at least three hours before sunset. it also depends on how much hiking you want to do.

We’ve been to the park hiking many times but not camping. Whenever we go, we stop to talk to the rangers before proceeding. They have the current info on conditions including cougars and bears. In general, we always travel with bear spray as an extra precaution especially when in the more remote areas, but the rangers are your most reliable source of bear info for your camping stay.

Visited there in September. The trees should be beautiful year round. It's a great place to visit. The redwoods will take your breath away with their stature and beauty!

Sorry. We did a drive through the park and were not looking at swimming spots. Great park and nice diner stop at the south entrance.

The nearest airport is in Eureka, about 25 miles from the park. United is the only airline available. Arcata-Eureka Airport. The nearest full service airport is Stockton, just about 5 hours away. The park is open all year and you can enter from either north or south. Nice restaurant at the south entrance.

Greetings Rough...., We have always stayed at Hidden Springs campground. We have never had problems with bears. You have to be "Bear Aware" in the way you handle food and additional "scented" items that will attract bears. Keep all such items in the bear lockers provided in the campground or locked away inside your car. Keep coolers hidden as bears know what a cooler is and what it usually contains. As long as you follow the guidelines you will not have any problems with our furry friends. I have read that there is paving taking place in August, 2018. As a result there may not be reservations taken for some campsites so I recommend you contact Humboldt State Park and see if all sites are first come, first served or if there is something you can lock into before you hit the road. KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING BEFORE YOU START DRIVING!!! If you cannot make reservations then you will probably have to check into a campground early in order to get an available site. The later you wait in a first come, first served situation the fewer the sites will be that are available. Weekends, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will probably be the busiest days for finding a campsite. Plan early and keep as little smelly stuff around and you will be fine. Enjoy Humboldt, it is an amazing place. Look for banana slugs.....they are really creepy and really cool! Cheers, Rich

I have traveled both ways. To do the full Ave. it runs about 2 hours. My recommendation: Stop at Richardson Grove on the way up. Skip the first half of the Ave. and get off at Myers Flat. The first half isn't very interesting and it starts to wear on you before you get to the good stuff. The last time I went there I started at the North end and it was amazing. You are immediately in the big trees. The Visitor center is worth stopping at. There is an interesting display about Rockefeller donating the money to save this part of the Redwoods.

Sorry, we did not camp- but the Rangers there are very knowledgeable about all tourist queries! Contact them through the website.

We stayed at the Best Western in nearby Fortuna. Up to date, very comfortable and exceptionally clean rooms. Eel River Brewery in Fortuna a short walk for fun meal with good beverages. Would be very long trip from SF.