Overview of the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
- Introduction: A wilderness-themed play area perfect for kids.
- Activities: Various engaging activities including climbing, sliding, and navigating.
- Visitor Experience: A good spot for relaxation while others enjoy rides nearby.
The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at California Adventure isn’t a ride as such; instead, it’s a wilderness-themed play area. Moreover, there’s never been a real place quite like this, making it the perfect spot for kids to expend some of their abundant energy.
Within this incredible location, you can experience far more than you might imagine fitting into such a small space. Activities include climbing fire lookout towers, sliding down cable runs, slipping through hollow redwoods, scaling a rugged sideways course along a rock wall, and even navigating suspension bridges. Consequently, there’s a mini-zipline and a “Spirit Cave” where visitors can discover which spirit animal represents them—options include bear, wolf, eagle, moose, salmon, and skunk.
Currently, Redwood Creek is themed after the fictional Wilderness Explorers scouting organization featured in the Disney-Pixar film “Up.”
This area offers something for nearly every child, although some activities have height restrictions. Therefore, it also serves as an excellent alternative for a portion of your group to explore while others enjoy the nearby Grizzly River Run ride. Additionally, it’s an ideal location to find a little peace and quiet, particularly when the park is bustling with visitors.
Characters like Chip and Dale occasionally make appearances at Redwood Creek, offering character greetings. During the Christmas season, Santa Claus may also be found relaxing in this charming area.
What You Need to Know About Redwood Creek
- Location: Grizzly Peak
- Rating: ★★
- Restrictions: There are no restrictions for the trails; however, the Sequoia Smokejumpers Training Tower (zip line) requires a height of a minimum of 42 inches (106 cm) and a maximum of 63 inches (160 cm). Guests must be under 13 years old to ride. The Cliff Hanger Traverse Rock Climb requires a height of 42 inches (106 cm).
- Ride Time: Participants can stay as long as they like, but the average visit lasts between 20 to 30 minutes.
- Recommended for: Children up to pre-teen age.
- Fun Factor: While not a traditional ride, many children thoroughly enjoy playing in this interactive environment.
- Other Factors: Wait times are rarely long, and the attractions here are designed to be non-disorienting and safe, making it a great place for anyone anxious about heights.
- Accessibility: Wheelchairs enter through the usual entrance. Be sure to obtain a Challenge Trail map from a staff member to find accessible routes.
How to Enhance Your Visit
To enhance your experience, be sure to pick up a map as you enter. This map outlines six tasks that explorers need to complete in order to earn their badges. Upon successful completion, visit the ranger to collect a Senior Wilderness Explorer sticker.
Consider climbing the Ranger Station for a beautiful view of Grizzly Peak.
Many parents suggest that children wear enclosed shoes, such as sneakers or running shoes.
The Boulder Bears, resembling a family of slumbering bears turned to stone, present an excellent photo opportunity for families.
Fun Facts
The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is a California Adventure original, present since the park’s opening day in 2011. Initially themed after the classic Disney film “Brother Bear,” it transitioned to the Disney/Pixar film “Up” in 2011. “The wilderness must be explored! An explorer is a friend to all, be it plants or fish or tiny mole,” emphasizes Russell in the film “Up.”
The Millennium tree is a genuine cross-section of a tree that fell during a storm in 1937.
Look closely for cave paintings depicting Rutt & Tuke, the moose siblings from the “Brother Bear” film.
Comedian Patton Oswalt featured a humorous stand-up routine touching on the Spirit Cave, particularly joking about the choice of a skunk as a spirit animal.