Fern Canyon

Bridge near Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor center

Tree with back-lit leaves on James Irvine Trail

Looking down from bridge on James Irvine Trail

Beginning of Fern Canyon

Inside Fern Canyon

Wall of ferns in Fern Canyon

Downed tree in Fern Canyon

Path in Fern Canyon

Dead tree on path in Fern Canyon

Near end of path at Fern Canyon

View of beach and coastal plans near Fern Canyon

Trees near Fern Canyon and beach

Fern Canyon seen from going into it from beach

Path in Fern Canyon

Wall with creek in Fern Canyon

Downed trees in Fern Canyon

Wall of ferns and water in Fern Canyon

Wall dripping on ferns in Fern Canyon

Stream in Fern Canyon

Redwood Tree on James Irvine Trail

Ferns on James Irvine Trail

Background

Fern Canyon is a shady canyon with 50-foot high fern walls in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. It's draped in seven kinds of ferns (five-finger, deer, lady, sword and chain ferns). The canyon can be reached by driving to a parking lot near the beach with a short hike or by hiking from Prairie Creek Visitor Center about 5-miles (about 11-miles round trip). Fern Canyon can be very popular on the weekends, which can make it difficult to take photos due to slow, unprepared hikers without adequate water-proof footwear.

Fern Canyon was used for a scene in the movie: The Lost World: Jurassic Park. It offers a unique hike of about half-a-mile through a creek to near the ocean. There are a few turns in the canyon which provide for a mystical experience. At the canyon you can hear birds and the ocean.

Tips for Hiking to Fern Canyon

• Bring stream shoes (waterproof sandals, shoes or boots with some toe protection for rocks so you can walk through the canyon easily)
• Hike from Prairie Creek Visitor Center, round trip (about 11-miles) on the James Irvine Trail, to see a large variety of plant life change as you approach the beach
• Bring ample food and water for the hike
• Bug spray may be helpful in some parts of the hike where there is standing water