Elk Prairie Trail
Table of contents
The Elk Prairie Trail is a scenic adventure through meadowlands and redwood groves that offer a diversity of flora and fauna. Enjoy the sights of majestic Roosevelt elk grazing in the meadowlands as you hike—but make sure to keep your distance!
Route Description for 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.
Getting to the Elk Prairie Trail Trailhead
The Elk Prairie Trailhead is located at the Prairie Creek Visitors Centre off Newton B. Drury Parkway.
Route Information
Backcountry Campground:
When to do:
Year-round
Pets allowed:
No
Family friendly:
Yes
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
High
Route Type:
Circuit
Elk Prairie Trail Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
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