Discover the best things to do in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, including a one-day itinerary covering the top spots and nearby attractions.
Welcome to Del Norte Coast, a California state park that features ancient redwood trees and dramatic coastlines. As part of the Redwoods National and State Parks, you can get up close to towering redwood trees that stand hundreds of feet tall while also enjoying access to the coast—an experience unique to this state park. You can stand on sandy beaches, watch waves crash against rocky shores, hike to hidden beaches, and drive along scenic ocean routes.
We spent just over 24 hours at Del Norte Coast during our visit in September 2025. Our favorite activities were hiking to Endert Beach and the Damnation Creek Trail. We loved hiking past towering redwoods and, an hour later, standing on a sandy beach and looking out at the stunning coastline.
As far as the four Redwood parks go, we found Del Norte Coast to have the least impressive sections of redwood forest. However, the main draw of the park is its coastal views and beaches, something you cannot get at any of the other three parks.
If you’re just planning your trip, browse our Redwood National and State Parks Travel Guide to see all of our articles about these parks.
The Essentials
WHERE | Northern California, near Crescent City
DON’T MISS | Endert Beach, Crescent Beach Overlook, Damnation Creek Trail
HIDDEN GEM | Hidden Beach
HOW MUCH TIME | Half to a full day
FEE | $8; America the Beautiful and California State Parks passes accepted
What is Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park?
Del Norte Coast is one of four parks that make up Redwoods National and State Parks. The park is found in northwestern California, near the border with Oregon. On a visit to Del Norte Coast, most visitors will stay in the nearby towns of Crescent City or Klamath. Each of these towns is a 15-minute drive from the center of Del Norte Coast.
Del Norte Coast combines dense redwood groves with stunning coastal viewpoints. On the same day, you can stand on a beach, go whale watching on a scenic drive, and hike through dense forests of massive redwood trees.
The state park is 6,400 acres with 8 miles of wild coastline. Due to its small size, visitors can see all the main attractions in one day. Del Norte Coast is also located between Jedediah Smith and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks, both of which feature amazing redwoods experiences.
Tyler on the beach on the Damnation Creek Trail
Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.
Things to Do in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
From coastal viewpoints, hikes to hidden beaches, or walks amongst towering redwood trees, our list below details the top things to do in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park.
For those short on time or who only want to see the highlights, here are our top 3 must-have experiences within Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park.
- Endert Beach – Hike down to a large, sandy beach with dramatic coastal views along the way.
- Damnation Creek Trail – Hike through a dense grove of coastal redwood trees. The trail descends down the cliffside and leads out to a small, hidden beach.
- High Bluff Overlook – This coastal overlook provides one of the most scenic viewpoints within the state park.
1. Enjoy the View from Crescent Beach Overlook
This coastal overlook offers views of Crescent Beach and several large rock formations offshore. This is one of the best coastal viewpoints within Del Norte Coast. To get here, drive along Enderts Beach Road. It takes 10 minutes to get here from Crescent City.
You’ll be looking down at Crescent Beach, but you can spot a glimpse of Endert Beach off in the distance. From the same parking lot as the viewpoint, visitors can hike the Coastal Trail down to Endert Beach.
2 Hike to Endert Beach on the Coastal Trail
Distance: 1.3 miles (2.1 km) round trip | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Total Ascent: 245 feet (75 meters) | Time: 45 to 90 minutes
Hike down to a sandy beach complete with stunning coastal views. For those looking for the best coastal experience in the state park, we recommend this trail.
The trail is short with only 245 feet of ascent, suitable for those of all ages, and gives the chance to walk along a beach.
From Crescent Beach Overlook, follow the Coastal Trail – Last Chance Section for most of the way, before connecting onto Nickel Creek Trail down to Endert Beach.
The best views are at the start of the trail, with an exposed path along a small cliff. The lower half of the trail is in the woods, so you won’t get any views here.
Endert Beach itself is quite large and generally uncrowded. We visited midday in September and only found a handful of people here. The beach is quite pretty and it’s impressive looking up at the cliffs from the water level.
The National Park Service does not recommend swimming at Endert Beach. Waves can be rough, water temperatures can be cold, and rip tides may also be present. Endert Beach is best enjoyed from land.
The Coastal Trail can sometimes be closed due to landslides. We recommend checking the National Park Service website before you go.
3. Walk Amongst Towering Redwoods on the Damnation Creek Trail
Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km) | Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous | Total Ascent: 1,300 feet (400 meters) | Time: 2 to 3 hours
The Damnation Creek Trail is our favorite thing we did in Del Norte Coast.
Hike down through a beautiful section of redwood forest that seems straight out of Jurassic Park, then emerge onto a secluded rocky beach. This hike is challenging, but the incredible views make it worthwhile. It’s the top hike in the state park to see old-growth redwoods.
