This Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide starts with a simple fact: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is quieter than many California redwood destinations, even though its trees are among the tallest and oldest in the state. Located about nine miles east of Crescent City on Highway 199, the park protects 10,000 acres of primeval redwood groves, ferns, rhododendrons, and azaleas. It is part of Redwood National and State Parks, established in 1929. Much of its center remains undeveloped: short grove walks, one long forest hike, a clear river, and a scenic gravel road lined with giants.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide at a glance
- Where: Nine miles east of Crescent City on Highway 199, near Hiouchi.
- Best for: Easy old-growth walks, quiet scenery, summer river access, and a scenic drive.
- Top stops: Stout Grove, Grove of Titans, the Boy Scout Tree Trail, the Smith River, and Howland Hill Road.
- Day use: Sunrise to sunset; day-use fees apply at developed areas. Check current rates first.
- Camping: Campground open all year; reservations recommended in peak season.
- Dogs: Except service animals, dogs are not allowed on trails.
- Road warning: Howland Hill Road is narrow and mostly unpaved; trailers and RVs are not recommended, with no RV parking at Stout Grove.
Why this park feels different
Many redwood parks are built around one famous grove, but this Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide covers a park built around several. Jedediah Smith feels more spread out, and this Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide recommends a slower pace because of it. The forest grows on flat river terraces as well as hillsides, so impressive trees stand in open groves rather than steep canyons. California State Parks describes the Smith River as the last major free-flowing river in California. In summer it is central to a visit; in winter and spring, check current river conditions first.
Stout Grove: the essential first walk
Stout Grove is the best place to start, and this Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide puts it first for a reason. The National Park Service describes these 300-foot trees as the heart of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The 44-acre grove, donated in 1929 by Clara W. Stout, was the park’s first dedicated grove. The main trail is a short 0.5-mile loop, mostly flat, through tall trees, ferns, and fallen logs, with a short spur trail dropping about twenty feet to a cobbled beach on the Smith River. Year-round, cars and vans can drive the eastern section of Howland Hill Road to the trailhead, where parking is limited and no RV or trailer parking is available. In summer, visitors can also park at the campground day-use area, where a fee applies, and follow the riverside footpath about half a mile upstream to the seasonal hikers bridge; check current bridge conditions and arrive early.
Boy Scout Tree Trail: the long forest hike
For a deeper walk into old growth, this Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide points to the Boy Scout Tree Trail, the park’s signature longer hike. California State Parks lists it at 5.6 miles round trip and describes it as moderate to strenuous. Built by Boy Scouts from Crescent City in the 1930s, it leads into the park’s wild interior through dense, unbroken old-growth forest. The destination is the Boy Scout Tree, more than 300 feet tall and actually two intertwined coast redwoods, with Fern Falls beyond as a turnaround. The trailhead sits along Howland Hill Road, reached from Highway 101 via Elk Valley Road. Parking is limited, so start early and check current trail status, especially from late fall through spring, when the far portion can close seasonally. Bring water and a map; cell coverage is limited.
Grove of Titans: giants on a boardwalk
The Grove of Titans offers a different kind of redwood experience, and this Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide includes it for visitors who want the park’s largest trees with a short walk. Completed in summer 2022, it provides sustainable access to ancient trees known for their shape and size, after unofficial foot traffic damaged the forest floor. The trailhead is on the eastern side of Howland Hill Road, best reached from Highway 199 near Hiouchi, connecting with the Mill Creek Trail. The loop is about 1.5 miles, with a 1,500-foot elevated boardwalk protecting the forest floor and shallow roots. Stay on the trail and boardwalk. The boardwalk has steps and is not ADA accessible, so visitors who need a step-free route should choose Stout Grove instead. Parking along Howland Hill Road is limited in summer; RVs and trailers are not allowed on the road.
The Smith River: swimming, fishing, and paddling
The Smith River is not a side attraction; in this Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide it is central to the park’s geography and summer season. This Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide notes its clear water, gravel bars, and cobbled beaches suit swimming, wading, paddling, and picnicking in warm months, with access near the campground and Stout Grove. River conditions change seasonally; high flows can be dangerous, so check current conditions and use caution with children. The river is known for salmon, trout, and steelhead; anglers age 16 and over must carry a valid California fishing license, and seasonal regulations change, so check current rules. Summer brings lower, clearer water, while winter and spring bring higher flows.
