Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

The drive into the park on Howland Hill Road, right up close and through the redwoods, is one of the best forest drives that exists. It becomes one lane at times, meaning you will need to coordinate if other cars are coming, but it is worth it as it is as it is close to the trees as you will ever get in car and helps preserves the immensity of the forest around you. Visit the park as early as possible to avoid seeing other cars and hikers. We went right at sunup and were one of the only ones there. We hiked the Grove of the Titans and Stout Grove and it is impossible to explain how amazing these old growth redwoods are to someone who hasn't seen them. Pictures can't really do them justice as they can't capture the feeling they invoke when you are really confronted with how massive they are. The park is well kept and the hikes we did were well marked and very peaceful in the early morning. The trails and drive out did get much busier with people and cars as the morning wore on. I thought the additions of the metal platforms and bridges on some of the trails was useful and did not take away from the surrounding nature. If they help preserve the undergrowth, I'm all for them. All in all, a great park to see the redwoods which should be on everyone's list of things to do.

We had such a wonderful experience at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park! The trails were incredible—peaceful, well-maintained, and full of beauty at every turn. We saw and heard so much wildlife, from birds to rustling in the underbrush. And the trees—absolutely massive and awe-inspiring! Walking among the ancient redwoods felt like stepping into another world. Highly recommend for anyone who loves nature and hiking

Awesome park. Great for those who are limited to seeing the redwoods by car only and can’t hike in. Nice long drive with lots too see. Thin roads but lots of pull over areas to work with the opposite flow of traffic. Took some portraits of my daughter while we were there.

This state park near Crescent City, is all about immersive beauty. The atmosphere is serene, and the scenery is lush. One can stand, and take in the beauty of fallen trees, and fields of ferns. There are different trails to explore, and spacious camping sites. The park’s visitor center is quaint, with very helpful personnel. In the presence of ancient redwoods, and moss-laced silence, your heart remembers how to be still.

This is a global treasure. Everyone on earth should see (and respect) these trees. They are almost unimaginable in size. The park itself has a wonderful drive, but be careful because the roads are narrow. Be mindful to clean up after yourself so others can enjoy what the State Park has to offer. You may want to bring a poncho. It rains here often and sometimes by surprise.

This place was magical! You have to drive slowly and carefully because the road is narrow overall, but the views are worth it. We were short on time, so we simply drove through. I'm sure the trails would have been wonderful, but it was nice to have options.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is one of the most stunning places to elope if you’re dreaming of towering Redwoods without the overwhelming crowds of parks closer to the Bay Area. The forest here feels untouched and immersive, with no wooden fencing like Muir Woods, so you really feel like you’re in the Redwoods (without going off trail, of course - leave no trace! That includes staying off downed logs that could become nurse logs). One thing to keep in mind: this area is remote. Crescent City is the closest town, but with only about 8,000 people, it has limited options. The nearest large city is 1.5-2 hours away, depending on which direction you go. If you’re planning a Redwoods elopement, make sure you’re up to date on permits or hire a photographer or planner who knows the process. National and State Parks have been changing permit regulations periodically over the past six years, and they don’t do a great job of advertising what’s required for ceremonies. This is hands down one of the best Redwoods locations for an intimate, peaceful elopement. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because the crowds in the summer can be just a little too much to fully enjoy (finding parking can be stressful). Just plan ahead, respect the forest, and soak in the magic.

My partner and I truly enjoyed our hike here today. Came to see these majestic giants and was not dissapointed. Gorgeous forest with amazing trails ♡

This review is for Grove Of Titans which was a ~1.7 miles round trip that took ~45 minutes to complete. Grove Of Titans was one of the redwood trails worth hiking near Crescent City. Trail was mostly flat with minor elevation changes. Stunning views from beginning to end! Heavy mosquito presence in the evening. Required to drive on ~2.7 miles of dirt road with some tight squeezes between the redwoods. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/jUm89oa56Es

Grove of Titans Beautiful trail with large old growth Giant Sequoia Redwoods, it's nice that there are raised platforms to walk on in the grove so the forest floor and fauna are not trampled by all the visitors to this beautiful place.

Incredible place to explore the redwoods! It transports you to another world. Lots of places to stop and soak it all in. Rangers were on site to help navigate and provide tips. I'll definitely be back.

