Walk the Karl Knapp (Prairie Creek) to Foothill Trail Loop

An Easy and Rewarding Loop Trail.

Note: In late 2021, the Prairie Creek Trail was renamed the Karl Knapp Trail. Future signs, publications, and maps will show that name change.

This flat 2.5 mile (4 km) trail meanders along a babbling creek and under some of the tallest redwood trees in the world. You can take a trip through history with information panels along this loop.

This loop is a combination of three, connected trails:

1. Karl Knapp Trail
2.  Foothills Trail 
3. Cathedral Trees Trail (only a few hundred feet of it)

We recommend that you grab a free Prairie Creek State Park brochure before beginning this walk. There are many other trails that lead off from this loop. Free maps are available at our visitor centers. Prairie Creek Visitor Center is the closest visitor center to this trail.

Want to learn more about this trailhead? Visit "Trailhead: Karl Knapp (Prairie Creek) to Foothills Trail Loop."
 

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Navigating This Loop:

Karl Knapp Trail Section:

The Karl Knapp Trail begins next to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center. Head north on this trail. On the bridges, be sure to look down to see what might be swimming. In autumn, large Coho salmon can be seen spawning in Prairie Creek.After a mile, the Karl Knapp Trail forks east. You should follow any signs for the "Big Tree." You need to cross the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway to continue walking towards the Big Tree Wayside. Please watch for cars or bikes before crossing.

Foothills Trail Section:
After crossing the parkway, you will now be on the Foothills Trail. Turn right (heading south) to the "Big Tree". Once you pass the Big Tree Wayside, keep heading south on the Foothill Trail following signs for the visitor center. This part of the Foothills Trail is parallel to the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.

Catherdral Trees Trail Section:
At the southern end of the Foothills Trail, you will continue your walk on the Cathedral Trees Trail. Head west on the Cathedral Trees Trail for a few hundred yards crossing the parkway back to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center.You should be heading right back to where you started. One final crossing over the scenic parkway is needed to finish up the loop. Please watch for cars or bikes before crossing.You can do this loop in either direction! For this recommendation, we are walking the loop clockwise starting from the trailhead at Prairie Creek Visitor Center.

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Trail Elevation and Grades:

• The 1.2 miles (1.9 km) of the Karl Knapp (Prairie Creek) Trail has a 99-foot elevation change. Typical grade is 3%, typical width is 5-feet wide and the trail surface is compact gravel.
• The 1.2 miles (1.9 km) of the Foothill Trail has a 77-foot elevation gain and a typical grade of 3%. The trail is made of soil/aggregate and typically is 5-feet wide. 

Details

Duration

1-2 Hours

Activity

Hiking

Hiking through ancient redwood groves.

Age(s)

All ages welcome.

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Karl Knapp (Prairie Creek) Trailhead

Prairie Creek State Park

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

Service animals are allowed.

Additional Information

Parking for this trail

Parking close to this trailhead can be tough to find in summer. There is plenty of parking for RVs and trailers along the Elk Prairie section of the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.

Map Tips

• Use the zoom feature to explore trails and other digital map features in greater detail.
• Don’t solely rely on online maps when you are here.
• We recommend you use a physical map or trail guide for your adventures in Redwood National and State Parks.
• Staff are available at visitor centers to help with additional trip planning needs.

Safety Tips

• To protect the habitats, leave no trace also means staying on the developed trail. Please don’t go off-trail and make any new trails. These forests grow by the inch, and will die by your foot.

• To protect the wildlife (and you and other visitors), pets are not allowed on park trails.
  • Roosevelt elk can be blocking the trail and it's important not to approach these large and wild animals. If you need to turn back - then that is the smartest decision to make.

• Cell coverage is very limited and cannot be relied on in an emergency. Have a plan for checking in and checking out with a friend when you are here.