Fern Canyon

There’s no words that match the beauty, tranquility, and serenity of this place. Whether you hike the James Irvine Trail to get there, or drive Davidson Road, you’re in for a treat. Here’s what to expect if you drive: a narrow, winding, unpaved, and pothole filled 8 mile drive with creek crossing. Halfway through you’ll come across the fee area where it is $12/day CASH only to “access” fern canyon & gold bluffs beach. There is no one at the ticket booth(at least not in the slow season, which is basically all seasons except summer) so you just drop the cash in a cash box, unless you’re camping in the campgrounds nearby or have an America the beautiful pass. In summer months, you are required a permit to access this area and it has to be purchased at least 24hours in advance. I recommend going in late spring, as it’s a lot less of a hassle to access and MUCH less busy. The parking lot is 0.1miles from fern canyon. I believe the canyon itself is about 0.5miles but it may be a bit more than that. No dogs are allowed in the canyon. Bears, elk, and deers are often seen in this area. We saw a deer and at least 10 elk. Enjoy this amazingly beautiful area that is truly otherworldly.

Just a gorgeous place to explore. Driving to the parking lot was quite treacherous.Due to water flowing in several spots across the road there were a lot of close together holes to manage but well worth it. A very tranquil place to visit.

Make sure you get a permit 24 hrs ahead of going!! The park rangers were very helpful and thorough in explaining the need for permits. Apparently a man died last year from a broken femur, they were unable to get an ambulance in to him due to overcrowding. I'm sure if it were you in that situation, you would be grateful to be able to get the help you needed. There is no wifi at the park entrance because the location is very remote, making same day registration impossible. We were very pleased with the ease of the permit application online. Fern Canyon itself was a place of wonder. It was an experience of awe for the whole family. Our teenagers, who are normally uninterested, absolutely loved it. The beauty was just breathtaking. I was so excited, we forgot to change our shoes. Make sure you bring your water shoes! 10/10 would go again if we ever get the chance.

One of those places you have to see to believe. Incredibly beautiful in so many ways! Yes you’re walking along a creek but I hardly got my shoes wet at all. There’s platforms and little bridges to walk on to not get your feet wet. The hike itself is not far and not long. We got to the end of the fern canyon area to the stairs and instead of walking up and back to the parking lot from the top, we just walked back down the canyon in reverse and got to enjoy the beauty twice! It’s so beautify that it’s hard to explain! Well worth the trip down here and worth getting the reservation. Timed Reservations are needed and you’ll pass a ranger pay station along the way. A few creeks to pass but a sedan was able to make it easily. I’m sure the rangers would advise if the creeks are too high and dangerous. Don’t get to the pay station without a reservation pass or you’ll get turned around. Go online and get all the information to play your trip accordingly. The parking areas is big enough and people don’t spend too long so there’s plenty of people going in and out of the parking area. One bathroom in the area at the parking lot. Plan accordingly and enjoy the beauty! If you love ferns, this is your little heaven!

You'll need a permit to visit the canyon between May 15 and September 15. While you can obtain a permit one day in advance, it's highly recommended to secure it promptly at 9:00 AM when they are released, as they are popular. The drive to the canyon is windy, dusty, and bumpy, but it's manageable in a 2WD sedan. The canyon itself is a true "gem" and a must-see attraction in the area. Water Crossings: During the summer, boardwalks are installed, allowing you to stay completely dry while exploring. Before the summer season, these boardwalks are not in place, and river crossings require one of two approaches: - Wear good, preferably taller, waterproof shoes to remain completely dry. - Cross in slippers, but be prepared for very cold water.

You will get wet but it's worth the hike. The hike is approximately 1.5 miles. The first half of the hike is treading through the steam and the second half is walking along the hillside above the stream. Parking is limited so be sure to arrive before 9am or after 3pm. Note the area is not open overnight - the gate is closed 30 minutes after sunset. You can also access the beach from the Fern Canyon parking lot. There are vault toilets and picnic tables at the trailhead.

What can one say other than this place is magical and memorable. It lives up to all the hype. The trail isn't very long and is super manageible. Traverseing around the water adds to the fun. It requires a permit.

Words cannot begin to describe the beauty or serenity of Fern Canyon. It is beautiful and otherworldly. If you are a person who enjoys nature's beauty, this is a MUST SEE! I am getting emotional just writing this and remembering my afternoon there Be sure to get the permit so you can enjoy as much time there as possible! You can reserve in advance or the day before. The drive in is a bit long because it's slow-moving and bumpy. Be prepared for wet feet if you don't have waterproof shoes, though there are little wodden bridges to use to cross the water as well.

