grade stays gentle, making it more about the views and history than a fitness challenge. It’s exposed and windy, so locals bring layers and sun protection even on cool days.
05
Easygoing redwood loop
Trillium Falls Trail
Redwood National Park, Elk Meadow Area • Short Loop Through Lush Redwoods And Ferny Creek • Best Quick Family Hike
A compact trail that packs in big trees, a photogenic waterfall, and frequent Roosevelt elk sightings near the trailhead.
The loop ducks in and out of old-growth, passing over wooden bridges to a small but lovely cascade at Trillium Falls. Kids tend to like the varied terrain and the odds of spotting elk in the nearby meadow. Go early on summer weekends if you want quieter photos and easier parking.