01
Best first stop
Richardson Grove State Park
South Of Benbow On Us-101 • Classic Riverside Redwood Park • Closest Big Trees To Benbow
Easy nature trails and towering redwoods make Richardson Grove the most approachable hike just a short drive from Benbow.
If you want that instant redwood immersion without committing to a big day, Richardson Grove is the move. Short loops like the Grove Nature Trail wind past massive old-growth trunks, fallen nurse logs, and quiet pockets along the South Fork Eel River. Picnic areas and river access make it an easy half-day that still feels like a real escape.
02
Best overall redwoods experience
Humboldt Redwoods State Park (Avenue of the Giants)
North Along Avenue Of The Giants • Iconic Old-Growth Redwood Corridor • Best All-Day Redwoods Fix
Avenue of the Giants strings together some of the region’s most impressive redwood hikes within a short drive of Benbow.
Head north and drop onto Avenue of the Giants to access trailheads like Founders Grove, Rockefeller Loop, and Gould Grove, each offering a slightly different take on classic old-growth forest. Most trails here are gently graded and family friendly, with dense ferns, filtered light, and almost cathedral-like quiet. It’s where you go when you want to spend an entire day wandering from one redwood grove to the next.
03
Best swim-and-hike combo
Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area
South Toward Leggett • Rugged River Canyon Forest • Best For Hot Days And Creek Time
Standish-Hickey pairs shaded forest hikes with clear swimming holes on the South Fork Eel River.
Trails here climb from the river up through mixed forest, offering a bit more elevation gain than the gentler redwood loops closer to Benbow. The payoff is a mix of viewpoints and cool, swimmable stretches of river perfect after a warm-weather hike. It’s a good pick when you want a more active outing without venturing all the way to the coast or backcountry.
04
Most remote coastal escape
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
West Via Whitethorn Toward The Lost Coast • Remote Coastal Wilderness • Best For Backpackers And Solitude
Sinkyone delivers steep, wild trails along the southern Lost Coast where elk, fog, and surf share the same backdrop.
Reaching Sinkyone takes some time on narrow back roads, but the reward is a slice of coast that feels worlds away from the highway. Trails from trailheads like Needle Rock drop to pocket beaches or trace high bluffs with constant Pacific views and frequent Roosevelt elk sightings. Expect steep grades, changing weather, and a rugged feel that suits experienced hikers and overnight trips.
05
Best dramatic ridge-and-ocean views
King Range National Conservation Area (Lost Coast Trails)
West Of Garberville Near Shelter Cove • Steep Lost Coast Mountain Trails • Best For Big-Effort, Big-Reward Hikes
The King Range offers lung-busting climbs from coastal towns like Shelter Cove up into peaks with sweeping Lost Coast panoramas.
Trails such as the BLM routes above Shelter Cove climb quickly from sea level into the so-called ‘Lost Coast Range,’ mixing sharp switchbacks with long ridgeline views. On clear days you can look down on the surf far below and out along miles of undeveloped shoreline. It’s the choice for hikers who don’t mind serious elevation gain in exchange for some of the boldest scenery within striking distance of Benbow.