newton b drury parkway

This is a scenic alternate route that takes you on a side road closer to the Redwoods then if you were to take 101. We saw lots of elk which was cool. Decided to stop and take in a trail which was quite, beautiful and worth the hike. Take the time to see the back roads, you will not be disappointed.

The southern portion of the Redwood Hwy is not especially scenic so, if you are not in a hurry, consider driving the 10 mile (16k) Newton B Drury Parkway which runs parallel to the Redwood Hwy, US-101, through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park between Orick and Klamath or, better yet, stop, get out and spend some time among the trees. Well marked exits connect the Parkway on both ends to the Redwood Hwy and takes one through the heart of an old growth redwood forest with numerous pullouts and trialheads, by the state park visitor center, and possible sightings of a resident heard of Roosevelt Elk that frequent the areas near the southern end of the Parkway.

A beautiful drive, but to get the full effect of the Redwood Forest, you need to park near a trail head and take a hike through the woods. You are missing so much just by driving through the forest. We did not take long hikes, just stopped along the way and hiked a little bit into the forest. The kids took an Adventure hike near Prarie Creek Visitor Center. The scenery was amazing.

From the short Ah Pah trail through a quiet and amazing forest, to the Big Tree, to the wonderful walk through the redwoods all around, this is a great drive through the heart of the Redwood coast. Stop at the CCC built visitor Center. Look for the Roosevelt elk- which we found further south closer to Orick.

The Parkway is a 17 mile loop. You get up close and personal with the majestic coastal redwoods. Go by the Elk Prairie Visitor Center for a map of the Parkway. Multiple trails are located off the parkway, and the map gives excellent trail descriptions including the degree of difficulty. Road markers correlate with the trail map making it easy to find the trails located immediately off the parkway. Great turnouts for trailhead parking. major trailheads have beautifully done information signage. No services along the parkway, so pack your food. Water and restrooms at the visitor center. We spent tree days exploring this area, and we are excited to return. We saw a bull Roosevelt elk on trail by the Cathedral Trees. He took our breath away.

Redwoods are breathtaking -- leisurely drive, with lots of stopping places to take photos. Felt very relaxed, peaceful and unhurried.

Scenic drive through redwoods, definitely worth it if you have the time. Easily accessible from 101. Lots of hiking trails

It just so happened that we were here on vacation during the 1 day a year the parkway closes to allow hikers and bikers only. We were fortunate enough to get dropped off at the top with our bikes so we had an easy ride down. Took a small detour near the bottom to view the "Big Tree". We began at 9am so the road was nearly empty - a very enjoyable and peaceful ride.

This is an alternate to the freeway, and it wanders through the redwoods and connects Prarie Creek Park to the Klamath River. There are trailheads every quarter mile or so, and any of them will give you a great hike or even short walk.

Beautiful scenic drive and must see when visiting the Redwoods. Also, be sure not to miss Cal-Barrel Rd. - it is an unpaved road that winds it's way deeper into the grove. We drove through the parkway and stopped along the way for pictures and shorts walks. Traffic was light the first week of October so we had no problems pulling off to the side when we wanted.There are a number of trails in this area but we were unable to take full advantage based on time constraints. We would do so in another visit.

This "Scenic Bypass" is a must, especially for RV and Campers as it is on a relatively smooth road with no steep grades like Hwy 101. It's the most scenic, serene, close-up, easy 10 mile drive to see and smell the trees, moss & ferns with plenty of pull-out space, even for large a RV/toad. Kids really love it & the visions that will be etched in your memory are priceless.It's easy to take a short walk and soak in the majesty of these giants, then jump back into your car to continue. The "big tree" is not to be missed as words or photos will not compare to being there. I was very surprised at it's size, and have seen many huge Redwoods, Sequoias, etc. in most CA parks. There is also an Elk Prairie and I've seen elk near the campground on several occasions during my 4 trips (2 in each direction) on the road recently.Morning or evening fog may add to the hobbit-like experience, but try to avoid mid-day. The glare thru the canopy makes it difficult to see. If you like to hike, be sure to stop at a visitor center for maps and suggestions on the dozens of trails in the Redwood Parks.

Take the extra time to see this remarkable road. It is a brief sojourn into one of the most magnificent forests on earth. The enormity of the place is only matched by the tranquil atmosphere; such quiet is rarely found.

In any weather, any time of year, this is one of my favorite places in the world. Beautiful in every sense, visually, temperature, smell, it is a happy place.

This is a must for every body visiting the area. I regret the fact that we did not do many trails in this area. Best Redwood experience for me :-).

There is no other road in the Redwoods that can surpass Drury Parkway!! Especially in a convertible :) This is the road where all the photos for postcards are taken. The trees are HUGE, and the dive is beautiful. A LOT of people drive right on past this parkway, and that's fine... this lightens the traffic and allows people to really drive slowly, and take in the true majesty of the park. I strongly recommended this trip. There are also dozens of short (1000 feet) hikes, along the parkway, which are all quite lovely, so if you feel like parking, and stretching your legs, this is certainly a good place to do it. :)