Redwood National Park Hailed for Family Hikes
New videos are spotlighting Redwood National Park as a top destination for family-friendly hiking in Northern California. The park features accessible trails suitable for all ages and fitness levels, with some wide, flat paths that can accommodate strollers, making it an ideal choice for multigenerational outings.
For shorter legs and attention spans, the 0.5-mile Stout Memorial Grove Loop Trail offers a walk through a majestic 44-acre grove of old-growth redwoods. The 1.3-mile Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail is another popular and easy loop perfect for a casual family stroll among the giants. Engage the kids with the free Junior Ranger program, available at any park visitor center. Children can complete a self-guided activity book as they explore the park to earn their own official Redwood Junior Ranger Badge. The best weather for hiking is typically from late spring through early fall. To avoid the largest crowds, consider planning a trip during the shoulder months of May, June, or September when trails are drier and lodging is more available. From mid-May to mid-September, the park offers free ranger-led programs, including guided forest walks and evening campfire programs with storytelling. Special one-hour Junior Ranger activities are also available for kids ages 7 to 12 during the summer months. Beyond the trees, the park offers chances to see wildlife. Roosevelt Elk are often spotted in open meadows, with viewing opportunities best in the fall and late spring to early summer. Along the coast, the gray whale migration can be witnessed in November, December, March, and April. For an overnight stay, Jedediah Smith Campground is nestled within an old-growth redwood forest and offers 87 family-friendly campsites. The campground includes family-friendly amenities such as flush toilets, coin-operated hot showers, and food storage lockers at each site.
