Every Trail Tells a Story
Richardson Grove State Park
Redwood groves thriving on rich Eel River soil.
Family-friendly camping and swimming tradition at “The Grove.”
Trails that mix canyon views, ridges, creeks, and quiet forest.
You can’t miss the redwoods in Richardson Grove State Park; Highway 101 runs straight through the middle of them. The highway lobby saw to that, and to this day travelers get their windshield glimpse of giants as they rumble between Garberville and the Humboldt line.
But if you really want to experience the magic and majesty of “The Grove,” as it’s affectionately known, you have to get off the pavement and onto the trail.
Richardson Grove is one of California’s oldest and most beloved redwood parks, a favorite for generations of families heading north for summer camping. In July and August the place bustles with kids darting between campsites, inner tubes stacked at the riverbank, and day-trippers pulling off 101 to stretch their legs. The highway makes it accessible, but the groves themselves still feel timeless.
The park’s redwoods thrive on the deep, rich soil deposited by centuries of Eel River flooding. The trees here shoot up tall and straight, cloaking the canyon walls in green shade. Step a few hundred yards away from the highway and the sound of engines fades, replaced by birdsong and the muffled hush of breeze in the branches.
As for the name-Richardson Grove honors California’s 25th governor, William Friend Richardson. “Friend” he may have been in name, but not to state parks. Richardson, a staunch conservative, vetoed every early attempt to fund the new park system. In one of the great ironies of California conservation, the Save the Redwoods League and other advocates named this gem after him anyway. So today thousands of campers happily picnic, hike, and swim beneath the redwoods in a park that Richardson himself never would have supported.
Start your visit with the small but worthwhile visitor center, which houses natural history exhibits and early photos. Don’t miss the curiosities: a walk-through tree and a dawn redwood, the coastal redwood’s long-lost cousin from China, planted here decades ago.
This loop hike threads several of the park’s diverse environments-redwood groves above the South Fork of the Eel River, shaded creeks, and a high ridge. Note that Durphy Creek Trail is often storm-damaged, with downed trees across the path. Some are easy step-overs; others require a scramble.
Richardson Grove State Park is located at 1600 US-101, Garberville, CA 95542. From Highway 101, eight miles south of Garberville, take the Richardson Grove State Park exit. Once inside the park, follow the signs to the visitor center. Day use fee.
From the visitor center parking lot, join Interpretive Trail north. At the park road, turn left and follow the painted bear paw prints. Walk under the overpass and look left for signed Exhibit Trail. Head south, parallel to 101, past benches and displays to the signed Lookout Point Trail.
Lookout Trail forks almost immediately. Stay left and begin climbing through redwoods and Douglas fir to Lookout Point. The view is modest-Eel River Canyon and Highway 101-but worth a pause. Beyond the lookout the path steepens before switchbacking up a ridge to meet Tan Oak Springs Trail.
Crest the ridge, then descend to Tan Oak Springs, a tule- and cattail-ringed seep that makes a good rest stop if not a dramatic destination. From here the trail continues downhill to Durphy Creek, then follows the creek eastward on a shaded, level course through the redwoods. The path eventually meets the park road, which you can follow back to the visitor center.