Do you like visiting places that seem like they don't belong on this planet or like they come from a movie?

How about a place that feels otherworldly but IS from a movie? Keep reading to find out more about where to have this experience. (Read to the end for a fun bonus tip about the hike!)

When we first saw the Redwoods I immediately thought of the movie Avatar by James Cameron because the trees are so big! They obviously are not as big as the ones in that movie, but I imagine the scale isn't that far off. Cuyler on the other hand, thought of Jurassic Park because he knew parts of the original series were filmed in the redwoods.

So naturally we did some research to see if we were close to any of the filming locations and we were!

Where to find FERN CANYON

Fern Canyon is in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, which requires an $8 day fee to enter but if you're lucky and its the right day, you can get in with your National Parks pass! To get to the trailhead for Fern Canyon you follow the only road (at least the only one I saw) to the very end. There is a gate about 3/4 of the way down the road that they close 30 minutes after sunset and open 30 minutes prior to sunrise, so keep that in mind if you plan on spending some extra time in the area. Also, just past that gate are two small water crossings which can be made in a smaller vehicle depending on the time of year (we went in November and the water was pretty low), but if you don't want to risk it there is parking available and the rest of the drive wouldn't add more then a 1/2 mile to your journey!

Back to the trail information!

The hike to the canyon is more of a walk, unless you do the loop over the canyon, which is less than two miles and involves some incline and steps. If you want to take the loop first, go left! If you just want to dodge into the canyon, go right! Either direction that you pick you will need waterproof shoes and some steady balance because a river/creek runs right through the canyon and I’m sure is more intense during different parts of the year. Along with the water running through the middle of the canyon there is load of debris from fallen trees and tons of rocks to climb over as well. The tree debris and rocks in a wet climate make for some slick surfaces to climb over and around, so again keep your balance in check and your waterproof shoes tight!

If you know the Jurassic Park movies well you will be able to recognize where they filmed (at least Cuyler did), but if you don't know them that well just know the canyon feels like a movie, just as much as the rest of the Redwoods do. It’s massive with so much plant life and if you look closely a lot of cute wildlife! On top of this canyon being so incredible on it's own it is right on the coast, so once you’re done with the canyon you can head straight out to the beach and maybe even spot some elk out there! For us we watched the sunset behind a storm rolling in with only one other couple on the beach and to say it was magical is an understatement!

If you visit Fern Canyon, be sure to come back and tell me what you thought!

Bonus Tip!

There is a waterfall at the end of the canyon if you do not go up the trail! It was closed while we were there for restoration and I am sure will be open again soon, so make sure you check before doubling back or finishing out the hike!

To see images from other parts of the Redwoods National & State Parks, click here.