Humboldt Redwoods State Park Photo: Daderot / CC0
United States › California

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Established: 1921, with the first grove bought by the Save the Redwoods League
  • Size: about 53,000 acres (215 km²), including about 17,000 acres (69 km²) of old-growth redwood
  • Signature drive: the Avenue of the Giants, 32 miles (51 km)
  • Gateway: Eureka and Garberville
  • Managed by: California State Parks

The landscape

Humboldt Redwoods holds the largest expanse of ancient coast redwood forest left on the planet, including the Rockefeller Forest along Bull Creek. Trees here reach more than 300 feet (90 m). The South Fork of the Eel River winds through the park, and the forest climbs from the river flats to ridges such as Grasshopper Peak. Black bears, mountain lions, Roosevelt elk and salmon live here.

Best time to go

Summer is warm and dry inland, good for camping and river swimming. Spring and fall are quieter and cooler, with fall colour on the maples. Winter brings heavy rain, high rivers and occasional closures.

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Getting there and around

Highway 101 and the Avenue of the Giants, a scenic road that parallels it, run through the park. Campgrounds, the visitor center and trailheads line the Avenue. Mattole Road leads west along Bull Creek to the Rockefeller Forest and backcountry trails.

Things to do

Short loops such as the Founders Grove and Rockefeller Loop walk among giant trees. Longer trails climb to Grasshopper Peak and backcountry trail camps. Cyclists ride the Avenue of the Giants, and the river offers swimming and catch-and-release fishing in season.

Staying safe

Big limbs and whole trees can fall in the old-growth, especially in wind; avoid groves during storms. The river runs high and cold in winter. Poison oak and ticks are common. Mountain lions and black bears live here: store food properly and keep children close. Leave a trip plan for backcountry hikes.

Know before you go

Campground openings are seasonal. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current conditions and reservations with California State Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
40.3133, -123.9258
Magnetic declination
13.6° E (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

29 places in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 1

Visitor centre

On the trail 21

Route

Campgrounds

Picnic sites

Sights 7

Beach

Points of interest

Peaks

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingScenic driveCycling

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
ForestRiversMountains
Key hazards
Falling limbs and trees in windRiver currents and high winter waterPoison oakTicksMountain lions and black bears
Best seasons
Spring, Summer, Fall
Difficulty
Easy to strenuous
Access / trailheads
Along Highway 101 and the Avenue of the Giants, about 45 miles (72 km) south of Eureka and 20 miles (32 km) north of Garberville.
Water
River and creeks; treat all water.
Cell / satellite coverage
Patchy along the highway, none in the backcountry.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
Campgrounds and trail camps are reserved through ReserveCalifornia; day-use fees apply at some areas.
Leave No Trace
Stay on trails in the old-growth groves, camp only in designated sites and trail camps, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high63°F(17°C)17°C(63°F)
Average low45°F(7°C)7°C(45°F)
Rainfall2.6 in(67 mm)67 mm(2.6 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 12 minSunrise 7:25 a.m., sunset 6:37 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Grizzly Creek Sp station, 12 miles (19 km)19 km (12 miles) away at 413 feet (126 m)126 m (413 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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