Located near in northern California near the Oregon border, the 133,000-acre Redwood National and State parks feature some of the tallest trees on earth, as well as vast prairies, oak woodlands, riverways, and 40 miles of rugged coastline. The system includes Redwoods National Park & Redwood State Park, and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park & Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in Crescent City. Below are some recommended of the best places to run in Redwoods National Park: trails, beaches, and scenic roads for running. Also includes some other area state parks and popular visitor spots in the area from Patricks Point to Klamath. Note that winter can feature frequent rainfall, so trails can get muddy. By contrast, it’s dry from May-November and the dist roads can get dusty.
Best Trails for Running
The focus here is on easy-to-moderate trails. Note that some of the trails can get crowded, so best to go early or off-peak. We’ve avoided the ‘short walks’ because they’re all under two miles and can be crowded. See the Visitor Guide for detailed directions. Information on the the less crowded, backcountry trails is here.
Prairie Creek Visitor Center Area. Some good running here. Easier is Prairie Creek/Foothills, a 2.5 mile level loop through prairie/grasslands. Can combine with Brown Creek Trail through lovely redwoods, (2 miles out and back), 2 miles from the Visitor Ctr. off Drury Scenic Parkway. For more moderate trail running, can choose a section of the James Irvine and Fern Canyon trails. Avoid the steeper Friendship Ridge, Clintonia, and Miners Ridge trails.
Trillium Falls Trail. 2.75 mile loop, moderate. Old-growth redwoods, Trillium Falls, Roosevelt Elk. From Elk Meadow Day Use area. Can combine with Bald Hills Rd. scenic road.
Trinidad Head. Google Street View
Boy Scout Tree Trail (Jedediah Smith SP). 5.5 miles out and back. Moderate trail with good surface featuring old-growth redwoods, riparian corridor, Fern Falls. Can combine with a section of the 10-mile Howland Hill Rd.
Coastal Trail.Up to 13 miles out and back. Beautiful coastal trail. Best section for running is from Milepost 16 (intersection with Damnation Creek Trail) headed south.
Trinidad Beach Loop. 5 miles, 489 foot gain. A gorgeous trail run here: do a 1-mile loop around Trinidad Head, then run north on Trinidad State Beach for 0.5 miles, then north for 1.5 miles on the unnamed coastal trail to Elk Head. Gorgeous water views. ROUTE MAP
Beach Running
There’s some terrific beach running in the area. Some favorite sections, featuring miles of beach and a firm surface are in the Crescent Beach/Enderts Beach area; Little River State Beach (3 miles of firm, flat sand) just south of Trinidad, and nice section of beach adjacent to Freshwater Lagoon. Just south of Kalmath, some lovely running on Gold Bluffs Beach.
Note: beach running ‘quality’ is highly situational and can vary. More reliable in summer.
Best Roads for Running
Note that in summer, the dirt/gravel roads can get dusty. Best to go early when the dew holds in the moisture.
Howland Hill Rd. Near Crescent City. 10 miles of paved & unpaved road, featuring old-growth redwoods. Note: No shoulder, but speed limit is only 15 mph. Can be dusty in summer.
Newton B, Drury Scenic Parkway. Scenic, paved road goes for 10 miles from Elk Prairie Campground north through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park to Exit 763 off Highway 101. It’s an old highway and the speed limit is 40 mph so it’s not that safe for running. The 1.5 miles south of Prairie Creek Visitor Center is more open and has a wide shoulder. Note: narrow shoulder north of Prairie Creek.Closed to cars the first Saturday of the month, November-May.
Bald Hills Rd. Google Street View
Bald Hills Rd. 17-mile road between Orick and Waseck. The recommended section for running is through gorgeous, open prairie. From the Lyons Ranch Parking lot, it’s 5 miles to west to Eagle Ridge Rd., where the road starts to get more forested. Can also continue for several miles east of the parking lot. Lots of up and down but not too steep in this section. ROUTE MAP
Coastal Drive. Near Kalmath. Some nice sections along the coast, especially north of Radar Station B-71.
Davison Rd. From Elk Meadows picnic area, this is a narrow, wooded road with some steep sections.
Located near in northern California near the Oregon border, the 133,000-acre Redwood National and State parks feature some of the tallest trees on earth, as well as vast prairies, oak woodlands, riverways, and 40 miles of rugged coastline. The system includes Redwoods National Park & Redwood State Park, and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park & Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in Crescent City. Below are some recommended of the best places to run in Redwoods National Park: trails, beaches, and scenic roads for running. Also includes some other area state parks and popular visitor spots in the area from Patricks Point to Klamath. Note that winter can feature frequent rainfall, so trails can get muddy. By contrast, it’s dry from May-November and the dist roads can get dusty.
Best Trails for Running
The focus here is on easy-to-moderate trails. Note that some of the trails can get crowded, so best to go early or off-peak. We’ve avoided the ‘short walks’ because they’re all under two miles and can be crowded. See the Visitor Guide for detailed directions. Information on the the less crowded, backcountry trails is here.
