Redwood National Park: Redwood Creek & Tall Trees Grove
📅 May 23–25 (Sat–Mon) · Trip 2: TBD
Orick, CA
Book Trip → $500 pp
About This Trip
The Pacific Coast has its own kind of wilderness — quieter, greener, and draped in a permanent soft mist that makes the whole world feel ancient. This trip follows the Redwood Creek Trail from just outside Orick deep into the heart of Redwood National Park, tracing the corridor of Redwood Creek for nearly eight miles through a lush riparian forest of hemlock, Sitka spruce, and towering bigleaf maples before arriving at Camp 44 — a secluded backcountry site sitting directly across the creek from the legendary Tall Trees Grove. On Day 2, we cross the water and spend the morning wandering among some of the tallest trees on Earth, walking a 1-mile loop through old-growth redwoods that have stood for over a thousand years. With minimal elevation gain, well-marked trails, and a mostly flat creekside route, this is one of the most beginner-friendly backpacking trips in California — and one of the most unforgettable.
Trip Highlights
- Learn the fundamentals of backpacking in a guided, low-pressure setting — packing, camp setup, water filtering, and Leave No Trace, all covered before you hit the trail
- Discover a deeper wildernessleave the roadside pullouts behind and experience the redwoods slowly, quietly, on foot, with no one else around
- Camp at Site 44 a secluded backcountry campsite beside Redwood Creek, directly across from Tall Trees Grove — fall asleep to the sound of the creek and ancient silhouettes overhead
- Spend a full day in Tall Trees Grove one of the most restricted groves in the park — home to the former tallest tree on Earth and dozens of redwoods exceeding 350 feet
- Walk away with real confidence by Sunday you’ll have covered 15+ miles of true backcountry and stood at the base of trees alive before Columbus reached the Americas
Trip Details — Redwood National Park
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
| Distance | ~19 miles total · ~1,100 ft gain/loss |
| Elevation | ~50 – 1,150 ft |
| Difficulty | Beginner / Moderate |
| Group Size | Maximum 6 participants |
| Price | $500 per person (gear rental +$200 if needed) |
| Dates | May 23–25 (Sat–Mon) Trip 2: TBD |
Day-by-Day Itinerary
DAY
1
1
Into the Redwoods
We meet at the Redwood Creek Trailhead just outside Orick and set off along the creek corridor. The trail is mostly flat and follows the water closely — you’ll hike through alder thickets, across gravel bars, and beneath towering bigleaf maples draped in ferns and moss. The forest gets progressively older and larger as you move upstream, the trees wider and the canopy higher with every mile. After roughly 7 miles we arrive at Camp 44, a secluded backcountry site tucked into a flat bench beside the creek, directly across the water from the edge of Tall Trees Grove. We’ll set up camp, cook dinner together, and spend the evening listening to the creek and taking in the scale of the trees above us.
~7.4 miles
+350 ft elevation
4.5–5.5 hrs
DAY
2
2
Tall Trees Grove
Today we leave the heavy packs at camp and cross Redwood Creek to enter Tall Trees Grove — one of the most restricted and least-visited old-growth groves in the entire park. The light here is unlike anywhere else in the redwoods: the open creek bed lets afternoon sun filter in from the side, illuminating giant maple trees and ferns at the base of ancient redwoods in a warm, golden glow. We’ll walk the 1-mile loop through the heart of the grove, stopping at marked trees including the historic Libbey Tree — the former tallest known tree on Earth at 368 feet — and dozens of others that soar well above 350 feet. With daily visitors strictly limited, the forest will feel like it belongs to us alone. We’ll spend the afternoon back at camp exploring the gravel bars, watching for wildlife, and simply being somewhere extraordinary.
~3–4 miles
Minimal gain
2–3 hrs
DAY
3
3
Return to the Trailhead
After two nights beside the creek, we pack up camp and retrace our steps back to the Redwood Creek Trailhead. The same flat, easy grade that carried us in now carries us out — and it looks completely different going the other direction. Light shifts, the creek shows you new angles, and you’ll notice trees and details you walked right past on Day 1. We’ll arrive back at the trailhead by late morning, with tired legs, full hearts, and a very legitimate claim to having done something real. Plan for lunch in Orick or Crescent City before heading home.
~7.4 miles
−350 ft elevation
3–4 hrs
📅 Average Conditions for Your Trip — May 23–25
Sat May 23
Coastal fog, misty morning
60°
|
44°
💧 20% rain
Sun May 24
Partly cloudy, humid
62°
|
46°
💧 15% rain
Mon May 25
Light showers likely
59°
|
43°
💧 25% rain
🌡 Humidity: ~84%
🌬 Coastal winds
⚠ Feels colder than it reads
🌲 Conditions to Know
- Fog and mist are constant — even when it’s not technically raining
- 84% average humidity makes everything feel colder than the temperature reads
- Trail runs through dense ferns that will soak unprotected legs
- Creek crossings possible — waterproof boots are critical
- No altitude concerns — challenge is cold and damp, not elevation
★ Pack These — Non-Negotiable
- Waterproof rain jacket — your most important item
- Rain pants — ferns soak shorts and bare legs immediately
- Merino wool or synthetic base layers — no cotton ever
- Waterproof hiking boots + 4 pairs of wool socks
- Mid-weight fleece — you may wear this all day
What’s Included
- All required wilderness permits
- Tents and sleeping pads
- Cooking equipment and stove
- All meals from Day 1 dinner through Day 3 lunch
- Water filtration
- Expert guide
Not Included
- Personal hiking boots and socks
- Personal clothing and rain gear
- Sleeping bag (rentals available)
- Transportation to trailhead
- Personal snacks and beverages beyond meals
- Gratuities (appreciated but never required)
Ready to Join Us?
Spots fill fast — get in touch and we’ll get you on the trail.