Redwood National and State Parks are free to enter, including their scenic roads and highways. Some developed state park day-use areas charge separately. Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon have a $12 vehicle day-use fee, payable by cash or check or covered by an accepted pass. Camping and access reservations are separate.
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Check prices, eligibility, payment options and what the listed charge covers.
Confirm separate reservations, permits and activity charges for your dates.
Read official notices before traveling to an entrance, facility or activity.
The national park has no entrance fee. State day-use charges apply at specific developed areas.
| Pass or entry | Price | Who it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood National Park entry | Free | No entrance stations and no entrance pass needed, including to drive the scenic roads and highways |
| Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park day use | $8 | Per vehicle, collected at developed campground entrance stations |
| Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park day use | $8 | Per vehicle, collected at developed campground entrance stations |
| Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park day use | $8 | Per vehicle, collected at developed campground entrance stations |
| Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon | $12 | Per vehicle at the Davison Road kiosk, cash or check only. An America the Beautiful or California State Parks pass covers it |
You do not need to buy a federal pass for the scenic roads. Existing interagency and California passes can help at specified day-use areas.
| Pass or entry | Price | Who it covers |
|---|---|---|
| America the Beautiful passes | Accepted | Discounted pricing at the three state parks. Not sold here, since there are no entrance stations |
| Federal Access Pass | Discount | These three are the only California State Parks that accept the Access Pass discount |
Scenic roads and highways are free. The three partner state parks collect day-use fees at developed campground entrance stations and honor federal passes with discounted pricing. Do not assume every California state park accepts a federal pass.
California identifies Prairie Creek, Jedediah Smith, and Del Norte Coast Redwoods as the only state parks in its system accepting the Federal Access Pass discount.
Choose the park’s accepted payment method, keep the pass or tag ready, and bring any required proof of eligibility.
The Gold Bluffs Beach entrance kiosk takes cash or checks for day use, not payment cards. America the Beautiful passes and specified California State Parks passes are accepted. A valid Gold Bluffs Beach or Elk Prairie campsite reservation also covers this charge.
For a Fern Canyon reservation, bring a printed confirmation or screenshot. The named permit holder must be in the vehicle and show identification at the Gold Bluffs Beach entrance station.
A free access reservation can still be needed where entry is free. Check official booking rules for your destination.
Free
Required to drive to Fern Canyon from May 15 to September 15, online only
Free
Required all year to reach and park at the trailhead, online only
Free
Required for all backcountry camping, online up to 160 days ahead
$5 a person a night
The one backcountry camp with a fee
$35 a night
Four campgrounds, reserved at least 48 hours ahead
Redwood entry is free. Check NPS and California State Parks for the specific day-use charges, accepted passes and any waiver dates.
Use the official calendar before choosing a free entrance day. Confirm who qualifies and which charges are waived.
Quick answers to the practical questions below.
Yes. No entrance pass is required for the national park or the scenic roads and highways in the partner state parks. Specific day-use areas and camping can cost extra.
Yes. The official Fern Canyon page lists America the Beautiful passes as accepted for the Gold Bluffs Beach day-use charge.
No. The official page specifies cash or check for the day-use fee.
No. Tall Trees and Fern Canyon have separate access reservation rules. Use their official pages to check requirements before traveling.
An independent guide using official data. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service.
Fees, coverage, eligibility and buying instructions come from the official sources linked beside the tables and cards. The displayed price inventory is dated 2026. Prices retain the listed charging unit and eligibility.
Cost estimates use the listed standard-entry rates and documented interagency pass coverage. They exclude organized or commercial groups, separately charged activities, and guessed fees at other parks. A residency choice does not replace the eligibility documents required by NPS.
The fee-free section points to official dates and eligibility without storing a fixed calendar in this page. Current closures, temporary rules and services are carried separately by Current conditions. A design review does not refresh an underlying table verification date.
Operational source check: September 10, 2026. Design and emphasized source review: 2026-10-21. A design review does not refresh every underlying record.