01
Best overall pick
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Avenue Of The Giants, North Of Redway • Expansive Old-Growth Redwood Park • Best Overall Hiking Hub
Miles of trails wind through some of the tallest and most impressive redwoods on earth just a short drive up the Eel River.
Center your trip around Humboldt Redwoods if you want the classic big-tree experience plus lots of options. Short loops like Founders Grove and Gould Grove work well for casual walkers, while longer routes along Bull Creek and up into the surrounding hills give strong hikers a full-day workout. The park is stretched along the Avenue of the Giants, so you can mix scenic driving with several different trailheads in one day.
02
Easiest redwood escape
Richardson Grove State Park
South Of Redway Along Highway 101 • Compact Redwood Riverside Park • Best For Families And Quick Stops
A cozy cluster of trails loops through dense redwoods just minutes from town, with easy grades and plenty of shady picnic spots.
Richardson Grove is often the first real taste of old-growth redwoods for travelers heading north, and it is just as convenient for Redway locals. Gentle paths like the Nature Trail and the racetrack-style loop make it simple to stretch your legs without committing to a long hike. The park hugs the South Fork Eel River, so you can pair a short walk with a lazy afternoon on the cobble bars in summer.
03
Iconic coastal trek
Lost Coast Trail from Black Sands Beach
Shelter Cove Coast, West Of Redway • Remote Oceanfront Wilderness • Best For Experienced Hikers And Backpackers
Starting from Black Sands Beach, the Lost Coast Trail plunges you straight into a raw, wave-battered shoreline with no road in sight.
This is the hike people talk about when they mention the Lost Coast, and the trailhead at Black Sands Beach is within striking distance of Redway via Shelter Cove Road. Day hikers can roam the black pebble shoreline at low tide or climb toward the Chemise Mountain section for big views. Multi-day backpackers use this as an entry or exit for longer routes north, but even a short out-and-back gives a sense of how wild this coast really is.
04
Most rugged coastal escape
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park (Needle Rock Area)
Southern Lost Coast, Southwest Of Redway • Backcountry Coastal Park • Wildlife And Solitude Pick
Steep, grassy headlands drop to pocket coves and remote beaches where elk, fog, and surf feel closer than civilization.
From the Needle Rock visitor area you can hike north or south along old ranch roads and singletrack that cling to the hillside above the Pacific. The grades are stout in places, but you are rewarded with sweeping views, quiet coves, and a real chance of spotting Roosevelt elk grazing on the slopes. Road access is slow and rough, which keeps crowds down and makes the Sinkyone feel like a true backcountry outing even on a day hike.
05
Quiet redwood alternative
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
Eel River Canyon, Northeast Of Redway • Small, Uncrowded Redwood Park • Best For Peaceful Forest Walks
Tucked deep in the Eel River canyon, this tiny park offers mellow redwood trails without the traffic of the bigger name groves.
Grizzly Creek feels like a throwback roadside park, but its trails and riverside setting are surprisingly charming. Short routes like the Nature Trail and more meandering paths along the river and up the hillside give you an easy half-day of exploration. If Humboldt Redwoods feels busy, this is where locals slip away for a quieter redwood walk and a picnic by the water.