Whether you are there to camp, hike or take a scenic drive, a trip to Redwood National and State Parks is a must if you’re in California. Redwood National and State Parks preserve more than 35 percent of the remaining protected old growth coast redwood forests in California.
Known collectively as the world’s tallest living trees, there are actually three species of redwoods: dawn redwood, giant sequoia and coast redwood. Coast redwoods are the tallest and can reach heights of 115 metres, giant sequoias grow quickly and have longevity on their side (some live more than 3000 years) and dawn redwoods are the smallest of the bunch reaching heights of about 43 metres.
One thing is for certain, redwoods manage to inspire awe in whoever goes to see them. You can catch a glimpse on various hikes throughout the park, as well as from the comfort of your car.
Redwood National and State Parks offers world class camping, both back-country and campsites that are more easily accessible. If you like to hike, there are more than 320 kilometres of trails of varying lengths, along with the opportunity for wildlife viewing, kayaking, biking, and horseback riding.
Check out these photos that show why seeing the redwoods should be added to your travel bucket list.
Lead photo: Paul Hamilton used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
