Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Humboldt Redwoods State Park: The World’s Largest Old-Growth Redwood Forest
Deep in California’s North Coast, Humboldt Redwoods State Park protects 53,000 acres of redwood forest — including 17,000 acres of old-growth coast redwoods, the largest remaining contiguous old-growth redwood forest on Earth. These are trees that were ancient when Rome fell, towering 350+ feet into the canopy with trunks wider than a car.
The park’s centerpiece is the Avenue of the Giants, a legendary 32-mile scenic highway that winds through cathedral groves of ancient redwoods, paralleling Highway 101 through the heart of the Eel River valley. It’s one of the most iconic drives in the American West — and it’s the gateway to trails, campgrounds, and forest experiences that simply cannot be found anywhere else.
Park Facts at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Location | Humboldt County, Northern California (Weott) |
| 📐 Park Size | 53,000 acres (California’s 3rd largest state park) |
| 🌲 Old Growth | 17,000 acres — largest contiguous on Earth |
| 🛣️ Avenue of the Giants | 32-mile scenic highway |
| 🥾 Trail Miles | 100+ miles |
| 🏕️ Campsites | 250+ family sites + group/environmental camps |
| 🕐 Hours | Year-round, dawn to dusk |
| 💰 Entry Fee | Free (day-use fee at Williams Grove: $8) |
| 📞 Phone | (707) 946-2409 |
| 🌐 Website | parks.ca.gov / humboldtredwoods.org |
The Avenue of the Giants
The Avenue of the Giants is a 32-mile scenic highway (old Highway 101) that winds through some of the most magnificent forest on Earth. The road passes directly through towering groves of ancient coast redwoods, with pull-offs, trailheads, and access points along the entire route.
Key stops along the Avenue include:
- Founders Grove — Home to the Founders Tree and the fallen Dyerville Giant (once among the tallest trees on Earth)
- Rockefeller Forest — 10,000+ acres, the world’s largest remaining old-growth redwood forest
- California Federation of Women’s Clubs Grove — One of the most accessible old-growth stands
- Greig French Bell Grove — Easy, family-friendly walking among giants
- Humboldt Redwoods Visitor Center — Exhibits, information, gift shop (free)
Top Trails
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founders Grove Nature Trail | 0.5 mi loop | Easy | Founders Tree, fallen Dyerville Giant |
| Rockefeller Loop Trail | 0.6 mi loop | Easy | World’s finest old-growth redwood grove |
| Bull Creek Flats Trail | 5 mi one-way | Easy | Follows creek through ancient forest |
| Grasshopper Peak Trail | 9 mi round trip | Strenuous | Summit views, 3,379 ft, fire lookout |
| Big Trees Loop | 1.4 mi loop | Easy | Some of the park’s tallest trees |
| Johnson Camp Trail | 10 mi one-way | Strenuous | Backcountry old-growth, solitude |
The Rockefeller Forest
The Rockefeller Forest is the park’s greatest treasure — a 10,000+ acre expanse of ancient old-growth coast redwoods along Bull Creek, named after John D. Rockefeller Jr. who donated $2 million in the 1930s to purchase and protect it. The grove contains some of the tallest and most massive trees in the world, with individual redwoods exceeding 360 feet in height and 50 feet in circumference.
The Rockefeller Loop Trail (0.6 miles) offers an easy, accessible walk through the heart of this grove. For a deeper experience, the Bull Creek Flats Trail extends 5 miles through the forest along the creek.