A really unique spot so worthy of a visit! Vibrant near pulsing shades of green textures from all the ferns, plants and trees with a clear little creek on a rock bed running at the base of this short canyon. It's a fairly short one mile hike to the canyon area. I have some mobility challenges and this is accessible to most (some ankle and knee flexibility needed) and yet stunningly beautiful. June 1 and the creeks were easily crossed by car and walking bridges were in place. Made it easy and every one we met was happy to be there. Word of warning- you do need a California State Park permit for Fern Canyon to enter as there are a limited number of visitors each day. We were able to get a permit a week before our visit.

Beautiful area! Loved it! Peaceful! Make sure to take water shoes as there is water running!

This is a must, must see. Even if you aren't a nature-lover, this place will quickly change your mind. There is a beauty here that photos cannot show, it is intricate, symbiotic and vibrant. Truly this place is so incredibly alive. If you take the effort to visit Redwoods National park, then go here too. It won't give you the majesty of viewing the largest trees on Earth, but you will see such delicate abundance of life that is unforgettable. This is a short hike, available to most fitness levels. Most of the stream crossings have boardwalks in place that will keep you from getting your feet wet. When you get to "the end", you can go further by walking in the stream just to explore, however the real beauty of the canyon is in the entrance, not the deeper section. This is part of the Redwoods National and State Parks, located on the southern end. You will need to put in some extra effort to reach this place. A permit is needed to enter the access road. Typically, a month in advance planning is needed to get the permit. However, if you are a last minute planner like me, the park offers 50 next-day passes. These become available at 8am the day before your visit. We drove there in a rental van with typical car clearance and 2-wheel drive. There were two larger stream crossings and we had no issues.

I had seen photos of Fern Canyon before leaving on my first trip to the Redwood Coast and made sure it was on my to-do list. After a whole week of hiking and exploring the Redwoods, this ended up being my favorite hike. What an amazing place this is! Fern Canyon is a secluded canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park north of Gold Bluffs Beach. It is named for the lush ferns that sprout up its 50 to 80 foot high walls. A stream that flows through here carved out this deep canyon over time eons ago. Visiting Fern Canyon involves a little bit of planning because you have to obtain a permit to enter the Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon area. Permits are limited each day and you can sign up for one online on the Redwood Parks Conservancy website. There is also an entrance fee. The drive to get to it is about 6 miles on a windy, narrow dirt road. If you don't have a permit, you can hike the almost 11 mile James Irvine loop trail from the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center to reach Fern Canyon. One you pass Golden Bluffs Beach, there is a small parking lot at the start of the Fern Canyon trailhead. Your feet will get wet as you enter the canyon because of the stream that flows through here. Make sure you wear boots or water shoes or bring shoes to change into after your hike. There are some boards that were placed on the ground that you can walk on too. There are a few spots with fallen trees that will require a little climbing. The loop trail through Fern Canyon is about a half mile to a mile long. This place is just stunning to see in person. The canyon walls are draped with a variety of ferns and other moisture-loving plants. In addition to the green leafy walls of the canyon, I saw all types of flowers and mushrooms on the ground toward the end of the trail. I even saw a banana slug on a tree. It is such a pretty place to visit. Fern Canyon is very popular. There were lots of people on the trail when I was here. Scenes from "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" were filmed here which probably led to the popularity of this place. Dogs are not allowed on the Fern Canyon trail.

This is an amazing canyon that should be visited in one's lifetime, and for Jurassic Park 2 fans (parts of the movie were filmed here. But you will want to plan way ahead of time if you are planning on going on any dates from May to September. An important step is to register for a permit (Fern Canyon, not the beach) which the ranger will check at the gate. It will give you a window of a couple hours to explore the canyon. Now if you were only be able to get a beach pass, you might be able to sneak an 8am visit without getting fined (try at your own risk). The beginning of the canyon is a short 10 minute trek from the parking lot. It will lead you to an open space where the stream runs through a canyon surrounded by several types of ferns. You will want to bring water shoes / socks unless you are athletic and nimble to jump from dry spot to dry spot. There is a section where scrambling over some logs is required. Otherwise fun for families or solo exploration.

Beautiful quick and easy hike. We did not have a reservation, as I had no idea I would need one. But we were able to come back at 5pm. Bring mosquito repellant as there are a million gnats and mosquitos. The hiking loop probably takes a total of 45-55 minutes and it isn't very steep or tough at all. It was a fun hike and well worth it. Make a reservation in advance!!!

