Quick Guide to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Tree lovers, look no further to find paradise. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park has 10,000 acres of old-growth forest, where ancient redwoods tower hundreds of feet above minuscule humans. We don’t so much hike among these trees as we scurry at their roots. Come and be awed. Since the park is largely undeveloped, it can be hard to know where to start. Here is a quick and easy introduction to visiting Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park near Crescent City, CA.
Expect peaceful hiking trails and enormous trees
Know before you go
Day-use Area parking at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park costs $8/day. You can pay at the campground. The park also accepts the America the Beautiful Pass or California State Park passes. Scenic drives and most trailhead parking areas are free.
Leashed dogs are allowed in some areas of the park. They can be on the roads and in the campground. They can’t be in buildings or on hiking trails. If you’re visiting with a dog, the rangers at the Hiouchi Visitor Center can direct you to the dog-friendly areas.
Look for restrooms in the campground, the Hiouchi Visitor Center, and at many trailheads.
Jedediah Smith Campground has a forested picnic area.
Please stay on the trails and don’t feed the wildlife.
The park is open all year from dawn until dusk.
Parking is limited at popular trailheads on summer weekends. Arrive early if you’re hiking at a busy time.
Redwoods in the park can be over 300 feet high and 2,000 years old
Where to start
Limited development in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park adds to its charm. At the same time, minimal signage and the lack of a clear focal point can lead to navigation challenges. Start at the Hiouchi Visitor Center if it's your first visit. You can pick up a free park map and ask the rangers for suggestions. The visitor center is near hiking trails and just across Highway 199 from the campground and picnic area.
When to visit
The short answer: anytime. Extreme weather is rare in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods. Average temperatures range from 45-85 F in summer and 30-65 F in the winter. Rain is common, especially in winter. Snow is unusual. To me, a light rain doesn’t ruin a forest hike, but a downpour does. Fortunately, drizzles happen more often than storms. Good rain gear can make your visit more flexible and comfortable.
The forest stays green all year
Easy hikes
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park has over 20 miles of hiking trails. These two short and easy hikes are perfect introductions to the park, chosen with the help of a park ranger. Both are great with kids and doable with strollers.
Simpson - Peterson Memorial Loop
The Simpson-Peterson Loop has giant redwoods and lush undergrowth
Distance: 1-mile figure eight
Elevation gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Dog-friendly: No, dogs are not allowed.
Accessibility: The NPS calls this trail universal access. It is unpaved but wide and even. The grade is about 3% at most. There are no barriers like steps.
Restroom: Yes
This unusual tree has root systems on either side of the trail
About:
The Simpson Reed and Peterson Memorial Trails form two interconnected loops that highlight what is special about the Jedediah Smith Redwoods. The gentle hike takes you past ginormous trees and sword ferns as high as your eyeballs. Big leaf maples mingle with the redwoods. Underneath is a carpet of redwood sorrel. You’ll have a good chance of spotting Steller’s jays in the trees and an even greater one of seeing a banana slug or twenty along the trail. A few picturesque footbridges over fern-lined creek beds provide excellent photo opportunities.
You'll cross several footbridges on the Simpson-Peterson Loop
Two loop trails are joined as a figure eight. You’ll start with the Simpson Reed Grove Memorial Loop hike. From here, you can complete the first loop for a 0.5-mile hike or continue onto the second loop, the Peterson Memorial Trail. Together, it’s a mile of distance. Signs help point the way.
One of many banana slugs near the trail
Stout Memorial Grove
Distance: 0.5-mile loop with options for longer hikes
Elevation gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Dog-friendly: No, dogs are not allowed.
Accessibility: Although not advertised as a universal access trail, I saw a hiker in a wheelchair manage it. I think it would come down to your equipment and assistance. The trail is unpaved but wide and even. There are no steps. The steepest grade is a small downhill slope at the beginning of the hike. The terrain gets rough once you leave the Stout Grove loop trail.