This forest is just amazing, serene and majestic. I didn't want to leave. I loved it. One minute you're in an enchanted forest and within minutes you're at the Pacific Ocean from the Redwoods to the Cypress trees within minutes. It's breathtaking. Lived here in CA all my life and knew about this forest because my uncle farmed in Redding,CA since 1947 and when I got older Yosemite & Kings Canyon were my go to places. Should have listen to my Uncle along time ago.

A majestic place reminiscent of the Jurassic ages or so I imagine it to be. The tall redwoods were amazing to see and soak in.

When I was booking my trip to California's Coast Redwoods, this was the part of the trip I was most excited for. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is one of three state parks that comprises Redwood National and State Parks. Jedediah Smith Park is the northern most part of the Redwood Coast near Crescent City and protects 10,000 acres of redwoods trees. This park was named after explorer Jedediah Smith, the first non-native to travel overland from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast in 1826. He passed through this area. I love this park because of all the activities you can do. The park consists of 18 miles of hiking trails and over 100 campsites. I booked a kayak trip down the Smith River. This 25 mile river passes through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and is accessible only by non-motorized watercraft. It is such a peaceful river to float down and I had a blast with my kayak group. I also got to hike Stout Grove. Stout Grove borders the Smith River and is directly across from Jedediah Smith Campground. Along the hike are several fallen trees that you can check out. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is a beautiful park to visit. Book your activities in advance as they fill up quick in the summer.

For a developed campground it's pretty awesome perhaps one of the best we've been to. The Smith River isn't too far and the lots are very private. Parked my truck sideways and basically we're alone. Beautiful forest and trees. Had a great time.

This was the first time Jamie W. and I have been as far north as Crescent City in the far reaches of the state near the Oregon border. Just before we hit the town, we made a right to visit this majestic redwood preserve. Our timing was great because they just opened the full extension of the elevated walkway in the Grove of Titans. It follows the three-mile Mill Creek Trail, and they're not kidding about titans. We were walking among the tallest redwoods we've ever seen. That's because it's an old-growth forest and frankly more spectacular than even the Avenue of the Giants. They've done an impressive job providing retaining walls around the trail as well as steps, footbridges, and interpretative signage and exhibits. Rest assured there are restrooms, and unlike the Redwood Sky Walk in Eureka, it's all free. The tricky part is the long, winding, and very bumpy one-lane road to the grove from the park entrance, especially if you face drivers gunning it in the opposite direction. There was no signage to help set expectations on arrival nor a parking lot near the trailhead. However, we had little problem parking on the side of the road. It was unfortunately raining when we visited, probably not an uncommon occurrence in this part of the state, so the paved patches got a bit muddy and slippery. At the same time, the condition of the trail was quite manageable in inclement weather. It was about a two-hour drive north of Eureka and completely worth it. RELATED - Exploring the redwood country up north? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2A1YVjy

This would've been a great place to have spent our entire vacation, unfortunately a nearby fire closed it down two days in. The park is well laid out and the rangers are very nice. It was kept nicely and I hope to go back someday.

This was an unforgettable birthday trip. We've been talking about making this trip, and then the pandemic happened. We had just had our youngest son and figured what a safer time to go visit. Hubby made the arrangements, and I was on maternity leave for about a month at this point. It all sounded great to me. The kids were excited to go away for a bit, and we were excited to take our youngest out for his first stroll of nature. We decided on Jedidiah State Park because of it wasn't too long of a hike and I was fully nursing. It was well kept, restrooms were on site and animals weren't allowed in the park. If you haven't experienced the coast and the Redwoods, it's a must see! I would like to go back and spend more time hiking, camping and eating fresh seafood on the coast. There is just nothing better! It was a short drive to the freshest seafood. I can not wait to go back.

Great to do some forest bathing. It was great to be among such tall trees. Amazing experience

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Awesome park with many redwood forest trails. We drove into the park on an early morning through a dense fog, which made everything look so much more mysterious and magical. We decided to do the Boy Scout Tree Trail hike, which was just long enough for us. We loved walking by all the trees and greenery, checking out some cool mushrooms and even ran into a banana slug! We wanted to check out another trail nearby but they were doing some maintenance at the time and it was closed. Our visit was much too short, but we have more exploring to look forward to next time!