Man, this place is AWESOME! First time here, and had a blast! Takes awhile to get back here, be sure to go slow...lots of pot holes and rough roads! We had a rental car, so I wasn't worried too much, but still, take your time! There were a few parts where you have to drive through a little bit of water! $12.00 to get in. We didn't need reservations, but May-October I think you do. The canyon itself is so awesome! Just a little river/stream going along these huge walls filled with ferns and other foliage. The paths are pretty well seen, but you will most likely get wet (unless you are a super acrobat and can jump from tree branches etc). I brought another pair or socks and shoes to change into after we were done. It was way easier that way to just walk through a lot of the stream parts and get your feet wet. They filmed one of the Jurassic Parks here, supposedly. It's such a cool place. Must see! Totally different than the big huge redwoods that this area is known for, but JUST as cool and totally unique!

One of the most beautiful places in Redwood National Park. Turning west off US101 at Davidson Road, a five mile drive on a dirt/mud road brings you to Gold Bluffs Beach; past the ranger kiosk, it's another couple of miles on similar dirt road with a couple of small creek crossings. Yeah, you can totally make it most of the time in your 4 door mom car, but best not to drive your slammed Trans-Am out here-- you never would have made it as far as the creek anyway. Once you park in the small lot at the end of the path, a 0.1 mile walk brings you to the mouth of Fern Canyon. You can continue just across the creek on Clintonia trail, but most visitors brave the canyon itself. The canyon is a flat bottomed meander with 30 ft walls going straight up from the canyon floor. While the bottom is a mix of clay, gravel, and fallen trees, the walls are literally covered top to bottom in ferns-- five finger ferns, sword ferns, and lady ferns, to name a few. A closer inspection of the walls reveals small creatures that make their home in the near-perpetual moisture: salamanders, frogs, and various insects. Depending on the time of year, the water running down the canyon ranges from a trickle that is easily stepped over to a pretty good creek; the latter is almost certain to result in wet shoes if you hike long enough. Pro-tip: west waterproof hiking boots or Teva-like sandals here, seasonally. Or just rally and soak your tennis shoes... maybe bring an extra pair of warm dry footwear and leave them in the car. Seasonally, the park service places boards at different places to assist with crossing, but they are usually removed in the fall to keep them from getting flooded out to the Pacific with winter storms. Speaking of storms, the canyon can see a good flood of water occasionally, which scours the length and moves large fallen timber and anything else in its way. Use a little common sense and enjoy the beauty of this place at every time but the most dangerous. This spot is a bit off the beaten path, but it's worth the drive... actually, the drive here up and over the last few mountains of the coastal range is beautiful in its own right. Got a little mud on the tires, but the truck looks a little more like a truck that way. Point and shoot photo opportunities in a unique and exquisitely gorgeous part of the NorCal redwood forest.

Very rude clerk, very messy road. Without online registration 1 day before!!! the visit they don't let visitors in. I just don't know how the hell should I know that I have to register online before going to hike into the forest.... It was a really bad experience!

Fern Canyon is an incredibly beautiful easy loop trail. Quite a long drive down, $12 to access, definitely worth it. Pro tip, bring water shoes or tennis shoes you don't mind getting wet, because there is simply no way to avoid water if you want to do the loop.

Fern Canyon is located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Once you get to the kiosk, you will pay $8 in cash and drive a scenic drive on a dirt road to a parking area where it's a short walk to both Fern Canyon or Gold Beach Bluffs. There is a stream that you cross right before getting to Fern Canyon that some cars may have a difficult time crossing depending on the time of year and the water level. If the stream is high, you can walk to the trailhead because it's only about a 1/2 mile or mile extra. Most times out of the year, this is not an issue. During summer months, foot bridges are installed over the creek to make this trail easier (and dryer), but I recommend bringing rain boots so your feet don't get wet. Fern Canyon is truely magical as you walk through a narrow canyon where the walls are completely covered by luxuriant ferns and mosses and are dripping with moisture. There is nothing like it that I have ever seen and absolutely breathtaking! One can hike into the canyon and back, or continue on to a trail/stairway that climbs out of the canyon. At the top, turn left to return along the canyon rim, with amazing views into the canyon. Part of Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World was filmed in Fern Canyon, which is pretty cool! Gold Beach Bluffs is located right next to Fern Canyon, which makes this place full of natural beauty and natural wonders. I would recommend bringing snacks or a meal because there is so much to enjoy while at this place!

