High Bluff Overlook in Redwood National Park

Views to the north toward White Rock from near High Bluff Overlook, Redwood National Park, California

Views to the north toward White Rock from near High Bluff Overlook

While we’re on the topic of things hiding in the clouds and mist (last week I talked about hiking to Owl Point to see the clouds shifting around Mt. Hood), let’s visit a view I didn’t know existed until some of the clouds lifted: the view from the High Bluff Overlook in Redwood National Park, CA.

Quick Stats

Round Trip Length: 0.1+ miles Trail Type: Out & back Elevation Change: 77ft. Fees: None

 



 

No views in that direction, I'd say. High Bluff Overlook, Redwood National Park, California

No views in that direction, I’d say

When we first arrived at the overlook, we walked to the edge of the abyss and thought, “Well, that’s not very interesting.  Guess people want to look out at the ocean.”  But since we were there, we stuck around for a few minutes.  And what do you know, the clouds lifted, and there were sea stacks, rugged coastline, and beaches we didn’t even know existed while the clouds were there!

Definitely no views that way from High Bluff Overlook, Redwood National Park, California

Definitely no views that way

So I do recommend visiting High Bluff if you’re on the Coastal Drive (note that the drive is one way from south to north), and if you don’t mind giving your vehicle a little workout (that road is steep!).  The trail – beyond the stone wall, through the picnic area, and out onto the bluff – is only about 300ft. each direction.

 Views to the south of High Bluff Overlook, Redwood National Park, California

Wait – that was in mist just a few minutes ago! Views to the south of the overlook

We walked beyond the fence because, quite honestly, there’s more view out there.  We weren’t even beginning to be the first ones, and they’ve even left a nice break in the middle of the fence to walk through.

Amazing what one can see once the mist has cleared from High Bluff Overlook in Redwood National Park, California

Amazing what one can see once the mist has cleared!

Round Trip Trail Length: About 0.1 miles if you only go to the overlook; my GPS was reading 0.4 by the time all was said and done, but I also moved around a lot more than necessary.

Net Elevation Change: 77ft. (384ft. at the parking area to 307ft. at the overlook) (so sayeth the GPS – I don’t think it was really that much!)

Facilities: Picnic tables.  There might also have been a restroom, though I don’t recall seeing one.

Fees: None

Trail Notes: Be extremely careful near the edges of the bluff, which can be undercut and give way at a moment’s notice.  There are also quite a number of blackberry (what I’d call thimbleberry) bushes in the area. If you’re looking for another short trail in the area, check out “The Farm that Wasn’t“, a cleverly disguised WWII era radar station.

A blackberry bush on the edge of High Bluff Overlook, Redwood National Park, California

A blackberry bush on the edge of High Bluff

Trail ★★★★☆

Road ★★★☆☆

Signs ★★★★☆

Scenery ★★★★☆

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this? ★★★☆☆

Overall Rating: ★★★½☆

&nbps;

Key GPS Coordinates for High Bluff Overlook

High Bluff Parking: 41.51027N / -124.07901W (41° 30′ 36.9714″ / -124° 4′ 44.4354″) (384ft.)

Trail beginning: 41.51015N / -124.07910W (41° 30′ 36.5400″ / -124° 4′ 44.7594″) (313ft.) (ended 0.48)

High Bluff Overlook: 41.50947N / -124.07932W (41° 30′ 34.0920″ / -124° 4′ 45.5514″) (307ft.) (300ft.)

White Rock as seen from near High Bluff Overlook in Redwood National Park, California

White Rock

The gpx file for High Bluff Overlook can be downloaded – please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail.

Download GPX File size: 16.3 KB Downloaded 102 times

(Note: I do my best to ensure that all downloads, the webpage, etc. are virus-free and accurate; however, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that might result, including but not limited to loss of data, damages to hardware, harm to users, from use of files, information, etc. from this website.  Thanks!)

Pacific Ocean Views from near High Bluff Overlook in Redwood National Park, California

Views out to sea

Getting to the High Bluff Overlook

From Brookings, OR, drive south on US-101S 19 miles.  Take the exit toward Klamath Beach Road and turn left 1.4 miles; turn left onto Coastal Drive (a sign will point out that Coastal Drive goes both directions; be sure to turn left as the road is one-way to get to High Bluff).  After 2.0 miles turn right (a sign will point toward High Bluff among other sites).  A short distance later, take the left fork to descend the very steep, twisting road to the High Bluff parking area, 0.3 miles below.

The sea roils around a rock below High Bluff Overlook in Redwood National Park, California

The sea roils around a rock below the bluff

From the southern part of Redwood National Park (for example, the Lady Bird Johnson Grove), drive north on US-101 N 18 or 20 miles; take the exit for Klamath Beach Road, turn left, and follow the directions above to the parking area.


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Visual trail map of my stroll to High Bluff Overlook in Redwood National Park, California

Visual trail map of my stroll to High Bluff Overlook

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One thought on “High Bluff Overlook in Redwood National Park

  1. Pingback: Sneak Peak: A Land of Volcanos and Oceans - Anne's Travels

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