Walk the Stout Memorial Grove Trail

This half-mile stroll is deceptively simple — the real adventure is getting there. Depending on when you visit, you'll either drive the seasonal unpaved Howland Hill Road or cross the Smith River on temporary summer footbridges, which turns even a short hike into a mini-expedition. Once you arrive, the grove itself is cathedral-quiet: massive old-growth redwoods towering roughly thirty stories overhead, their canopy filtering light into soft green columns. The trail is flat and wheelchair-accessible, winding through a 44-acre stand that many consider the crown jewel of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. A short spur drops you down to the Smith River's edge, where the water runs impossibly clear over smooth stones. This is the kind of place where you sit down for five minutes and look up to find an hour has passed. Perfect for families, photographers, and anyone who wants maximum redwood grandeur with minimal sweat.