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Humboldt Redwoods state park | Introduction
Humboldt Redwoods State Park is a state park located in Northern California, about a three-hour drive north of San Francisco. Conveniently situated on the route to Redwood National Park, it makes for a great stopover. This park actually boasts the world’s largest remaining old-growth coastal redwood forest, covering 17,000 acres. However, it attracts fewer visitors compared to the more famous national parks, making it an ideal spot for those seeking tranquility. Humboldt Redwoods is full of redwood trails, perfect for hiking enthusiasts, and features the stunning 32-mile Avenue of the Giants, a scenic drive offering some of the best views of the towering redwoods from your car.
While many people may visit here on their way to Redwood National Park, Humboldt Redwoods State Park itself has plenty of redwood trails and excellent camping facilities, making it a great weekend destination on its own. On our recent four-day trip to Redwood National Park, we spent two half-days here. If camping isn't your style but you enjoy hiking, you can stay in nearby towns like Eureka.
Find a stay at Eureka:
Hidden Springs Campground | Campground Overview
- Comfort: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Camp Space: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Facility Cleanliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Location Convenience: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We camped at Hidden Springs Campground, which offered excellent privacy. Even after parking, we couldn’t see our campsite, as it was hidden up a small hill, screened by vegetation. This means you won’t see your neighbors at all. The downside is that the space feels a bit more compact than in other state parks. Due to the terrain, we only had room for two tents, unlike some California campgrounds that can accommodate larger groups. The dense trees add to the charm, creating a comfortable atmosphere with just the right humidity. There are no bears here, and cell reception is great, so you won’t feel completely cut off even if you stay for a few days.
Must-See | Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center
The visitor center at Humboldt Redwoods State Park is well worth a visit. It provides extensive information on the redwood forest, and also features an exhibit about the life of Charles Kellogg, a famous naturalist and bird caller from the 19th century. Kellogg was known for mimicking bird sounds (you can find recordings on YouTube, such as this one). He was an advocate for redwood conservation and built a car out of redwood to tour the country and raise awareness, which is now on display at the visitor center.
Outside the visitor center, there are short trails where rangers explain the redwood forest ecosystem. They even keep a banana slug in a container for visitors to observe closely, showing the park's dedication to education and conservation.
Must-See | Avenue of the Giants
The Avenue of the Giants is a scenic 32-mile drive, and I highly recommend it for those who aren’t big on hiking. In my opinion, this road is even more beautiful than the roads in Redwood National Park. The Avenue of the Giants runs parallel to Highway 101. Look for the “alternate scenic route” signs to leave the highway and enter this iconic road. The massive redwoods line both sides of the road, creating a breathtaking tunnel of trees. Though it’s a slower route, it’s well worth the extra time.
You can pick up a map of the Avenue of the Giants at the state park, which highlights notable landmarks and trails. If you’re willing to get out of the car, there are several recommended hiking spots along the way, including Big Tree Trail, Rockefeller Loop, and Founder’s Grove Trail, which showcase the best of Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Drury Chaney Loop Trail
Located at the northernmost point of Avenue of the Giants, this is often regarded as the park’s best forest trail. We only walked a portion of it, but it was very impressive. It was raining that day, but the dense canopy kept us mostly dry. The fallen redwood trees here are massive, wide enough for three people to walk side by side.
Grieg French Bell Grove
This grove is a bit hard to find, with only a small sign at the entrance. Once inside, there are no markers, and there are several forks in the path. It’s only about a 0.2-mile walk if you stay to the left.
The ground here is covered with clover, making it a more open forest trail. The main attraction in this grove is a large tree with its lower bark stripped away. Who stripped the bark, you ask? It was actually the *French* family, the same family referenced in the name Grieg French Bell Grove. The father and son removed a ring of bark from the tree and transported it elsewhere for exhibition—a rather cruel act, to be sure. However, redwoods are incredibly resilient, and even after this damage, the tree continues to stand tall and strong.
Chanceller Grove
Located on a hill, this trail is a bit steep but only 0.2 miles. Here, you can see three giant redwoods growing together.
