We are thinking of taking the family to Redwood National Park. We have about 8 days and will be leaving from the Salt Lake area.

Thoughts about where to stay, what to see, things to do or avoid. We’ve never been so any advice would be welcome. We are also open to detours to other attractions on the way down or back.

We are thinking of driving but flying is not completely out of the picture.

Thanks.

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We spent only a day in the Redwoods State and National Parks (they are co-joined) but they quickly became my favorite of the NP's I've been to in CA , Utah, and Arizona. The giant trees just have such majesty.

We had little kids so we just did a few easy hikes, at lunch at on outlook high over the ocean, and watched the elk herd from a safe distance.

I can't give any specifics on where to stay or eat as we drove in early morning and left mid afternoon and headed home late in the afternoon., but for sure I think you'll love it.

You could also consider checking out Lassen Volcanic National Park as well, and there are some stunning waterfalls in the northern CA region that are worth seeing. Burney Falls is a favorite.

I created a Streets & Trips map from Salt Lake City, UT to the Redwoods National Park, CA. It pretty much takes I-80 to Reno, NV and then US_395 and CA-44 to the park. The tool does offer a list of "attractions" along the route (I used a radius of 10 miles), but there weren't any really outstanding items I noted.

flashguy

I’m guessing you’ll need 2-3 days each way to drive.

I also recommend stopping at Lassen as you’d be driving right past it. Perhaps stay overnight nearby.

You’ll be driving through the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, which happened to be on fire when we drove through it. Be aware of conditions before and during your trip.

We camped with our travel trailer at Big Lagoon County Park, a nice little first-come first-serve beach campground just outside of Trinidad, California. Used it as base camp for exploring Redwood National and State Parks.

About half or more of each day was spent in dense fog; the same fog that gives the coastal redwoods more than half of their water. But the sun did come out to play a few days on our stay.

We took several hikes and drives through the towering giants. A few highlights were hiking through the Lady Bird Johnson Grove, driving Howland Hill Road in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (the park calls it “A Dirt Road Where Redwoods Kiss Your Car”), hunting agates on the beach, and chatting with Big Lagoon’s Park Host, Dude.

If you take I=80, this link may be helpful: https://travelnevada.com/road-trips/cowboy-corridor/ Another possible link is
https://quartzmountain.org/art...along-i-80-in-nevada And yet another list: https://traveltips.usatoday.co...0-nevada-109533.html

I've created a map with some places noted: SLC to Redwood NP by David Casteel, on Flickr
It says the route is 883 miles, which would be a 3-day trip for me (with sighseeing).

flashguy

I’ve lived in California most of my life—northern CA specifically.
I have very fond memories of a trip to redwood National park probably 40 Years ago, as our kids were small.
One of the campgrounds has a lovely nature hike for kids, along the Smith River IIRC. Teach the kids to turn over a log and look at everything under it—that sort of thing. Weather will be perfect, gorgeous redwoods, cool sparkling stream.
We need to do that in a couple of years with our grandkids.

Thanks everyone.

Might want to watch Murder Mountain first. Since the park is largely in Humboldt county.

Watch the part where the deputies are escorted on the roads by growers, for whatever reason.

I would encourage you to do it. Realistically, flying isn't worth it, even with a direct flight from SLC to SMF.

I've been here 50 years and only been to the northern coast a few times. My son and I (and two other father/son combos) did the Lost Coast trail, southbound from the Petrolia area to Shelter Cove. Shelter Cove does have first come, first serve camping right on the beach and next to the airstrip.

You may have better luck camping in one or two day stretches. Most long term stuff I'd imagine is booked. You may find some boutique hotel/motel stuff too.

Things to avoid? Hanging around the towns too long. There's a weird, pothead sub culture. But you should not fear for your safety or anything.

From the Redwoods NP, there are plenty of cool places driving down the coast on Hwy 1 (Fort Ross, Mendecino, Fort Bragg, Jenner, all the way to Pt Reyes, John Muir Redwoods, Angel Island, Stinson Beach and the Golden Gate, which is still pretty freakin cool despite it being in San Fran.

California still has plenty of awesome parks and vistas. Don't be afraid to visit.

And on your return home, stop by Roseville/Sacramento and I'll make some fresh cookies for the 10 hour ride home back to SLC.

I'm estimating 3 days to get there and at least a day in the park. That would give you 4 days for your return. Unfortunately, there are no alternative routes that are reasonably direct. I don't know about you, but I don't really like to just backtrack to get home. You cuuld go up the coast to Crescent City, California, then use US-199 to Grant's Pass, Oregon and then make your way back to Winnemucca, Nevada. That would give you a different route for about half the return journey. Oddly enough, that route uses state highways in Oregon and Nevada with the same number--140. Or you could go down to Sacramento (as suggested by P229) and then make your way home via US-50 all the way to I-15 in Utah. I have driven US-50 in Colorado and it was a pretty good highway there--maybe OK in California and Nevada, too. It would also be possible to take I-80 out of Sacramento (Roseville), which is also Alt US-50 and follow it through Reno, Nevada to where Alt US-50 goes down to join US-50 at Leetsville, Nevada. That would be faster (with an Interstate partway) but still an alternate path home.

