Hiking the Fern Canyon Loop Trail in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California
Distance (Full Loop): 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
The Fern Canyon Loop Trail, also called the Fern Canyon Trail, in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, is a short but stunning day hike through the mouth of a beautiful, narrow gorge lined with ferns, where hikers can enjoy a fairly easy walk up Home Creek, ultimately returning on the James Irvine Trail to create a one-way loop.
That said, the Fern Canyon Trail has become one of the most popular day hikes throughout anywhere in the Redwoods, similar to the Grove of the Giants Trail in Jedediah Smith, which is why the National Park Service decided to implement a reservation system in order to best manage the limited parking and the crowds within the narrow canyon.
What I can say from numerous adventures through Fern Canyon is that the summer months are, without a doubt, busier than the winter off-season, and the permit system definitely makes it a more enjoyable experience for all!
How to Book a Reservation for Gold Bluffs and Fern Canyon?
Reservations are required to visit the Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area, including the Fern Canyon Trailhead, from May 15 — September 15.
All reservations are made through the Redwoods Parks Conservancy and can be made the day before your visit or farther in advance if you know your travel dates.
Book Here: Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area (Fern Canyon Trail)
Fern Canyon Loop Trailhead Parking
Parking for Fern Canyon Trail is located at the very end of Davison and Gold Bluffs Beach Road, a 6.5-mile (10.5 km) unpaved road that begins where Davison Road passes the Trillium Falls Trailhead.
Before visiting, it’s important to be aware that the National Park Service closes Gold Bluffs Beach Road periodically throughout the year when conditions make it unsafe to drive—notably because the road crosses two creeks on the drive out to the Fern Canyon Trailhead.
Furthermore, be aware that the Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area is a U.S. fee area, which is in addition to the reservations required from May 15 – September 15. This means visitors should bring a valid park pass or expect to pay the entry fee upon arrival.
Google Maps Directions: Fern Canyon Loop Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Redwoods
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Redwood National & State Parks.
Hiking the Fern Canyon Loop Trail
The Fern Canyon Trail begins at the very end of Gold Bluffs Beach Road, where the trail follows a mostly flat path to the mouth of Fern Canyon, about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) away.
This beginning section is the only part of the hike that will be repeated if you decide to hike the full Fern Canyon Loop, as outlined in this post.
I couldn’t believe I ran into another Dachshund that looked so similar to Eleanor back at home in Hawaiʻi!
This is where the trail starts to enter Fern Canyon.
Fern Canyon Loop Trail
After 0.3 miles (0.5 km), the Fern Canyon Trail reaches the mouth of Fern Canyon, where the trail immediately splits with the James Irvine Trail.
That said, it’s most common to hike the loop one way, beginning with Fern Canyon and returning at the end on the James Irvine side of the loop; hence the name Fern Canyon Loop Trail.
In total, Fern Canyon is only 0.3 miles (0.5 km) of the entire 1.2-mile (1.9 km) hike, but it is likely to be the slowest section of the hike, as there are so many beautiful angles to take photos inside the winding, narrow canyon!
For the best light for photos inside of Fern Canyon, plan to hike the trail in the mid- to late-afternoon hours during the sunnier summer months.
In my opinion, these photos were taken a little past the best time, but there were still plenty of great opportunities with the golden light against fern-filled walls!
This is one of the narrowest, most photogenic spots within Fern Canyon when the light is right!
Note that in the cooler off-season months, it’s very likely that you may have to take off your shoes or be prepared to get them wet, as the water runs higher during the wet winter season—typically from October–April.
This is why some hikers may want to carry trekking poles for the sections through Fern Canyon, and note that I’m barefoot in the cover photo above for exactly this reason!
It’s important to note that Fern Canyon is what it is—meaning when a tree falls, that it’s now part of the trail, and there might be a new best path around the obstacle.
I write this because I think it’s really fun navigating through the canyon for what it really is, but also to highlight that the Fern Canyon Trail may not the most straightforward hike, though I would never call this a difficult adventure by any means.
This is where the Fern Canyon Trail abruptly leaves Fern Canyon to begin heading up to the James Irvine Trail, a little less than 0.1 miles (0.2 km) up the hill from this point.
That said, go left to begin climbing up the stairs that lead out of Fern Canyon.
This ascent climbs roughly 50 ft. (15 m) from the bottom of Fern Canyon to the James Irvine Trail above.
Fern Canyon-James Irvine Junction
After about 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the Fern Canyon Trail meets the James Irvine Trail.
This is why park staff will often say that if you don’t have a reservation, or if Gold Bluffs Beach Road is impassable, the James Irvine Trail via the Prairie Creek Visitor Center is the next best option, especially when creating a loop with the Miners Ridge Trail.
All this aside, go left at this split to continue around the Fern Canyon Loop and return to the original junction at the mouth of the canyon.
Once on the James Irvine Trail, the rest of the hike follows a mostly flat/ downhill path until the trail begins a noticeable descent into Fern Canyon, which is a nice sign that the loop is getting close to the beginning again.
This section on the James Irvine Trail is only 0.25 miles (0.4 miles) in total—making it just slightly shorter than the distance through Fern Canyon below.
This is where the Fern Canyon Loop Trail begins the final descent back to the beginning, losing only about 30 ft. (9 m) from this point to the bottom.
Fern Canyon Loop Junction
This is where the Fern Canyon Loop returns to the mouth of Fern Canyon and the 0.3-mile (0.5 km) return trail back to the parking area.
From here, go right at this split to re-hike the same trail that parallels Gold Bluffs Beach back to the trailhead.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods
Jedediah Smith Redwoods
Prairie Creek Redwoods