Camping
| Campground | Sites | Cost/Night | Reservation | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 57 | $35 | ReserveCalifornia | Year-round, flush toilets, near Visitor Center |
| Hidden Springs | 155 | $35 | ReserveCalifornia | Largest campground, showers |
| Albee Creek | 39 | $35 | ReserveCalifornia | Meadow setting near Rockefeller Forest |
| Environmental Camps | Various | $20 | ReserveCalifornia | Walk-in, primitive, backcountry |
| Trail Camps | Various | $5 | First-come, first-served | Backcountry, minimal facilities |
Iconic Trees
| Tree/Feature | Statistic | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stratosphere Giant | ~370 ft tall | Among the tallest trees on Earth |
| Giant Tree | 363 ft, 53 ft circumference | National champion coast redwood (by volume) |
| Dyerville Giant (fallen) | Was 362 ft | Fell in 1991 storm, still visible in Founders Grove |
| Founders Tree | 346 ft | Named for Save the Redwoods League founders |
| Flatiron Tree | Large buttressed base | Distinctive triangular shape |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Highlights | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🌸 Spring (Mar-May) | Wildflowers, full creeks, green ferns | Some campgrounds still closed; rain possible |
| ☀️ Summer (Jun-Aug) | Warm days, dry trails, swimming in Eel River | Peak camping season, book early |
| 🍂 Fall (Sep-Nov) | Fewer crowds, warm days, fall colors on maples | Best for quiet forest exploration |
| ❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb) | Mushroom season, dramatic forest, Eel River high | Burlington Campground only, rain gear essential |
Wildlife
The old-growth redwood ecosystem supports a rich diversity of wildlife:
- Mammals: Black-tailed deer, black bear, gray fox, river otter, bobcat, mountain lion
- Birds: Marbled murrelet (nests in old-growth canopy), great horned owl, pileated woodpecker, Steller’s jay
- Fish: Chinook salmon and steelhead trout run the Eel River in fall/winter
- Amphibians: Pacific giant salamander, red-legged frog, tailed frog
Budget Planner
| Expense | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Park Entry | Free | No entrance fee |
| Williams Grove Day Use | $8/vehicle | Only day-use area with a fee |
| Campsite (Family) | $35/night | Burlington, Hidden Springs, Albee Creek |
| Environmental Camp | $20/night | Walk-in primitive sites |
| Trail Camp | $5/night | Backcountry, first-come first-served |
| Reservation Fee | $8.25 | Non-refundable booking fee |
Nearby Attractions
- Redwood National and State Parks — Tallest trees on Earth, 80 miles north
- Lost Coast Trail — Remote coastal wilderness, 30 miles west
- Shelter Cove — Isolated coastal village, 50 miles
- Ferndale — Victorian village, 25 miles west
- Scotia — Historic lumber company town, on the Avenue
Safety and Tips
- Falling branches: Old-growth redwoods shed massive limbs. Avoid camping directly under large dead branches (“widow-makers”)
- Eel River swimming: Safe in summer when water is low and warm. Never swim during high water in winter/spring
- Bears: Black bears are present. Use food lockers at campgrounds, keep a clean camp
- Poison oak: Common on lower trails. Stay on marked paths
- Winter road conditions: Avenue of the Giants can flood during heavy rains. Check conditions before driving
- Cell service: Very limited throughout the park. Download offline maps
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Avenue of the Giants?
The Avenue of the Giants is a 32-mile scenic highway (old Highway 101) that winds through ancient old-growth coast redwood groves in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It features numerous pull-offs, trailheads, and visitor stops, including Founders Grove, the Rockefeller Forest, and the Visitor Center. It’s one of the most famous scenic drives in California and free to drive.
Is Humboldt Redwoods the same as Redwood National Park?
No — Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Redwood National and State Parks are separate. Humboldt Redwoods (53,000 acres, near Weott) has the world’s largest old-growth redwood forest by area (including the Rockefeller Forest). Redwood National and State Parks (80 miles north, near Crescent City) contain the world’s tallest individual trees. Both are worth visiting, and together they protect the majority of remaining old-growth coast redwood forest.
How tall are the redwoods at Humboldt Redwoods?
The tallest trees in Humboldt Redwoods State Park exceed 370 feet — among the tallest living organisms on Earth. The Giant Tree (363 feet, 53 feet in circumference) is the national champion coast redwood by volume. The fallen Dyerville Giant, visible in Founders Grove, was 362 feet tall before it fell in a 1991 storm.
Is there a fee to enter Humboldt Redwoods?
No — there is no general entrance fee for Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The Avenue of the Giants, Visitor Center, Founders Grove, and Rockefeller Forest are all free to visit. The only day-use fee is $8/vehicle at Williams Grove Day Use Area. Camping costs $35/night for family sites and $20/night for environmental camps.
Can you camp among the redwoods at Humboldt Redwoods?
Yes — the park has over 250 family campsites across three main campgrounds (Burlington, Hidden Springs, and Albee Creek), all surrounded by redwoods. Burlington is open year-round and near the Visitor Center. Hidden Springs is the largest with hot showers. Reservations through ReserveCalifornia.com are recommended for summer — sites book up to 6 months in advance.
What is the best time to visit Humboldt Redwoods?
Summer (June-August) offers warm, dry weather and Eel River swimming. Fall (September-November) has fewer crowds and warm days. Spring is beautiful with ferns and wildflowers but can be rainy. Winter is dramatic (mushroom season, high creeks) but wet. The redwoods are magnificent year-round — summer is easiest, fall is most peaceful.
How do I get to Humboldt Redwoods State Park?
The park is located along Highway 101 in Humboldt County, about 250 miles north of San Francisco (4-hour drive) and 45 miles south of Eureka. The Avenue of the Giants parallels Highway 101 and has multiple access points. The nearest airports are Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV, 50 miles) and San Francisco (SFO, 250 miles).
Getting There
- San Francisco: 250 miles north (4-hour drive via US-101)
- Eureka: 45 miles south (45 min via US-101)
- Nearest Airport: Arcata-Eureka (ACV), 50 miles
- Avenue of the Giants: Multiple access points from US-101
Visitor Center Address: 17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott, CA 95571
