If you’ve ever dreamed of walking among ancient giants, breathing in cool coastal air, and capping it off with a view from the top of a volcanic island—this is the trip. We just spent a long weekend exploring the Redwood State and National Parks, Brookings’ scenic coastline, and Crater Lake, and it delivered everything: serenity, scale, and pure natural beauty.
Day 1: Humboldt Redwoods & Fern Canyon Wonders
We kicked off the trip at Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, one of the most surreal places we’ve ever hiked. Steep 50-foot walls completely covered in ferns, a winding creek underfoot, and that Jurassic Park vibe (it was actually filmed here!).
After exploring the lush, otherworldly walls of Fern Canyon, we made our way down to Gold Bluffs Beach, just a short drive (or walk) away. The contrast was stunning—trading moss-covered canyon walls for wide-open coastline and the sound of crashing waves. The beach felt wild and peaceful, with golden sands stretching out under a big, coastal sky. We wandered along the driftwood-strewn shore, took in the salty air, and watched the fog roll in over the bluffs. It was the perfect way to unwind after the canyon—calm, windswept, and quietly beautiful.
Later we headed to Humboldt Redwoods State Park, home to the largest remaining contiguous old-growth redwood forest in the world. Our first stop was the iconic Founders Grove, where we wandered among towering trees with necks craned skyward, feeling completely humbled by their sheer size and age.
From there, we headed to the Drury-Chaney Loop Trail, a lush, quiet trail that felt almost enchanted—soft ferns underfoot, filtered light through the canopy, and hardly a sound except birds and the crunch of pine needles. We also made sure to stop at the Giant Tree, one of the largest redwoods by volume in the park—and it lives up to its name.
