Kuchel Visitor Center Near Orick Switches to Five-Day Winter Schedule November 2

ORICK, Calif. — Visitors entering Redwood National and State Parks from the south need to adjust their plans for the winter season. The National Park Service says the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center, on Highway 101 about one mile south of Orick, switched to its winter schedule on November 2, 2026.

New winter hours

From November 2 through March 8, the center is scheduled to open Friday through Tuesday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and close on Wednesday and Thursday. The NPS lists additional holiday exceptions, including closure on November 26 and December 25. The visitor center is beside Freshwater Beach, not in central Orick, so drivers should follow the brown park signs instead of depending only on a map app.

What travelers can find

Kuchel has information on redwood ecology, Yurok culture, trails, history and the Junior Ranger program, plus a park bookstore and access to the beach. If the building is closed, that does not automatically mean the beach or every park road is closed. Check current trail conditions separately, especially after storms.

Official source: National Park Service — Redwood Visitor Centers and Seasonal Hours.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOU

Help this community newspaper grow

Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.

Donate once by card ↗

Help Orick News grow Help strengthen reporting on Orick: community voices, important decisions and local life.

Support Orick News

Choose how to support Orick News:

Credit / Debit Card via Stripe

Choose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.

Continue with PayPal Continue with Zelle

Zelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.

Optional reader support. When possible, add “Orick News” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.

Optional support through the publisher. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible and never buy editorial influence.

Orick News — Your Community Newspaper

Have a correction, news tip, local announcement, or story to submit? Contact our editorial team. All submissions are reviewed before publication.