Hiking the Damnation Creek Trail in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Distance: 4.2 miles / 6.8 km
The Damnation Creek Trail in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is an outlier among day hikes in the Redwoods, as the majority of trails throughout the various State and National Parks exhibit fairly minimal elevation changes.
This is because Redwoods do not grow well near the coast, nor do they grow very high up in the mountains—one notable exception being Redwood Meadow on the Mineral King Loop Trail in Sequoia National Park.
However, the Damnation Creek Trail is one of a few exceptions in the Coastal Redwoods, as the trail has over 1,200 ft. (366 m) of elevation change each way, from the parking area off Highway 101 to the coast, where the trail ends.
This inevitably makes the Damnation Creek Trail one of the more challenging day hikes in the Redwoods, but it also comes with the benefit of being one of the least crowded trails among the various parks!
Damnation Creek Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Damnation Creek Trail is located directly off U.S. 101 on the left-hand side if you’re driving north or right-hand side if you’re driving south.
That being said, cars traveling on Highway 101 tend not to slow down around the Damnation Creek Trailhead, which I mention to remind everyone to stay safe when starting or ending the hike.
Google Maps Directions: Damnation Creek Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Redwoods
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Redwood National & State Parks.
Bear Spray & Holster - If you aren’t flying, don’t rent bear spray! It’s a waste of money. Prepare ahead of time by buying your own, as this may be one of the most important items on this list.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Damnation Creek Trail
Unfortunately, during the visit when I planned to hike the Damnation Creek Trail, the majority of the hike was closed due to reconstruction from the Coastal Trail to the ocean.
Therefore, I can only share my experience from the short part of the trail that was open, but from what I hiked, the route seemed fairly straightforward.
Initially, the Damnation Creek Trail climbs up a hill above the highway before it starts descending steeply down to the coast.
After only 0.2 miles (0.3 km), the Damnation Creek Trail starts to make the long descent down the nearly 1,200 ft. (366 m) of elevation change.
Damnation Creek-Coastal Junction
The road below is the Coastal Trail, and it’s as far as I was able to hike, with the remaining 1.4 miles (2.3 km) under construction.
Someday, I will be back to finish the Damnation Creek Trail, as I could already tell the Redwoods through Del Norte Coast were some of the least-visited throughout all the parks.
More Redwood Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Redwood National & State Parks, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
Throughout the Redwoods, Elk and Black Bears are common, and it’s important to know how to react in the event of either wildlife encounter.
Moreover, while hiking in black bear territory usually presents less danger compared to grizzlies, hiking with bear spray is never a bad idea. However, it’s really up to your own discretion and comfort level.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Redwood National & State Parks
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
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Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
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