1 Mile Loop Trail

Fern Canyon Trail is a 1 mile “lollypop” loop trail in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park of Northern California. It is a beautiful hike through a steep 50 foot walled canyon teeming with ferns, fallen trees, logs, and a trickling stream. Although there are no Redwoods present, towering over you are beautiful & mossy Sitka Spruce and other green shaded plants. This trail is very popular so arrive early or later in the afternoon. We lost count of the cars entering as we were exiting and the parking lot only has so many spots.

The loop trail guides you north along the coast with the sound of the waves to your left. It then takes you to the mouth of the canyon with the stream before you follow the water into the canyon of grottos, ferns, and waterfalls. You then hike up out of the canyon and along the canyon’s northern edge before looping back to the mouth of the canyon. During the trail you will get wet so wear waterproof hiking boots or be prepared to have wet socks.

To reach the trail, take Davison Fern Canyon Road and drive for 8 miles down the dirt road. Half of the road will be in the mountains and the other half will be along the coast. It is an absolutely beautiful drive. But if someone is behind you and wants to go faster, pull over at the first available pull off (talking to you California drivers). On the drive you will cross two streams so low clearance vehicle, like Teslas are not recommended.

There are Roosevelt Elk in the area as the hilarious sign warns. We didn’t see any but I did smell them, so I know they were nearby. I was then vindicated when we saw some scatological evidence of them on the trail.