Redwood National and State Parks guide · 1 min read
Fog, Rain, and 60-80 Inches a Year
Rain shapes nearly everything about a visit to Redwood National and State Parks. Most of it falls from October through April, when storms roll in off the North Pacific.
Across the region the parks typically receive 60 to 80 inches of rain a year, and winter is the wettest season. Expect cool, damp days during those months.
The ocean moderates the air along the redwood coast, so temperatures hold fairly steady, usually between the mid-40s and low-60s degrees Fahrenheit all year. Summer brings a different kind of moisture. As the high pressure system moves north, the chilly sea meets dry land and forms a narrow band of fog that drifts up the river canyons and settles over the coast redwoods. Places farther from the sea are usually warmer and clearer.
The redwood parks sit within a temperate rainforest that stretches along the western edge of the United States. The trees draw moisture from winter rain and summer fog, and fog can supply up to a quarter of the precipitation. Walking is possible in every season, though rain can leave trails slick. More than 200 miles of trails pass through prairies, old-growth forests, and beaches.
Fern Canyon offers a different kind of walk, with Hope Creek running through it. Hikers' bridges are installed there only in summer, giving visitors a way to cross the water. Winter rains can flood Hope Creek and make crossing dangerous.
Conditions can shift through the day, so dress in layers. A rain jacket and sturdy footwear with soles that grip will serve you well, since damp forest floors and coastal surfaces get slick.
