Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Disney California Adventure Park is filled with different lands, experiences and fun for the whole family. Themed like the majestic redwood forests, the area located near Grizzly Rapids and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is dotted with pine trees to give guests a taste of the coastal redwoods and the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Built in a style that would make a national forest ranger or high adventure explorer feel right at home, the log stacked buildings, rope terraces and dark caves beckon all ages to explore. 

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: 12 Adventures For Your Wilderness Explorers 

Join us for 12 amazing adventures at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Look closely for animals, secrets and for characters from the Disney-Pixar movies “Up!” and “Brother Bear.”  

Expert tip for parents: Bring appropriate foot wear and loose fitting clothing for the kids; the rope, swings and caves encourage some active time that includes climbing, crawling and playing.  

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Adventure #1

Track your favorite animal! The magic of Disney can be found in the details. Because this area includes lush forests where wildlife roams the trails, look closely for the foot prints and signs of animals found in the coastal and mountainous areas of California. Young Wilderness Adventurers will remember the creed that Russell from from "Up!" lives by: “A Wilderness Explorer is a friend to all, be it bird or fish or tiny mole!”  On the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail you can find footprints from 12 different animals. Also, Kevin, the giant bird from "Up!"  has been reported walking throughout the forest. 

Dug, the dog from "Up!", loves to track animals too…  he is always looking for a sign of another creature. Remember when he says the following? “I am a great tracker. My pack sent me on a mission, all by myself. Have you seen a bird? I am going to find one, and I am on the scent. I am a great tracker!” 

What kind of animal do you think left these prints?  

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Adventure #2

California Redwoods can live to be over 2,000 years old and grow to be over 350 tall (that is twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty). In addition, the trees can grow to be over 24 feet in diameter. Adventurers can get a chance to experience the size and grandeur of the trees on the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Look for the tree that you can walk through! Young Wilderness Adventurers know that each year a tree is alive, it adds another growth ring inside its trunk. Scientists can then determine how old the tree is by counting the growth rings. Find the Millennium Tree on the trail and look for some of America’s most significant events that occurred in the tree’s lifetime. The tree sprouted in the year 818 and lived to over 1,000 years old. The tree certainly has a story to tell!  

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Adventure #3

Look for the Sequoia Smoke Jumpers Training Tower in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail area. Guests 42 inches and taller can get a lesson in smoke jumping, which is the task of putting out fires in remote areas. It is always important to be careful with fires while you are in the woods. Smoke Jumpers are specialized fire fighters that are trained to put out fires in remote areas. The Smoke Jumpers Training Towers allow guests to zip line across the forest floor as if swooping in to save the day or put out a fire.  Challenge your group to a zip line race or just glide like a bird. 

Insider secret: After your Smoke Jumper Training zip line adventure, grab a snack or sandwich at the Smoke Jumpers Grill (near the Soarin’ attraction) to discuss smoke jumpin’ adventure training!  

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail:Adventure #4

Located throughout the challenge area are tall platforms that include the ranger headquarters and adventure areas. Look for park ranger supplies and equipment needed to control fires and to understand details about the plants, animals and geography of the area. Park Rangers use similar platforms to view the tops of the forests in order to quickly identify fires and other issues. The platforms in the Redwood Creek area represent Mt. Lassen, Mt. Shasta and Mt. Whitney and are a fun way to see what's going on below in Disney California Adventure Park. You can also transfer from one platform to another via suspension bridges.  

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Adventure #5

Located near what appears to be a rock slide of granite boulders, two slides allow guests to race each other!  

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Adventure #6.

Eagles Ascent and Squirrel Scramble. Rope nets and rope “ladders” allow little climbers to ascend into the forest canopy for a look at beautiful surroundings. The ropes course, Eagles Ascent and Squirrel Scramble, can be a fun challenge for some to climb but stick with it; the views are amazing!  

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Adventure #7

Located in the Ranger look out towers, several books, details and specifics archive what a ranger may be searching for in the mountainous areas. One case captures examples of the amazing rocks, gem stones and minerals that can be found in wilderness areas. It is also a great opportunity to teach the group about the different types of rocks and the geology that makes up our beautiful world.  

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Adventure #8

Are you game to tackle the Cliff Hanger Traverse Rock Climb? It's a fun way to test your skills at rock climbing via a climbing wall allows little climbers to traverse side to side to test their lateral movement skills. The ground is covered in soft landing spots so that all climbers can push themselves to try and make it to the end of the course.  

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Adventure #9

Venture into Kenai’s Spirit Cave located near the back of the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. A cave that holds a magical area that declares your spirit animal is a guest favorite. Are you a bear? A squirrel? Eagle? Skunk? Stop by to find your spirit animal!  

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Adventure #10

Disney Character fun can be found at the Ahwahnee Camp Circle. The area is an amphitheater where characters meet. Look for Dug and Russell from "Up!" and connect with other favorite Disney Characters. With the right attitude, you'll be sure to make a new friend.

“My name is Dug and I have just met you and I love you.”  - Dug 

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Adventure #11

Shake-a-Log and Hoot-n-Holler Logs provide climbing fun just like an animal in the wild. Climb in logs and make it to the other side… if you can!

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Adventure #12

Did you know you can celebrate the Holidays at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail? Here's what you can expect during the Holidays in Disney California Adventure Park:

• It snows! Mountainous areas often have snow. During the holiday season, at certain times of the day, it snows. Check with a Cast Member about the magical time when snow comes to the high Sierra Nevada Mountains – it is so fun to experience snow in Southern California.  Insider secret: Look for the snow makers near the lights on the light poles. 
• Santa Claus pays the areas a visit during the holidays and Disney insiders report that the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail will have a role in the upcoming Oogie Boogie Bash for Halloween Time! Find out more about that in this blog post: NEW: Oogie Boogie Bash Coming to Disney California Adventure Park.

I hope this list of Redwood Creek Challenge Trail activities helps you choose your adventure and make lasting memories! This spot in Disney California Adventure Park provides a fun way to engage the kids in adventures fit for any Wilderness Explorer. Just like Dug, Russel, Kenai and Indiana Jones.

Get Away Today would like to help you plan your visit to Disneyland so you can experience the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail for yourself! Find all discount Disneyland vacation packages online, or call a friendly travel expert at 855-GET-AWAY. We're here to help you every step of the way. 

Chris Dallin is a Disneyland fanatic. He travels to Disney parks several times a year and continues to find hidden gems, adventure, joy and magic in the Happiest Place on Earth. Tune into future blogs for additional ways to experience the magic of Disney Parks.