Prairie Creek Visitor Center Area. Some good running here. Easier is Prairie Creek/Foothills, a 2.5 mile level loop through prairie/grasslands. Can combine with Brown Creek Trail through lovely redwoods, (2 miles out and back), 2 miles from the Visitor Ctr. off Drury Scenic Parkway. For more moderate trail running, can choose a section of the James Irvine and Fern Canyon trails. Avoid the steeper Friendship Ridge, Clintonia, and Miners Ridge trails.
Trillium Falls Trail. 2.75 mile loop, moderate. Old-growth redwoods, Trillium Falls, Roosevelt Elk. From Elk Meadow Day Use area. Can combine with Bald Hills Rd. scenic road.
Trinidad Head. Google Street View
Boy Scout Tree Trail (Jedediah Smith SP). 5.5 miles out and back. Moderate trail with good surface featuring old-growth redwoods, riparian corridor, Fern Falls. Can combine with a section of the 10-mile Howland Hill Rd.
Coastal Trail.Up to 13 miles out and back. Beautiful coastal trail. Best section for running is from Milepost 16 (intersection with Damnation Creek Trail) headed south.
Trinidad Beach Loop. 5 miles, 489 foot gain. A gorgeous trail run here: do a 1-mile loop around Trinidad Head, then run north on Trinidad State Beach for 0.5 miles, then north for 1.5 miles on the unnamed coastal trail to Elk Head. Gorgeous water views. ROUTE MAP
Beach Running
There’s some terrific beach running in the area. Some favorite sections, featuring miles of beach and a firm surface are in the Crescent Beach/Enderts Beach area; Little River State Beach (3 miles of firm, flat sand) just south of Trinidad, and nice section of beach adjacent to Freshwater Lagoon. Just south of Kalmath, some lovely running on Gold Bluffs Beach.
Note: beach running ‘quality’ is highly situational and can vary. More reliable in summer.
Best Roads for Running
Note that in summer, the dirt/gravel roads can get dusty. Best to go early when the dew holds in the moisture.
Howland Hill Rd. Near Crescent City. 10 miles of paved & unpaved road, featuring old-growth redwoods. Note: No shoulder, but speed limit is only 15 mph. Can be dusty in summer.
Newton B, Drury Scenic Parkway. Scenic, paved road goes for 10 miles from Elk Prairie Campground north through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park to Exit 763 off Highway 101. It’s an old highway and the speed limit is 40 mph so it’s not that safe for running. The 1.5 miles south of Prairie Creek Visitor Center is more open and has a wide shoulder. Note: narrow shoulder north of Prairie Creek.Closed to cars the first Saturday of the month, November-May.
Bald Hills Rd. Google Street View
Bald Hills Rd. 17-mile road between Orick and Waseck. The recommended section for running is through gorgeous, open prairie. From the Lyons Ranch Parking lot, it’s 5 miles to west to Eagle Ridge Rd., where the road starts to get more forested. Can also continue for several miles east of the parking lot. Lots of up and down but not too steep in this section. ROUTE MAP
Coastal Drive. Near Kalmath. Some nice sections along the coast, especially north of Radar Station B-71.
Davison Rd. From Elk Meadows picnic area, this is a narrow, wooded road with some steep sections.
Our selection of the 1-2 'must do' runs in the major U.S. national parks. The focus is on the most scenic, safe, and accessible spots for a run, geared toward the everyday runner.
The Park Loop Road is great for running, especially the 5 mile section between Seal Beach and Little Hunters Beach. The Carriage Roads are special for running, with many options. And for a true challenge, run up Cadillac Mountain!
75 miles from Washington, D.C., featuring the famed 105 mile Skyline Drive. Wonderful drive touring and hiking opportunities. Good running options along some of the gentler trails and fire roads. Trail runners will find lots of options here too!
469-mile scenic road features stunning vistas, rugged mountains, and pastoral landscapes. With no shoulder, the Parkway and isn't great for running. We've researched the more runnable hiking trails and also recommend the carriage roads of Moses Cone Park.
America's most visited National Park. A great option for runners is the Cades Cove Loop Road, which runs 11 miles one-way. Also good running in the Greenbrier Cove area. Famous for wildflowers!
Huge park southwest of Miami with 1.5 million acres of wetland. Some of the best spots for running are the Shark Valley Bike Trail, Pinelands trails, the Old Ingraham Highway Trail and the Flamingo area trails.
Located only an hour from Chicago, Indiana Dunes National Park is known for its spectacular dunes, wetlands, forests, and beaches. We've researched the best running options among the 50 miles of hiking trails and 37 miles of bike trails.
Water-based National Park with a series of interconnected waterways. Some scenic trails for running near the three Visitor Centers, featuring forests, marshes, wetlands, and lakes. Spectacular for running in winter, with trails and "ice roads"!