Restroom: Yes
Go either direction at the fork to make the loop around Stout Grove
About:
Stout Memorial Grove is a peaceful oasis where 300-foot redwoods tower over a dense understory of sword ferns and redwood sorrel. A layer of soft and spongy redwood needles dampens sound, keeping the forest quiet and otherworldly even during crowded times, much like an outdoor cathedral. A flat, easy 0.5-mile hiking trail makes a loop through Stout Grove, a place that makes even the tallest person feel like a puny ant. The hike will take you close to the Smith River, with possible river access via a spur trail.
A platform protects the Stout Tree, the largest tree in Stout Grove
There are two ways to reach Stout Memorial Grove. The first is to drive to the trailhead on unpaved and scenic Howland Hill Road. It’s no problem in a low-clearance vehicle, but trailers aren’t allowed. In the summer, the second option is to start at the campground and cross the Smith River on a seasonal footbridge. On the other side of the river, take a left to reach Stout Grove.
Since the Stout Grove loop is short, you might want to check out the connecting trails. On the northeast side of the loop, the River Trail continues about a half mile along the Smith River. Note that the terrain gets more irregular once you leave Stout Grove. Taking the Hiouchi Trail on the northwest side of the Stout Grove loop, you can hike along the Smith River in the other direction or follow the Mill Creek Trail south to the Grove of Titans. More on that below.
The River Trail offers glimpses of the Smith River through the trees
Longer hikes
The Boy Scout Tree Trail is a 6-mile out-and-back hike that will take you to one of the stars of the Jedediah Smith Redwoods, the enormous two-trunked Boy Scout Tree. The hike ends at pretty, 155-foot Fern Falls. Arrive early on summer weekends to find parking at the trailhead.
The Mill Creek Trail is a 9.4-mile out-and-back hike that follows Mill Creek through the Grove of Titans, an area of the forest with some of its largest trees. This hike is easy to combine with the Stout Grove and Boy Scout Tree Trail hikes if you’re looking for an ambitious day.
Other things to do
Smith River
Smith River
The Smith River runs through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, providing multiple opportunities for river access. One of the easiest access points is at the campground. The river has a gentle current that makes it appealing for kayaking. You can also fish for salmon and steelhead in the Smith River. October to February are usually the best fishing months. Make sure to have a valid California fishing license if you fish.
Scenic drives
You don't need to hike to see impressive redwoods
Even from Highway 199, you’ll get a sense of the park’s incredible beauty and scale. The smaller roads provide a quieter and more intimate look at the forest. Here are a couple of the best scenic drives in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods:
Walker Road is a short, mostly unpaved drive that starts near the Simpson - Peterson Memorial Loop. Look for a mind-blowingly large tree stump next to the road just past the trailhead.
Howland Hill Road is the park’s most iconic scenic drive. It follows Mill Creek past the Grove of Titans and the Boy Scout Tree Trailhead. The road is unpaved and bumpy at times. Trailers and RV’s aren’t allowed on Howland Hill Rd.
Walker Road
Camping
The Jedediah Smith Campground is next to the Smith River
The Jedediah Smith Campground is open year-round. You can reserve campsites from May through September. They are first come, first served the rest of the year. Campsites cost $35/night. The campground is next to the Smith River. It has some short and scenic nature trails with abundant tree cover, including many large redwoods. There are restrooms and showers. Dogs are allowed in the campground but must be in tents or vehicles overnight. Learn more about camping here.
Packing list
Amenities are few in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods. Bring water bottles and trail snacks.
Camera
If you’re hiking, know that the trails can be muddy. You can usually get by with sneakers but will be more comfortable in waterproof hiking boots.
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The view from inside a fallen redwood trunk
Getting there
Hiouchi Visitor Center Address: 1600 Hwy 199, Crescent City, CA 95531
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is 9 miles east of Crescent City on Highway 199. The drive from Portland is a little over 5 hours. From San Francisco, it’s just over 6 hours.
Enjoy your trip to the redwoods!
With love,
Emma
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