Sequoia Park Zoo and Redwood Sky Walk

Located on land of the Wiyot people, a federally recognized tribe in California, the Sequoia Park Zoo was established in 1907. The oldest California zoo is also the smallest accredited zoo in the country. Many zoos we visit spread out over acres of vast open spaces. Not so Sequoia. It sits along the edge of the City of Eureka’s 67-acre Sequoia Park, which is home to old-growth redwood trees. Finding shade was not a problem among the giants.

The park is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (or 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday – Sunday during winter) and attracts folks of all ages and abilities. Be sure to check their website in case of adverse conditions that may require them to close.

Their mission is to “inspire conservation of the natural world by instilling wonder, respect, and passion for wildlife.”

The zoo offers student field trips; age-appropriate zoo camps from ages five to fifteen; and conservation-related programs, projects, and initiatives.

The zoo cares for over 150 animals, representing over 50 species. Among these are animals that cannot return to their natural habitat because of injuries they’ve sustained or from too much human contact. The zoo’s website includes stories of survival for some of these animals that I found interesting to read about.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) places abandoned or injured animals assessed as unfit for release in the wild in zoos. Sequoia Park Zoo is one zoo that cares for such animals. On their website are stories about Tule, Ishǔng, and Nabu, the bears that cannot return to the wild, as well as others, like the eagle above.

Other Animals Seen at the Zoo

The Barnyard

Besides the animals, two other exhibits are a draw for visitors. Guests can connect hands-on with domestic animals such as miniature horses, guinea pigs, chickens, and donkeys at the Barnyard. Learning about the animals, practicing farm skills, and brushing goats and sheep are activities to enjoy. There’s also a dedicated butterfly research lab at the Barnyard.

Redwood Sky Walk

The other big draw is the Redwood Sky Walk, opened in 2021. We loved our leisurely walk up the ramp along with the views of the zoo below from a height of 100 feet. One resource listed the Sky Walk as the longest in the Western United States. I wonder whether that claim still stands.

The sturdy wood structure with non-slip walkable treads felt safe and secure, especially with thick posts and 3.5- to 4-foot guardrails on each side of the ramp. It took me a few seconds to get used to the “adventure leg” though because it swayed and bounced when other people navigated across in front or behind me.

We found the zoo’s compact size easy to navigate and a respite among the giant sequoias and would definitely visit there again.

Once we left Eureka, we made one more overnight stop at the Cloverdale/Healdsburg KOA in Alexander Valley, California. The RV park was about six miles south of Cloverdale in an oak-covered, hilly canyon. One of its inviting features was the fishing lake. Families came out in the late afternoon with fishing rods and reels to try their luck catching fish for the night’s dinner.

We ended our adventure after thirty-six days when we pulled in front of our house on July 26, 2024. To say we enjoyed every bit of the trip is an understatement. While unpacking and washing piles of laundry, I reminisced about where we had been and what we had seen, and was grateful we had returned home safe and sound.

Next Up: We leave the RV at home while we fly and drive to Egg Harbor in Door County, Wisconsin.

Safe Travels