This is what the return via US-50 looks like:
SLC to Redwood NPand return by David Casteel, on Flickr

This link discusses US-50: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_50

Another link ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_50_in_Nevada ) has this note

quote:

US 50 has a diverse route through the state, traversing the resort communities of Lake Tahoe, the state capital in Carson City, historical sites such as Fort Churchill State Historic Park, petroglyphs, alpine forests, desert valleys, ghost towns, and Great Basin National Park.

I think it might be worth doing. However, it is reported that there are stretches of up to 100 miles between gas stations, so it would be wise to keep the tank filled.

This is the best non-redundant return route I found going through Oregon and Idaho:
SLC to Redwood NPand return via Oregon by David Casteel, on Flickr
It uses various roads to reach US-20 and transfers to I-84 at the Idaho line for the drive to Salt Lake City.

flashguy

flashguy's second route is much more enjoyable.
Avoid the Sacramento area if possible. I'll second Jedediah Park as an attraction.
If your return route (as above) will take you by Crater Lake which is worthy.
Once you get to Central Oregon and heading East it's high dessert. Juniper and open country with little amenities.
Plan for heat and warm weather until you reach the coast. Then there's a big switch and you'll need to be prepared for cooler if not damp weather. It happens.
You won't be able to do everything, so be flexible and have fun.

Cheers~

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:

You could also consider checking out Lassen Volcanic National Park as well...

Concur. My boys and I hiked Lassen in October 1991. The views were majestic but sadly tainted by the massive Oakland Hills Firestorm which we could clearly see even at this distance of over 200 miles.

We also did the Redwoods but the traffic and crowds diminished our enjoyment.

I've been debating whether to post or not. Everyone is different and I don't know what you're expectations or affinities are. I'm not wanting to be a debbie downer but speaking in the spirit of "I wish someone would have told me before going" I'll offer my contrary perspectives.

I've always wanted to see the majestic, tall redwoods and made a trip up there. I would agree that it is must see at least once in a lifetime. That being said, while we visited several different forests in the area, a 2 hour hike to see the tall trees in one area was enough. After that, all the trees look the same.

If the intent is to go hiking and camping and the redwoods is one place to do it, perfect. If the intent is to see redwoods, then for me, 1 day is enough. And I would consider this a stop along point rather than an end destination - visit while en route to a destination rather than have it be the destination itself.

I stayed there for multiple days when one day was enough (in retrospect). We went to Shelter Cove, various state and NP forests. But was bored after the first day. But again, the point of the trip was to see the trees, not for camping or other activities. The mood and spirit of the area was not really 'vacationy' either. It may be a perfect destination for camping and redwoods are just incidental to that intent.

Again, your interests and intents are likely different than mine. I'm just voicing my perspective in the off chance that they may be similar.

If I were to offer counter suggestions, they might include Tahoe (hiking, kayaking, beaches), Mono Lake / Mammoth Lake (hikes, biking, kayaking), Pismo Beach (beach (drive on), large sand dunes (ATV rental or hiking), routes that take you through Sequoia National Forest or Valley of Fire, Zion, Bryce, slot canyons. But perhaps you've already done that a bunch of times.

I'm not exactly making recommendations--I was given the 2 end points and am just postulating possible routes between them. My mapping software is several years old and no updates are available since it is no longer supported. There might be other alternatives now available, and others may have become obsolete.

I understand konata88's perspective. I don't camp or hike, so my ideas about things to see don't give much weight to such activities. The OP didn't say much about his desires, so I've tried to cover a variety.

My ability to alter my maps is quite easy, which is one of the reasons I like that package and mourn the fact it has been discontinued.

flashguy

You might find this out of the way, but an old friend and I stayed at the Patrick Creek Historic Lodge, it was so romantic! They have a steak dinner that was awesome too, apparently folks drive for miles just to eat there. The Smith River is crystal clear there!

Some additional great ideas. Thx!

Head over to Newport Oregon and drive south. Visit the lighthouses along the way. Jump over to Roseburg and go to Crater Lake. Head south to Grants Pass and do the Hellgate Jet Boat dinner trip. Then on to the Redwoods....

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:


This is the best non-redundant return route I found going through Oregon and Idaho:
SLC to Redwood NPand return via Oregon by David Casteel, on Flickr
It uses various roads to reach US-20 and transfers to I-84 at the Idaho line for the drive to Salt Lake City.

flashguy

Add in Oregon Caves since you drive almost right by it. And obviously Crater Lake

if you drop south at Burns you can go by Steens Mt area, which IMHO is more scenic than continuing east on 20.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Jebediah Smith Redwoods State Park are two must see.
I did a summer of Volunteer work with the road and trail crew of the National Park out of Requa at the mouth of the Klamath when I was in high school. These two areas still stick with me.

I have added Oregon Caves N.M. to the map. It appears to be reached by a twisty road maybe 10-15 miles in length. Crater Lake was added to the map a while back (but not in the version shown here). Going south at Burns would probably result in rejoining the route over at Winnemucca, Nevada, retracing the path home.

I had not tried to find much to see in Idaho along that route, but have added a couple of places. I spent 4 years in Oregon while in USAF, but did very little travel outside the coastal area.

Herewith the most recent version:
SLC to Redwood NPand return via Oregon 2 by David Casteel, on Flickr

I have actually plotted 3 routes between Salt Lake City and Redwoods National Park, and any of them can be traveled in either direction. Take your pick, or make one of your own.

flashguy

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