Six Picture Perfect Picnic Spots for Your Next Redwood Road Trip
Nothing beats a road trip through the magnificent California redwoods. The journey itself is an adventure, as giant trees flank the roadways and at times form a canopy over the route. Unfortunately food concessions and restaurants are few and far between along some highways, so your best bet is to pack along a picnic lunch and enjoy it al fresco. With that in mind here are six wheelchair-accessible picnic areas located along some Northern California redwood road trip routes. And although they all include basic facilities, many go above and beyond in the scenery factor, while some also offer short wheelchair-accessible hikes nearby.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Day Use Picnic Area
Orick, CA
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is a required stop on any redwoods road trip, and this riverside picnic area makes a nice lunch stop. After you turn into the park from Highway 199, head right at the campground turnoff and follow the signs past the ranger station to the day use area. There’s accessible parking across from the picnic area, which is located in a level shaded grove.
After lunch save some time for a stroll through the redwoods. The accessible hard-packed dirt Nature Trail begins near the accessible parking space and winds through the hike and bike campground, before it connects to the River Beach Trail. After that the trail passes through the forest above the Smith River, before it ends near the showerhouse in the Jedediah Smith Campground. It’s a pleasant .6-mile hike one-way, after which it’s best to backtrack to the day use area. And it’s such a pretty stroll that you won’t even mind walking it a second time; in fact you’ll probably spot some different things on your return trek.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Elk Prairie Picnic Area
Orick, CA
A drive through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park on scenic Newton B. Drury Parkway is a must-do on any redwood road trip. And along the way, the Elk Prairie Picnic Area not only offers views of the grazing elk, but also boasts a nice accessible redwood trail. From Highway 101, look for the “scenic route” signs for the Newton B. Drury Parkway, then just follow the signs to Elk Prairie Campground. Accessible parking is available right after the park entrance kiosk; and because the park is jointly managed, the U.S. National Park America the Beautiful Access Pass is valid for free admission.
The picnic area is located about 300 feet from the accessible parking space, under the redwoods on a level grassy area. If you’d like more privacy that are tables further back in the grove, but if the elk are grazing in the meadow, there are also tables close to the road. If you’d like a short walk in the redwoods, follow the signs to the Campfire Circle, then wind around to the back and make a right on the Redwood Access Trail. It’s about .4 miles to the visitor center on this hard-packed dirt trail that’s lined with redwoods, ferns and sorrel, and completely shaded by the towering trees. From the visitor center you can either take the park road back to your car, or backtrack through the redwoods and explore the .3-mile Revelation Loop along the way.
Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center
Redwood Creek Picnic Area
Orick, CA
Although most visitor centers sport a picnic table or two, the Redwood Creek Picnic Area – located away from the visitor center building – offers a panoramic view of the rugged Northern California coast. It’s located about eight miles south of the Elk Prairie Picnic Area, off Highway 101 – watch for the signs. After you turn off the highway bear left to get to the picnic area.
There are several choice of accessible tables, but by far the one with the best view is at the end of short sidewalk on a cement pad. There’s just nothing better than watching the waves crash ashore while you eat lunch. And if the weather is bad, there’s also some covered accessible picnic tables with a decent view. There’s also an accessible vault toilet near the accessible parking space, and as an added bonus, it’s one of the cleanest ones I’ve ever seen
McConnell Arboretum
Redding, CA
Redding makes a good lunch stop on a redwood road trip, as it’s midway between Northern California’s coastal redwoods and Lassen Volcanic National Park. And although the city is filled with urban trappings, this quiet picnic area in the McConnell Arboretum is is the perfect spot for a secluded repast.
The picnic area is located at the east end of the McConnell Arboretum, next to the Sundial Bridge. The best way to access it is through the west entrance, located off Arboretum Drive. Accessible parking is located near the garden entrance, with level access to the garden. It’s about a half-mile walk on an accessible hard-packed dirt path to the picnic area, but it’s along a scenic route through the gardens. Alternatively there are benches along the way if you’d like to lunch in the garden. And once you’re done with lunch, you can continue to explore the arboretum, or take a roll along the nicely accessible Sundial Bridge
OHL Redwood Grove
Willits, CA
This local favorite is located off of Highway 101, and it’s just a stones throw from the redwood groves along Highway 20 on the way to Fort Bragg. It’s definitely a local favorite, and although it’s a bit hard to find, it’s worth the effort. From Highway 101 take the Main Street exit and head towards town. Turn right at the first stop light (Sherwood) and head up the hill for about 1.5 miles. When the road branches off to the left on Birch, follow it down the hill, then turn left on Clover. The OHL Redwood grove is on the left just past the intersection.
There are only a few parking spaces in the small lot, but there is one accessible spot. From there, just follow the level path to the cement picnic tables located in the small grove. The tables close to the parking area are also near the traffic, so try and go farther into the grove if possible. After lunch take some time to roll around the redwoods – you’ll probably have the place all to yourself. It’s a pleasant stop, and although there are accessible restrooms near the parking lot, they could use a bit of attention from the cleaning crew.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
John C. Fremont Tree Picnic Table
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=546
And if your redwood road trip takes year through the coastal redwoods near Santa Cruz, then be sure and stop for a bite to eat at the picnic table under the John C. Fremont Tree in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. From Highway 1 in Santa Cruz, take Graham Hill Road north and watch for signs for the park.
Accessible parking is available in the large lot near the accessible Nature Store. There are some accessible picnic tables on the deck on the left side of the store, as well as one to the right of the store. That said, there’s nothing like eating under a giant redwood, so follow the hard-pack dirt nature trail through the grove to the John C. Fremont Tree – where John C. Fremont camped in the hollowed out base with Kit Carson in 1846. And right next to the tree there’s an accessible picnic table. All in all it’s a .8-mile stroll, with the picnic table located midway along the forest path. You just can’t beat this picnic location.
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