Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Prairie Creek Redwoods is a state park and nature reserve in Humboldt County along the northern California coast. The landscape combines dense redwood forest with coastal prairie, small streams, and a narrow corridor of access to the ocean south of the Klamath River mouth.

A private donation in 1923 created the foundation of the park under the protection of the Save the Redwoods League. Later land purchases and transfers expanded the territory until the reserve became part of the larger Redwood National and State Parks system during the 1960s.

Prairie Creek takes its name from an open grassland along the river where Roosevelt elk come out to graze and are often visible near the trails. Visitors encounter these animals most frequently during early morning or late evening hours along the main road through the reserve.

Trails range from short walks under the trees to longer routes into the backcountry and down to the coast. Fog rolls in especially during mornings and evenings and makes paths wet, so wear shoes with good grip.

Fern Canyon displays tall rock walls completely overgrown with several fern species and extending along a winding watercourse. This spot served as a filming location for scenes in several movies, including the second installment of Jurassic Park.

Location: Humboldt County

Inception: 1925

Operator: California Department of Parks and Recreation

Part of: Redwood National and State Parks, California Coast Ranges Biosphere Reserve

Phone: +17074882039

Website: http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=415

GPS coordinates: 41.40380,-124.03800

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29