Redwood National Park Family Trip and How God Met Us Among the Giants
There is something incredible about being out in nature, surrounded by God’s creation in all its grandeur. But being in nature with the people you love most? Thatโs next-level goodness. Last summer, we took a trip our whole family will never forget: a two-week RV journey to Crescent City, California, where we explored Redwood National and State Parks with our closest friends and nine children between us.
But this wasnโt just a vacation.
It was a divine detour.
How a Job Loss Led to One of Our Most Meaningful Family Adventures
Just a few weeks before we were set to hit the road, my husband lost his job. We had just landed a year-long rental after five months of Airbnb-hopping around Reno, Nevada (we moved from Idaho). We were finally catching our breath when my husband went to meet with his boss. The company was shutting down his entire division!
Cue the curveball.
In a season when most would cancel plans, we doubled down in faith. After praying about it, we felt a strong sense of peace: God still wanted us to go. So, we packed up again and temporarily headed back home to Idaho, to drop off our stuff, only to turn around and drive west toward the coast, RV and prayer journals in hand.
Planning a Family RV Trip to the Redwoods (with 9 Kids!)
Let me tell you, RV camping in the California Redwoods with kids is no joke when it comes to logistics. With two families and nine kids, meal planning, camper coordination, and daily itineraries were essential.
Here’s how we planned our Redwood National Park trip on a tight budget:
- Meal Plan: We created a weekly meal schedule that was both cost-effective and kid-approved. Think: sandwiches, grilled meats, salads, and sโmores, of course!
- Campsite Selection: We booked RV sites next to each other so the kids could play freely, and we could share resources and responsibilities.
- Nature-Based Itinerary: We made a list of must-see places in the Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park because we were staying in Crescent City. The goal? To find the biggest trees we could see and soak in the stillness of God’s glory in creation.
Staying at Ramblinโ Redwoods RV Park in Crescent City
If youโre visiting the Redwoods with family or friends, Ramblinโ Redwoods Campground in Crescent City is a dream basecamp. With our RVs parked right across from each other, it gave us the perfect blend of community, comfort, and nature.
This family-friendly campground is surrounded by towering redwoods, so every morning felt like waking up in the middle of a fairy tale. Thereโs something about being nestled among those giants that instantly calms the soulโand gives the kids endless places to explore.
What we loved:
- Full hookups and spacious sites
- Washer and dryer on-site (lifesaver with nine kids!)
- Clean showers and restrooms
- A large grassy yard where our kids made instant friends with other traveling families
- Campfires every night and shared meals that turned into sweet, lingering conversations
The Best Family-Friendly Redwoods Hikes in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
We spent our days exploring towering giants and breathing in peace we didnโt know we needed. There isn’t enough time to share the last 10 years of my life in this article, but my husband needed rest. Losing his job ended up being a blessing in disguise. Here are our favorite Redwood trails and groves near Crescent City that your family canโt miss if you plan on traveling there soon:
Grove of the Titans
Hidden deep within Jedediah Smith Redwoods, this awe-inspiring grove includes some of the world’s most enormous and massive trees. The trail winds through an ancient forest so rich with history and beauty that it almost doesnโt feel real. One of the trees we saw in this grove is ranked as the ninth-largest redwood on Earth. It was staggering in size, I couldn’t even fit the whole thing into the frame of my camera!
Boy Scout Tree Trail
Boy Scout Tree Trail was a trekโand we did it with nine kids! Itโs about 5.5 miles roundtrip, but not one of the children complained. They were too distracted by the beauty around them: lush greenery, towering trees, and quiet forest paths that felt like stepping into another world.
Honestly, I donโt even remember hearing a single whine (and with that many kids, that’s saying something!). I think we were all just mesmerizedโcompletely taken in by Godโs handiwork in every direction.
At the end of the trail, we gathered by a gentle waterfall and ate our packed sandwiches. The forest was so thick and dense, it kept the entire area coolโeven in summer. The air tasted clean and felt crisp, like a refreshing exhale after a long inhale of life.
It wasnโt just a hike. It was a holy pause in the middle of everything unknown. My husband and I were feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about our future. Our business had collapsed, and his new job had only lasted five months before it ended. With bills piling up, we had no idea how we would manage financially. Despite all this uncertainty, we found that our hearts were truly at peace in that moment. That moment testified to God’s faithfulness in a life we can’t control.
Stout Grove
Perfect for families with young kids, this grove is easily accessible and flat, with paths wide enough for even a stroller. Stout Grove was our final destination on the trip, and honestly, it was one of our absolute favorites. There was something incredibly peaceful about this place. The air was still, the light filtered through the towering trees just right, and the quiet felt sacred.
But what stood out the most were the fallen giants. Huge trees lay scattered across the forest floor, their exposed root systems and broken trunks telling silent stories of strength, time, and resilience. It was humbling and awe-inspiring all at once.
The kids ran wild with wonder, climbing over massive logs and exploring every nook and cranny. No trail was too boring or corner too fragileโevery step felt like a discovery, and they never wanted to leave.
Tips for Hiking the Redwoods with Kids (and Staying Sane)
Whether you’re planning a short stroll or a longer trek like Boy Scout Tree Trail, here are a few things we learned that made all the difference:
- Wear comfortable shoes โ Some trails are long and uneven. Good shoes = happy feet (and fewer complaints!).
- Bring bug spray โ The beauty comes with bugs. A quick spray can save your sanity.
- Pack water and a light snack โ Trails like Grove of the Titans and Boy Scout Tree Trail take time. We always brought water bottles and a baggie of snacks (plus sandwiches for the longer hikes!).
- Pause and reflect โ Donโt rush. Look up. Breathe deep. Take a moment to praise God for the beauty, the stillness, and the miracle of being together in His creation.
Faith on the Road: What the Redwoods Taught Us
Out there among the tallest trees on earth, we were reminded that true strength doesnโt come from strivingโit comes from being rooted in the right place. And for us, that meant trusting Godโs sovereign plan, even when life felt uncertain.
We donโt have control over most of the circumstances in our lives. But what we do control is how we respondโand while that might sound like a clichรฉ, itโs a truth weโre continually learning in deeper ways.
The Redwoods reminded us that staying rooted in faith, not fear, is what allows us to stand tall through the unknown.
We gathered for a quiet Bible study, journaled what we were learning, and were blessed by friends who gently reminded us to keep trusting the Lord even when the road ahead looked unclear.
We Didnโt Get AnswersโBut We Got Something Better
We didnโt leave the Redwoods with a five-year plan or divine clarity on what was next for our family.
But we left with something even better: deep connection, unforgettable memories, and a renewed sense of peace. We laughed, hiked, read, prayed, and created a memory bank full of joy for our kids and ourselves.
Thatโs what life is about.
God is faithful in the waiting. His silence isnโt a sign of His absenceโand nowhere was that more evident than when we were surrounded by His creation.
I hope that if you find yourself traveling to the Redwoods, itโs under happier circumstances than the ones we were in while there. But no matter what season youโre in, I pray you experience the awe of Godโs creation and the peace that comes from being still in His presence. Thereโs something deeply comforting about standing beneath trees so massive, knowing that the same God who formed them sees you, loves you, and walks with you. May your time among the giants remind you of His power, His nearness, and His kindnessโthat He would create something so magnificent, simply for us to behold.