It was amazing. Quiet, remote, easy access, it's Heaven on earth, great hiking trails, lots of greenery. Will go again.

We took a lovely hike on the Miller Creek trail. It was a little over 6 miles from the parking lot. The ranger at the visitors center gave us a few options. The park was packed with tourists but we only bumped into 4 people on the trail. Once we reached the Grove of the Titans, the ending point of the hike, it was packed with tourists who elected to drive to the Grove. I strongly recommend the hike to truly enjoy the Park.

Absolutely incredible spot to stop and see the redwoods! I have been to multiple redwood locations and this is definitely one worth putting on the books and going to see! The park is really well-maintained. The visitor center was great the staff was very informative and helped us find the quickest trails with the best views! Hands down if you can only do one trail I highly recommend the clash of the titans! The trail is great for families and you will be amazed by these Giants!

Came here with my girlfriend more than 20 years ago-- drove up all night from LA in her little Honda Civic, jamming out to the Dead as we weaves our way up the 101. Set up a small tent in the busy campground, enjoying the canopy of humongous trees and the forest floor covered in ferns and fallen wood. After dinner, we took a walk on a small path-- just a couple twenty-somethings kinda falling in love. As we walked along at dusk on the narrow single track path, we heard someone crashing through the undergrowth, heading roughly in our direction. I remember thinking, "cool, maybe we can ask them to take our picture..." As the sound got louder, we both realized the "someone" was more likely a "something." On cue, a big black bear, the size of a Ford Festiva, burst from the ferns and sorrels, running right at us. We quickly turned and ran... and I remembered *you're not supposed to run from a bear*... I turned around and there she was, three feet from me. I could see the pores on her nose and the leaf bits in her whiskers. I screamed and held my arms up in terror, inadvertently making my jacket fan out. This seemed to startle the bear who I swear made a skid mark sound as her paws slid to a halt in the dirt path, and she ran down through the campsites of some other startled folks enjoying dinner. After my heart slowed, we laughed all night about the experience, joking that we didn't need to be faster than the bear... just faster than one another. I ended up taking that girlfriend back there a couple years later, got down on one knee in the mud next to the Smith River, ospreys flying overhead and otters playing in the water, and asked that woman to marry me. We now take our three kids, family, and friends on the 13 hour drive to Jed Smith a couple times a year. The garter snakes that cross your path, the crayfish that crawl amidst the river rocks, the ancient trees, and yes-- the large woodland beasts-- make this one of the most amazing places I've ever seen. The larger redwood park area: Stout Grove, Mill Creek, the Smith River... each adds another thing to enjoy and explore over a lifetime of visits. Campsites are a lot more popular now than they were 20 years ago, and reservations are a must-- 6 months in advance if you're lucky. And yes, there are bear boxes in camp. You should totally use them.

My wife and I stopped here while driving South from Grants Pass, OR to Arcata, CA. We first stopped at the Hiouchi Visitors Center to get information about the park. We did not have a lot of time and decided to head straight to the Stout Grove based on the recommendation of the park ranger. She said this is probably the most visited part of the park. She provided us easy to follow directions to get to the Stout Grove. Driving the Redwood Highway before reaching the visitors center and park areas, we could see large Redwoods on each side of the road. As we drove toward the Stout Grove, the Redwoods were bigger and bigger. The narrow one lane bumpy road has many pull outs so that cars going each direction can pass. We parked in the parking area, took a short stroll and checked out some of the huge trees. It is amazing to see the beauty of these huge trees. You need to check it out if in the area. If you can, allow yourself another hour to drive the rest of the the Howland Hill Road to Crescent City (about 7 miles). The visitors center recommended about 45 minutes.

The Boy Scout, Grove of the Titans and Stout trails are by far what make Jedediah Smith Redwoods so utterly amazing, awesome and beautiful. The Boy Scout, longest of the 3, has the GIGANTIC Boy Scout Tree. The Grove of the Titans (newest) has some amazingly beautiful trees along its entire length with not only some massive trees, but some with really cool BURLS that scientists can't explain and Stout Trail that I believe they should rename Mutants of the Woods. It's has some of the most awesome and bizarre shaped trees. I also like the fact that it's not really a trail. You can roam all around inside the area and get pronominal photos from every angle. They even have a tree where kids can actually crawl INTO the center of the tree. So if your ever in that neck of the woods (no pun intended), visit that park and take those 3 trails. It'll be a memorable vacation.

