01
Best overall redwood experience
Bull Creek Flats & Rockefeller Loop – Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Bull Creek Corridor • Big-Tree Creekside Loop Through Old-Growth Redwoods • Local Favorite For Classic Redwood Scenery
A gently rolling network of trails that strings together some of the tallest, straightest redwoods in the park along a clear mountain stream.
Park near the Rockefeller Forest trailhead and combine the short Rockefeller Loop with sections of the Bull Creek Flats North and South trails for a half-day wander. The grades are mostly easy, but you can add distance by following Bull Creek farther upstream where crowds thin out. Expect soft duff underfoot, filtered light, and endless photo stops where the forest seems to glow.
02
Best quick introduction to the area
Founders Grove Nature Trail
North Of Miranda Along Avenue Of The Giants • Short Interpretive Loop Through Showcase Redwoods • Best For First-Time Visitors And Quick Stops
An easy, mostly flat loop that packs a lot of towering trees and history into a short walk right off the Avenue of the Giants.
This trail is ideal when you want a memorable walk but do not have time for a longer outing. Well-placed signs explain the grove’s history and point out notable giants, including downed trees that show just how massive these trunks really are. Arrive early or near dusk for a quieter experience, as this is one of the more popular stops in the park.
03
Best close-to-town forest ramble
Dry Creek (Horse) Trail
Hills Just Outside Miranda • Lightly Used Mixed-Forest Connector Trail • Best For A Quiet, Low-Key Outing
A lesser-known path that links redwood groves above Miranda with a more secluded stretch of forest and hillside views.
The Dry Creek Trail trades the park’s big roadside pullouts for a more local feel, with fewer people and a slightly rougher, more natural tread. It meanders between groves, crossing small drainages and offering occasional breaks in the canopy where you can peek out over the South Fork Eel River valley. It is a good choice when the main groves feel busy but you still want to stay close to town.
04
Best mossy, storybook walk
Drury-Chaney Loop Trail
North End Of Humboldt Redwoods Near Pepperwood • Shaded Old-Growth Loop With Lush Understory • Best For Foggy Mornings And Leisurely Strolls
A gently graded loop where dense ferns, moss-draped limbs, and widely spaced redwoods create a quieter, more enclosed feel than the larger groves.
Tucked off the north end of the Avenue of the Giants, this trail feels removed from the highway as soon as you step under the trees. The loop is long enough to feel like a real hike but still accessible for most walkers, with plenty of roots and small twists to keep things interesting. It shines on cool, misty days when the fog hangs in the branches and every stump seems to grow its own miniature forest.
05
Best big climb with views
Grasshopper Peak via Grasshopper Multi-Use Trail
Backcountry Ridge West Of The Main Park Road • Long, Steep Summit Hike Through Mixed Forest • Best For Strong Hikers Seeking A Full-Day Challenge
A stout out-and-back that trades the deep-shade feel of the river groves for open slopes and wide views toward the Lost Coast and inland hills.
Starting from the lower elevations near Mattole Road, the trail climbs steadily through second-growth forest into more open country as you approach the summit. On clear days, the top rewards the effort with sweeping panoramas that put the entire redwood landscape in context. Carry plenty of water and expect a real workout; this is the route locals recommend when you want something more demanding than a riverside stroll.