Contents
Fern Canyon | Introduction
Fern Canyon is one of the top attractions in Redwood National Park. The park is divided into several regions, and Fern Canyon is one of the main highlights of the southern Prairie Creek Area, with its trailhead located near the coastal Gold Bluffs Beach. Fern Canyon is a gorge where the walls are covered not with bare rock, but with lush green ferns, creating a magical, primeval jungle atmosphere. This unique landscape even served as a filming location for Jurassic Park.
Fern Canyon | How to Get There?
There are two ways to access Fern Canyon. The easier way is by driving along Highway 101, turning onto Davidson Rd from the Elk Meadows Day Use Area, and following it toward Gold Bluffs Beach. There are two things to keep in mind: first, during the summer season (5/1-9/30), you’ll need to reserve a permit in advance, as Fern Canyon is very popular and permits often book up months ahead. However, cancellations do happen, so it’s worth checking regularly. If you’re unable to get a permit, the alternative is to hike to Fern Canyon from the Prairie Creek Visitor Center via the James Irvine Trail. This route is 5 miles each way (10 miles round-trip), which can take most of a day.
When driving to Gold Bluffs Beach, you’ll pass through a permit checkpoint. The road to Gold Bluffs Beach is a 7-mile unpaved stretch, and although it’s not very long, the rough conditions mean you’ll need to drive slowly. It took us about half a day to go in and out of Fern Canyon. About 1 mile before the trailhead, there are a few creek crossings; depending on conditions and weather, small cars may have difficulty crossing. If you’re in a low-clearance vehicle, you can park at the day-use area or campground near Gold Bluffs Beach and walk the last mile to the trailhead. When we visited, the water depth was around 5 inches, and smaller cars were able to cross without issues.
Fern Canyon Trail
After parking near the trailhead, the first part of the trail is a bit muddy, but within just 0.1 miles, you’ll reach Fern Canyon itself. The Fern Canyon Trail loops through the canyon and back, covering about 1 mile in total.
At the entrance, there are small wooden planks placed on the ground to walk on. By this point, you’re already at the canyon floor, with green fern-covered walls rising on both sides, giving the feeling of being in a prehistoric jungle. You’ll often encounter fallen trees along the path, so be prepared to climb over some obstacles.
As you continue, the trail becomes increasingly challenging, giving it an adventurous feel. Most of the middle section involves wading through water, so regular hiking boots won’t suffice. It’s best to bring waterproof shoes, such as Keen water shoes. If you only plan to walk the first quarter, waterproof hiking boots should be enough, but for the middle section, you’ll need shoes suitable for stream crossings. At the end of the trail, you’ll find a path on the left that leads up the canyon wall.
Most people don’t venture far into the water, so once you’re up on the canyon wall, the trail becomes quieter and more serene. The forest on this section is dense, with tree trunks covered in ferns, offering a different view from other popular redwood areas.
From this path, you can connect to the James Irvine Trail and Coastal Trail. Near the end, there’s an overlook where you can look down into the canyon and see the section of the water trail you just climbed through. It’s a rewarding view, making the effort seem well worth it.
Gold Bluffs Beach
If you want to enjoy the beach scenery or take a walk along the shore, there’s a day-use area near Gold Bluffs Beach, just before Fern Canyon. There’s also a campground here, which is fairly large. The area was named Gold Bluffs because, in 1850, there was a brief gold rush when people found traces of gold in the sand. Although few were successful in finding actual nuggets, it attracted a fair share of prospectors in its time.
Further reading
- Two-Day Adventure Guide to Redwood National Park: An Ultimate Travel Guide
- Exploring Hiouchi: Discover Jedediah Smith Redwoods in Redwood National Park
- A Visitor’s Guide to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in Redwood National Park
- Half-Day Escape to Fern Canyon: Must-See Spot in Redwood National Park
- Exploring Humboldt Redwoods: Highlights and Camping Tips for Avenue of the Giants
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