Park Adventures

Most park activities—including hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, scenic driving, and camping—focus on the Smith River and the park’s remote old-growth redwood forest.

If you have an hour, drive through some of the park’s largest old-growth redwoods on Howland Hill Road.

If you have half a day, drive out Howland Hill Road to Stout Grove. Stroll through the gigantic trees and picnic beside the Smith River.

If you have a full day, drive out Howland Hill Road to the Boy Scout Tree Trailhead and take an amazing hike into the heart of the park.

Hiking

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park has 20 miles of hiking trails. Bring water, appropriate clothing, and a trail map.

EASY HIKES
Stout Grove 0.6 miles
This easy loop showcases stately Stout Memorial Grove. On a sunny day, the grove’s colors are most spectacular in late afternoon.

The grove was named for lumberman Frank D. Stout, founder of Knapp, Stout & Company—one of the largest lumber companies in the world in the 1870s and 1880s. Stout died in 1927. His wife, Clara, donated the 44-acre grove to Save the Redwoods League, which helped establish the park in 1929.

Driving east on Howland Hill Road, the trailhead is at mile 6.7. After circling the grove, you can walk down to the Smith River. In summer, a footbridge leads to the park’s campground (also accessed from Highway 199).

MODERATE-TO-STRENUOUS HIKES
Boy Scout Trail  5.6 miles roundtrip

Built by Boy Scouts from Crescent City in the 1930s, this trail is the only one in the park that leads into the wild heart of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The destination, Fern Falls, is pleasant enough—but not as impressive as what you see in the process of getting there. At lunchtime, sprawl out under the more-than-300-feet-tall Boy Scout Tree, which is really two coast redwoods intertwined. At the end of the day, you’ll understand why redwood writer David Baselt calls this park “a showcase of the world’s best redwood scenery.” http://www.redwoodhikes.com/JedSmith/BoyScout.html

To get to the trailhead, turn off Highway 101 onto Elk Valley Road at the south end of Crescent City. After 1.5 miles, fork right onto Howland Hill Road. You can begin viewing magnificent trees from the car. In four miles, the signed Boy Scout Trail takes off to the north.

The marked trailhead is off west end of Howland Hill Road. There is limited parking so RVs and trailers are not advised.

Leiffer-Ellsworth Loop Trails  2.4 miles
More than a century ago, supplies were hauled inland from Crescent City on a wagon road made of redwood planks. Hikers can view parts of the old Crescent City Plank Road at the northern end of the park on the Leiffer and Ellsworth Loop trails. Along the way are coast redwoods, big-leaf maple, vine maple, western hemlock, and California hazel. In spring, there’s a burst of color from trillium, wild ginger, clintonia and many other flowering plants.

Start at the Leiffer loop: Drive east on Highway 199, turn north on unpaved Walker Road and proceed about half a mile to the trailhead.  Be prepared for hiking up short and generally shady ups and downs.

Little Bald Hills Trail to South Fork Road  19.6 miles roundtrip
Starting in a redwood forest near the Smith River, head upward 1,800 feet, passing through plant communities you won’t see elsewhere in the park. Port Orford cedar, knobcone pine, bear grass, and hairy manzanita are just a few of the interesting species. At 3.3 miles from the trailhead, you’ll find a Redwood National Park backcountry campground with 4 sites, a horse corral, and non-potable water; at 4.8 miles, you head into Smith River National Recreation Area. From there, you can walk downhill an additional 5 miles on the Paradise Flat Trail to South Fork Road. Bikes and horses are permitted as well as hikers. The marked trailhead is near the east end of Howland Hill Road.

For additional hiking suggestions, try the Redwood National and State Parks website.

Biking

Little Bald Hills Trail   19.6 miles roundtrip
Bicycles are permitted on all public roadways and one backcountry route: the Little Bald Hills Trail. Yield to equestrians along the trail. 

Pedal uphill through old-growth redwoods from the trailhead (mile 6.7 coming from the west on Howland Hill Road). At 3.3 miles, in Redwood National Park, there’s a primitive campground with 4 sites, a horse corral, and running (but non-potable) water. At 4.8 miles, the trail crosses the Smith River National Recreation Area boundary. From there it’s another 5 miles, mostly downhill, to South Fork Road on Paradise Flat Trail. Bring water, appropriate clothing, and a trail map.

Horseback Riding

Little Bald Hills Trail  19.6 miles roundtrip
Horses and other pack animals are permitted on one backcountry route in Jed Smith: the Little Bald Hills Trail. Head uphill through old-growth redwoods from the trailhead (mile 6.7 coming from the west on Howland Hill Road). At 3.3 miles, in Redwood National Park, there’s a primitive campground with 4 sites, a horse corral, and running (non-potable) water. At 4.8 miles, the trail crosses the Smith River National Recreation Area boundary. From there it’s another 5 miles, mostly downhill, to South Fork Road on Paradise Flat Trail. Bring water, appropriate clothing, and a trail map. 

Boating

The Smith River is a prized part of America’s National Wild and Scenic River System. According to the Smith River Alliance, it’s also “a floater’s playpen, if you know what you’re doing.” In the summer, park naturalists offer free kayak tours. http://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/kayaktours.htm. For other boating options, check this site: http://www.nwrafting.com/smithriver.

Drives

Built in 1850, 10-mile-long Howland Hill Road leads from Crescent City to the town of Hiouchi, past some of the park’s most impressive old-growth redwoods. From Highway 101 at the south end of Crescent City, turn east on Elk Valley Road. Take the right fork on unpaved Howland Hill Road after about 1.5 miles. The gravel road, with a speed limit of 15 miles per hour is not recommended for trailers. Be sure to sure to stop occasionally, step out of your car, and feel the magic of the ancient forest.

From the day-use area just off Highway 199, you can visit the marker for the largest World War II memorial in the country. The 5,000-acre National Tribute Grove was dedicated in 1949 after a nationwide fundraising effort led by Save the Redwoods League, Garden Club of America, and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Camping

Jedediah Smith Campground has 87 family campsites. Each has a table, fire ring, and cupboard, with restrooms nearby. Some sites can accommodate trailers or motor homes up to 36 feet (with no hookups). Reservations are recommended between Memorial Day and Labor Day. For reservations, call 800-444-7275 or use the reservations link on the park's home page. Hike and bike campsites may not be reserved.

Camping

“The Smith River is quite possibly the best place for salmon, trout, and steelhead fishing in the whole state of California,” says the Smith River Alliance. Anglers 16 and over must carry a valid California fishing license. To apply for a license and learn the rules, visit the Department of Fish and Wildlife website. For fishing reports, river flow rates, and a map, try this site.

Swimming & Fish-Watching

The exceptionally clear waters and deep pools of the Smith River are home to steelhead, salmon, and cutthroat trout. If you have a snorkel and mask, you can watch them as you swim. The water is cold, even in summer, so you’ll need a wetsuit, preferably with a hood. For safety, dive with a buddy. You can fish-watch on your own—or participate in the annual Smith River Alliance Fish Survey