Crowd snapshot.
April averages about 40,600 recreation visits in the five-year mean, roughly 43% of June. That is busier than winter but still well under half of the summer peak. Campgrounds are easier than in summer. Jedediah Smith is first-come, first-served through April, and Elk Prairie's essential-reservation season starts in May. Mill Creek stays closed until mid-May. The count covers Redwood National Park itself, not the three state parks.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| April recreation visits (5-yr mean) | 40,599 |
| Share of June's peak | 43% |
| Crowd band | moderate |
| Park's busiest month (5-yr mean) | June |
| Park's quietest month (5-yr mean) | December |
Weather snapshot.
The Klamath station averages an April high near 58.7°F and a low near 42.7°F, with about 6.6 inches of precipitation, the first big drop of the year. NPS still counts April in the storm season that brings most of the yearly rain. The station's snowfall normal is zero. NPS says coastal temperatures stay fairly steady all year, and it recommends layers, rain gear, and non-slip shoes in any season.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Average high (°F) | 58.7 |
| Average low (°F) | 42.7 |
| Precipitation (inches) | 6.64 |
| Snowfall (inches) | 0.0 |
| Weather band | shoulder |
| Station | Klamath, CA at 28 ft |
Access snapshot.
Main roads are listed open on the NPS conditions page. In spring, NPS says Howland Hill Road often gets repaired after winter storms and may be partly closed for short periods; its scenic drives page says motorhomes, RVs, and trailers will not fit on it. The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway closes to cars on April's first Saturday for Bike and Hike Day. Davison Road to Fern Canyon needs no reservation until May 15, but Gold Bluffs Beach charges $12 per vehicle and RVs over 24 feet and trailers aren't permitted. The Redwood Creek Trail footbridges are out until summer, and the Tall Trees Trailhead needs a free online reservation. Mill Creek Campground opens in mid-May; book the others on ReserveCalifornia. Redwood National Park charges no entrance fee.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| April access score (0-100) | 92 |
| Road notes | U.S. 101 and the main park roads have no closing season. The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is often closed for days in winter by fallen trees or ice, and closes to cars on the first Saturday of each month from October to May; NPS's scenic drives page says Cal-Barrel Road is closed to vehicles in winter |
| Verify current road, campground, and permit status | Official NPS Redwood conditions page |
Seasonal events.
April is still whale season, with NPS putting the migration's peak at March through May. Up in the Bald Hills, NPS says the prairies fill with spring wildflowers, so Bald Hills Road is a good drive if you don't have an RV or trailer. Roosevelt elk calving starts in late May, so April comes before cows turn protective. Fern Canyon's footbridges don't go in until June. The ranger-guided Junior Ranger program starts in June, but the free Junior Ranger activity booklet works in any month.
Audience verdict.
April suits visitors who want spring weather without summer crowds. It pairs whale watching, spring wildflowers in the Bald Hills, and quiet groves. Families have plenty of room, and the free Junior Ranger booklet is available at information centers or to print before you go. RV travelers can use the paved parkway and U.S. 101, but should skip Howland Hill Road and think twice about Bald Hills Road. Bring rain gear, since April is still part of the storm season.
Common questions.
Is April a good time to visit Redwood?
April runs moderately busy at Redwood, about 43% of the June peak, with mild shoulder-season weather (average highs near 59°F). Crowds sit in the middle of the year, neither peak nor empty.
How crowded is Redwood in April?
April averages about 40,599 recreation visits, roughly 43% of Redwood's busiest month (June). That lands it in the middle of Redwood's year for crowds.
How much of Redwood is open in April?
In a typical April, about 92% of Redwood's road network (weighted by how important each route is) is open to wheeled vehicles. Road-opening dates shift year to year, so check the official NPS page for current conditions before you go.
Methodology
Monthly recreation visits come from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025 on NPS IRMA Stats; the statistic shown is Recreation Visits (Redwood National Park), the 5-year mean for 2021-2025. These counts cover Redwood National Park (the NPS-administered lands); the three cooperatively managed California state parks are counted separately, and the 2024-2025 totals reflect an improved NPS counting method rather than real growth, so the reliable timing signal is the month-to-month share of the peak. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Klamath, CA (station USC00044577, 28 ft elevation, coastal lowland). The access score weights how much of the road network is typically drivable that month; Redwood's main roads have no closing season, so the winter dip is our estimate of the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway's winter storm closures and first-Saturday Bike and Hike Days. Seasonal specifics (the Fern Canyon reservation window, Mill Creek Campground's season, visitor center hours) can change; confirm current details on the official NPS Redwood page before booking. Independent site, not affiliated with the National Park Service.
Independent site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Data comes from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025; editorial analysis is ours. The NPS Arrowhead and other NPS marks are not used.