Gorgeous state park & campground in the land of the redwoods. Spacious campsites, a few cabins, clean restrooms, and access to trails in the state park. Highly recommend camping here! You can walk to the Stout Memorial Grove directly from camp via the summer footbridge. For a longer hike I recommend hiking to the Grove of Titans via the Mill Creek trail.

Fantastic trail and well maintained beautiful state park. It's majestic place to visit and hike for an hour or so. It's close to Highway and occasionally you can hear trucks rolling by but overall it's a quiet place near many streams and Smith River. You won't see too many wildlife due to thick forest trees with not much food for animals. You can occasionally see small critters and rare birds. Beautiful majestic fallen redwoods all over and well trodden trails everywhere! Air is fresh and weather permitting it's a fantastic place to visit and be awed by the Awesomeness of Nature.

Great Park, Beautiful Area, Clear Water River! This is a great little spot for a picnic, or in my case some happy time down by the river with a water bottle for a pillow looking up at the clouds as the water flows by and the trees sway back and forth in the wind as the clouds roll on by. The water in this river was so much warmer than I ever would have expected. So much so it's a great little spot to jump in the water and freshen up after hiking around. Beautiful forests surround and allow ample hiking opportunities in these majestic giants! What are you waiting for? Take A Hike!

What can I say?! I'm a sucker for Redwoods. Places like this remind me of how truly blessed that I am to live in such a beautiful state. Enormously stunning old growth Redwood trees are what encapsulate the grounds of Jedediah Smith. Although the journey from Crescent City is a short one by mileage, it will take you a while to actually reach the park by car. The roads are very rough and narrow. If you're planning on taking a smaller vehicle here, just be prepared to drive extremely slow. Be mindful of blind turns as many parts of the road are narrow and require that only one car pass at a time. Although this park is most popular for its' campsites, there are several walking and hiking trails that are located within the groves. The most popular grove here is known as Stout Grove, and it's a "long" 4 miles from the entrance into the park if you're entering from the Crescent City side. Parking is limited and also a very tight fit. I actually got stuck trying to park my car in this grove. It's an extremely busy grove, and I would only recommend a visit if you're coming early in the morning or later on in the evening because the parking and excessive amount of tourists will be a headache. There are so many other gorgeous groves and trails within this park. I walked through the Nickerson Ranch trail which leads to Mill Creek. The size of the Redwoods here are so incredible! I just couldn't stop looking up. The smell of the fresh air and sights of lush greenery just warmed up my little soul. This is the perfect place to escape reality. My eyes could barely handle all of this immense beauty. And, beautiful it truly was! All kinds of wonderful vegetation from three leafed clovers to several different species of ferns. There are an abundance of large tree stumps and holes in the trees that are big enough to house several people inside. Seriously a tantalizing experience. My only real complaint is that I wished that the trails were marked a bit better. If you like to wander aimlessly like I do, this park may have you lost in a second. Sometimes that can be fun, but not when you're trying to find your way back. If you're planning a trip to Redwoods National Park, you should make time to also visit Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park as well. It's a majestic park full of immaculate Redwoods that are waiting to be explored.

I don't think you can give less than 5 stars for this amazing park. Breathe in rich, rainforest, damp, earthy air & hike through the magic that is the Redwoods Forest. I was in constant awe from the moment we were driving through the forests. Then to get out & hike the trails- a dream come true! I'm a complete & total tree hugger & yes- I hugged several trees on my hike! I wish I could've spent several days here, but we were passing through on our road trip. We had popped into the national park store in Crescent City- but it was closed due to covid, but... It listed 2 stores that were open- thank the redwoods gods, I needed swag! I took plenty of pictures- which I'll upload when I return home. I even crawled through a hallow downed redwood tree! Yaaaassss

Want to see old growth Redwood trees? Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is a fantastic place to see them. There are many trails to hike in order to view more of these massively impressive trees. Boy Scout Trail, to me, is the one trail not to be missed at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. It is a wonderful hike. It is not too long a hike, and is relatively flat. Just make sure to watch our for all the tree roots. It leads you to the heart of the forest, and is truly a sight to behold because you are just surrounded by these AMAZING trees. The drive to get to this trail is totally AWESOME!! Best to have an AWD vehicle, but we made it just fine with our passenger sedan. The road is very narrow, and you navigate the road around many Majestic Redwood trees!!! If you love Mother Nature, then I HIGHLY Recommend visiting Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park!!

