How to Secure Redwood National Park Backpacking Permits
- Elon Jones
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
Get ready for breathtaking seaside cliffs, towering coastal Redwoods, and challenging terrain. You can be hiking on the coast in the morning and climbing through Fern Canyon in the evening.
(Fern Canyon is where Jurassic 2 shot scenes for Lost World for all of you movie buffs out there.)
Backpacking through Redwood National Park is a unique blend of mountain forests, Pacific coastline, and open prairies where you might spot a herd of Roosevelt Elk. But first, you’ve got to navigate getting Redwood National Park Backpacking Permits.
How Can I Be Sure I Get Redwood National Park Permits?
Great news here! Getting backcountry permits for Redwood National and State Parks is a straightforward process. You can apply as early as 160 days before your trip. And – for you last minute weekend warriors – you can apply as late as 24 hours before your trip.
You can only reserve permits online, and there is a limited number (according to Redwood Parks Conservatory there are 5 available per day). The permit covers up to 8 people in a group. If your group is larger than 8 then you need multiple permits.
The exception to that rule is Redwood Creek Gravel Bar. Your permit for Redwood Creek only covers 4 people to keep from overcrowding. No walk-up permits are available.
Simple, right? How amazing is that!
You'll start at the Redwood Parks Conservatory and follow these steps:
Choose your backcountry campsites
The campsite you choose determines which permits you apply for and if you need additional permits. There are 7 campsites you can choose from in Redwood National Forest.
Redwood Creek Gravel Bar is the only place where you’re permitted (literally) to camp near the river.
Flint Ridge is nestled in dense section of the Redwoods.
DeMartin is located along the Coastal Trail where you’ll enjoy beautiful coastal views. Just remember to stay on trail. These bluffs can collapse if you get too close to the edge.
Gold Bluff Beach is close to Fern Canyon. This is the only campsite that does have a fee. It’s $5 per night.
Elam Creek: Located in a quieter part of the park.
44 Camp is your “Wanna Get Away” site deep in the Redwoods.
Little Bald Hills is where you can enjoy a challenging hike with an elevation gain of 1,600 ft. to high up prairies where you can observe elk and other wildlife.
Set Your Itinerary
Aside from having your itinerary set so you can leave it with your emergency contact, you need to set your itinerary because there are trails that require their own permit. Fern Canyon and Tall Trees Grove Trail both require their own permits to prevent overcrowding, so you need to apply for those if they're on your route.
Research the Trails to Find which Permits Your Need
Now that you’ve set your itinerary, research the trails to see if you need any additional permits.
For example, if you plan on parking at the Tall Trees Trailhead, then you'll need to apply for a separate permit before you apply for your camping permits. You can expect to receive the code for Tall Trees 23 hours before your reserved date.
Apply for the Required Backpacking Permits
Between 160 days to 24 hours before your trip, you can apply for your permits at the Redwood Parks Conservatory and wait for your permits to be approved.
Is There an Easier Way to Get Permits for Backpacking in the Redwoods?
Yeah, we're working to solve that very problem. As permit applications go, Redwood National Park is one of the most straightforward processes. But as of right now, no, there’s not an easier way. There are, however, some strategies you can use to increase your chances.
Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply for your permits. That’s just an invitation to disappointment. You can apply 160 days (that’s almost 5 months!) prior, so take advantage of that time.
Be flexible with your dates. This way if your preferred dates fall through, you can apply for a different date. You can also purposefully schedule your backpacking trip for shoulder season. (That sweet spot where there’s less demand, but optimal weather.)
You’re more likely to get the dates you ask for during shoulder season because fewer people are asking for those days.
FAQ: Redwood National Park Backpacking Permits and Other Pointers
Can You Camp Anywhere in Redwoods National Park?
No, you can’t set up camp just anywhere. You can choose from the 7 designated dispersed camping areas.
Is There a Fee for Redwood National Park Permits?
For most of the campsites and parking permits, there's no fee. But for a few, there is a small fee. Gold Beach for example does charge $5/night for camping.
What to Expect while Backpacking in Redwood National Park
Most of the trails are easy to moderate unless you’re climbing up to Little Bald Hills. Expect the weather to be damp in the mornings. Since you’re close to the coast and high up fog is common even in the drier summer months. So bring your rain gear and keep the rainfly on your tent.
There are also bears and elk in the area, so make sure you practice the common safety precautions. (E.g. carry bear spray, hang your pack away from your tent and out of reach, etc.)
Don’t expect to have cell coverage at the campsites.
Can I Bring My Dog with Me?
No pets are not permitted on the trails, but service dogs are welcome.
Conclusion
As far as getting permits go, Redwood National Park does a good job of working with the overlapping State Parks to make the application process as straightforward as possible.
Here at Pathloom, we're hoping to make it even simpler by building an app that lets you...
Discover trails
Apply for permits
Receive trail updates
AND stop wasting time surfing from one vague government website to the next trying to make sure you have all the permits you need. With Pathloom, you'll never have to leave the app to plan your trip.
If you're interested in a tool like that, then go ahead and sign up and be the first to test the app when it goes live.