Skip to content
RideJoy
View from forest floor looking straight up. Ferns as seen close up and redwood trunks meet.
NPS Photo / Steve Olson

Caution

Delays along Bald Hills Road

There is a paving project on the section of Bald Hills Road between Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Redwood Creek Overlook. While crews are working, visitors heading to areas past Lady Bird Johnson Grove parking lot should expect a delay lasting 20-30 minutes in both directions. Access to Lady Bird Johnson Grove parking lot is not affected.

Caution

Delays along Highway 101

There are multiple traffic stops along Highway 101 from Orick, CA to Crescent City, CA due to road construction. Extra time may be needed to travel throughout the park. Delay times may vary. Please stay alert and drive cautiously.

National and State ParksHorse trailsHorses provided

Redwood National and State Parks

CA · Crescent City

Renowned for the world’s tallest trees, Redwood’s landscapes span from open prairies and oak woodlands to pristine rivers and untamed coastline. This ancient home has supported people for thousands of years. The National Park Service and California State Parks now work to safeguard and rejuvenate these lands for everyone’s enjoyment, learning, and inspiration.

Riding guide

Horses provided

Highlights

Redwood National and State Parks protect some of the most extraordinary forests on Earth, home to the tallest…

Riding

Rideable terrain here is noted as 40-60 miles, giving riders a clearer sense of scale before they ever unload. For equestrian travelers, the parks offer a unique riding experience through towering redwood groves, quiet forest corridors, and open meadows where Roosevelt elk frequently graze. The most popular horseback riding opportunities are found in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park area near Orick, where a network of pack-animal trails winds through dense redwood forests and across scenic coastal prairie.

Rideable terrain

40-60 miles

Trailer parking

Orick Rodeo Grounds (Primary Equestrian Staging Area) Orick Rodeo Grounds This is widely considered the main horse staging and camping location for riders visiting the park. Why riders use it Large open area designed for horse trailers and stock staging Access to nearby pack-animal trails within the park Space for overnight horse camping Easy access to the Prairie Creek trail system The National Park Service specifically recommends contacting the Orick Chamber of Commerce for horse camping here. Elk Meadow Day-Use Area Elk Meadow Day Use Area Another practical staging area near the heart of the park’s equestrian trail network. Why it works well Larger parking area compared with most redwood trailheads Good access to trails in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Located near the Davison Road / Elk Prairie trail systems Gold Bluffs Beach Road Trail Access Gold Bluffs Beach Some riders stage along this corridor when accessing coastal riding routes. Important notes Access road is narrow and rough Trailers should be smaller rigs due to tight turns Elk Prairie Campground Area Elk Prairie Campground Often used as a secondary staging location for riders exploring nearby pack-animal trails. Benefits Close to trailheads Services nearby Parking space for trailers depending on season

Horse regulations

Riding Is Limited to Designated Pack-Animal Trails Horses are allowed only on specific pack-animal trails and designated routes within the park system. These trails are primarily located in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park area near Orick. Riding is not permitted on most hiking trails or in fragile habitats such as Fern Canyon or sensitive coastal areas. Riders must stay on established trails and roads where equestrian use is permitted. Horses Are Not Allowed in Developed Visitor Areas Pack animals are prohibited in high-use visitor areas including: Campgrounds (except designated equestrian camping locations) Visitor centers Picnic areas Fern Canyon and other sensitive ecological sites These restrictions help protect fragile environments and ensure visitor safety. Stock Definition For park regulations, pack animals include: Horses Mules Burros Other animals are not permitted as pack stock within the park. Feed Requirements To prevent the spread of invasive plants, riders are typically required to bring: Certified weed-free hay or feed This rule applies throughout most California public lands and helps protect the park's native plant communities. Camping With Horses Overnight camping with horses is not widely available inside the park system. Riders typically stage and camp nearby, most commonly at the Orick Rodeo Grounds, which serves as the primary equestrian staging area for the Prairie Creek trail network. Trail Courtesy and Resource Protection When riding in the park: Stay on designated trails and roads Avoid riding during extremely wet conditions to protect trail surfaces Yield to hikers where appropriate Do not tie horses directly to young trees or vegetation These guidelines help preserve the park's fragile soils and ancient redwood forest environment.

