Contents
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park | Introduction
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is part of the Hiouchi area, the northernmost section of Redwood National Park. Redwood National Park is a narrow strip that, together with the state parks, is divided into six regions from north to south: Hiouchi area, Crescent City area, Klamath area, Prairie Creek area, Bald Hills area, and Orick area. Just as Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is the central attraction in the Prairie Creek area, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is the heart of the Hiouchi area. This park boasts a high concentration of ancient old-growth redwoods and several must-see trails. Most of the trails are relatively short, but exploring them all could easily take a half or even a full day.
If you're traveling south into Redwood National Park, the Hiouchi area is a must-see stop. For those seeking a more relaxed experience, the Simpson Reed Trail offers an easy walk through classic ancient redwood groves. However, I’d recommend also driving along the scenic Howland Hill Road to explore its beautiful trails and experience some of the largest redwoods in the world.
The Hiouchi Visitor Center, open only during summer, serves as the area’s main information center. If it’s open during your visit, it’s worth stopping by for more information about local attractions. Nearby, you’ll also find the Jedediah Smith Campground, a great option for camping if you’re exploring the northern part of Redwood National Park and enjoy camping.
Notable Sights and Trails
Simpson Reed Grove Trail
The Simpson Reed Grove Trail is the easiest trail in this area, covering just 0.8 miles. It’s a nature trail, with plenty of educational information about the local plants and trees. If you only have an hour or two in the area, this trail offers a quick and scenic loop.
We had just walked the Lady Bird Trail in the southern part of Redwood National Park the day before, and Simpson Reed felt quite similar. However, unlike Lady Bird, Simpson Reed is an unpaved trail, giving it a more natural forest feel, and it tends to be much less crowded. In fact, it’s flatter than Lady Bird, making it an even easier walk. Additionally, Lady Bird often has a misty atmosphere, while Simpson Reed feels more open.
One special feature of the Hiouchi area is its high proportion of old-growth redwoods—trees that are over a thousand years old. These ancient trees give the forest a sense of grandeur and scale. Some of the tree roots alone are as tall as two people, making you feel small standing next to them.
The Simpson Reed Trail connects to the Peterson Trail Loop, but the forest landscape remains quite similar throughout. It’s a relaxing spot where you can choose to walk as much or as little as you like.
Howland Hill Road
Howland Hill Road is a scenic, 10-mile one-way road that is mostly unpaved. Despite the rough surface, it’s home to several popular trails, including Stout Grove Trail and Mill Creek Trail, making it a highlight of the northern part of Redwood National Park. There are also camping and picnic areas along the road. Due to its popularity, parking can be limited, so it’s best to visit in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Stout Grove Trail
This trail is considered the centerpiece of Jedediah Smith State Park and is extremely popular. Stout Grove is highly recommended, with a trail that’s only 0.5 miles long but incredibly scenic. Due to its popularity, parking can fill up quickly, and the narrow entrance area can make it difficult for cars to come and go. If possible, visit in the morning when there are fewer people.
Though Stout Grove is surrounded by forest, the nearby Smith River is a major reason for the large trees here, as its floods enrich the soil with nutrients. A side path from the main trail leads down to the Smith River, where many visitors enjoy picnicking and swimming along the riverbank.
Grove of Titans / Mill Creek Trail
Along the middle section of Howland Hill Road, you’ll find the entrance to Mill Creek Trail, which leads to the Grove of Titans. This 1.7-mile trail climbs about 200 feet and takes you to one of the world’s largest redwood groves.
The beginning of the trail has several staircases, which add a bit of a challenge, but the path is moderate to easy overall.
Along the way, you can catch elevated views of Howland Hill Road below. The trail is lined with towering redwoods, and midway, you’ll pass through a tunnel formed by a massive hollowed-out tree—a unique feature.
As you approach the Grove of Titans, you’ll see a sign reading “Welcome to Deep Forest,” indicating you’re close. Here, elevated metal walkways have been installed to protect the soil from being compacted by visitors. At a fork in the trail, the right branch leads to Mill Creek Trail, while the left branch goes to the Grove of Titans, home to several enormous redwoods.
Boy Scout Tree Trail
Further north along Howland Hill Road, you’ll come across the Boy Scout Tree Trail. This trail is moderately challenging and was the most strenuous hike we took in Redwood National Park. It’s 2.8 miles one way, making it a total of over 5 miles round trip. While the slope isn’t steep, the trail is covered with tangled roots, so you need to step carefully. The forest along this trail is beautiful and serene, with fewer visitors due to its difficulty. If you want the feeling of having an entire redwood forest to yourself, this is a great trail to try. After hiking the full length, we found the most scenic part of the trail to be the first mile, so if you’re mainly interested in the redwoods, you don’t necessarily have to hike the whole way.
About two hours in, you’ll come to a fork in the trail, with the left path leading to the end at Fern Falls. Unfortunately, Fern Falls is a bit underwhelming, as it’s a relatively modest waterfall.
If you take the right fork and go another 0.1 miles up a steep incline, you’ll reach the Boy Scout Tree itself. This massive tree is impressive, though it’s a long walk to get there, so it tends to be less crowded.
Further reading
- Two-Day Adventure Guide to Redwood National Park: An Ultimate Travel Guide
- Exploring Hiouchi: Discover Jedediah Smith Redwoods in Redwood National Park
- A Visitor’s Guide to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in Redwood National Park
- Half-Day Escape to Fern Canyon: Must-See Spot in Redwood National Park
- Exploring Humboldt Redwoods: Highlights and Camping Tips for Avenue of the Giants
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