Redwood National and State Parks close roads on 12 November

Redwood National and State Parks faces weather-related access restrictions from 12 November 2026, with closures affecting key roads and trails near Crescent City. The National Park Service lists Davison Road, Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and Howland Hill Road among the routes closed because of severe weather.

Severe weather closes key routes from 12 November

The restrictions began on 12 November 2026 and remain in force while conditions are assessed. Davison Road provides access to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon, while Howland Hill Road leads towards trails in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The National Park Service says the roads will be reconsidered when conditions allow, but gives no reopening date.

Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is also listed as closed from 12 November. This is separate from the recurring vehicle-free Hike and Bike arrangement on the first Saturday of each month between October and May. The current restriction is linked to severe weather, so visitors should not treat the usual seasonal programme as evidence that the road is open to cars. The current conditions notice names both the date and the affected places.

Closures reach Stout Grove and major trails

The same notice lists Stout Grove, the Grove of the Titans Trail and Boy Scout Tree Trail as closed from 12 November 2026. Trails along Howland Hill Road are closed as well. The reason given is severe weather, and the park service says these routes will reopen only after storms have passed and trail conditions can be assessed safely.

Not every route is closed. Simpson-Reed Trail and Fern Canyon are listed as open, while James Irvine Trail is partially open because its easternmost stair set is closed. That distinction gives the restriction a direct effect on planning: a visit can still include an open trail, but a drive or walk centred on the named closed routes may not be possible. California State Parks also records the Newton B. Drury Parkway as closed to vehicle traffic until further notice because of inclement weather in its Prairie Creek notice.

A vast coastal park shaped by roads and rivers

Redwood National and State Parks span a linked landscape of old-growth forest, rivers, prairie and coast in northern California. The National Park Service describes 40 miles of coastline and more than 100 miles of trails, with five visitor centres and four developed campgrounds across the wider park system.

The closures matter because the roads connect separate experiences rather than a single compact attraction. Davison Road is the approach to Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach, while Howland Hill Road serves the northern redwood groves. The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway runs through the Prairie Creek area, where the route itself is part of the visitor experience. The present restrictions therefore change how travellers move between forest, river and coast, not simply where cars may park.

Visiting Redwood National and State Parks: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• From 12 November 2026, Davison Road, Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and Howland Hill Road are listed as closed because of severe weather.
• Stout Grove, the Grove of the Titans Trail and Boy Scout Tree Trail are also closed, while Simpson-Reed Trail and Fern Canyon are listed as open.
• Crescent City is the northern reference point, with the National Park Service headquarters and information centre listed at 1111 Second Street.
• The terrain includes old-growth forest, rivers, coastline and trails with seasonal water crossings; the park service advises checking conditions before setting out.

Conditions can change quickly, so the named roads and trails should be checked again before travel.

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Frequently asked questions about Redwood National and State Parks

What has changed at Redwood National and State Parks?

Severe weather closures began on 12 November 2026, affecting several roads and trails. No reopening date is listed.

Where is Redwood National and State Parks and how do you get there?

The parks are in northern California, with Crescent City as the northern reference point. The National Park Service lists its address at 1111 Second Street in Crescent City.

Which trails remain open during the closure?

Simpson-Reed Trail and Fern Canyon are listed as open, while Stout Grove, Grove of the Titans Trail and Boy Scout Tree Trail are closed.