How would you spend 2 days?

Question

I’m in the beginning stages of planning a trip for 3 adults. We will be driving to the redwoods from Crater Lake (via Oregon Caves if they reopen tours) and then will have 2 full days (a Friday and Saturday in August) to explore before heading up the southern Oregon coast. Would you go to Jedidiah Smith or Prairie Creek or one day in each? We can do short hikes (5 ish miles or less) and scenic drives. I see advice to stay in Trinidad over Crescent City but am mostly concerned with a safe/clean place to sleep - otherwise we’ll be out exploring. Thoughts?

Answer

With two full days in the Redwoods after coming from Crater Lake, you can absolutely see the highlights without feeling rushed. Since you enjoy short hikes and scenic drives, the best plan is to spend one day in Jedediah Smith Redwoods and one day in Prairie Creek Redwoods. These two areas offer the most spectacular old-growth redwoods in the entire region, and they each have a distinct personality that makes visiting both worthwhile.

Jedediah Smith (near Crescent City) is wilder, more intimate, and has some of the densest, most impressive old-growth groves anywhere. Prairie Creek, farther south near Orick, is iconic “Jurassic Park” style redwoods with meadows, elk, fern canyons, and multiple easy trails. Together they make the perfect two-day sampler.

As for lodging, Trinidad is generally more scenic, quieter, and offers higher-quality stays than Crescent City. Crescent City is convenient for Jedediah Smith but tends to be more basic. If your priority is simply a clean, safe place to sleep and you’ll be out exploring all day, you could stay in either — Trinidad is nicer overall, Crescent City is more practical for early starts.

If you want the nicest base: Trinidad.
If you want the shortest drives: One night Crescent City (for Jedediah Smith) and one night Trinidad or Orick (for Prairie Creek).
If you want only one base to simplify: Trinidad is the best compromise.

Here is how I would plan your two full days:

Day 1 — Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (near Crescent City)

Howland Hill Road: A narrow, dirt but very manageable scenic drive through cathedral-like old-growth redwoods. This is one of the best redwood drives in the entire region.
Stout Grove (0.5 miles): A breathtaking short loop in arguably the most photogenic grove in the park. Late afternoon light is magical here.
Grove of Titans via the Mill Creek Trail (up to ~5 miles RT): A beautiful, lush trail with boardwalks that protect the massive trees. This hits your preferred hiking range.
Optional coastal add-on: Visit Crescent Beach Overlook or Battery Point Lighthouse if you want a sunset by the ocean.

Day 2 — Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway: The premier scenic drive in this part of the park. Pullouts everywhere, elk often grazing in the meadows.
Big Tree & surrounding trails: Epic old-growth right off the road, with several short trails you can combine.
Prairie Creek–Cathedral Trees Loop (3–4 miles): A spectacular and easy loop with massive trees and mossy forest.
Fern Canyon (1 mile): A unique slot-canyon walk with thousands of ferns carpeting the walls. Requires a short drive on Davison Road (can be bumpy). In August, vehicle reservations are typically required.
Gold Bluffs Beach: A gorgeous driftwood-covered beach if you want a sunset or relaxing break.

If you want to stretch the trip a bit, Prairie Creek also pairs beautifully with heading up the southern Oregon coast afterward — the transition from giant trees to rugged beaches is one of the most beautiful drives in the Pacific Northwest.

In summary, visit both Jedediah Smith and Prairie Creek, stay in Trinidad if comfort matters most, or split nights if you want super quick access. You’ll get two days of world-class forests, scenic drives, and hikes that fit perfectly within your 5-mile range.

How would you spend 2 days?

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