Where to Stay Near Redwood National Park

5 Best Areas for Lodging Near Redwood National Park

Arcata

👉 Best Area For Entertainment | ✨ Best Arcata Hotels: Hotel Arcata • Hampton Inn & Suites Arcata • The Front Porch Hidden Oasis

Arcata is one of the largest Northern California cities located in Humboldt County. It’s only 45 minutes away from Redwood National Park.

The city was established in 1850 and has historic architecture reminiscent of California’s Victorian era. Today, the Arcata community has a “hippie vibe” and a reputation for being environmentally-conscious. With parks and redwood forests nearby, Arcata is the perfect blend of nature and urban society.

Stay in Arcata when visiting Redwood National Park if you want access to city activities like shopping, movie theaters, and billiards bars. Students from the nearby Humboldt State University hang out in this town, giving the old-timey city a youthful feel.

You will want to stay close to Main Street Arcata, where all the action takes place. I recommend staying at Hotel Arcata, the only hotel located on the Main Square. You will find the bulk of the Arcata attractions around the main plaza and courtyard. Most locals hang out here, so you’re sure to make some new friends.

To be a bit further from all the hustle and bustle of the main plaza, stay at The Front Porch Hidden Oasis. All of the rooms are unique, comfortable, and have kitchens. Plus, guests can enjoy the soaking tubs and sauna after hiking and exploring the park.

Pros of Staying in Arcata:

• Close to major amenities
• Many accommodation options are available
• Plenty of restaurants and bars stay open late
• Not overly crowded
• Historic small town feel 

Cons of Staying in Arcata:

• 45 minutes away from the national park
• Can be noisy at night from local bars and live music
• Can be busy on holiday breaks

Trinidad

👉 Best Area For Coastal Access | ✨ Best Trinidad Hotels: Trinidad Inn • View Crest Lodge • Emerald Forest Cabins • Lookout at Trinidad Bay

Trinidad is a small town by the sea, only 8 miles from the Arcata Airport. Travelers who want a quieter experience should opt to stay in this sleepy seaside town. It’s just 20 minutes from the park entrance.

Coastal cliffs define this town. You will wake up to stunning scenery and the serene song of waves cresting the shore. This is especially so if you stay at the Lookout at Trinidad Bay. The rooms in this cozy bed and breakfast offer stunning views of the ocean. 

Trinidad has 10 public beaches, so be sure to bring your bathing suit if visiting in the summer months. The other seasons are too cold to go swimming unless you bring a wetsuit.

Trinidad is the best place to stay for beach lovers or visitors who prefer a more low-key environment. Catch the sunset from Trinidad State Beach or get toasty indoors with a cup of cocoa and a view of the water.

Pros of Staying in Trinidad:

• Beach access 
• Less than 30 minutes from Redwood National Park
• Stunning views and natural beauty
• No traffic
• Quiet at night

Cons of Staying in Trinidad:

• Not many major hotels are available
• Fewer amenities are available
• Not many restaurants in the area
• Not a lot of entertainment

Eureka

👉 Best Area For Affordable Accommodation | ✨ Best Eureka Hotels: Pinc Lady Mansion • Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn • Hydrangea Inn

Eureka is a historic city in Northern California, and the largest in the Redwood National Park area. Eureka is in the heart of the U.S. Redwood Coast and the perfect blend of city, redwood forest, and seaside town all in one. It is about 1 hour’s drive from Redwood National Park.

The port town has beautiful Victorian houses, many of which have been converted to hotels and bed and breakfasts.The Pinc Lady Mansion is one of these. Stay here if you want to feel transported back in time to the city’s early days.

Eureka has the most options for accommodation. If you’re flying into town, stay somewhere like the Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn, which has a free airport shuttle for guests.

Visitors usually love spending time in downtown Eureka at the various vintage and record shops. Families can enjoy a trip to the Sequoia Park Zoo or guided boat cruises on the early 1900s Madaket Ferry around Humboldt Bay. Beer lovers should visit the Lost Coast Brewery, one of the best breweries in California.

