Gold Bluffs Beach & Fern Canyon Day-use Reservations

Step 1: Learn about the Gold Bluffs Beach Area

The Gold Bluffs Beach Area offers many recreational activities such as walking the Fern Canyon Trail Loop, picnicking on the beach, fishing in the ocean, and so much more.

• Vehicle Access: Off of Highway 101 Davison Road is an 8-mile long single-lane gravel road that takes you out to the Gold Bluffs Beach Area. RVs over 24 feet in length and trailers are not permitted on Davison Road. Be prepared to drive through two (2) stream crossings and get your feet wet (pretty much year-round).
• Gold Bluffs Beach is a fee area: $12.00 day-use fee can be paid with cash/check (no cards accepted), America the Beautiful Passes, California State Parks Annual or Poppy Pass, or a current Gold Bluffs Beach or Elk Prairie Campground reservation.
  • Please note: Visitors with a current Gold Bluffs Beach or Elk Prairie Campground reservation do not need to apply for a Fern Canyon/Gold Bluffs Beach Reservation.
• Pets: can be walked on a 6-foot leash on Gold Bluffs Beach. Pets are not permitted in Fern Canyon, service animals exempt. Learn more about where you can take your pet.

 

Step 2: Make a Reservation

• Reservations are only issued online.
• Day of reservations are not available, they are day-before or in-advance only. Plan ahead in order to have the best chance to secure a reservation.
• The Gold Bluffs Beach entrance station (kiosk) will be checking reservations and taking fee payments. The government-issued photo ID associated with your permit must be shown to gain access.
• Your reservation is for the entire day (9:00 am to 5:00 pm). You do not have to arrive right at 9:00 am for your reservation to be valid, anytime during the day is fine.
• Reservations are being issued by our non-profit partner, Redwood Parks Conservancy.

Location	Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach
Reservation Name	In-Advance Reservation	Day-Before Reservation
Availability	Reservations open on December 15 and can be made 6 months prior up to 11:59 pm the night before.	Available beginning at 9:00 am the day before your selected date. Reservations are reserved very quickly, often filling shortly after 9:00 am.

 

Step 3: Take your Reservation to the Park

Check your junk / spam folders for an email from Redwood National and State Parks. The Gold Bluffs Beach entrace station will be checking reservations and taking fee payments. The government-issued photo ID associated with your permit must be shown to gain access.

 

Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area & Fern Canyon Reservation FAQs

Why are reservations being required for Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon?

The implementation of a reservation system will allow Redwood National and State Parks to: 

1. Provide a high-quality visitor experience in which overcrowding of parking lots and trail systems will not deter visitors from having the ability to seek out recreational experiences that allow for a connection to the natural environment.

2. Reservation system during peak summer months will allow for the protection of natural resources

3. Provide adequate ability for law enforcement and emergency services to provide responses during emergencies which was impeded by un-restricted parking and overcrowding of roadways.

When will reservations be required?

Reservations are required from May 15 through September 15. 

Who will need to obtain a reservation?

Any park visitor driving to the Gold Bluffs Beach Area for day-use access who wants to park at either the Gold Bluffs Beach picnic area or Fern Canyon. There will be no restrictions to visitors walking to Fern Canyon from the Prairie Creek Visitor Center or along Davison Road during that time. Campers at the Gold Bluffs Beach or Elk Prairie Campground will not be required to obtain a day-use reservation for access (must show a current campsite/campground tag).

How do I make a reservation for Gold Bluffs Beach Day-use area?

Find an available date and time and reserve your spot. A confirmation email will be sent to you immediately after booking your permit, and will also be re-sent to you 24 hours before the date/time of your reservation. Visitors will be required to either print out this confirmation email, or take a screen shot, and present this at the time of arrival at the Gold Bluffs Beach entrance station. The person whose name is designated on the permit must be present in the vehicle at the time of arrival, and show a valid proof of identification.

How many reservations will be available each day?

There are two types of reservations available to visitors.

• 75 In-Advance Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach Reservations
• 100 Day-Before Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach Reservations

How far in advance can I make reservations?

In-Advance reservations, 6 months out, will be available beginning in November 2024.  
Day-before reservations will be available starting at 9:00 am the day before the reservation date.

How do the reservations work?

After booking your reservation on https://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm you be given the option to save this event on your calendar (from the booking website) and will also immediately receive an email confirmation. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don’t see this email in your primary inbox. This email will be sent from Redwood National and State Parks.

Please read this confirmation email thoroughly as it will pertain important information to help you plan your visit. After reading your confirmation email, and visiting the permits page on https://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm, if you still have questions, you are welcome to visit any of the visitor center locations within Redwood National and State Parks. You are also welcome to call [phone] (general park information line) but please be advised that this phone number is not always staffed and your best place for information regarding your permit will be either the email confirmation or website.

Proof of reservation will be required upon entry to the Gold Bluffs Beach Area. The reservation holder must be in the vehicle and will be required to provide their name and a valid photo ID.

Can I cancel/change my reservation?

Yes, you can cancel or change your existing permit using the email confirmation you receive immediately after making your reservation. Please save this email.

If you are unable to visit on the day of your reservation, please take the time (less than 2 mins) to cancel your reservation. Limited reservations are available and we appreciate your assistance with ensuring that as many visitors as possible are able to get a reservation.

Can I still visit Fern Canyon without a reservation?

Yes. You will still be able to access Fern Canyon via trails within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The hike is approximately 10.4 miles round-trip from the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, located off of the Newton B. Drury Parkway, via the James Irvine Trail. If you plan to hike to Fern Canyon, please start your hike early and be prepared by planning ahead.

Are these reservations transferable?

No. Once a reservation is reserved with a name, that person will need to be present in the vehicle upon your arrival to Gold Bluffs Beach to gain entry. You are required to show the government-issued photo ID coorelated with your permit in order to gain entry. No ID, no reservation.

Where does the reservation allow me to go?

The Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach reservation will allow a vehicle to enter the Gold Bluffs Beach  Area via Davison Road. Parking is permitted only at the designated parking areas listed on the reservation.

What if I have a Gold Bluffs Beach or Elk Prairie Campground reservation?

Visitors with a Gold Bluffs Beach or Elk Prairie Campground reservation will not need to apply for a day-use reservation. Campground reservation must be current and at the entrance station you need to show your current campsite tag.