Gold Bluffs Beach & Fern Canyon Day-use Reservations

 
An image of Fern Canyon. A river bank flows through a small canyon. The canyon walls are covered in Ferns.

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.

  • Fern Canyon reservations are separate from Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area reservations, the day-use area parking is before the campground and offers you easy beach access. Fern Canyon reservations allow you to continue out Davison Road to the trailhead where you can park and easily walk into the canyon.
  • Vehicle Access: The Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area is located off of U.S. Hwy 101 about 5 miles out on Davison Road. RVs over 24 feet and trailers are not permitted on Davison Road.
    • Allow yourself at least 2 hours to complete the Fern Canyon Trail. Be prepared to drive through two (2) stream crossings and get your feet wet (pretty much year-round).
  • The Gold Bluffs Beach Area is a fee area. You may pay using $12.00 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.
  • 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.
  • Gold Bluffs Beach and Elk Prairie Campground Campers - Visitors with a current Gold Bluffs Beach or Elk Prairie Campground reservation do not need to apply for a Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area or Fern Canyon reservation.
 
A black box with rounded edged. A white graphic calendar with a check mark is inside the box.

Step 2: Make a Reservation

Reservations are only issued online. Reservations will not be issued in park visitor centers and often fill up quickly in the summer. 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 sunset). You may access your reserved location at any time within the designated hours. 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.


There are three types of reservations available:

Location Fern Canyon Trailhead Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use
(no parking at Fern Canyon Trailhead)
Reservation Name In-Advance Reservation Day-Before Reservation Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use
Availability Available starting 12:00 am (PT)
6 months prior to May 15th, 2024
Must be reserved by 11:59 pm the day 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.
Available starting 12:00 am (PT)
6 months prior to May 15th, 2024
Must be reserved by 11:59 pm the day before.


 
Hiking

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

 

Last updated: December 6, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1111 Second Street
Crescent City, CA 95531

Phone:

707 464-6101

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