Various special events happen throughout the year, showing off Eureka’s pride. Be a part of the fireworks spectacular in July, the Woofstock celebration for dogs in August, or Redwood Coast Music Festival in fall.

Pros of Staying in Eureka:

• Plenty of accommodation options are available
• Festive city-wide events year-round
• Many foods and drink options
• Hiking trails and beach access

Cons of Staying in Eureka:

• Downtown has some sketchy areas
• House rentals can be expensive
• Furthest from Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park

👉 Best Area For Park Access | ✨ Best Redwood National Park Hotels: Elk Meadow Cabins • Cozy NorCal Cottage • Holiday Inn Express Redwood National Park

What better way to experience the national park than staying inside its boundaries? Staying inside Redwood National Park will give you easy access to exploring the park’s beauty. Sunrise and sunset are immaculate when witnessed through the giant redwoods.

Most accommodation options offered inside of the park are primitive camping (campsites without major amenities). You can also backpack into the park and tent camp in the wilderness with a permit. 

The non-summer months can sometimes reach freezing temperatures, so if you’re not a fan of the cold, I recommend staying in a cabin or hotel just outside of the park. The closest accommodation options are the Elk Meadow Cabins and Holiday Inn Express. Both are well-rated and good choices if you want lots of time among the redwoods.

There are almost no amenities or entertainment besides hiking trails in this area, however, so keep that in mind. 

Pros of Staying in Redwood National Park:

• Easy access to the national park
• Surrounded by beautiful nature and redwood trees
• Only a short drive to the main park attractions
• A good area for a base camp while you hike and explore
• Away from big city crowds

Cons of Staying in Redwood National Park:

• Far from big city amenities and entertainment
• No cell service, free wifi, hot tub, complimentary breakfast, fitness center, or spa services like other city hotels offer
• Can be cold at night

Crescent City

👉 Best Area For Coastal Views | ✨ Best Crescent City Hotels: Lighthouse Inn • Oceanview Inn and Suites • Crescent Beach Motel

Crescent City is the gateway town to visiting Redwood National Park from the north. It was named for its crescent-shaped stretch of sandy beach.

Both fishing vessels and an abundance of redwood trees are common in this seaside port town. Many locals are either fishermen themselves or huge nature lovers and are extremely welcoming to visitors.

The picturesque environment and proximity to Redwood National Park is the city’s main draw. The best part of Crescent City is the beautiful rugged coastline. Stay at a hotel or property with panoramic Pacific Ocean views, like the clean and affordable Crescent Beach Motel.

Crescent City is the northernmost town in California and is very close to the Oregon border. If you have time to spare, I recommend making an extended day trip into Oregon if you’ve never been!

Pros of Staying in Crescent City:

• Incredible, freshly-caught seafood
• Only 10 minutes from the northern entrance of Redwood National Park
• The city is quiet at night and on the weekends
• Stunning views of the Pacific Ocean
• Friendly locals 
• Close to the Oregon border for a fun day trip

Cons of Staying in Crescent City:

• Far from other tourist cities
• Few tourist attractions
• Few entertainment options besides hiking and swimming
• Few accommodation options and restaurants to choose from

Tips for Staying in the Redwoods

Download the Park App BEFORE You Visit

The National Park Service App was created by Forest Rangers to help visitors navigate the national parks with ease. Download the app before you go to the park so you can use it offline, as there is no service in the park.

The app includes interactive maps, tours of park areas, accessibility information, and more.

Trust me, having this app downloaded in advance will really help you better enjoy your trip to Redwood National Park!

Download Multiple GPSs

Redwood National Park is one of the best places to visit in California to go off-grid. As such, there is no cell service in Redwood National Park and you will want to download multiple offline maps before you lose service. 

Because offline maps can be spotty, it’s good practice to have a backup map just in case.

Check Current Conditions

The experience you have in the park greatly depends on where you go and the time of year you visit California. While snow storms happen often in the mountains of Northern California, the coast rarely ever gets snow.

It is highly unlikely to snow in Redwood National Park. However, winter weather is often foggy and rainy. This adds a bit of mystical beauty to the giant redwoods, but if you’re hoping to avoid hiking in the rain, it’s best to visit in the summer months.

