Where to Stay Near Redwood National Park

Crescent City sits on Highway 101 about 9 miles from Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Front Street runs along the harbor where you can watch sea lions from the Battery Point Lighthouse causeway at low tide. Most motels cluster on L Street and Highway 101 near the Walmart and Safeway, so you can stock the cooler before heading into the park. The Chart Room on Citizens Dock Road does fish and chips with harbor views. Stout Memorial Grove is a 20-minute drive on Howland Hill Road, an unpaved one-lane road that drops you among 300-foot trees with no other cars in sight on weekday mornings.

Best for

Travelers who want the cheapest roomsfamilies with kidsanyone planning to drive Howland Hill Road

Walk times

Battery Point Lighthouse 8 min
Beachfront Park 5 min
Crescent Beach Overlook: -drive south on 101 10 min

Skip if: You want walkable restaurants or boutique lodging. Downtown closes early and dining options are limited to chain spots and a few local diners.

Local tip: Drive Howland Hill Road from south to north starting at 8am. The light through the canopy is best in the first two hours and you will likely pass three cars total.

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$95per night

Klamath

River-canyon village between the north and south park sections

Mid-range $120-$220/night

Klamath is a tiny town on the Klamath River, 20 miles south of Crescent City and 25 miles north of Orick. Highway 101 crosses the river on the famous Golden Bears Bridge with the gold bear statues at each end. Requa Road climbs to the Klamath River Overlook where gray whales pass close to shore from December through April. The Historic Requa Inn has been operating since 1914 and serves a single-seating dinner most nights. Ample parking at Hidden Beach Trailhead off Klamath Beach Road puts you on a quiet 4-mile coastal trail through coast redwoods. The town has one gas station and one general store, so plan accordingly.

Best for

Travelers splitting time between the north and south park sectionswhale watchers in winteranyone wanting a quiet riverside base

Walk times

Klamath River Overlook: -drive up Requa Road 8 min
Hidden Beach Trailhead: -drive 5 min
Trees of Mystery: -drive south on 101 7 min

Skip if: You need restaurant variety or shopping. Klamath has fewer than 800 residents and rolls up the sidewalks by 9pm.

Local tip: Book the Historic Requa Inn at least 60 days out for summer weekends. Their dinner seating fills before the rooms do, and non-guests can sometimes get a table if you call by 2pm.

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$134per night

Trinidad

Coastal village with the prettiest harbor on the Redwood Coast

Luxury $180-$320/night

Trinidad sits on a bluff above a working fishing harbor 15 miles north of Arcata and about 40 minutes south of the main park entrance at Orick. Trinidad Head Trail loops around the headland in 1.4 miles with views of sea stacks and harbor seals. The Lighthouse Grill on Patrick Point Drive and Larrupin Cafe on Patricks Point Drive are the two reservations worth making, both popular enough to book a week ahead in summer. Patricks Point State Park is 5 miles north with Wedding Rock and Agate Beach. You will drive farther to reach the tallest groves, but the coastal views and dining make Trinidad the most scenic base.

Best for

Couplesphotographerstravelers who want one nice dinner outanyone combining the redwoods with the Lost Coast or Arcata

Walk times

Trinidad Head Trail 5 min
Trinidad State Beach 3 min
Patricks Point State Park: -drive north 8 min

Skip if: You want to be close to the tallest trees. Tall Trees Grove and Lady Bird Johnson Grove are 40 to 50 minutes north, so early starts mean very early starts.

Local tip: Order the Indonesian satay at Larrupin Cafe and book the 5:30pm seating. Sunset over the harbor from their patio happens around 8pm in July, perfect timing for dessert.

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$202per night

Orick

Closest base to the tallest groves, almost no services

Mid-range $110-$180/night

Orick is a one-street town on Highway 101 right at the southern entrance to Redwood National Park. The Kuchel Visitor Center sits 2 miles south on Bald Hills Road, the gateway to Lady Bird Johnson Grove and the Tall Trees Grove permit road. Davison Road heads west to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon, a 30-minute drive on washboard gravel that requires a high-clearance vehicle in wet months. There are two motels, one diner called Palm Cafe, and a gas station. That is the entire town. What Orick lacks in amenities it makes up for in trail proximity. You can be hiking among 350-foot redwoods 10 minutes after coffee.

Best for

Photographers chasing morning lighthikers planning Tall Trees Grove permitsanyone prioritizing trail access over dinner options

Walk times

Kuchel Visitor Center: -drive 3 min
Lady Bird Johnson Grove: -drive up Bald Hills Road 12 min
Fern Canyon trailhead: -drive on Davison Road 30 min

Skip if: You want any kind of restaurant scene or shopping. Bring groceries from Crescent City or Arcata.

Local tip: Reserve a Tall Trees Grove permit online the morning you want to hike. Permits release at midnight and the 50 daily slots are usually still available at breakfast on weekdays.

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$123per night