Redwood National Park is an impressive park known for being the home of the world's tallest trees. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation. This will help you plan the best trip to Redwood National Park and stay within your ideal travel budget, whether you're hiking in nature or taking in the beauty.
How much does it cost to travel to Redwood National Park?
You should plan to spend around $135 per day on your vacation in Redwood National Park. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $56 on meals
- $53 on local transportation
- $88 on hotels
A one week trip to Redwood National Park for two people costs, on average, $1,890. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
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One Week
Per person
$945
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2 Weeks
Per person
$1,890
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One Month
Per person
$4,050
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One Week
For a couple
$1,890
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2 Weeks
For a couple
$3,780
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One Month
For a couple
$8,100
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Redwood National Park cost?
A one week trip to Redwood National Park usually costs around $945 for one person and $1,890 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Redwood National Park on average costs around $1,890 for one person and $3,780 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Redwood National Park will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Redwood National Park on average costs around $4,050 for one person and $8,100 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Redwood National Park expensive to visit?
Redwood National Park is a well-known park that captivates a variety of travelers with diverse travel preferences and spending patterns. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
Redwood National Park has the potential to be expensive, but you can manage your budget by enjoying the free hiking trails and finding more rustic accommodation.
On average, budget travelers spend $59 per day, mid-range travelers spend $135 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $255 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Redwood National Park.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Redwood National Park is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Hope, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Redwood National Park Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Redwood National Park?
The average Redwood National Park trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Redwood National Park travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Redwood National Park cost?
Redwood National Park on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$19
|
$44
|
$83
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$23
|
$53
|
$101
|
|
Food 2
|
$25
|
$56
|
$106
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$14
|
$33
|
$63
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$2-7
|
$5-16
|
$10-31
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Having realistic expectations about your travel budget in Redwood National Park is important. While you might think you can save money by cutting expenses, traveling comfortably requires a bit more spending for most people. Think about your favorite vacation activities and ideal travel style. Staying in a resort or comfortable hotel, along with sightseeing and dining out are generally what many people prefer. Your travel preferences will determine how much you'll end up spending on your trip.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $59 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
For couples or families traveling for enjoyment, opting for a mid-range hotel, dining at popular restaurants, and exploring major museums and attractions with entry fees is likely. Most tourists in Redwood National Park are inclined to explore its main attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Remember, many activities do come with costs. So, you should realistically expect your daily budget to be around $135 per person, per day.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you're looking for an all-encompassing vacation filled with luxurious amenities and higher-level service, prepare your budget for around $255 per day. Selecting nicer hotels, savoring meals at award-winning establishments, indulging in lavish adventures, and traveling around the park with taxis or private drivers will call for a luxury budget.
Accommodation Budget in Redwood National Park
The cost of hotels in Redwood National Park can be quite surprising. Luxury accommodations come with higher prices and more amenities, especially during peak season. Off-season rates average $0, but peak season (summer) average prices jump to $0. Overall, prices range from $0 to $0. Hostels are often the cheaper option, especially in dorms. You can save by booking early, traveling in the off-season, or taking advantage of promotions.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Redwood National Park for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $88. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $44 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Redwood National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
This family-friendly park makes Redwood National Park a great option for traveling with kids, and you'll want to find a larger place to stay.
Many visitors spend up to a week in Redwood National Park. If you're going to be in town for a long time, you may want to find a vacation rental with a kitchen. This will let you prepare at least some of your own meals.
Choosing to travel in the shoulder or low season and avoiding summer will help you save on lodging costs and escape the tourist rush.
Transportation Budget in Redwood National Park
Unfortunately, Redwood National Park does not have a reliable public transit network. There's no public transportation within the park.
Regrettably, the park lacks walkability. The park is large and spread out, so you'll need a car to get around.
Public Transit: 
(poor)
Walkability: (poor)
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $53 per person, per day, on local transportation in Redwood National Park. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Redwood National Park is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$53
If you're driving, check for convenient parking at your hotel.
How much does it cost to go to Redwood National Park? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Redwood National Park will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Redwood National Park
The food scene in Redwood National Park isn't very expansive, and the quality isn't stellar. Consider saving your money for more rewarding activities rather than dining out. There are no dining or grocery options within the park but there are some options just outside the park.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Redwood National Park can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Redwood National Park is $56 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$56
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Redwood National Park is around $56 ($56) per person, with previous travelers spending from $25 to $106. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Redwood National Park are as follows:
- Breakfast: $6 to $17
- Lunch: $8 to $23
- Dinner: $17 to $40
- Coffee: $5
- Fast Food or Street Food: $8
While there are no dining facilities in the park itself, the towns mentioned above are sure to offer a good selection of dining. Being right on the ocean, the local seafood and pub fare are always a sure way to ward off the damp of the day. A cozy cup of clam chowder after a long day of exploring will warm you up in an instant. If you are the type to rough it in the woods, picnic supplies can be found in the town of Trinidad, closest to the forest.
If you're traveling with little ones, try to find restaurants that feature a children's menu. This can really cut costs since these meals are often cheaper. Remember, some places don't display kids' options, so it's a good idea to ask the waiter first.