No matter what season you visit, I recommend checking the weather conditions before your trip so you aren’t caught in any unexpected weather.

Reserve Accommodation Ahead of Time

Make sure your trip runs as smoothly as possible by reserving your accommodation ahead of time. If you wait too long, most accommodation options near the park may be sold out.

Reserve your hotel while you still have cell service so you can stay at the perfect place that meets your every need. Fireplaces are great due to the colder climate of Northern California, but many hotel rooms with a fireplace sell out quickly. Booking ahead of time ensures that you will snag one.

Visit the Ranger Station and Visitor Center

Most people want to head right to the main attractions in the park, so they skip the ranger station and the visitor center altogether. However, I’d recommend visiting these first. Both of these establishments have useful information — the park rangers can answer any questions, point you in a good direction for a hike, or give you a park map.

There are five different visitor centers in Redwood National Park. The Hiouchi Visitor Center offers many special programs, especially in the summer months, like junior ranger programs, ranger-led nature walks, and more! You will also find community bonfires in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Keep Distance Between You and the Wildlife

In Redwood National Park, you may encounter species as small as birds or as large as the Roosevelt Elk. Black bears, mountain lions, and bobcats are much less common but have been spotted from time to time. To ensure your safety, always take photos of wildlife from a distance. This could save your life.

Wildlife is just that — wild. You will want to maintain a safe distance of at least 25 yards between you and smaller animals at Redwood National Park. Keep at least 100 yards from big predator animals.

Double-Check RV Lengths 

Most of the campgrounds and roads in Redwood National Park were created before RVs were around. The roads may be tricky to maneuver if you are in a bigger rig.

There is RV parking at the Yurok Loop Trail, along Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, at the Big Tree Wayside, and at the Trillium Falls Trail.

An RV over 22 feet likely won’t make it to Simpson-Reed Grove, Howland Hill Road, Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Fern Canyon, The Bald Hills, or Tall Trees Grove. 

Keep this in mind if you are set on camping in the national park. You may have to reserve a campsite just outside of the park’s boundaries.

🚙 Read Next: Best RV Parks in California

Get Off Highway 101

Many visitors miss the heart of Redwood National Park when they don’t exit off of US 101. Going down this highway, take the southern exit 753 or the northern exit 765 to drive through 10 miles of scenic, old-growth redwoods on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.

Pack Layers

Northern California can be cold in the non-summer months. Make sure you pack accordingly, especially if you plan on camping in California.

Pack enough layers to keep you toasty in freezing temperatures and cool when the hot sun comes out. I recommend always having a just-in-case pair of gloves, a beanie, a scarf, and a heavy jacket. Bookmark my list of camping essentials to get an idea of other items you might need for camping.

Leave No Trace

When visiting nature locations in California, you will want to leave the area cleaner than you found it. Leave No Trace means leaving the area so devoid of any human trace that visitors after you won’t even know you were there.

Putting this practice into place ensures that the beautiful Golden State stays beautiful and that national parks remain pleasant, trash-free areas for everyone.

FAQs

What is the closest town to Redwood National Park?

Klamath is the closest town to Redwood National Park. Not to be confused with the Klamath in Oregon, this is a small California town with only one major hotel. Trinidad and Crescent City are the closest towns with more accommodation available.

What city is closest to the Redwood National Forest?

Arcata is the closest city to Redwood National Forest. Only 45 minutes from Redwood National Parks, many visitors choose to stay in this charming college town when they visit the redwoods.

Eureka and Crescent City are also close cities to Redwood National Forest.

Can you stay in Redwood National Park?

Yes, you can stay in Redwood National Park. There are eight official national park campgrounds but they are very basic. They offer no amenities and nothing will be provided, aside from what you bring.

How many days should I spend in Redwood National Park?

You can experience the best of Redwood National Park in only one day. You can do most main attractions in this short amount of time, but 2 days is better. You’ll get to relax and enjoy your time.

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Thank you for reading my guide. With an overnight trip to the national park, you are sure to see everything on your itinerary! For more ideas for what to do while you’re in the area, check out Laura’s guide to the best things to do in California.