We did this hike and then camped at the campsite for the night. The trail was very accessible and not hard at all. You can see some crazy awesome bug trees, trees you can climb on and get in. Beautiful weather, you will most likely need a sweater. We stayed at the camp that had great facilities and then got our stamp for our book and we're on our way!! So worth seeing!!

The redwoods are beautiful the river is so clean toy can see all the way down to the bottom

Wonderful experience!! So much fun! Well worth the time we spent there!! Wandering among the Redwoods was so relaxing yet awe inspiring.

Beautiful bucket list trip. Go see the titan grove. Go see the creek. Everything is incredible

What's there to say but don't miss the opportunity to drive through this absolutely gorgeous state park! The majestic Redwoods are so beautiful while driving the winding road of Highway 199. This is a must and speaks for itself. Obviously, I highly recommend!

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park! Yes. Within the entire Redwood National Park area...and with so many State Parks featured around....I found this place to be one of the better spots to enjoy the majestically tall trees. Jedediah Smith is located right near the town of Crescent City, California. While I was navigating Redwood Park from north in Oregon to south down the California coast...Jedediah Smith was situated right near the northern most section. Although I created my own itinerary for exploring around Jedediah Smith SP...I first stopped right nearby at the Hiouchi Visitor Center to speak with a Park Ranger just to confirm my plans and how to get around Jedediah Smith with all the trails I was interested in hiking. Plus, if anyone cares...even though the Hiouchi VC wasn't open on the inside during this pandemic summer of 2020, the Park Ranger had a stand set up outside and you can get you Parks Pass stamped here. Also, one of the main roads was closed in the area, so the ranger handed me a slip of paper for directions to one of the most popular trails here known as....STOUT MEMORIAL GROVE. My other recommendation for hiking within Jedediah Smith SP is BOY SCOUT TREE TRAIL. Both of these hikes provided ample opportunities for me to really understand what this forest area was all about. There were many moments to take a step back and appreciate the statuesque redwoods while standing within the heart of the forest and appreciating nature at it's finest, lol. What I also genuinely enjoyed...sort of an under the radar aspect about Jedediah Smith and among lots of the hikes all over Redwood Forest...was just how quiet and tranquil the settings were. The hikes weren't difficult, they were virtually all along flat ground with no elevations...but I simply found the ambiance and surroundings among these redwoods so soothing! It was like medicine for my head, lol. To get away from reality and immerse myself among some of the tallest trees in the world was healing for my soul. STOUT MEMORIAL GROVE - "a 1/2 mile loop trail around a grove of redwoods, or an extended walk along the River Trail and back for 1.5 miles round trip". I hiked...well, more like walked the 1.5 miles and had plenty of chances for great pictures. Plus there were times where I was able to climb on the trees and takes photos during playful moments which made for fond memories. BOY SCOUT TREE TRAIL - to arrive at this hike I had to drive along a dirt road for 6 miles called...HOWLAND HILL ROAD. This drive was bumpy, I sort of had to go slow. Upon getting to Boy Scout Tree Trail, there weren't any road signs for it, but I could sense by the amount of cars parked on the shoulder of the road that this was it. There will be a trailhead as you start your hike. Boy Scout Tree Trail is 2.8 miles each way for a total of 5.6 miles. For me...I only hiked halfway before eventually turning around. I'd say after coming from Stout Grove Memorial and then hiking half of this trail...the forest and trees got a little monotonous for me. Overall, I had a good understanding for the area. So I did turn around halfway after snapping plenty of fulfilling pics. In the end, exploring Stout Grove Memorial and Boy Scout Tree Trail within Jedediah Smith SP was great to experience. It took me at least half the day just venturing around these 2 trails. Since I had so many other destinations to visit within Redwood NP, I decided to continue my journey further south towards the Crescent Beach section and further into Klamath. I was trying to pace myself and not burn out mentally from so many good looking trees, lol. Still, Jedediah Smith SP was a wonderful starter for my Redwood Forest travels. I just still can't believe how many State Parks were located within this Redwood National Park. Outside of Jedediah Smith, I'd also recommend visiting Prairie Creek SP and down Highway 101 south to Humboldt Redwoods SP along Avenue of the Giants.

