Humboldt County in California is known for its magnificent coastal redwoods. The area is home to beautiful forests with a unique silence and grandeur never seen anywhere else in the whole world. Every year, thousands of people flock to the Humboldt Redwoods State Park in south county and Redwood National and State Parks in the north county to enjoy the most scenic drives and hiking trails they have seen in their whole lives.
In addition to those unique parks, the forests, stunning beaches, and preserves make Humboldt County a paradise for outdoor recreation and nature adorers. However, one of the most beautiful spots in the area is the iconic and magical Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which sees thousands of people flocking every year to witness this park's hidden gems and attractions.
The Uniqueness Of Humboldt Redwoods State Park Lies In That Attraction
Many people who visit Humboldt Redwoods State Park end up feeling neck pain because they spent their whole trip looking up at the giant trees in the park. The Humboldt Woods is known to house the oldest and tallest trees in North America, with some of those natural creatures exceeding 3000 years of age and 300 feet in height.
- Opening times: The Humboldt Redwoods State Park is open all your round.
- How to get there: The Humboldt Redwoods State Park is located along US Highway 101, around four hours north of San Francisco.
The perfect spot to see the giant redwood trees in the park is parallel to Highway 101 and the Eel River for 32 miles between Scotia and Garberville. The site is called the Avenue of the Giants. This is where people visiting the park will find most of the trailheads of the best hikes in Humboldt Redwoods.
Moreover, the Avenue of the Giants is where the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitors Center is located. That is between Myers Flat and Weott. People can find it in the visitor center, a gift shop, and an interpretative museum.
The 10,000-acre Rockefeller Forest is located to the west of the Avenue of the Giants. This is the world's largest remaining contiguous old-growth coastal redwood forest. The Save the Redwoods League has protected the Rockefeller Forest from deforestation, and as a result, saved a large number of the tallest trees in the world from being cut or burned. Another spot in the park essential to witness is the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree, located near Myers Flat. Here, people will have the chance to see a stunning 175-foot tall redwood with a hole in its center where cars can drive through.
- Cost: Driving through the center of the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree costs $6 per vehicle.
Driving through the tree, people will find a village of redwood trunk homes and a felled tree trunk.
Those Are The Best Hikes To Walk When Visiting The Humboldt Woods
The most straightforward hike in Humboldt Woods is the Founder's Grove Nature Loop of only 0.6 miles. It begins at the Avenue of the Giants at mile marker 20.5, and people can behold the beauty of old-growth trees and the iconic Dyerville Giant while walking this trail.
- Information: The Dyerville Giant used to be as tall as the Statue of Liberty. However, at 1,600 years of age, in 1991, the tree fell, and the results were recorded on local seismographs. Nowadays, it is possible to walk the entire length of the Dyerville Giant.
Another more challenging hike is the 7-mile River Trail. While hiking this trail, people will witness some dense groves of old-growth redwoods and some water crossings. This is why it's essential to check with the visitors center that the rangers installed footbridges.
Hiking to Grasshopper Peak in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park is one of the most challenging trails to walk, but it's worth it. The trail is a 14-mile round-trip, and it offers spectacular panoramic views of the entire region. The 10.5-mile Johnson Camp Trail is also a good option for hiking in the Humboldt Woods.
This Is Where To Camp In The Humboldt Woods
The Humboldt Redwoods State Park features three car-accessible and developed campgrounds. The latter feature a total of 250 sites to camp. However, it is essential to make reservations in advance since the campgrounds will likely become fully booked on summer weekends. The largest campground in Humboldt Woods is the Hidden Springs. The latter opens on Memorial Day through Labor Day. On the other hand, the smallest campground in the park is located at Albee Creek off Mattole Road. The latter opens from May through October.
- Recommended: It would be a good idea to camp at Burlington adjacent to the visitors center. What is excellent about this campground is that it features hot showers. Moreover, Burlington is the only campground open during the winter season.
Many people wonder when is the best time to visit the Humboldt Redwoods, State Park. Since Northern California has the best climate in summer, that season is the best time to plan a trip to the park. However, the Humboldt Woods will be more crowded during that time of the year. This is why those who wish to avoid the crowds can visit the park during spring as an alternative.