Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park park
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
One of the main attractions of the park is the sheer size of the towering redwoods. The park is home to some of the largest and oldest redwoods in the world, with some trees reaching heights of over 300 feet and ages of over 2,000 years. The park also boasts a diverse range of wildlife, including elk, black bears, and gray whales.
Some of the top points of interest in the park include Fern Canyon, a narrow gorge covered in ferns and inhabited by a variety of bird species, and the Cal-Barrel Road, a scenic drive that winds through the redwood forest. The park also has several hiking trails, including the James Irvine Trail, which takes hikers through the heart of the redwood forest to the stunning Fern Canyon.
The best time of year to visit Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is between June and September when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. However, visitors should be prepared for the park's wet and foggy climate that is typical of the region.
Overall, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking a glimpse into one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the world.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Prairie - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| Elk Prairie | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Elk Prairie Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Gold Bluffs Beach | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Beach Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Gold Bluffs Beach - Prarie Creek Redwoods State Park | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Other parks
Fishing spots
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
What can I do at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.