This giant redwood park is an amazing find. It's a must when traveling in this area. It's easy to get to and worth the walk. I wish I had even more time to explore. You would think that you've seen one giant tree they're all the same but that is not the case. It's an amazing view around each corner.

A couple years back, I came up North to see my Brother. We went to Lady Bird Johnson Grove, and I was in awe of the coastal redwoods. Pictures don't do these things any justice. You have to just come experience them for yourself. Anyways......we decided to come back up to see him for a few days, and this time I wanted to check out the Jedediah State Park. We drove up from McKinleyville to spend the day. The first trail we hit was Stout Grove. It is a very easy, flat ground hike that most people could do, no problem. You park (restrooms available) and walk down a path (a little steep) into the grove. There is a .8 mile loop that takes you around the grove. They have a platform built in front of the Stout Tree (325+ feet tall, and 16 feet wide around). The whole trail is so picturesque, and absolutely amazing. Highly recommended! The second trail we hit was the Boy Scout Trail. This one, was a lot more involved and harder. (I am super out of shape, and made it fine, albeit with a soaked shirt from sweat, and a bit tired, but I did it!) It is an in and out trail, about 2.8 miles in (we didn't go the whole 2.8, we went about 2.4 to the actual Boy Scout Tree, and then back out) and then back out. There is change in elevation as well as some stairs, bridges, and uneven paths (tree roots all over the place, you really have to watch where you are stepping) all the way there and back. Take your time and stop and take a break when needed, and also bring a lot of water! Took us about 3-3.5 hours total since we took our time. The trail is dead quiet and you can just walk in peace taking in all the beautiful redwoods and ferns. The topper is the Boy Scout Tree. There is a wooden sign on the ground, with an arrow pointing up to the tree. You walk up a pretty steep path to the tree and there it is in all of its glory. It is MASSIVE! Over 238 feet tall and 23 feet around! One of the largest old growth redwood trees out there from what I understand. Like I said before, pictures DO NOT do these wonders of the World any justice. You HAVE TO GO SEE THEM! I am already planning my next trip up here to check out some more trails and see some different trees. There are plenty of restrooms (outhouse style) around, places to park, and best of all, this is all FREE! If you live anywhere in Northern CA (shit, if you live anywhere in the World), you owe it to yourself to take a trip up here and walk around in these woods. They are absolutely AMAZING!

Whoa, this state ran park is as good as it gets for getting out and immersing oneself into nature. I spent a 3 day camping trip here and hiked amongst some of the most untouched monster coastal redwoods known to man. Lots of old growth trees here, so definitely predates the civilization of this country. The campgrounds are immersed in these forest. There's several small trails that goes around the campground itself and that already is quite amazing. Towering trees, fallen timber and a nice sized river are all in the mix. My only knock with the campground itself is that the sites are close together so you can always hear/see neighboring campers. But the hikes no where end at the campsite. If you venture down any of the roads here, you will enter even deeper into the woods. It gets even quieter, more serene. The trees get even larger, which is hard to fathom but they do. The brush thickens, the air is more raw, the sounds more unpredictable. I usually wear earbuds when I hike in urban areas, but out here I wouldn't dare to mask all this peacefulness with music. Trail Tips _______________ Simpson-Reed Trail: Outside of the campground trails, this is one of the easier ones because it is flat, short and developed but still weaves into the woods. Many non-hikers gravitate here so this is as touristy as it gets out here. If you don't want to go deep in the woods, you should get the gist of it here. Howland Hill Road: This is the main back country vein out here. It is a rustic 2 lane road that was originally a logger's road, so it isn't for mass travel. The smaller the car you got, the easier it will be to go in and out. But it doesn't stop people from taking SUVs and vans, cuz I saw plenty. Howland Road goes north/south and connects with lots of other trails here. I used it to get to the Boy Scout Trail and hiked all of it, a 9 mile back and forth. Even though cars kept passing me by, I was still glad that I hiked it instead. I was able to absorb more on why I was there. Boy Scout Trail: From Howland Hill Road this a foot only trail and is a 2.5 mile back and forth in super dense forest. The trail is well maintained so there is no risk of getting lost, despite the remoteness. But super dense fern action and old growths that almost shades the entire stretch. So it is very moist and rain-forest-y here. My favorite trail here by far. Now hard rain kept me from venturing out a half days worth, so missed out on the north part of Howland, where there is a river hike and The Stout Grove, which is a short loop with some monster old growths. But the other plus for this park is it's near proximity to Crescent City, where I was also able to utilize and explore. It is maybe 7 miles away and maybe a 15-20 minute drive. Jedediah Smith, despite your old timey name, you definitely delivered on a nature expedition that I was craving. #yearn4thereturn

