Featured Hotels Near Fern Canyon Trail

Redwood National Park Lodge is a top choice, offering forest-view rooms and sustainable lodging practices. Located just steps from the Fern Canyon Trailhead, it provides free shuttle service to the trail and features an on-site nature education center. Guests can enjoy camping sites and a stargazing deck, making it perfect for immersive redwood forest experiences in Northern California.

Begin your day by hiking the Fern Canyon Trail (approx. 1.5 hours), soaking in the emerald rock walls and gentle streams. Stop for lunch at the redwood picnic area with packed meals. In the afternoon, join a guided forest tour to explore the ancient redwood groves and learn about their ecosystem. End your journey with a scenic walk along the coastal trail, watching the sunset paint the cliffs and waves in golden hues—perfect for photography and reflection.

Fern Canyon Trail is located within Redwood National Park, accessible via a 1-hour drive from Eureka or Arcata. The park offers free shuttle buses connecting major trailheads and parking areas, including a dedicated stop at the Fern Canyon Trail entrance. It's recommended to book shuttle spots in advance, especially during peak season. Motor vehicles are restricted inside the park, so walking or biking is encouraged—ensuring both safety and environmental preservation.

Stay at Mendocino Grove Inn, a boutique lodge just 15 minutes from Fern Canyon Trail. Nestled within towering redwoods, it offers free parking, complimentary hiking maps, and rooms with fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows framing misty fern-filled valleys. The inn also provides guided morning hikes, helping guests navigate the best photo spots and safe trail routes—perfect for immersing in the redwood forest ecosystem and fern-lined canyon experience.

Drive north along Redwood Avenue for about 3 km to reach the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center. This hub offers multiple nature trails, including the birdwatching path to Elk Meadow, with interpretive signs detailing local California redwood ecology and Native American heritage sites. The park also features a wildlife observation platform, where visitors commonly spot black-tailed deer and flocks of doves—ideal for combining ecological education with outdoor adventure.

Fern Canyon Trail has no public transit access, but you can reach it via California Highway 1 then turning onto Redwood Avenue—a 10-minute drive from the main road. We recommend self-driving or HopeGoo a private shuttle through local eco-tour providers like Redwood Trails Shuttle, which offers hourly round-trip service between parking lots and trailheads, bookable via mobile app. A shared parking lot near the entrance accommodates up to 20 vehicles, so arriving early is advised to secure a spot.

Beyond hiking, join ecological photography workshops led by expert guides to capture golden-hour light filtering through the canopy. In summer, participate in nighttime firefly tours, observing native California fireflies in low-light conditions. The park also offers family-friendly nature explorer kits containing magnifiers, plant field guides, and journals—ideal for completing the "Find Five Fern Species" challenge, enhancing hands-on learning about the micro-ecosystem.