Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Avenue of the Giants

"Humboldt Redwoods State Park is one of the most extraordinary places I have ever visited, and calling it a park hardly does it justice. It is more like a living cathedral built by nature over the course of thousands of years. Covering more than fifty thousand acres, with over seventeen thousand acres of untouched old-growth forest, it holds the largest remaining stand of ancient coast redwoods anywhere on Earth. To walk here is to walk among giants, and it is impossible not to feel both humbled and uplifted.

The entrance along the Avenue of the Giants sets the tone perfectly. This thirty-two-mile scenic route winds through groves where the trees tower hundreds of feet above you, filtering light into golden shafts and cloaking the air in stillness. You can stop at any number of pullouts, but the real magic happens when you step out of the car and onto the trails. Every path here feels like stepping into a sacred space. The ground is soft with needles and ferns, streams wind quietly through the understory, and the silence is so complete it feels alive.

Among the highlights is the Founders Grove, home to the fallen Dyerville Giant and some of the tallest living redwoods you will ever see. Standing beside these trees is indescribable — they are broader than houses, taller than skyscrapers, and yet their presence feels peaceful, not imposing. Nearby, the Rockefeller Forest stretches in every direction, the single largest continuous tract of old-growth redwoods in existence. Walking here is like moving through a natural cathedral, every tree a pillar, every shaft of sunlight a stained-glass window.

The Eel River runs through the park, offering sandy beaches, picnic spots, and places to cool off in the summer. There are more than one hundred miles of hiking trails, from short flat walks perfect for families to backcountry treks where you may not see another soul for hours. Wildlife is everywhere if you take the time to look and listen — deer in the meadows, birds calling high in the canopy, and the rustle of small creatures moving through the undergrowth.

Camping in the park is an experience that everyone should try at least once. With over two hundred family campsites and several environmental camps, you can fall asleep beneath the stars with the silhouettes of ancient trees around you and wake up to sunlight streaming through the branches. Even if you only come for the day, there are plenty of picnic areas, visitor centers with exhibits and maps, and interpretive signs that help you understand just how rare and precious these forests are.

What sets Humboldt Redwoods apart is not only its scale but its soul. This is not a place designed for quick sightseeing. It is a place that invites you to slow down, to wander, to breathe, and to listen. The forest does not shout — it whispers. It teaches patience and awe. Whether you are walking with family, hiking alone, or simply stopping along the Avenue of the Giants, you will carry the memory of this place with you long after you leave.

If I could give this park more than five stars, I would. Humboldt Redwoods State Park is not just one of California’s treasures; it is one of the natural wonders of the world."

Siare Keating

"In June 2025, we visited the Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Northern California. Humboldt Redwoods State Park is an amazing place. It has the Avenue of the Giants, which is a 32 mile long road that goes through the middle of the old-growth redwood forest. There are many stopping places along this road, so that visitors can exit their cars and walk around among the giant trees. The forest is peaceful and allows for moments of quiet reflection while traversing on the hiking paths. I highly recommend Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and we had a great time seeing these redwood trees."

John Cutler

"This was my first time to the west coast to see the huge trees. Just the undying beauty of something that has been present. Our first impressions of the redwoods are indescribable and the drive along the drive was so peaceful. I haven't been to the redwoods SP yet but I can't imagine it could be better."

Danette Hurt