Many hotels include breakfast in their pricing structure, while some charge additional fees for it. The quality and cost can vary significantly by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you decide whether to allocate more money. It might be worth paying for the delicious hotel buffet, or you could go to a local bakery or cafe that's less expensive.
Enjoy the scenery and save some money by preparing a picnic. Head to a local grocery store or market, select some fresh goodies, and find a picturesque park or spot to enjoy your meal.
Instead of buying drinks, carry a water bottle with you. It's also a good choice for the planet.
While planning your tour, it's essential to know which meals are included. You may find yourself paying for some meals, which can add to your travel budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Redwood National Park
It's not surprising that visitors come to Redwood National Park, as it offers hiking, budget-friendly accommodations, family-friendly activities, and romance.
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Redwood National Park typically cost an average of $33 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$33
As you find your way coming into the Redwood forest, you will not be able to take your eyes off of these ancient giants. They stand like guardians to their sacred woods, and are truly awe-inspiring to behold. The Redwood (Newton B. Drury) Scenic Parkway is a 10-mile scenic alternative to Highway 101, and is one of the top things to do in Redwood National Park. As you drive through the tunnel of trees deeper into the park's canopy, you will find yourself wanting to stop and wander amongst the giants. There are a few easy trails like Big Tree and Ah Pah, where you are free to get lost in admiration of some of the biggest trees in the world. Big Tree himself is estimated to be 1,500 years old with a circumference of 68 feet, though there are many others just as impressive waiting to be discovered. Also on this route is the Elk Prairie Visitors Center, and a hub of many other beautiful trails.
Another great way to see the Redwoods by car is to take a drive along the 31-mile scenic stretch, Avenue of the Giants. Along the avenue you will come across trailheads, little quirky towns, the Humboldt Redwoods State Park visitor center, Founders' Grove nature trail, and of course-big trees. Also on this route, you will come across some of the famous Drive Thru Trees, which you can choose to drive through for a small fee if that's something on your bucket list.
Beyond the trees and scenic routes, the magnificent redwoods are a coastal breed, right on the edge of land and sea. If you need a break from the cool sanctuary of woods, ocean views are just a short drive away.
Beyond the endless possibilities of beautiful tree-lined trails, the area of the Redwoods has a few other unique attractions worth the visit.
Fern Canyon is located within the forest itself right along the coast. It features a two-mile loop of narrow canyon whose 50-foot walls are carpeted with luxuriant ferns and mosses. This other worldly setting was even used in the filming of Jurassic Park 2.
For those looking to see some action on the coastal waters, Humboldt Lagoons is located just south of the canyon. Here visitors can engage in a range of activities from fishing and boating to beachcombing or birding. Big Lagoon is the largest and has overnight camping as well as rock collecting on Agate Beach. Kayaks are also available to rent.
The area just east of the Redwoods even has opportunities for whitewater rafting on Trinity River at Willow Creek. The area is also home to backcountry tours through Six Rivers National Forest as well as China Flat-Bigfoot Museum with the world's largest collection of Bigfoot artifacts.
Hiking:
There are some terrific hiking paths around Redwood National Park. Hikes range from coastal trails to world-renowned hikes through the redwoods. You'll feel humbled in the presence of these grand and majestic trees. Several of the most well-known hikes include Fern Canyon, the Cathedral Trees Trail, and Redwood Creek Trail.
Nightlife Budget in Redwood National Park
In Redwood National Park, you won't find much of a nightlife scene at all. The laid back setting offers little in the form of nightlife.
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $11 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Redwood National Park per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$11
Enjoying the nightlife is exciting, but if you want to save money, drinking less is an easy way to do it.
Traveling in Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park, California
Without a doubt, the Redwoods region of California is known for its trees, some of the tallest and most massive growing trees in the world, many reaching over 300 feet tall. Redwood National Park was established in 1968, but the surrounding State Parks of which it is comprised date back to the 1920s. In addition to the famous trees, these old-growth forests are home to indigenous flora, fauna, grassland prairie, cultural resources, portions of rivers and streams, and 37 miles of Pacific coastline.
In the mid-19th century, the old-growth redwood forest covered more than 2,000,000 acres of the California coast. When many failed to strike it rich with the gold rush, however, they turned to the trees for harvesting lumber. By the 1920s moves were made to protect the trees still left, beginning with state parks and eventually the National Park, which now protects the 38,982 acres of the remaining old-growth forest. While the amount of acreage took a traumatic dip, the trees standing today are beautiful in their endurance that has lasted for centuries.
Neighborhoods & Around
The nearest centers of civilization are located just south of Redwood National Forest. Trinidad is the closest, a picturesque town situated right on the coast. This little hub offers tide-pooling at Trinidad State Beach, hiking on Trinidad Head trail, and dining on the Trinidad pier, as well as a selection of shops for gifts or picnic supplies. Other attractions include the Memorial Lighthouse and Humboldt State Marine Lab.
Arcata and Eureka are about 20 miles further south and are the closest things you will find to a city near the Redwoods. Arcata Plaza in particular is a lively center of commerce and recreation where you will find plenty of options for dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Even further south are Ferndale and Fortuna, which embody more of the historic village feel. Each has its own kind of charm with antique shops, quaint homes, and museums displaying some of the local culture.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
We camped to save money. We actually found a free campground a bit away from the parks where we stayed for a few nights.