Excellent bathrooms, semi-poorly marked trails (which made for a rather eventful hike).

Beautiful and magical and a photo op at every turn! Although unsafe to get the really great shots of the beautiful bridges and views you can take this all in just by driving through this area. Or riding through I should say since as a driver you have to pay attention to the road! Plenty of pull outs to stop and take it in and there are trails and campgrounds in places as well. But if you have to take a drive this is certainly the way to go! It's breathtaking through here. The water of the river is turquoise and the green fern and moss covered banks and trees are just magnificent. So green!

This is the best camping we have to offer, "in Crescent City." It is really nice and on the Smith River.

How can anyone visit this place and not understand the strength of nature? In the Pacific Northwest, this is my favorite place to go to. The high trees are so majestic and powerful, reinforcing my belief in that nature will at some point in time stand its ground. (Pun intended) When I walk through the redwoods, and about half an hour passes, there starts a peace within that I cannot explain: it arises from the stillness of the trees and surrounds the entire you; it nestles itself inside my soul, and I get to carry it with me in the coming months. Just remembering how it is there, and knowing that that exists, it a fortunate memory for me. About the trails: Stout Grove and the River Trail are little gems, taking less than an hour to walk, but only if you don't stop to enjoy the trees and take lots and loads of pictures. Did I mention it is my favorite place? Do visit here, you will not regret it.

Simply wonderful world class hiking with incredible tall trees along the pristine Smith River. Love love love this place. I come here every year to get my forest experience fix. As a world traveler I can honestly say this is such a hidden gem and one shall not miss it in your lifetime.

Smith River is so beautiful and peaceful. Boys enjoy fishing here, jumping off the rocks and hiking. Family enjoy camping along the Smith River at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Bathroom are cleaned daily. Hot water available for bathroom sinks and showers. Heated bathroom. 7.30.18 Fifty cents to begin showers for 2 minutes. Then twenty-five cents for each additional minute. Maximum is 12 minutes.

The Stout Grove Trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods is perfectly suited to novice hikers. The trail is well marked and maintained. It is a wonderful way to experience the forest. You'll stare up at towering redwoods and be amazed to see the root structure of a tree that fell many decades ago. In addition to the great info at the visitor center and online, the bookshop at the Del Norte County Historical Society in Crescent City has many books about this park and it's namesake Jedediah Smith. On a side note: Am I the only one who thinks the Simpson's town founder "Jebediah Springfield" is a riff on the name Jedediah Smith?

You could make me sleep in a mass grave near old-growth redwood groves and I would probably still give you five stars, so I'm not sure how objective this review is, but for what it is worth, the campground within the park itself is also impeccably managed. Campsites are spacious, there's firewood and change for the (excellent) showers available at the entrance, bear-proof trash, recycling, and storage containers are abundant, and the location is ideal: it's two minutes by car to restock beer, ice and supplies in Crescent City; it's maybe ten minutes drive to the incredible Stout Grove and Boy Scout Trails; and the camping area features a walk straight down to a serene, rocky riverside beach. It's California, so you may drink and smoke whatever you like in the campground, provided that you in all instances clean up after yourself immediately. Unlike Texas parks, with which I'm more familiar, rangers here are more concerned with preserving the forest and avoiding encounters with wildlife than policing the purity of your soul. It's just an added benefit to what is in any case an amazing experience in an amazing place. Park is dog friendly. Black bears do wander in, so take your cleanup responsibilities seriously.