Dramatic landscapes spanning layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. Best spots for running are along the Badlands Loop Scenic Highway, Sage Creek Rim Road, Castle Trail, and Sheep Mountain Table Rd.
Wonderful park within 90 minutes of Denver. Majestic mountain views, mountain lakes, wooded forests, mountain tundra. Best running options are trails around Cub Lake, Lily Lake,Upper Beaver Meadow, and Emerald Lake.
Park in southwestern Colorado is a glimpse into communities that the Pueblo people built on the mesas and in the cliffs. 30 miles of hiking trails around mesas, and into rugged canyons. Best for running is the 5-mile Long House Loop.
North America's tallest dunes, and terrain that also alpine peaks, forest, grasslands, and wetlands. Running the dunes is a singular experience but also very challenging. Best bet for running in the park are the miles of grasslands trails.
A remote and isolated park, featuring gorgeous mountains, desert, and 120 miles along the Rio Grande River. Best running spots are some of the gentler mountain trails, in the desert, along the river, and some of the park's scenic roads.
Along with Canyonlands NP, located in the outdoor recreational mecca around Moab, UT. For Arches, we recommend running the Landscape Arch, a nice 2-mile route starting at Devils Garden Trailhead. Arches Scenic Dr. is also runnable.
This area, near Moab, is a mecca for biking, hiking, climbing and other adventuring activities. Great running options in Canyonlands are Colorado River Overlook trail, Neck Springs, and a trail along Murphy Point Overlook.
The two best options for running are the Pa’rus Trail, which is a 1.7 mile, flat path skirting the Virgin River in the flat, lower section of Zion Canyon, and the 6.2 miles Scenic Drive from the Visitor Center to Temple of Sinawava.
Bryce is marked by the salmon and orange-colored limestone that create a maze of spires, pinnacles and fins. Best running options are the new shared use bike path connecting Bryce and Red Canyon; and the 5.5 mile Rim Trail.
The best running options are in the South Rim section of massive Grand Canyon. Great running along the Rim Trail, the network of Greenways throughout the Village and surrounding communities, and the Arizona National Scenic Trail.
Pristine forests, alpine meadows, glacier-carved peaks, spectacular lakes, wildflowers! Fantastic trail running. We've included some gentler trail running options, plus some multi-use paths just outside the park in Kalispell & Hungry Horse.
Showcasing the major peaks of the 40-mile-long Teton Range. Best for running in summer. Good options are the Grand Teton multi-use path, Taggart Lake Trail, and 6-mile loop around Two Ocean Lake.
240,000 acre park, 2-hour drive from Seattle. Wonderful running opportunities, around valleys, waterfalls, subalpine meadows, old-growth forest and glaciers. Best routes are along some of the less traveled side roads and gentler hiking trails.
One of the closest national parks to a major metro area, the 1 million acre Olympic National Park has an incredible diversity of terrain, featuring snow-covered mountains, lush rain forests, and dramatic coastal terrain.
A stunning and diverse alpine landscape, less than three hours from Seattle. Generally it's more challenging trail running. Best running options are in Stekehin, accessed only by ferry. The MUST DO run is the first 6 miles of Stekehin Valley Road.
The world’s first national park, showcasing colorful hot springs, mudpots, and geysers, in addition to its dramatic mountains, forests, lakes and wildlife. Several good running options -- read our caution note about wildlife. Video excerpt!
Waterfalls, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area in this 1,200 square mile park. Two good running options are the Yosemite Village Multi-Use Path, and Tuolumne Meadows.
Not one of the better national parks for running, given the rugged, often sandy terrain, and summer heat. Best options are the backcountry roads, some of the easier hiking trails, and quiet residential streets in Yucca Valley & Desert Hot Springs.
One of the more unique parks in terms of terrain, geography, and extreme weather. Fantastic opportunities for trail running -- though easy to get lost! Some good running options along park roads - sunrise/sunset are best.
Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees in these side-by-side parks. Recommended running: Roaring Rivers to Zumwalt Meadows Loop in Kings and Crescent Meadow Trail and Road.
A one-of-a-kind run on a barren volcano, with incredible ocean views. Very challenging 10-mile run to the 10,000-foot summit is 3,000 foot gain. Or, have a partner drop you part way or go up for sunrise and run down.
A one-of-a kind place. Hike or run the rim of an active crater, or run on trails or roads to enjoy terrain that includes deserts and rain forests, past craters and rift zones. We outline several good options. Note trail closures and air quality warnings!
Virgin Islands National Park comprises 60% of the land mass of the St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Numerous trails in the park are good for running, notably the Francis Bay Trail to Leinster Point, the Johnny Horn Trail, and Lind Point Trail.
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There’s some terrific beach running in the area. Some favorite sections, featuring miles of beach and a firm surface are in the Crescent Beach/Enderts Beach area; Little River State Beach (3 miles of firm, flat sand) just south of Trinidad, and nice section of beach adjacent to Freshwater Lagoon. Just south of Kalmath, some lovely running on Gold Bluffs Beach.
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