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Fern Canyon, Orick

4.8
Canyon · Hidden Gem · Nature / Park
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Fern Canyon is a canyon in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in Humboldt County, California, western United States. The park is managed in cooperation with other nearby redwoods state parks and Redwood National Park. It is named for the ferns growing on the 50-foot high walls, through which runs Home Creek. Fern Canyon is recognized as a World Heritage site and an International Biosphere Reserve.HistoryFern Canyon was donated to the State to add 2,125 acres to Prairie Creek State Park.FernsFern Canyon has California native ferns covering the 10- sheer walls, giving a primeval habitat quality. Some species include: Adiantum jordaniiBlechnum spicantPolypodium californicumPolypodium glycyrrhizaPolystichum munitumAccessA hiking trail follows the canyon and creek. Reach the start of Fern Canyon Trail at the bottom of the canyon by hiking a quarter mile north up California Coastal Trail from Fern Canyon Day Use Area, which is north of Gold Bluffs Beach Campground. The trail loop is 0.5 miles, one end of the trail connecting to the James Irvine Trail.
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Fern Canyon reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 5.0
313 reviews
Google
4.9
TripAdvisor
  • Actually visited in July 2021 but just remembered now to post a review. Wow, This place is amazing. Walking the stream in the middle of the canyon is really an experience. The walk is easy but for.....  more
    Actually visited in July 2021 but just remembered now to post a review. Wow, This place is amazing. Walking the stream in the middle of the canyon is really an experience. The walk is easy but for.....  more »
  • This is unique and gorgeous! A long drive to get here - but pictures worth great memories forever. BRING WATER SHOES! The whole first half of the hike is in the water (stream). The second half is... 
    This is unique and gorgeous! A long drive to get here - but pictures worth great memories forever. BRING WATER SHOES! The whole first half of the hike is in the water (stream). The second half is...  more »
  • Wow, what a beautiful and other-worldly place. I learned that this fern canyon was the set for the Jurassic Park movie. This was a good choice as walking the stream in the middle of the fern canyon... 
    Wow, what a beautiful and other-worldly place. I learned that this fern canyon was the set for the Jurassic Park movie. This was a good choice as walking the stream in the middle of the fern canyon...  more »
Google
  • Unique canyon with fern wall. You need to cross two small creeks to get there, better drive an SUV. Prepare water-resist shoes, and a jacket. Jurassic park filmed here.
  • Beautiful canyon. Water shoes to make it easier or good balance to walk on logs to stay dry. Water is running good in the canyon as of 5/1/22. Both creek crossings are after Gold Bluffs Beach Campground. Decent amount of pot holes on your drive in. Take is slow if in car.
  • As of 1/1/2022- As soon as you turn onto Davison Rd its a good 20min of narrow road. Your sharing the road with oncoming traffic. Be ready you can't see cars coming onto you on some of the turns. Entrance fee is cash $8.00 self pay if no ranger coming in and as we were leaving there was a ranger actually in the hut checking in people. Everyone for the most part had jeeps, trucks and SUVS. And with all the potholes, mud and water you need them. There's a parking lot off the Rd near the campground where cars/vans that look like they won't make the first water crossing can park. The van behind me turned around. I attached a picture it's a good foot deep and a good 6 feet long. You can walk to the trail from here if you car can't make it but it's a long walk. *Only wear waterproof hiking shoes or rain boots. 100% your getting your tennis shoes or UGGs drenched and muddy if you do. Fern canyon is gorgeous but your walking through the a creek literally to get to it and once there your still walking through a creek.
  • Amazing experience. Must do the hike if in the area. Once you get a 1/2 mile in, it doesn't seem passable, but once you get passed the water and trees the trail through the canyon is Amazing.
  • My favorite spot in California. Everyone should have a visit here otherwise I will regret it! Permit required. The most popular one is the half day pass. Duration: easy trail to finish in 0.5 hour. We spent around 2 hours as the view is scenic (and waiting for the other visiters to pass us LOL). Car: full-size car made it on a sunny day. There are 3-4 streams to pass. Remember to drive slow and move with some zigzags instead directly into the stream. It should work out. Shoe: slippers or waterproof boots. We are walking in a canyon along with the stream. My friend's shoes got wet at the end. Coat: in the morning, it could be cold. I wore a waterproof jacket and it was good to go.

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