There are a lot of great road trips in the USA, but among the finest is a drive through the Redwoods of Northern California. There’s nothing quite to compare with driving down a narrow road with trees towering hundreds of feet above you. I’ve previously shared with you a side trip in the area, the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt State Park. Today I’d like to take you to the Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway, located about 100 miles further north than the previously described drive.
The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is a short ten-mile (16 km) drive located in Prairie Creek State Park which takes you through some prime old-growth redwood forest. While you can drive through it in about 20 minutes without stopping, that would be defeating the point of being there. There are lot of turnouts and opportunities for hikes, so you can easily make most of a day exploring the area. And there’s a lot of beautiful scenery and nature to enjoy along the way.
Newton B Drury, after whom the park is named, spent 40-years of his life preserving thousand of acres of ancient redwood forests. During his career he had been director of the National Park Service, California State Parks, and Save the Redwoods League, experiences which I’m sure helped make him adept at navigating the politics of conservation.
There are some nice hikes available in the park. One of these is the Big Tree Wayside, which features a massive 1500 year old tree (and a chance to hike and see other ancient giants as well).
Pets are not permitted on the park trails, but there are a few sideroads where hiking with your dog is O.K., like the Cal-Barrel road (built long ago as a logging road). That’s where the following photo of our labradoodle was taken:
Near the southern end of the park, close to its Visitor Center, you have an excellent chance of seeing a resident herd of Roosevelt elk. We spotted these two resting in a meadow near the Visitor Center.
Getting there
When driving in Northern California, make sure you get off highway 101 at either exit 765, or exit 753. There is no entrance fee and the road can accommodate people pulling their camping trailers. There are a lot of pullouts and places to stop along your drive.
During the first Saturday from autumn to spring (October to May) the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is closed to cars and trucks, but open to hikers and bikers. I’d check it out if you’re in the area at that time.
I end this post with a few more snapshots from some walks in these magnificent redwood forests:
I visited this area many years ago. Thank you for reminding me just how impressive the Redwoods are!