RT Stout Grove Trail

Majestic, 44-acre grove of old-growth 300-foot redwoods are considered by many as the heart of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and a popular summer destination for those willing to take on the challenge of getting there

General Information

Length:

0.5–0.6 mile loop

Elevation Gain:

Approximately 30–75 feet

Difficulty:

Easy

Hours:

Open year-round for day use, typically sunrise to sunset

Fees:

No entrance fee required
$8 day-use fee may apply when parking at Jedediah Smith campground access area

Pet Policy:

Pets are not allowed on the trail

Closest cities with hotels:

Crescent City (6–8 mi)

Seasons:

All year, with summer offering river access and spring/fall providing quieter conditions

Location:

Howland Hill Rd, Crescent City, CA

Website:

nps.gov

How to Get There

From Crescent City (8 mi): Take US-199 east toward Hiouchi, turn onto Howland Hill Road, and follow the narrow unpaved road several miles to the Stout Grove trailhead parking area.

Overview

Stout Grove is often considered to be the heart of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. In 1929, Mrs. Clara Stout donated this 44-acre grove to the Save-the-Redwoods League to save it from being logged and to memorialize her husband, lumber baron Frank D. Stout. A walk along this loop trail reveals colossal redwoods thriving in rich soil deposited during periodic flooding of the Smith River. Here, waist-high sword ferns carpet the forest floor and normally flared tree bases stop short, covered in river soils. Flood waters inhibit the growth of understory trees and plants seen in other groves, leaving the 300-foot redwoods on display. A short spur trail leads you to the serpentine waters of the Smith River.

The trail is a short 0.5 mile (0.8 km) in length and the grove is on the edge of the beautiful Smith River. A short spur trail decends down twenty feet to the Smith River. In summer many people picnic, paddle, and swim at this cobbled beach. In summer this is where the hikers' bridge crosses the Smith River.

Smaller vehicles like cars and vans can access the trailhead and parking lot by driving the eastern section of Howland Hill Road. Howland Hill Road is windy, narrow, mostly unpaved, and is not suitable for large vehicles. There is no parking for RVs and trailers at the trailhead. In summer, you can park any vehicle at the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground Day Use Area ($8 fee required). From the campground walk towards the Smith River and along the riverbank you will find a walking trial heading upstream. This trail is about half a mile and then crosses the summer hikers' bridge to Stout Memorial Grove.

This article uses material from nps.gov "Redwood National and State Parks"