Humboldt Redwoods State Park: Avenue of the Giants Forest and Towering Redwoods. Photo Credit, Jay Sturner, Dyerville Giant, Humboldt Redwoods State Park - Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) - Flickr

Humboldt Redwoods State Park: Avenue of the Giants Forest and Towering Redwoods

Along the Eel River in northern California, Humboldt Redwoods State Park safeguards the largest contiguous old-growth coast redwood forest on Earth, with the iconic Avenue of the Giants scenic drive winding through 32 miles of ancient groves. This 53,000-acre park offers immersive redwood immersion and quiet trails; a living testament to resilience and scale.

A Cathedral of Old-Growth Redwoods and Riparian Habitat

The park bridges towering coast redwoods (some 300+ feet tall, 2,000+ years old), fern-filled understory, and the Eel River's riparian corridor. Biodiversity thrives: Roosevelt elk, black bears, banana slugs, varied birds, and seasonal wildflowers beneath the canopy; the river supports steelhead trout and salmon runs.

Adventure With a Conservation Conscience

Drive the Avenue of the Giants (paved, free) with pullouts at Founders Grove, Rockefeller Forest, and short loops (e.g., Gould Grove 0.6-mile nature trail). Hike deeper trails like Grasshopper Peak.

Access is intentional: free entry (some lots fees), sunrise to sunset, pack out waste, stay on paths. Seasonal flooding possible on low sections; no pets on trails.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park delivers Avenue of the Giants forest hiking in ancient majesty. For those seeking towering redwoods and river serenity, the drive repays slow exploration; a colossal coastal cathedral.