Getting here

Use 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, California as your primary planning reference before you haul in. Orick Rodeo Grounds (Primary Equestrian Staging Area) Orick Rodeo Grounds This is widely considered the main horse staging and camping location for riders visiting the park. Why riders use it Large open area designed for horse trailers and stock staging Access to nearby pack-animal trails within the park Space for overnight horse camping Easy access to the Prairie Creek trail system The National Park Service specifically recommends contacting the Orick Chamber of Commerce for horse camping here. Elk Meadow Day-Use Area Elk Meadow Day Use Area Another practical staging area near the heart of the park’s equestrian trail network. Why it works well Larger parking area compared with most redwood trailheads Good access to trails in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Located near the Davison Road / Elk Prairie trail systems Gold Bluffs Beach Road Trail Access Gold Bluffs Beach Some riders stage along this corridor when accessing coastal riding routes. Important notes Access road is narrow and rough Trailers should be smaller rigs due to tight turns Elk Prairie Campground Area Elk Prairie Campground Often used as a secondary staging location for riders exploring nearby pack-animal trails. Benefits Close to trailheads Services nearby Parking space for trailers depending on season

Planning your visit

Redwood National and State Parks offer a unique riding experience through ancient redwood forests and coastal prairie, but equestrian access is concentrated in specific areas and requires a bit of planning before visiting. Riding Is Concentrated in the Prairie Creek Area Most horseback riding opportunities occur in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park near Orick, where the park maintains its designated pack-animal trail network. Other portions of the park system have very limited or no equestrian access. Riders should plan their trip around this region rather than expecting horseback access throughout the entire park system. Trailer Parking and Staging Are Limited Most trailheads within the redwood forest were not designed for large horse trailers. The most common staging location for riders is the Orick Rodeo Grounds, which provides space for trailers and overnight horse camping. Some day-use parking areas near Prairie Creek may accommodate trailers, but space can be limited. Expect Narrow Forest Trails Trails in the redwood forest tend to be: Narrow single-track paths Rooted forest soil surfaces Occasionally muddy during wet weather The shaded forest environment keeps trails damp much of the year, so riders should be prepared for soft footing in certain areas. Wildlife Encounters Are Common The Prairie Creek area is home to large herds of Roosevelt elk, which frequently graze in the park’s meadows and along trails. Riders should keep horses calm and give wildlife plenty of space. Other wildlife such as black bears, coyotes, and deer also inhabit the region. Coastal Weather Can Change Quickly Although the park is located in California, the coastal climate is cool and foggy much of the year. Visitors should be prepared for: Dense morning fog Damp forest conditions Sudden coastal weather changes The fog helps sustain the ancient redwood ecosystem but can also affect visibility and trail conditions. Many Areas of the Park Are Off-Limits to Horses To protect fragile ecosystems, horses are not allowed in several popular park areas, including: Fern Canyon Many coastal trails Sensitive old-growth groves Developed visitor areas Always verify the designated pack-animal trails before riding.

Where to stay

Redwoods National and State Parks-Crescent City Information Center is the main visitor-contact point tied to this destination, which is helpful when you want current conditions, maps, and stock-use updates before riding. This entry indicates both guided ride support and horse-camping potential, making Redwood National and State Parks one of the more flexible federal options for riders building a fuller travel plan. For a polished trip plan, pair the ride with lodging, fuel, and resupply planning in or near Crescent City before heading deeper into federal-land access points.

Trails

No trails synced for this park yet.

Campgrounds

Points of interest

Things to do

Visitor centers

Webcams

Hours of operation

Operating Hours

The national and state parks are always open to enjoy. Roads, trails and public access remain open year round. Some campgrounds and visitor centers are closed - or have reduced hours - in the off-season (October-May)

Mon

All Day

Tue

All Day

Wed

All Day

Thu

All Day

Fri

All Day

Sat

All Day

Sun

All Day

Activities

Arts and CultureCultural DemonstrationsAuto and ATVScenic DrivingBikingMountain BikingRoad BikingCampingBackcountry CampingCar or Front Country CampingHorse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)RV CampingFishingSaltwater FishingFoodPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingSelf-Guided Tours - AutoHikingBackcountry HikingFront-Country HikingHorse TrekkingHorse Camping (see also camping)Horseback RidingPaddlingCanoeingKayakingStand Up PaddleboardingWhitewater RaftingJunior Ranger ProgramSurfingSwimmingSaltwater SwimmingWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmShoppingBookstore and Park Store

Weather

Visitors should be prepared for cooler and damp weather. Dress in layers and expect to get wet. Year-round temperatures along California's redwood coast: mid-40s°F (7°C) to mid-60s°F (18°C). Summer can be foggy, with highs occasionally reaching low 70s°F (20°C). Winters are cooler with considerable rain. October through April averages 60-80 inches of rain over the region.

Contact

Voice7074646101
Fax7074641812
Emailredw_info@nps.gov

Photos

Stay near this park

No horse-friendly stays listed near Redwood National and State Parks yet. Know a great barn or property? Help fellow riders by listing it.

List your property

Directions

Redwood National and State Parks is located in northernmost coastal California - almost on the Oregon border. The parks are about 60-miles long, with four visitor centers from north to south. We are a six to seven-hour drive (325 miles) north of San Francisco, a six-hour drive (330 miles) south of Portland, OR and a four-hour drive (170 miles) west of Redding, CA.

Get directionsOfficial directions

Source: nps.gov