Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park

Use the park page to learn about local hiking, nature, trailheads, trail and route maps, and groups that meet here. If you know something about this area. Please feel welcome to write about it here.

General Information

From the name of the park it is easy to tell that this is one of California's treasures. The Redwood trees only grow in California and this is one of the few state parks that people can hike surrounded by these giant trees.

The great thing about the Redwoods here is that they are mostly the big old growth trees that had not been cut down during the late part of 1800s and the early 1900s.

The trees get much of their water supply from the Smith River that runs through the park. Almost all of the park land is water shed for the Smith River and Mill Creek, a major tributary.

Trailheads

We currently do not have any record of trailheads in this park.

Routes and Trails You Can Travel

We currently do not have any record of good routes in this park.

Hiking

There are about 20 miles of various hiking trails in the park. A great thing about the park is that since it is a heavily forested area, it provides plenty of natural shade. During the arid California summer months the natural shade can really help to make your hiking experience better and won't leave you sunburned.

The park is one of the northern most places to see Redwood trees and have an opportunity to hike among them.

Trails

Climate and Weather

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History

The park is named after the explorer Jedediah Strong Smith. Jedediah was the first white man to explore northern California in a two-year expedition which began in 1826. His exploration was crucial to the gold rush that followed in the mid 1800s when routes to California were taken by tens of thousands of people.

Wildlife

There is a tremendous amount of different wildlife at Jedediah Smith Park. There are even black bears roaming the area so be very careful. Other animals include deer, coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, skunks, fox, beaver, river otter, squirrels, chipmunks and many others.

There is also a river so there are plenty of fish that can be spotted swimming right below the water.

The park is pretty amazing for those who know how and where to safely spot wildlife. The Smith River and Mill Creek have some amazing fish. King salmon and steelhead trout runs in the fall and winter. Mill Creek is a spawning ground for these fish. The black bears in the area love to catch and eat Salmon. It is a gruesome but a truly amazing spectacle to see if you are brave or savvy enough to get close enough to see.

Birds

The park is also home to many species of birds such as the incredible bald eagle, spotted owl, pileated woodpecker and Marbled Murrelet.

Trees

Of course, there is much to be said about the Redwood trees that are abound in the park. But there are a number of other trees here.

Some of the trees in the park are Western Hemlock, Sitka spruce, and the ever popular Douglas fir, as well as Port Orford cedar, Tanoak, Madrone, Red Alder, Big Leaf and Vine Maple, and California bay.

Flowers

Other Plants

Wherever there are forests, there are shrubs. And California is rich in shrubs that can withstand the coastal weather. Some of the low-growing plants include shrubs, bushes, flowers, ferns, mosses and lichens common to the coast redwood environment.

Camping Possibilities

Other Information

Parking

Driving Directions

The park is very close to Crescent City.

Park Map