The Newton B. Drury Scenic parkway will close Friday night at 5 p.m. and re-open Sunday morning. During the closures, access to the Elk Prairie Campground and Visitor Center will remain open. Closing the 10-mile through route to motorized vehicles provides an opportunity for park visitors to safely experience the parkway without the noise and sounds of cars and trucks. Come explore by foot, bicycle, skateboard, rollerblades or any other non-motorized vehicle. Dogs-on-leash are also welcome on the parkway, although prohibited on park trails for the safety of pets and wildlife.
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is located off of and parallels Highway 101 six miles north of Orick, CA, and four miles south of Klamath, CA. Parking is available in along the southern parkway in designated spaces parallel to the roadway and also adjacent to Elk Prairie on the road to the campground.
The parkway has something for everyone-from families with young children looking for a safe and easy ride, to those looking for a more physically-challenging route. Much of the southern end of the parkway is relatively flat, while the hills of the northern portion require more energy. However, all efforts are rewarded by a long, smooth downhill glide all the way back to the prairie. In addition, although the parkway is closed, many of the trails for both short and long hikes begin within a short walk from the parking areas.
Mark your calendar and make the first Saturday of October through May your regular date for a fun adventure in the redwoods.
For more information about the first Saturday parkway closures or other ways to enjoy your parks, call the Redwood National and State Parks Information Office at (707) 465-7335, or stop by a Redwood National and State Parks visitor center. Information is also available on the Redwood National and State Parks website at: www.nps.gov/redw
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
