One place I never thought I’d be writing about here is Disney California Adventure Park. But things don’t always go as planned, do they?
You see, while playing hooky a couple weeks back to celebrate The Little Explorer’s 5th birthday, we discovered that Disney California Adventure Park is home to one of the coolest nature play areas we’ve yet explored.
The park’s Redwood Creek Challenge Trail invites kids to swing on rope bridges, navigate forested paths, zip down slides, rock climb and more. Follow clues left by Russell and his dog Dug (from Disney-Pixar’s Up) to earn Wilderness Explorer badges. There are six challenges to be completed:
- Tracking
- Bravery
- Rock climbing
- Wolf howl
- Animal spirit
- Puzzle solving
Complete all six tasks, then report to “Ahwahnee Camp Circle” to officially become a senior wilderness explorer. There’s a special ceremony and a guest appearance from Russell himself.
It’s the little details that make the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail so fun for kids and adults alike. The entire play area feels like something right out of a nature camp. You’ll walk through a tunnel tree, count the rings on a redwood, see a waterfall, traverse a stream and more. There are rangers to guide you if you get lost. There’s even an explorer call and an official motto: “An Explorer is a friend to all, be it plants or fish or tiny mole.”
Honestly, I wish every playground was like this.
I know you might not be thinking about nature play on your next visit to Disney California Adventure Park. I certainly wasn’t. But stop in and play for a while. You won’t be disappointed.
Practical Matters
- Check the Disney California Adventure Park site for ticket prices, park hours, parking fees, dining options & special events
- Admission to the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is included with the price of park admission
- Redwood Creek is located in the Grizzly Peak area of the park
- Redwood Creek is open to kids off all ages; kids under 7 must be accompanied by someone 14 years or older
- Sequoia Smokejumpers Training Tower (zip line) has a height requirement of 42 inches (63 inches max); guests must be under 13 years old to ride
- The Cliff Hanger Traverse Rock Climb has a height requirement of 42 inches
- Stroller accessible
- No restrooms or concessions available within Redwood Creek
- Wilderness Explorer Ceremonies take place several times throughout the day; for show times, check the entertainment schedule when you enter the park
- Allow about an hour to explore the entire trail without feeling rushed
Disney California Adventure Park is located at:
1313 S. Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 781-7290
Note: I did not receive any compensation from Disney to write this post. We visited Disney California Adventure Park at our own expense. After enjoying the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail so much, I knew I wanted to share our experience with you here.
Such a fun place to play. Hope you can visit some day. 🙂
That's how we felt – it was definitely a nice break from the park lines and general craziness that is Disney. There weren't too many people exploring this part of the park during our visit, which made it feel even more remote. Glad to hear your kids enjoyed it, too.
Your boys would love this place, Mel!
Wow, I had no idea this even existed! Thanks, Debi!
We almost have this area a pass but my kids insisted on checking it out. I'm so glad we did because it was a nice change of pace from the usual crazy Disney stuff. We weren't able to stay for the ceremony but they had so much fun completing all the badges.
That does look like a lot of fun. We've tossed around the idea of going to Disneyland next time we are in California and this made it that much more interesting!