Top 10 Interesting Facts about the Redwood National & State Parks

Coast Redwood forest and understory plants in Redwood National Park, California by Michael Schweppe – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Interesting Facts about the Redwood National & State Parks

The Redwood National and State Parks are a complex of four parks. That is one national park and three state parks that are cooperatively managed. This includes the Redwood National Park and California’s State Parks: Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek.

These parks are located along the coast of California. This large park spreading over 139,000 acres (560km2), is home to a vast old-growth temperate rainforest. Perhaps a less appreciated fact, part of the park is a rugged coastline that stretches for over 40 miles.

Below are some interesting facts about these monumental parks in the state of California.

1. A Collection of 4 Parks

The Redwood National and State Parks are commonly referred to as the Redwood National Park. However, this is misleading as the Redwood National Park (RNP) is only a single constituent of the parks.

While the mentioned RNP is a national park, the other three are state parks. The others include the Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks. These 4 parks share similar conservation goals.

The four are also jointly managed by the Department of the Interior’s NPS and the state of California. A common abbreviation for the name is RNSP, however, the National Park Service (NPS) uses the acronym REDW.

2. The Parks Were Merged in 1994

The Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park was established in 1925. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park was established in 1939. The Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park was established in 1925. Redwood National Park was established in 1968.

All four existed as separate entities up until 1994. This was when the National Park Service (NPS) and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) merged them. The headquarters of the parks are located in Crescent City, CA.

3. The Parks Were Formed Thanks to the Save the Redwoods League

Indiscriminate logging has destroyed timber on slopes of the redwood creek by Sennett Tomas – Wikimedia Commons

Even while Redwood parks are stunning to see today, they have left behind a tragic history. Giant redwood forests covered 2,000,000 acres less than 200 years ago. The redwood woods developed into sought-after logging grounds as tens of thousands of immigrants crossed Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to settle in California.

Only 10% of the initial 2 million acres of redwoods are still standing today as a result of this unprecedented harvesting. As the situation grew critical, the aforementioned sparked a significant conservation campaign in support of redwood trees.

In 1918, a group of committed citizens established the Save the Redwoods League to halt the Redwoods’ impending extinction. Three of the four parks that still save redwood forests today are the result of their tenacity.

4. Home to A Diverse Animal Population

Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Coast Deer male by Walter Siegmund (talk) – Wikipedia

While the Redwood parks are known for their extensive redwood trees, there is also a healthy dose of various animal species. Over 40 mammal species have been documented in the park. This includes River otters, black-tailed deer, beaver, coyote, cougar, bobcats, and cougar.

Numerous endangered animal species are protected by the RNSP’s ecosystems. The park contains a variety of ecosystems, including those found by the seashore, rivers, prairies, and thickly forested areas. An endangered species that live close to the Pacific coastline is the tidewater goby.

The bald eagle, which often builds its nest close to water, is recognized as an endangered species by the state of California. Other animal species that are in danger include the Steller’s sea lion, Chinook salmon, and northern spotted owl.

The parks also contain amphibians and reptiles. The most often observed species are the rough-skinned newt, Pacific giant salamander, northern red-legged frog, and western ringneck snake. There are over 400 bird species in the parks.

5. Home to Almost Half of All Remaining Redwoods

Northern California’s coast has been home to redwoods for at least 20 million years. Nearly 2,000,000 acres are thought to have been covered by old-growth redwood forest (8,100 km2). 96% of this, though, has already been logged off. Almost half (45%) of the redwoods that are still alive today are found at REDW.

Other than redwoods, the REDW is also home to a diverse variety of plants. The parks also have many trees such as the Pacific madrone, bigleaf maple, California laurel, and red alder.

The understory of the forest contains huckleberries, blackberries, and salmonberries, which are food for numerous animal species. Azaleas and California rhododendrons are popular flowering shrubs in the park, particularly in the old-growth woodland.

6. There Indigenous People Settled in The Parks

Reconstructed Yurok plank house in Redwood National Park by unknown NPS photographer – Wikipedia

The history of indigenous people in America is as complex as it is long. However, the reality is that their history and presence is directly connected to the Redwood lands.

As of today, 4 indigenous groups of people remain and have active settlements inside the Redwood National and State Parks. These groups are Tolowa, Yurok, Hupa, and Karuk. Each tribe’s language is still alive thanks to their dedicated elders.

7. Wildfires Are Common and Integral to The Redwood Ecosystem

Wildfire by Jackie Burton from Pixabay

In California, wildfires have always been a regular occurrence. As a result of recent climate change, flames have increased in frequency, intensity, heat, and devastation. Wildfires, while destructive in some conditions, they are required in Redwood National & State Parks.

They are one of the most beneficial events for these old woods when a fire occurs naturally. Wildfires clear away underbrush and dead vegetation and trees, supplying food for enormous trees like redwoods.

By converting these elements into rich topsoil, fires also improve the subsoil. Like many other national parks, Redwood officials use planned burns to maintain the health of the forests and lessen the likelihood of future catastrophic super fires.

8. Home to The Tallest Trees in The World

Giant Redwood Tree in the California Redwood National Park by Max Studio – Wikimedia Commons

The Hyperion tree is the tallest tree on earth according to scientists. At 380 feet (116m) the tree surpassed the Stratosphere Giant in 2006 to become the tallest tree. At this great height, the tree is not even fully grown yet so more is still to come.

Less than half as old as redwoods are known to be, Hyperion is thought to be between 600 and 800 years old. Because of the protection provided by the parks, this behemoth could eventually become much taller.

While the Hyperion is the tallest tree in the world, the honor of the largest tree belongs to another species. That is the giant sequoia species (Sequoiadendron giganteum).

9. Earthquakes Are a Common Occurrence in the Parks

Over the centuries, seismic activity has brought down a significant number of enormous redwood trees. In fact, the Redwood parks in northern California are situated in the country’s seismically active zone.

This is due to the fact that the North American Pacific and Gorda Plates, along with three other tectonic plates, meet just 100 miles (160 km) southwest of the parks. The Mendocino Triple Junction is responsible for the annual production of small to significant earthquakes.

Because of this, Redwood National & State Parks experience a number of small earthquakes every year. Landslides, tree debris, and altering landscapes are all examples of fallout. Park officials keep an eye on this seismic activity and are prepared for any potential large earthquakes with magnitudes of 6 or higher.

10. No Entrance Fees or Entrance Stations into The Parks

At REDW, there is neither an entrance charge nor even an entrance station, unlike most other national parks in the United States. Within the limits of the park, there are no hotels or motels.

However, there are modest motels and inns in adjacent towns including Klamath, Requa, and Orick. U.S. Route 101 runs through the park from north to south, and it is located roughly 260 miles (420 km) north of San Francisco and 300 miles (480 km) south of Portland, Oregon. The Six Rivers National Forest’s Smith River National Recreation Area is close to the north end of REDW (RNSP).