Elk Prairie Trail

The Elk Prairie Trail is a popular nature walk in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Family-friendly, easy-going, and impressively beautiful, this trek is one of our favorites.

Stimulating and scenic—what more could you ask for? Note the path is highly trafficked, so we encourage you to head out in the early morning to beat the crowds and the heat! Note elk are aggressive creatures, so if you do encounter one, be sure to maintain plenty of distance.

The Elk Prairie Hike follows the Prairie Creek Trail, setting out from the trailhead. Hiking north, you will soon divert west onto the Nature Trail and over Godwood Creek. This path will curve south, guiding you into a lush redwood grove, eventually merging onto the Redwood Access Trail. At the route’s end, hike through the Elk Prairie Campground and connect with the Elk Prairie Trail. This path will lead you out of the grove, intersecting with the Parkway, and into the meadowlands.

You will most likely notice several Roosevelt Elk frock through the fields by tracking through the Elk Viewing Area. Enjoy their beauty from a distance as you hike north, over Boyce Creek. Here you will confront an intersection, veer left, and you will be diverted onto the Cathedral Trees Trail. Follow this route back to the trailhead at the Visitors Center.