California · National and State Parks trail

Emerald Ridge Trail

in California

Location: Bald Hills Road, Redwood National Park Trailhead: Begin trail from near Tall Trees Trailhead or at the junction along Dolason Prairie trail. Mileage: 1.5 miles Difficulty Level: Trail is steep and requires crossing a stream which may be cold and fast-flowing. Terrain includes loose dirt and gravel.

Parking: Park at Dolason Prairie Trailhead or Tall Trees Trail (reservation required for Tall Trees Trail parking). There is no RV or trailer parking. As you descend 580 feet through dense old-growth forest to Redwood Creek, you will pass through an area narrowly saved from logging in the late 1960s.

Follow the streambed (only in summer during low water) for 1.5 miles and hook up with the Tall Trees Trail. Climb out of the redwoods for a 4.3 mile trip. Safety Tips Use a good map and trail guide for your adventures in Redwood National and State Parks.

States: California
Trail type: National and State Parks trail
Centroid coords: 41.2006°, -123.9934°

About Redwood National and State Parks

National and State Parks

This trail is inside Redwood National and State Parks, a national and state parks managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/emerald-ridge-trail.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Emerald Ridge Trail and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.

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California