Looking for some great trails near Crescent City, California in Del Norte County? We have explored all of the very best short hikes the area has to offer.
Crescent City is the only incorporated town in Del Norte County and is a great gateway city to explore the Redwoods in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park and Praire Creek Redwood State Park. It’s also right on the ocean, and at the edge of the Siskiyou mountain range. So there is a ton of great hiking to be found.
All of the below trails are 2 miles or less!
1. Simpson-Reed Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.9 mile loop
Dogs Allowed: No
This is a great trail if you want to explore the redwoods. It is a very popular (read heavily trafficked) trail, but for good reason with towering redwoods and right near the gorgeous and pristine Smith River. The trail is great for easy walking, “hiking”, and learning about redwood costal nature.
2. Myrtle Creek Trail
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Distance: 1.9 mile out and back
Dogs Allowed: On Leash
This hike is one of my favorites and it’s near several great river spots for swimming in the beautiful and clear Smith River. The very start of it has some switch backs and then it levels off and is rather easy. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s a moderate trail, but it’s at the top end of easy. It’s a gorgeous trail, in the winter and spring you’ll find many small waterfalls along the trail. In the spring and summer, wildflowers are plentiful. This is one of the very best trails for taking dogs.
June 2021 Update: There have in the last two weeks been reports of hikers being stung by bees about half way up, so exercise some caution.
3. Jedediah Smith River Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1 mile out and back
Dogs Allowed: No
Jedediah Smith River Trail is another great option for seeing the Redwoods. Located off of Howland Hill Road down near Stout Grove you can make a great trip out of driving Howland Hill from Crescent City side, and then doing the Jed Smith Trail along with another smaller trail in the Stout Grove region. Both Howland Hill Road and Stout Grove are worth the extra time! Be aware that large vehicles like RV’s can’t fit down Howland Hill Road. Howland Hill Road is best driven in the early spring when there is less traffic. Once it gets dry and busy in the summer the dust becomes pretty thick which makes it slightly less enjoyable (although still recommended). Jedediah Smith River Trail is super easy, although there are some small roots and things you have to step over. This means it might not be ideal for differentially abled people.
4. Last Chance California Coastal Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 1.4 mile out and back
Dogs Allowed: No
Last Chance California Coastal Trail is south of Crescent City. You’ll drive along the beach and then up to the overlook. The walk is at the far end of the parking lot. It will take you on the old highway with views of the ocean, curving slightly into the woods, instead of finishing the hike as recorded on other sites, we recommend turning right at the first division to go down to the beach. The slight amount of elevation is what makes this hike moderate.
4. Battery point LIghthouse
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: .5 mile out and back
Dogs Allowed: No
Less of a hike, and more of an activity during low tide, you can make the short journey across the beach to the Battery Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse is historic and one of most haunted lighthouses in the United States. If you go during business hours you (10Am-4PM) you can go on a tour of the lighthouse and learn about its history. It’s well worth doing, and when I went was only $3. You can also search for animals in the tide pools on your way across. Please don’t remove animals or sea life that you find in the tide pools, this is their home, we just get to visit when the tide is out. Also, be aware of what the ocean is doing at all times. Sneaker waves are always possible. Like my dad always said, never turn your back to the ocean.
5. Jedediah Smith Campground Nature Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.2 Mile Loop
Dogs Allowed: On Leash
This is a really easy walk called the “nature trail” which loops around in the Jed Smith Campground area. Since you have to pay to enter Jed Smith park I would recommend making a day out of it. There is area with firepits for barbequing and tons of river access with nice holes for swimming. There are also bathrooms and if you really want them there are showers in the camping area. When you go, ask a ranger to outline the nature trail on a map. There are many little trails that branch off through the campground and also to the river. This is a good place to go with kids where you might want to walk through the Redwoods a little, go into the visitor center and look around, eat some food and play in the water.
6. Grove Of Titans (Closed)
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.3 Miles out and back
Dogs Allowed: No
This hike is to a grove of trees known for the largest Redwood. It’s currently closed as they install wooden walkways around the trees to protect them, but should be reopening in fall 2021.
7. Point Saint George
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.9 Miles out and back
Dogs Allowed: On Leash
Nice hike with beach views. Definitely best on days with low wind and no fog. I would once again consider this more of an activity than a hike. You can hop down on the beach, build a sand castle and explore. That and beautiful ocean views are what make this a fun one.
8. Nickerson Ranch
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 1.9 Miles out and back
Dogs Allowed: No
One of the several hikes off of Howland Hill Road this one is less than 2 miles (barely). This trail will take you through the Redwoods. Just watch out for dinosaurs.