Redwood National Park preserves one of the world's major ecosystems. It is under the protection of World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. The park consists of both land and sea, it is an ideal location for nature lovers to observe first hand the need for conservation.
The Park's Location
Prairie Creek State Park is only one of the parks located in Redwood National Parks. The parks are easy to find, they are all located on Highway 101 in Humboldt County. The central region, where Prairie Creek State Park is located, is about 45 minutes north of Eureka.
Things to Do at The Park
Prairie Creek State Park is a total of 14,000 acres of coastal redwoods. There are a total of over 75 miles of hiking trails through the forests. Since the park was established to save the trees, all trails lead you through some of the world's tallest trees. Take your time to enjoy some of the hiking trails, enjoy the splendor of an ancient redwood forest.
The park is known for it's native Roosevelt elk that roam throughout the prairie. Be alert and you might even spot a fox, mountain lion, bobcat, or bear. There are over 260 species of birds that have been spotted within the park, this is definitely a bird watchers paradise.
Reservation's Required
If you are going to stay overnight at the Prairie Creek Park, you will need a reservation. To get more information you should call 707-464-6101. They can tell you what the rate is, it depends on the season.
Don't Forget The Scenic Tour
Prairie Creek Park is one of favorite places to go because it offers such a variety of outdoor activities. I thoroughly enjoy going on the hiking and bicycle trails. There are always guided nature trails you can join. Make sure you take their 10-mile scenic drive through the redwoods. It's something the kids will never forget, you just can't image how big a redwood can get.
Forget About Playing In The Ocean
Northern California beaches are not the same as the beaches in Southern California. Do not, under any circumstances, consider swimming, body surfing or even wading in the ocean at any time of the year. They will warm you about "sneaker waves." Supposedly, these waves sneak up on you, thus the name; and they have actually been known to drag people out into the sea.
There are places you can swim safely, but it's not at the northern beaches of California. College Cove at Trinidad State Beach isn't too bad, you just have to use your common sense when assessing the ocean conditions. However, your best bet is to swim on the lagoon sides of the beach, such as at Big Lagoon and Stone Lagoon.
Enjoy Your Getaway
My suggestion, go and have fun. Supervise your children closely. If you do everything together they will have a blast. There's something about a preteen staring up at a giant redwood that is inspiring.
Lenora Moreland is an experienced traveler who loves to visit exotic places and meet new people. Please check out my blog for pictures of Prairie Creek State Park.http://luckytraveler.wordpress.com
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