The Damnation Creek Trail is a challenging out-and-back trail to a rocky, secluded beach. From the car park, it’s a steady downhill walk the entire way to the beach, descending about 1,300 feet over 2 miles. Although it’s quite easy to get down to the beach, the real challenge is the return hike back to the parking lot.
We hiked the Damnation Creek Trail in the morning, starting at 8:15 am, and had a fantastic experience. A thick layer of morning fog settled in the forest, giving it a mystical appearance. During our ascent, the sun rose high enough to shine through the fog, illuminating the forest with heavenly rays of sunlight. The weather conditions aligned perfectly to create one of our most memorable redwood experiences.
When we did this hike, we were the only ones along the trail. The only people we saw were in the parkng lot after we had just finished our hike.
GETTING HERE: The Damnation Creek Trailhead is situated along U.S. Route 101, the highway that runs through the state park. There’s a small parking lot off to the side of the road that’s easy to miss, so stay alert as you approach. There are no bathrooms at the trailhead.
See the trail in more photos, and learn more about the trail in our guide to the Damnation Creek Trail ↓
4. Escape the Crowds on the Hidden Beach Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles (1.9 km) round trip | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Total Ascent: 280 feet (85 meters) | Time: 30 to 60 minutes
This short, out-and-back trail leads to Hidden Beach, a large sandy beach that’s less traveled by other hikers. You’ll find far fewer people here than at more popular beaches such as Endert Beach.
The trail to Hidden Beach
The Hidden Beach Trail is easy, flat, and great for those who want beach access. The trail out to Hidden Beach isn’t too eventful, with a walk through new-growth redwood forest. Don’t expect to see towering trees hundreds of feet high along this trail. Hidden Beach itself, however, makes up for this lack of views.
GETTING HERE: The Hidden Beach Trailhead is located across the street from Trees of Mystery, making this a great addition on a joint visit. You won’t find parking at the trailhead itself. Instead, park at the nearby Trees of Mystery or Motel Trees.
5. Go for a Stroll on the Yurok Loop Trail
Distance: 1 mile | Difficulty: Easy | Total Ascent: Minimal | Time: 30 minutes
We did this hike and weren’t overly impressed. The best part of the hike comes right at the beginning, with views of driftwood on Wilson Creek Beach.
If you follow the loop in the counterclockwise direction, it will climb a small hill for nice views over the beach (photo above).
Beyond this point, the trail loops through a forest of Sitka spruce and Douglas fir trees (photo below), which we didn’t find all that interesting (at least, not with so many places nearby to walk among towering redwoods).
6. High Bluff Overlook & Coastal Drive Loop
This scenic overlook offers stunning views of the California coast. Jagged cliffs and remote beaches line the shoreline, with massive rock formations rising from the water. On a clear day, this is one of the best viewpoints within Del Norte Coast.
We had bad luck with heavy fog during our visit, but judging from pictures, this viewpoint looks incredible. If you’re visiting on a sunny day and want stunning coastal views, we recommend adding High Bluff Overlook near the top of your list.
High Bluff Overlook | shutterstock.com
You can reach High Bluff Overlook via the Coastal Drive Loop. This one-way scenic drive begins in Klamath, heading south along the coast and looping back into town. It’s another great activity in the park, offering panoramic views and the chance to see whales in the winter.
With both the overlook and scenic drive, expect this to take no longer than an hour.
Places to Visit Near Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
1. Walk the Canopy Trail at the Trees of Mystery
Trees of Mystery is a blend between a redwood forest and an adventure park. Stroll past sculptures, marvel at both old and new redwoods, walk above the forest along the Redwood Canopy Trail, and so much more. You’ll know you’ve arrived at the right spot when you see the giant Paul Bunyan statue in the parking lot, accompanied by Babe the Blue Ox.
Trees of Mystery is not part of the state park, but it is worth a visit with its convenient location, especially if traveling with younger kids. A visit here can take between 1 to 3 hours, depending on how much you want to see. For quick visits, we recommend walking both the Redwood Canopy Trail and the Trail of Tall Tales.
PLAN YOUR VISIT: Get hours and pricing on the official website.
2. Drive through a Redwood at Klamath Thru Tree
Interested in driving through a redwood tree??
Klamath Thru Tree provides a more unique spin on your redwood experience, allowing drivers to pass through the carved-out base of a redwood tree. Although not officially part of the state park, Klamath Thru Tree is still worth a quick visit.
Klamath Thru Tree is in the town of Klamath, a 10-minute drive south of Trees of Mystery. This is private property, so you are asked to pay a small entrance fee on arrival.
