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Redwood Route 101Places / People / History / A Wilder Coast Search Redwood Route 101
Davison Road / Elk Meadow

Orick & Prairie Creek

Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach

trailcoastwildlifeelk

Highway access → arrival

Davison Road / Elk Meadow

Arrival: Fern Canyon trailhead parking at the end of Davison Road.

Approach: Follow Davison Road from US-101 past Elk Meadow and Gold Bluffs Beach to its end. Check parking reservation requirements before driving.

Narrow road; no trailers, vehicles limited to 24 feet. Fern Canyon approach includes stream crossings. Current reservation rules take precedence over older trail pages.

Official directions & access ↗
Access sources

Source 1

Source 2

Source 3

A remote beach-and-canyon destination reached by Davison Road. Vehicle length limits and seasonal reservations can apply; check the official park page before departure.

Plan from the official source

Redwood National and State Parks is the manager or primary source for this entry. Check its current page for changing hours, fees, reservations, road restrictions, and closures.

Open NPS Fern Canyon permits and access ↗

Stay nearby

More lodging in this area →

campground · Orick

Elk Prairie Campground

A developed campground in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park beside forest trails and Elk Prairie. NPS notes that cabins are also available; current reservations and restrictions remain with the park.

Check availability on the official site ↗

campground · Orick

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

A remote developed campground reached by narrow, unpaved Davison Road. NPS prohibits trailers on the access road and publishes vehicle-size and seasonal reservation rules.

Check availability on the official site ↗

Official property links are provided for planning. No live availability, price, ranking, or paid placement is implied.

More in Orick & Prairie Creek

View the area →
Prairie Creek Visitor Center and Elk PrairieA park information center beside Elk Prairie and the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Elk may be present; NPS advises at least 25 yards of distance and no approach.Newton B. Drury Scenic ParkwayA paved, approximately ten-mile scenic alternative to US 101 through Prairie Creek Redwoods. It is shown as a separate side route; check park conditions before use.Lady Bird Johnson GroveA ridge-top redwood loop reached from Bald Hills Road, named for the 1969 park dedication site. Road and parking conditions should be checked with NPS.Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor CenterThe park system’s most comprehensive visitor center, near the mouth of Redwood Creek, with trip-planning information, exhibits, restrooms, and beach access.