Redwood Creek Trail

Overview

This trail runs along Redwood Creek's floodplain through dense old-growth groves, starting wide and level on packed dirt before turning serious once you cross the seasonal bridges. The first 1.6 miles to the initial creek crossing work year-round as a taste of the big trees, but the full experience requires planning around the bridge season and committing to either a long day hike or an overnight on the creek's gravel bars.

The character changes completely depending on how far you push. The initial stretch feels like walking through a living cathedral — massive trunks rising into fog, the creek running clear over rounded stones, everything muffled and green. Cross those seasonal bridges, though, and you're in for 7 more miles of steady climbing toward Tall Trees Grove, where some of the world's tallest measured trees cluster in a protected area that requires its own permit.

Seasonal Logistics

The seasonal bridge system defines everything about this trail. From May 15 to September 15, foot bridges span the creek crossings, opening up the full 17-mile round-trip to Tall Trees Grove. Outside that window, the bridges get pulled and high water makes crossings dangerous through winter and spring. Plan accordingly — the creek runs "high and fast" from December through May.

Summer hiking means dealing with permits for Tall Trees Grove, which you need to arrange in advance through the visitor centers. The 1.6-mile walk to the first crossing doesn't require permits, making it the fallback option when you can't get grove access or when the bridges are down.

What to Expect

The trailhead sits just off Bald Hills Road with RV-friendly parking, though car break-ins are a documented problem — don't leave anything visible. The first mile and a half stays level on loosely compacted dirt, crossing small side streams on rocks and logs. This section gives you the redwood experience without committing to the full suffer-fest.

Once you cross the seasonal bridges, the trail turns uphill and stays that way for 7 miles to Tall Trees Grove. The NPS calls this stretch "strenuous," which usually means they're being conservative, but not here — it's a legitimate grind through dense forest with minimal views to break up the effort.

For backpackers, dispersed camping opens up along the gravel bars upstream of that first crossing. You need a backcountry permit and must stay at least a quarter-mile away from Tall Trees Grove's turnaround point. The creek provides water, but bring treatment. Cell coverage is essentially nonexistent once you're in the drainage, so have a solid check-in plan with someone who knows your timeline.

Practical Notes

Multiple access points connect to this system — you can also reach the creek via Tall Trees Grove Trail or Dolason Prairie Trail, with different mileage to the camping areas. The Dolason Prairie connection involves 6 miles of hiking to reach the creek camps, while Tall Trees trailhead puts you 2.5 miles out.

Check conditions at visitor centers before heading out. Winter storms drop trees across trails regularly, and creek conditions can change fast during the rainy season. The trail restrictions are real here — stay on developed paths, no pets, no shortcuts through sensitive habitat.

This isn't a trail for casual exploration. Come prepared for limited cell coverage, seasonal access windows, and a commitment to either a short taste or a full day in some of the most impressive forest left on the continent.