From the entrance gate, you’ll drive a short way up to the thru tree, where there’s a small, paved area where cars can wait their turn in line. Tim drove through the tree, while Julie and I snapped photos from the other side.
You will need a fairly compact car to do this. We saw trucks and vans pull up and immediately turn around when they realized the space would be too narrow for them. We drove in a Kia Telluride SUV and just barely made it through, having to fold in our side mirrors to create more space. Talk about a tight fit!
One Day in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
In one day, you can see all the best sites within the Del Norte Coast.
You can see everything on this list in one busy day. The sample itinerary below lays out the best way to see everything on this list, assuming you start and end your day in Crescent City.
Morning
Start your day early with the Damnation Creek Trail. Not only will you enjoy a peaceful hike through redwoods, but you’ll also get a chance to experience some magical morning lighting like we did.
Midday
After your hike, drive south and visit the Trees of Mystery. Afterwards, drive the Coastal Drive Loop out to High Bluff Overlook (if it’s not foggy). You can also include the Hidden Beach Trail and the Klamath Thru Tree, both quick stops that are nearby.
Afternoon
In the afternoon, drive north and stop at the Crescent Beach Overlook, before hiking down to Endert Beach. This will make for one busy day, but one full of fun sightseeing and trails.
How to Get to Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is situated just south of Crescent City, California. This small state park stretches along the coast down to the town of Klamath and the Klamath River. You can drive from one end of the park to the other in 30 minutes.
U.S. Route 101 runs through the state park, with many top sites located on or very close to this main road. The highway also passes through both Crescent City and Klamath, two nearby towns that are popular places to stay when visiting Redwoods National and State Parks.
Of the four parks that make up Redwoods National and State Parks, Del Norte Coast is one of the northernmost. The state park is a 30-minute drive north of Redwoods National Park.
Hiking to Endert Beach
Where to Stay
Camping
There are 145 campsites at the Mill Creek Campgroung, which is located inside of the state park. The campground is open from May through September. Reservations can be made online in advance. Learn more on the official website.
Crescent City
Crescent City is the closest town to Jedediah Smith. This small town has several hotels to choose from, a grocery store, and several restaurants. We ate dinner twice at SeaQuake Brewing, a restaurant that really fills up by 5:30 pm on weekdays, at least in our experience.
Hotels in Crescent City get decent reviews. Several of the highest-rated options include Oceanview Inn and Suites, the Lighthouse Inn, and the Hiouchi Motel. The Crescent Beach Motel has a nice setting right on the beach.
Hiouchi
The Redwood Meadows RV Resort is a good option for those traveling by RV. They also have family bungalows.
Klamath
We stayed in Klamath, since it is more centrally located between the state and national parks.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Klamath, which receives decent reviews. The hotel is quite dark and dreary, and the WiFi went out one night while we were there. Regarding restaurants, there aren’t many in Klamath. There is a restaurant in the nearby casino, but it was closed one evening during our visit, so we ate in Crescent City a few times. I know I’m not selling this place, but the location is conveniently central to the parks.
The Historic Requa Inn gets better reviews. It is located on the Klamath River, just north of Klamath.
Plan Your Visit
Cost: It costs $8 per vehicle to visit Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park for the day. Entrance fees are collected at campground entrance stations.
Hours of Operation: Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
Before you go, check the California State Parks website for park conditions and updates on road closures and trail closures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is camping allowed in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park?
Yes, camping is allowed seasonally within the state park. Mill Creek Campground takes online reservations and is open from May through September. This makes for a unique and affordable way to visit the state park.
Is there cellular service in the park?
Cellular service is spotty within the state park. We found it worked best along the coast and was minimal or nonexistent when hiking in areas like the redwood groves, such as along the Damnation Creek Trail. Don’t rely on your phone for texts, emails, or pictures while visiting the park.
When is the best time to visit Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park?
The best time to visit Del Norte Coast is from June through August, when warm weather is ideal for exploring the park. The summer is the most crowded time to visit, but also the driest. Our visit was in mid-September. We had cool weather and some fog, but crowds were a bit lower than the summer months. Rain chances increase in October and the rainy weather continues through April, with December and January being the rainiest months of the year.
More Redwoods Inspiration
Are you looking to continue exploring Redwoods National and State Parks? For more information on the other parks, check out these articles below.
- To see all of our guides on Redwood National & State Parks → Check out our Redwood National Park Travel Guide
- Explore Jedediah Smith Redwoods → Read our article Best Things to do in Jedediah Smith Redwoods
- Visit Avenue of Giants → In our guide to Avenue of the Giants, we cover the must-see spots complete with a map and lots of photos.
If you have any questions about the best things to do in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, let us know in the comment section below.
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