Redwood National Forest | Family Road Trip From Utah
OVERVIEW
To get the most out of our experience in the redwoods, we camped at the Jedediah Smith Campground, a tranquil campground located along the crystal-clear Smith River. As we drove into the Jedediah Smith campground, we were immediately in awe of the towering giants and vibrant ferns thriving in the cool shade.
This sanctuary felt magical and a sense of wonderment and tranquility enveloped us. The dense forest muffled the sound of the bustling highway, creating a much-needed escape from the outside world.
The journey from Utah was lengthy, but every mile was worth it in the end. It’s a bucket list adventure that promises unforgettable memories and awe-inspiring sights.
Continue reading as I share tips, and highlights to inspire your next family getaway to the enchanting world of the redwoods.
Jedediah Smith Campground
GETTING THERE
You can take two main routes from Utah to the Redwoods, either through Klamath Falls, Oregon, or Reno, Nevada. On the way there we chose to drive to Klamath Falls, Oregon. This long day of driving took us 13+ hours, stopping a few times. The following day, we only had a 3-hour drive to the Redwoods giving us plenty of time to set up camp and explore the area.
After spending the night at the Shilo Inn in Klamath Falls, we woke up the next morning, ate breakfast at the Joyful Cafe in Klamath, and journeyed onto the Redwoods.
From Klamath Falls to the Redwoods, you can take a detour to Crater Lake National Park. I would have loved to have visited Crater Lake but it added a few more hours to our drive and we were tired of being in the car!
CAMPGROUND
About
The Jedediah Smith Campground is a popular campground! The campground’s location along the picturesque Smith River, the longest free-flowing river in California, makes this place a highly sought-after camping experience. Visitors can fish, paddleboard, snorkel, and swim under the shade of ancient trees.
Smith River
The campground has 89 campsites each with a fire pit and bear box. Drinking water is also available. The coin-operated showers were clean and updated. I recommend going early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid waiting in line. You can purchase coin rolls and firewood from the camp hosts.
Jedediah Smith Campground site 80
Booking A Campsite
To book a campsite at Jedediah Smith Campground you make a reservation through www.reservecalifornia.com. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance at 8 am PST. To book my site I went online at exactly 8 am. The first time I got campsite 14. But I wanted either 80 or 81 (the sites are larger and the trees are bigger) or the sites closest to the river. On my second attempt, I was able to book campsite 80. I canceled my other reservation and paid a small fee.
After camping in the Jedediah Smith Campground and walking through it, I highly recommend campsites 80 or 81. These sites are larger and only a short walk to the river. The campsites closest to the beach path are beautiful but smaller and have less privacy.
We spent five nights camping but four nights would have been enough time to explore the Redwoods and the Pacific Coast.
Storing Food
All your food must be stored in the bear box located at each campsite. The bear boxes at Yosemite measure 17” deep x 49” wide x 17” high. I figured the ones at Jedediah would be the same size. Just for reference, I fit a cooler that measured 18” wide and 27” long and a 27-gallon bin. And I had room to spare on top.
Also, Crescent City is located 10 minutes from the campground and has a Walmart if you need to stock up on food supplies
Weather
Bring a jacket or sweatshirt and hot chocolate. When we went, California was experiencing a heat wave. But upon entering the redwoods the weather dropped significantly. The temperature in the Redwoods ranges from 45-85 degrees during the summer.
WHAT WE LOVED
The Smith River was by far our favorite attraction! After setting up camp on our first day in the redwoods, we headed to the River, excited to dive in and explore the hidden wonders beneath the surface.
Smith River
Boy Scout Tree Trail is an easy 5.5-mile out & back trail in the Redwoods. Walking along the path, we enjoyed climbing fallen trees and massive tree stumps as we slowly made our way to “Fern Falls”.
Boy Scout Tree Trail
On day two we planned to drive South on the Pacific Coast Highway. As we approached Crescent Beach, its moody atmosphere and powerful waves crashing on the shore were mesmerizing. We stopped to observe the scenery, but the ocean waves were too inviting. While in our regular clothes, and without hesitation, we hopped into the ocean and jumped the waves then we combed the beach for sea shells. Wet and cold we drove back to camp.
Crescent Beach
I loved Harris Beach in Brookings, OR. My boys played in the ocean while we walked along the beach enjoying the breathtaking scenery. A wonderful place for families!
Harris State Park
On day four, we drove the Pacific Coast Highway to Prairie Creek State Park, taking our time driving, and stopping to take pictures of the soft gray cloud blanketing the ocean sky. While visiting Prairie Creek State Park, we enjoyed an easy hike to Trillium Falls, another fern-covered waterfall.
Trillium Falls
GETTING HOME
From Jedediah Smith Campground, we drove to Reno, NV, and stayed at the Silver Legacy Resort. We were pulling a trailer with our camping gear but found a parking spot near the top of the parking garage.
Along the way to Reno, we stopped by Mount Shasta for lunch at a cool location called Yaks Shack. Enjoyed a delicious burger and a walk through the shops.
Our road trip to the Redwoods is a family favorite adventure! I hope your family has an opportunity to make the trek and see for yourself how magical this place is!