This has got to be one of the most medical places in Northern most California. With lush greenery standing 20 ft+ above your head, you walk along a river bed, navigating an obstacle course of fallen trees and rock formations through one of the most visually stunning landscapes I've seen. This is a easier stroll than you'd expect but you can 100 percent count on getting wet. Yet that's most of the fun. Do not miss the opportunity to see this place before the California drought completely decimates this beautiful park. The effects of the drought are already showing as the foliage was much dryer and less green than in the past. Entire portions of the fern wall cliffs were dried out. It's kid friendly and a better option that an amusement park. Take them and experience this California beauty before it's too late.

I hiked here from the Prairie Creek visitor center along the James Irvine trail. If you take that route, the trail drops you right in to the start or Fern Canyon if you take it the to end. About .3 miles sooner there's another turn off taking you down a set of stairs leading to the canyon, but don't take that during the rainy season as the water is high (passable but you'd need water sandals.) I've heard this place was a touristy zoo but I went during the off season and on a random Thursday. There were few others and I got some shots of the iconic canyon without others in them. It was a lovely, magical place with ferns lining the walls, water dripping down and bright emerald green surrounding you. If you're not up for a full day hike to Fern Canyon, there's also a lot near Gold Bluffs beach. You'd have to take the bumpy narrow Davison Road in and pay a day use fee. Starting in May, a permit system will be in place. That's how popular and crowded this spot is. Overall, glad I made it here. The journey to and from is what made the whole day special but for those who want a quick visit and something more kid friendly, it's still a must do when visiting the Redwoods.

We went hiking to the Fern Canyon on July 31. You will need to have a permit to go on this hike during the summer time. Make sure to check the state park's website for the instructions on how to book a permit. We booked the permit 2 weeks ahead of our trip. You had two choices, a four hour time window or a full day permit for visiting. They will check your permit at the park's entrance. After you turn in from 101 into Davison road, the road narrows, and as you get farther the road becomes a single lane. Be careful of incoming traffic. Once you get closer to the trail, the road became a dirt road with some potholes and we had to cross 2 very shallow streams. We also drove our high clearance four-wheel-drive, however, because of the drought the streams that we had to cross were actually very shallow. Only about 2 inches of water so any kind of car would have been OK in crossing them. At the parking lot there were also 2 camping style bathrooms and a sign that talked about how the fern Canyon was formed. A sign by the parking lot said that the fern trail would start in .1 mile. After maybe 5-10 minutes we came across a plank that crossed a stream and some signs for a trail that went uphill, but no sign for the Fern trail. We were a bit confused but decided to head uphill. 15 minutes later after we cross the second bridge we saw a sign that told us to go to the right for the fern trail. We headed down the hill for another 5 to 10 minutes and then came to the bottom of the canyon where a stream flowed through, and vegetation covered the canyon walls. The Fern Trail is actually walking on a stream bed that has different levels of water flow during the year. The rangers add planks and logs during the summer. I brought my water shoes snd could walk easily through parts of the stream where it was hard balancing on logs. You will definitely get your feet wet so bring a pair of dry shoes and socks or water shoes. The trail was actually one of the loveliest and most unique places I have seen in Northern California. It is definitely a must see and I would highly recommend it. It is also a very short trail because the the section that goes through the canyon is probably less than half a mile. We found that some people were going back-and-forth multiple times just to take it all in. On the way back from the Fern Trail we realized that the very first stream that we crossed before we went uphill was actually the fern trail! However there was no sign. So if you do not want to go uphill or like we did all you have to do is start walking up the stream on the very first stream with a plank that you see after the parking lot. I actually enjoyed going uphill because it gets my heart pumping and once we got to the stream and I was able to put my feet into the cold water I felt very refreshed. It was a wonderful hike and a great experience. I hope you get a chance to experience this trail. Also, the fee has been increased to 12 dollars.

Long overdue review (I went on MLK day in January 2021, on a free national park day). The drive to the trailhead parking lot is rough, but doable (I drove a Subaru Outback which worked well). However, the gazillion potholes should still be taken seriously- definitely don't want to zoom right over them! Trailhead was easy to find. When you get to the main part, you'll basically be following the creek. It seems to stretch on for quite a bit, but fear not, there is actually an end to the trail (you'll see a sign pointing towards some stairs on the left of the canyon/creek), and this path upwards actually takes you to the top of the canyon (above the water!) and back to the trailhead where you started. I had waterproof hiking boots on, but because some parts of the creek are deep, some water still splashed into my shoes. Surprisingly, my socks were just minimally damp in a few areas. I saw some people walking through barefoot, but I personally feel like it's better to just wear sturdy shoes and commit to it getting soaked rather than risking some cuts and bruises to your feet. Fern canyon is a must-see. The pictures don't really do it justice. It's a place where you need to go experience yourself. Breathe in the fresh air and have some fun navigating through the water. Not sure if there were supposed to be any frogs, salamanders, or other wildlife around, but I didn't see any.