Have always wanted to see giant redwoods - call it a bucket list wish - and I had the opportunity to do just that. Ran down to Jedediah Smith Redwoods from Medford, OR and it doesn't disappoint. Massive redwoods meet you right up by the road and as you stroll thru the grove there is a peaceful serene majesty exuded here. The trees are incredible, not only in their size, but in their presence and each step along the trails in the grove takes you to the next sighting and leaves you in awe of God's creation through nature. A place I personally could wander for hours on end - you won't be disappointed. Bonus - some of the largest 3 leaf clover I've ever seen - can you find a four leaf in there?

All natural parks are great. Trailer park nearby be aware A bit of a drive but nature away from Ocean Explore the amazing redwoods Look for your own special nature piece Staff is friendly Collect your park card to visit more

Grew up camping here, now my children are 4th generation enjoying the beauty! The seasonal Bridge to Stout Grove us a must. If you can't camp, at least enjoy the day use facilities and trails.

Beautiful drive and lots of places to just park and walk through these gigantic trees! Beautiful, serene atmosphere!

This was the most magical experience to share with my 12 year old daughter and her friend. We drove for miles through this forest and we're in awe the whole way. We are so happy we got see the great giants and will cherish the memories!

Some of the best wilderness in the Pacific Northwest. Always a great drive between the 101 and the 5, on the California side of the 199, find yourself a place to pull off for a few minutes or a few weeks... you're inside some of the most pristine forest around with hard access and rough terrain the future you go into the wilderness. Trailheads all along the roadway as it snakes around and with the river through the canyons, allow for day use to pull off and take a walk or swim, soak up some sun, and engage Mother Nature. There are several great spots along the route to stop within the park itself to get out for a few minutes and immerse yourself it's always changing scenery with the seasons. A great state park and well worth a visit for however long you have. 4.5 Stars - rounded up for the great drive through. 00520

Did the Boy Scout Tree Trail beginning at 7 a.m. on a Tuesday. Round trip in 2:40 including 10 minute break in the middle. Was first on the trail - but things became VERY busy on the way back, shortly after 9 a.m. Good, not great, hike. Some roots to deal with - otherwise a fairly easy hike. Drive to trail-head includes 2+ miles of dirt road - go slow and it won't be a problem. Even though it was fogged-in at Crescent City - the sun came out and stayed out on the Trail which is actually just a few miles inland.

Of all the Redwood parks in the Crescent City vicinity this is bar far the best, in my opinion. And that is exactly what it is, an opinion. My rationale for this is the fact that it is secluded from Highway 101 so there is less traffic in the park; that makes for a world of difference in both the amount of visitors you will encounter but also road noise. The latter is really what stands out to me. I was reading a newspaper article about JS Park and it mentioned the silence of the trail system here is post-apocalyptic and I can attest to that and I caught myself multiple times wondering how the Yurok had experienced these groves. There are two ways to enter the park; one is off the 199 and the other is from Elk Valley. I chose the former of the two based upon where I was staying. After hitting the town on Hiouchi you make a right at the Scenic View sign to enter the trail system. Another right will lead you onto Howland Hill, a dirt road and towards Stout Grove. I had read some info that mentioned this trial and how during the summer months it can get crowded so I got here early and made it my first stop. The trial itself is relatively easy and loops around some large old growth. You can branch off to another trail from here or make your way to the campground and also the Smith river. I drove further down the road to the Mill Creek trail-head and decided to trek the entire way. Upon entering you are close to the road but shortly into the 4.2 mile one-way hike you veer off into a quite and magical place. The road noise gives way to the sound of water from the Mill Creek; yes the same one that runs through the Mill Creek campground. Walking about 30 minutes will take you from some somewhat large Redwoods into the Grove of the Titans. They are called Titans for a reason; there are some serious big boys in this area. Then as the trail progresses towards the end there is the Smith River. Rocky shore with a bridge crossing to the east side make it an easy place to take a dip. Back up from Mill Creek and the Smith River I made my final stop at the Boy Scout trail head. Something like 2.8 miles one-way but its well worth it as I think the most dramatic and magnificent views of old growth can be been seen here from the undulating trail. The trail goes up, it goes down, it winds around, its technical, has a variety of different environments (upland, lowland, hazelnut, huckleberry, spruce, maple, etc), and towards the end of the trail it pays off with the Boy Scout tree. Further down is a small falls, Fern Falls, but I did not visit and heard it was rather anti-climatic. But then again, the hike back out was more gorgeous than the hike in. Just do a favor for posterity and stay on the designated trials.