Howland Hill Road: the scenic drive
Howland Hill Road is both a route and an attraction in this Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide. The road runs about 10 miles from Crescent City toward Hiouchi, following Mill Creek past groves, trailheads, and trees that stand close to the road. The gravel road has a 15-mile-per-hour speed limit and is not recommended for trailers, so drive a car or van, allow extra time for pullouts and oncoming traffic, and expect dust, mud, ruts, or closures after storms. For this Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide, the key warning is: do not rely on cell service; download maps before leaving Crescent City or Hiouchi. Even a partial drive with one grove stop captures the park’s character.
Practical information for this Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide
Day-use fees are collected at developed campground entrance stations, according to the National Park Service. The campground day-use area fee is listed at $8 per vehicle in current National Park Service trail information for Stout Grove, and California State Parks passes and federal America the Beautiful passes are accepted, with discounted pricing for pass holders. Check current day-use rates and pass acceptance on the official California State Parks page before arrival. Camping is available at the Jedediah Smith Campground, open all year. From November through April, sites are first come, first served. The National Park Service lists a $35 fee for developed campgrounds in Redwood National and State Parks, with reservations at least 48 hours in advance through ReserveCalifornia or by phone at 1-800-444-7275. The campground also has four ADA-accessible cabins sleeping up to six; this Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide leaves cabin rates as check current at booking.
For the Boy Scout Tree Trail, no separate day-hike permit is required beyond the park day-use fee that applies at developed areas. Day hikers need not book in advance, but should check current closures, parking, and bridge status. Free online permits are required only for overnight backcountry camps, a different system from a day hike. If a visit includes an overnight backcountry stay, check current permit requirements on the National Park Service fees and passes page before the trip. Hiouchi Visitor Center hours vary by season; check current hours first.
Where to stay nearby
Crescent City is the most practical base for a trip covered by this Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide, with hotels, restaurants, fuel, and groceries along Highway 101. It sits about nine miles west of the park on Highway 199, an easy drive to the campground and western Howland Hill Road, and a simple base for the nearby coast and other redwood parks to the south. Hiouchi, on Highway 199 at the park’s eastern side, is a quieter base closer to Stout Grove, Grove of Titans, and the campground entrance, but lodging is limited, so book early for summer. The park campground is the closest overnight option, beside the Smith River and near the summer footbridge to Stout Grove. Stock fuel and supplies before Howland Hill Road, where services are unavailable. For north-coast drive ideas, see this California coastal road trip guide and this Pacific Coast Highway road trip guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much time do visitors need at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park?
A half day covers Stout Grove, Howland Hill Road, and the Smith River. A full day adds Grove of Titans and the Boy Scout Tree Trail. Campers should plan two days, based in Crescent City.
Is Stout Grove accessible for visitors with limited mobility?
Stout Grove is the most accessible major grove, with a short, mostly flat loop. The Grove of Titans boardwalk has steps and is not ADA accessible. Check current accessibility information on the Stout Grove trail page before visiting.
Do visitors need a permit for the Boy Scout Tree Trail?
No separate day-hike permit is required beyond any applicable day-use fee at developed areas. Check current trail status, since the far portion can close seasonally. Overnight backcountry camping is a separate system with its own free permit.
What is the best time of year to visit?
Late spring through fall offers the easiest trail access, the seasonal footbridge, and the best chance of reaching the Boy Scout Tree and Fern Falls. Summer brings the warmest swimming and largest crowds. Winter offers quiet groves, but expect rain and possible closures. This Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide recommends checking current conditions in any season.
Can visitors bring dogs to Jedediah Smith?
Except for service animals, dogs are not allowed on park trails. Dogs are allowed in the campground under park rules, on leash and under control. For more Northern California hiking ideas, see these weekend hikes in Northern California.
Conclusion
In this Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park rewards visitors who slow down. Stout Grove offers an easy introduction to old growth, Grove of Titans shows how a boardwalk protects fragile ground, and the Boy Scout Tree Trail gives a longer walk through unbroken forest. The Smith River and Howland Hill Road tie those experiences together. For more background, see the Grove of Titans trail page and the Visit California park overview.
This Jedediah Smith Redwoods guide ends with a practical suggestion: base in Crescent City or Hiouchi, arrive early, check current fees, closures, and river conditions, and leave room for an unplanned stop. The park’s quietest moments often come on a side trail, beside the river, or under a fern-soft canopy.
