Narrow canyon hike lined with lush vertical walls draped in dense ferns, featuring shallow stream crossings and a uniquely enclosed rainforest-like atmosphere.
General Information
Length:
1.1 mile loop
Elevation Gain:
150 feet
Difficulty:
Easy to moderate
Hours:
Open daily for day use, generally sunrise to sunset; access may require reservation during peak season (mid-May to mid-September)
Fees:
No entrance fee for Redwood National and State Parks
Timed-entry reservation required for vehicle access during peak season (May 15–September 15)
Day-use fee may apply for Gold Bluffs Beach access
Timed-entry reservation required for vehicle access during peak season (May 15–September 15)
Day-use fee may apply for Gold Bluffs Beach access
Pet Policy:
Pets are not allowed on the trail
Closest cities with hotels:
Orick (8 mi)
Crescent City (35 mi)
Crescent City (35 mi)
Seasons:
Late spring through early fall for best weather and access; open year-round depending on road conditions
Location:
Website:
How to Get There
From Crescent City (35 mi): Take US-101 south for about 25 miles to Davison Road near Orick, turn right and follow the narrow dirt road for approximately 8 miles to the Gold Bluffs Beach area and trailhead parking.
Overview
Fern Canyon is a magical, narrow gorge in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park with 50-foot walls draped in lush ferns and a creek running through it, made famous by Jurassic Park 2. A 0.5-mile loop follows the canyon from Fern Canyon Day Use Area near Gold Bluffs Beach, and the park is part of a World Heritage Site.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Fern Canyon", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
