01
Best overall pick
Trillium Falls Loop Trail
Elk Meadow, Just North Of Orick • Lush Redwood Loop With Creek And Small Waterfall • Classic First-Timer Introduction
A compact loop through old-growth redwoods and open elk meadows, with just enough climbing to feel like a real hike.
Starting near Elk Meadow, this loop gives you a bit of everything Orick is known for: towering redwoods, a lively creek, a photogenic little waterfall, and the chance to spot Roosevelt elk grazing nearby. The grade is moderate but manageable, so most reasonably active visitors can handle it without committing to an all-day trek. Go early or late in the day for quieter trails and better wildlife viewing along the meadow edges.
02
Most memorable experience
Fern Canyon via Gold Bluffs Beach
Gold Bluffs Beach Corridor, West Of Orick • Creekside Canyon Walk Through Fern-Draped Walls • Best For Wow-Factor Scenery
A short but unforgettable hike where you follow a creek between sheer canyon walls coated in bright green ferns.
Tucked behind Gold Bluffs Beach, Fern Canyon feels like walking onto a movie set, with dripping walls of five-finger ferns and a shallow creek underfoot. Expect wet feet as you rock-hop and weave over small footbridges in the narrowest stretches. Pair the canyon with a stroll along the adjacent beach for a half-day outing that swings from dense, enclosed greenery to open, windswept sand.
03
Best easy redwood stroll
Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
Ridge Above Redwood Creek, South Of Orick • Elevated Redwood Grove Interpretive Loop • Best For Families And Casual Walkers
A gentle, interpretive loop through a lofty redwood grove that often sits in the fog above the valley.
Reached by a short drive uphill from the highway, this trail offers cooler temperatures and soft, filtered light that makes the redwoods feel even taller. The path itself is relatively flat and well-defined, with signs that explain the natural and cultural history of the grove, so it works well for mixed-ability groups. It’s especially atmospheric on misty mornings, when the ridge catches the coastal fog and the forest goes quiet and dim.
04
Best longer forest workout
Lost Man Creek Trail
Along Highway 101 North Of Orick • Deep-Forest Creekside And Grade-Climb Trail • Best For Half-Day Hikers
A quieter, longer route that follows a creek through thick redwoods before climbing into more remote forest.
The trail starts just off the highway but quickly leaves road noise behind as it tracks along Lost Man Creek under a tall redwood canopy. Grades are steady and can be strung together into a substantial out-and-back, making it a good pick when you want to stretch your legs beyond the short loops. Because it sees fewer casual visitors, this is a strong choice for hikers who value solitude and the steady background rush of water over big viewpoints.
05
Best coastal route
California Coastal Trail at Humboldt Lagoons
Lagoons Shoreline South Of Orick • Oceanfront Beach And Dune Traverse • Best For Wide-Open Views
A flexible, mostly level coastal route that strings together lagoons, beaches, and dune ridges just south of town.
Starting near the Redwoods information center and Humboldt Lagoons, you can walk sections of the California Coastal Trail that hug sandy barrier beaches between the lagoons and the open Pacific. The route is more about big sky, surf, and birdlife than dense forest, making it a refreshing contrast to the nearby redwood hikes. Check tide and weather conditions, then pick an out-and-back distance that fits your day, turning around when you’ve had your fill of wind and waves.