Redwoods and Yellowstone Itinerary: A Perfect Graduation Trip

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Congratulations to your daughter on her graduation from NAPS! For a memorable last family trip before she begins her journey at the Naval Academy, a combined trip to the **California Redwoods** and **Yellowstone National Park** is an ambitious but rewarding choice.

### **The Best Way to Travel: Fly-Fly vs. Driving**
The distance between the Redwood National Forest (Northern California) and Yellowstone (Wyoming/Montana) is roughly **1,000 miles (a 16–18 hour drive)** across mountainous and desert terrain.

*   **Our Recommendation:** **Fly into Northern California, then take a connecting flight to Yellowstone.** Driving will consume 2–3 full days of your vacation on highways that offer less scenery than the parks themselves.

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### **Phase 1: California Redwoods (3–4 Days)**
To see the tallest trees on earth, you should target **Redwood National and State Parks** in Northern California (near the Oregon border).

*   **Fly Into:** **Arcata-Eureka (ACV)** or **Medford, OR (MFR)**. Alternatively, fly into **San Francisco (SFO)** if you want to drive up the scenic Highway 101 (approx. 5–6 hours north).
*   **Must-See Spots:** 
    *   **Fern Canyon:** A lush wall of ferns (seen in *Jurassic Park*).
    *   **Lady Bird Johnson Grove:** An easy, iconic loop through old-growth giants.
    *   **Avenue of the Giants:** A 31-mile scenic drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
*   **Early May Weather:** Expect misty, cool temperatures (50s–60s°F). It is the tail end of the rainy season, so the forest will be incredibly vibrant and green.

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### **Phase 2: Transition to Yellowstone (4–5 Days)**
Early May is "shoulder season" in Yellowstone. This is a magical time for wildlife (baby bison and grizzly cubs!), but you must navigate road openings.

*   **Fly From:** ACV or SFO to **Bozeman, MT (BZN)**. Bozeman is the most reliable airport for early May as the North Entrance is open year-round.
*   **Road Opening Dates (Projected for 2026):**
    *   **Wes

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Redwoods and Yellowstone Itinerary: A Perfect Graduation Trip

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