How to Get to Redwood National and State Parks

Redwood National and State Parks are home to the world’s tallest trees, but there’s much more to see than ancient redwoods. Stunning coastal beaches, beautiful rivers, fern-draped canyons, and grassy meadows frequented by Roosevelt elk all make the area unforgettable.

The parks are also unique because they’re managed jointly by California State Parks and the National Park Service—the only partnership of its kind.

On Shaka Guide's Redwood National and State Parks Tour, we’ll guide you through:

• ancient groves where you can gaze up at these magnificent forest sentinels
• point out the best beaches for tide pooling
• recommend epic hikes, and
• take you to the most scenic viewpoints on the coast

Along the way, we’ll share about the land’s unique history, ecology, and human stories that will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for this incredible landscape. 

Where are Redwood National and State Parks?

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Situated along California’s wild and scenic northwest coast, Redwood National and State Parks stretch for fifty miles along US Highway 101 between the towns of Crescent City and Orick, California.

The parks are about 6 hours north of San Francisco and about 6 hours south of Portland, Oregon – close to the California/Oregon border.

Map of Airports Near Redwood National and State Parks

Nearest Airports to Redwood National and State Parks

The remote location of Redwood National and State Parks means there are no major airports nearby.

However, there are a few regional airports within driving distance and two international airports about six hours away.

To help you plan, here is a list of airports in order of distance, starting with the airport closest to the park. 

Crescent City, CA (CEC)

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Del Norte County Airport/Jack McNamara Field is just 4 miles from Crescent City and less than 10 minutes from the park.

While it’s by far the closest airport, flights are extremely limited.

Advanced Airlines is the only airline that flies into Crescent City, and they only offer direct flights from Oakland and Los Angeles.

McKinleyville, CA (ACV)

The California Redwood Coast - Humboldt County Airport is about 25 miles or 35 minutes from the park by car. Airlines flying into ACV include United and Avelo.

For a list of cities with direct flights to McKinleyville, click here.

Medford, OR (MFR)

Joseph Hunkins

Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport is about 100 miles or 2 hours from the park by car. Airlines flying into MFR include:

• Horizon Air/Alaska
• United
• Delta
• American
• Allegiant, and
• Avelo

For a list of cities with direct flights to Medford, click here.

Portland, OR (PDX)

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Portland International Airport is about 330 miles or 6 hours from the park by car via Interstate 5. It offers many flight times and options.

San Francisco, CA (SFO)

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San Francisco International Airport is about 330 miles or 6 hours from the park by car via Highway 101.

As the largest major airport, SFO offers the most options for airlines and flight times–and also the most scenic driving route to the park by car–along the California Coast!

PRO TIP! Need to rent a car? If you are a Costco member, check out Costco Travel when booking your rental car.

They often have the best prices for Avis, Budget, Alamo, and Enterprise. Plus–free reservations and no cancellation fees! 

RELATED: Biggest Trees in Redwood National and State Parks

How to Get to Redwood National and State Parks by Car

From the North (Portland/I-5)

From Portland, take I-5 south to Grants Pass. Take the Redwood Highway (Hwy 199) from Grants Pass to Crescent City.

From the North (Oregon Coast/Hwy 101) 

Take US Hwy 101 south to Crescent City. 

From the South (California Coast/Hwy 101)

Take US Hwy 101 north to Orick.

From the South (Central California/Redding/I-5)

Take I-5 to Redding, CA. From Redding, head west on SR 299 to the coast. Then take US Hwy 101 north to Orick.   

Explore the Redwoods with Shaka Guide

No matter which route you take, once you arrive in the Redwoods, Shaka Guide has you covered!

With guided turn-by-turn narration, you’ll explore Redwood National and State Parks at your own pace while learning about the natural wonders and fascinating history of this incredible region.

We’ll point out the most stunning viewpoints, scenic drives, and best hikes in the park and leave it up to you to choose what stops you want to visit. There’s no schedule to keep or crowd to follow.

Whether you are here for a few days or just a few hours, let Shaka Guide help make the most of your Redwoods adventure!

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