Dyer Field Overlook
This is a historical site rather than a nature spot. It was once a bustling town that was destroyed by a flood in 1955, and later flattened to make way for the highway. Now, you can see an iron bridge across the river.
Big Tree Trail
Starting at the Big Trees Day Use Area, this trail is a must-see.
From the parking lot, cross the bridge and start with the short trail on the opposite side to see the Flatiron Tree. The Flatiron Tree is an enormous tree, but its life has come to an end, so what we see now is the fallen Flatiron Tree.
After viewing the Flatiron Tree, head back across the river and take a stroll along the Big Tree Trail by the riverside. This flat, forested trail runs alongside the river, making for a very comfortable and enjoyable walk.
On the Big Tree Trail, you’ll come across the *Tall Tree*. True to its name, it’s impressively tall and towering—an awe-inspiring sight!
The Big Tree Trail is 0.8 miles long and ends near a campsite. If you’ve walked this far, consider continuing north from the campsite onto the North Trail, which connects to the hillside Homestead Trail. This route will loop you back to the starting point of the Big Tree Trail.
Rockfeller Loop Trail
The Rockefeller Loop Trail is a popular 0.6-mile short trail. However, parking here is very limited, so it’s best to arrive early if you plan to visit.
Founder's Grove Trail
A 0.5-mile nature trail that draws large crowds, including tour groups. It features massive trees, including a fallen redwood that stretches like a long wall. Seeing it in person gives you a true sense of the redwoods’ scale and why people used to strip their bark for exhibition.
Mahan Plaque Loop
Adjacent to Founder’s Grove, this quiet 0.6-mile loop has a similar forest environment but is much less crowded, making it perfect for a peaceful walk.
Bowling Grove
Located right along the Avenue of the Giants, this grove doesn’t require any hiking and is a good spot for a picnic, complete with tables.
FK Lang Grove
This short loop trail is at the southern end of the Avenue of the Giants and takes only about 15 minutes. The contrast is striking—although the road at this point has fewer trees, once you step onto the trail, you’re immediately surrounded by forest.
Other Recommended Trails
Garden Club of American Redwood Grove
There are several forest trails near the Humboldt Redwoods State Park visitor center. One worth checking out is the Garden Club of America Redwood Grove day-use area, located not far from the visitor center. This area features a pleasant 0.9-mile loop trail. Many of the groves here are named after individuals or organizations, reflecting the redwood conservation movement that began in the early 20th century. Various groups and notable figures purchased private redwood lands to protect them, including the Garden Club of America, which was established in 1913 and bought 2,250 acres of forest. These lands have since been transferred to the state, but the groves still bear the names of those organizations or people as a tribute to their conservation efforts.
The redwood forest in Humboldt Redwoods State Park is vast, so there are numerous trails and groves to explore. Along the Eel River, the River Trail connects several groves by the riverside. We walked a short section of it and accidentally found ourselves on the River Trail, which then led us to other groves along the way.
The forest scenery along the way is beautiful, and we ended up walking much farther than we expected. However, one downside here is that trail signage in California state parks can sometimes be unclear. While finding trail entrances on the map isn’t too difficult, the sheer size of the forest and occasional grove name changes make it quite easy to get lost. By the end, we weren’t entirely sure of our direction. So, if you’re planning to explore here, it’s a good idea to remember your route back carefully.
Children's Forest Trail
Another trail that locals really enjoy is the Children’s Forest Trail. It’s a bit tricky to find—start at the gate next to the William’s Grove Day Use Area. After passing through the gate, walk along the river for about 0.4 miles and cross a bridge to reach the trail. However, this bridge appears to be seasonal, so if it’s not in place, you’ll need to wade across the river. If you don’t have water shoes, you can just enjoy a picnic or play by the river instead!
Nearby Attractions
Chandelier Tree
One of Northern California’s most famous trees, Chandelier Tree is over 2,000 years old, 315 feet tall, and 21 feet in diameter. It’s located in Drive-Thru Tree Park (search for this on Google Maps), where visitors pay a $10 fee to drive through the base of the tree. It has appeared in numerous movies and shows, including Star Wars and Kindergarten Cop.
Redwood National Park
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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