If seeing some of the world’s tallest trees is on your bucket list, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is the place to do it.
This incredible park in Northern California is home to ancient coast redwoods that soar more than 300 feet into the air, scenic backroads, river views, and some of the most memorable hikes in the state.
In a single day, you can walk beneath towering giants, discover hidden corners of the forest, cross peaceful footbridges, spot local wildlife, and experience epic views along the way.
This itinerary takes you through the park’s most unforgettable sights in the perfect order, helping you make the most of your visit while uncovering some truly spectacular scenery.
1. Howland Hill Road
Howland Hill Road is a 10-mile scenic drive located within the park that takes you straight through some of the most impressive old-growth redwood forest in California.
The narrow, mostly unpaved road winds beneath towering coast redwoods that can reach more than 300 feet tall, creating a jaw-dropping canopy that makes every curve feel like a scene from a nature documentary.
Along the route, you can stop at famous spots like Stout Grove, a 0.5-mile loop packed with massive redwoods, and the Grove of Titans Trail, where elevated walkways protect some of the park’s largest and most celebrated trees.
Keep your speed low and your camera ready, because elk can sometimes be seen in the surrounding forests and meadows, and this road is widely considered one of the best ways to experience the ancient redwood forest up close without tackling a long hike.
2. Boy Scout Tree Trail
If you’re ready to stretch your legs after the drive, the Boy Scout Tree Trail delivers one of the park’s most rewarding hikes, leading you deep into a quiet old-growth redwood forest about 2.8 miles each way.
The trail follows a scenic route through redwoods, giant Douglas-firs, fern-covered hillsides, and several wooden footbridges before reaching the famous Boy Scout Tree, a remarkable double-trunk redwood that split from a single base centuries ago.
Continue along the trail beyond the tree and you’ll reach Fern Falls, a picturesque waterfall surrounded by dense greenery and moss-covered rocks.
Because the trail includes several uphill sections and sees fewer crowds than other parts of the park, you’ll get a more peaceful look at the incredible scale and beauty that make Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park so unforgettable.
3. Grove of Titans
Next, head over to the Grove of Titans, home to some of the largest and most famous coast redwoods in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
A 1.5-mile loop hike and elevated boardwalk lead you through a protected grove where enormous trees soar more than 300 feet overhead and measure over 20 feet across at their bases.
The grove’s star attractions include Lost Monarch, Screaming Titans, and several other massive redwoods that were once difficult to reach before the boardwalk opened in 2021 to help protect fragile roots and surrounding habitat.
With towering trunks around every bend, sunlight filtering through the canopy, and easy walking for most skill levels, this is one of the best places in the park to appreciate the sheer size of these ancient giants up close.
4. Stout Memorial Grove
From the Grove of Titans, make your way to Stout Memorial Grove, one of the most accessible places in the park to stand among ancient redwoods that have been growing for hundreds of years.
The easy 0.5-mile loop follows the emerald-green Smith River and passes through a spectacular stand of old-growth coast redwoods.
Named after lumberman Frank D.Stout, the grove was dedicated in 1929 and played an important role in protecting these forests from logging during the early 20th century.
With giant redwood trunks lining the trail, river views, and relatively flat terrain, this short walk packs some of the park’s most impressive scenery into less than a mile.
5. Leiffer Loop Trail
After spending time among the park’s biggest trees, the Leiffer Loop Trail offers a shorter adventure that still delivers plenty of classic redwood scenery.
This easy 1.5-mile loop begins off Walker Road near Highway 199 and winds through a peaceful old-growth forest filled with towering redwoods, lush ferns, and fallen giants slowly returning nutrients to the forest floor.
Along the route, you’ll pass through a forest of towering redwoods, some of which can live for more than 1,000 years and see fallen logs create habitats for plants, insects, and wildlife throughout the ecosystem.
Because the trail stays relatively flat and only takes less than an hour to complete, it’s a great way to enjoy the park’s ancient forest up close without committing to a longer hike.
6. Ruby van Deventer County Park
To wrap up your day, head to Ruby Van Deventer County Park, a quiet riverside spot along the Smith River just outside Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
Unlike the towering forest trails you’ve explored throughout the day, this park is all about the water, with easy access to the Smith River, where swimming, fishing, and kayaking are popular activities, especially on warm summer afternoons.
The Smith River is often described as California’s longest undammed river, and its remarkably clear water often reveals colorful river rocks and fish beneath the surface.
With scenic river views, peaceful picnic areas, and fewer crowds than many nearby attractions, it’s the perfect place to slow down, enjoy the scenery, and end your redwood adventure beside one of the cleanest rivers in the United States.
Related Posts