There's only 1 review???????? Let me add another - if you have made the drive to Prairie Creek NP, this place has got to be on your itinerary. We were told by rangers that the drive is tough because it's a dirt road. This may turn away many visitors but I have to add that all cars can make the drive. Just go slowly and know that the fee (another possible hiccup) is worth every penny. If you have a park pass, the fee is waived. Once you park, the walk seems ordinary and then suddenly you're turning into an oasis. Unbelievable - not to be missed! The trail itself is short and set up as a loop. I recommend going the entire loop to appreciate the variation in flora. Most people - come on! - only walk the first quarter and turn back to their cars. Do yourself a favor and add the extra 1/2 mile to your walk. It's short and breathtaking.

My favorite place in Redwood NP. Totally worth the $8 parking fee. I want to go back on day 2 already. Go early or later in the afternoon to skip the crowds and get some good photography.

Fern Canyon Loop Trail- GPS to Fern Canyon Loop Trail. Once off the Hwy 101 you will take a road up to the entrance of a gravel road with signage to Gold Bluff Beach. The sign will tell you it is $8 to get into the park and they only take cash or check. The gravel road will be windy and at some points tight for about 4 miles. You will then reach the entrance where you will pay your $8. Continue into the park and this is where the gravel road both gets bumpy (potholes) and it has at least one little creak that I wouldn't want to traverse with a sedan but saw people do it. Drive to the deadend where there is a parking lot and bathrooms. Beyond the bathroom is the beach and on the other side of the lot is the entrance to the trails. Go down the trail and to the right you will see an open area along a creek and some stair cases beyond the creek. Either take stair cases or go right into the creek and that's Fern Canyon loop trail. It's a loop so go whichever way you want to go. It's a mile around but be careful walking the creek over the trees so you don't slip and fall like I did. Beautiful scenery so bring a camera!

You must come here if you are in the redwoods state park. Getting here is not easy, and make sure you are driving a car with adequate ground clearance (no slammed cars, unless you want to say good bye to your bumper). You will take the 101 to Davison Road. You will take Davison Road all the way to its end. Davison road is extremely steep at points and poorly paved with potholes and gravel everywhere. Trailers are NOT allowed, and frankly, you would have to be suicidal if you ignored this. The drive along Davison road will take you 30 minutes, due to the rough terrain and winding roads. Fortunately, although there are points where the road narrows, there is always adequate room for two cars to slip by one another. You will be asked to pay 8 dollars half way in to pass, unless you have a state park pass. Near the end of the drive, you will have to cross three small creeks in your car. The water is not the problem. It's the decline and incline. Again, why you cannot take a slammed car through here. Make sure you are careful about the angle that you take, otherwise you run the risk of damaging your vehicle. At the end of the road, you will find a large parking lot. There is a bathroom, which is clean, but does not have soap. The hike to fern canyon will take about 5-10 minutes. Once you are there, the fun begins. The canyon itself was carved out by water millions of years ago, and the ferns now cover the entire expanse of the walls making for a gorgeous carpet of green. There is a small stream (mostly just an inch or two deep, deepest areas are about one foot) running through the middle of the canyon. You will need to cross this stream multiple times as you go deeper into the canyon. I recommend that you wear boots. You can cross if you are nimble enough, as there are logs and branches that were placed strategically across each crossing. However, some are very difficult, and you run a HIGH risk of falling into the water. Secure your electronic devices. The hike is well-worth it though, as it just becomes more and more beautiful. At the end, you will reach a magnificent tree fall. This is not a loop trail, so you will have to traverse all the streams again on your way back. The beauty you will encounter along this trail is unique, and you must visit this place. This was also where Jurassic Park 2 was filmed! I recommend you also check out the nearby beach. It is a short walk (about 3 minutes) west from the parking lot. The beach is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen in my life. It is completely isolated and stretches as far as the eye can see in either direction. We saw a whole herd of elk grazing along the beach as well! There are also shells of huge mussels and razor clams littering the beach, and even a crab graveyard. The view is breath taking. You will not regret this trip. Make sure you give yourself enough time, about 3 hours for the whole trip.