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Strolling the Stout Grove Trail at Redwood National Park

Look up! That’s pretty much what you’ll be doing while exploring the majestic coastal redwoods, known as the world’s tallest trees, at Redwood National & State Parks. The Stout Grove Trail is one of the best trails we have explored during many National Parks trips.

stout memorial grove trail

Redwood National and State Parks in northern California is a combination of the National Park and three California State Parks (Jedediah Smith Redwoods, Del Norte County and Prairie Creek Redwoods). Almost half of the coast redwoods are located within this area.

It doesn’t only include the redwood trees but also protects 40 miles of coastline, prairies and woodlands. This park system is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.

Redwood National park

Exploring the Stout Memorial Grove Trail

The first area we explored was Stout Memorial Grove Trail which was a fine example of an ancient coast redwood forest located inside the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. One of the park rangers at the visitor’s center highly recommended this trail and we could see why.

We got here early around 10 AM. Luckily, there were hardly any visitors during a summer weekend.

Stout Grove Trail with kids

The path leading to the trail was flanked on both sides by so much lush vegetation. The short pathways opened into a collection of redwoods.

Although these weren’t the tallest, it was just as awe-inspiring especially with the sunbeams peeking in between the branches and foliage.

Stout Grove Trail redwood

The trail was an easy, flat, half mile, loop that meandered around these amazing giant trees.

Stout Grove Trail redwood

The Tallest Trees

These redwoods average in height at about 300 feet (91 m)  and could live to about 2,000 years old. It was only among these trees and the giant sequoias at Sequoia National Park have I ever felt so infinitely small.

The world’s tallest tree is called the Hyperion and is 379.1 feet (115.6 m) tall which is about six stories taller than the Statue of Liberty. It is located in an undisclosed area in the Redwood National Park.

The tallest tree in this trail is the Jedediah Smith and is 342 feet (104 m) tall. We somehow missed the signage for this so I’m not sure if we even got a picture of it.

Stout grove trail redwood state park

The Songs for Junior Rangers referred to the Redwoods as “Skyscraper Plants” and was a wonderful way to describe them. There was such a tranquil setting to this forest.

I’ve read people describe this place as “cathedral-like” or “spiritual” and they were right. It felt like we were transported into another time and place in this ancient forest.

Redwood Stout Grove Trail

This was how I would have imagined this forest must have looked like thousands of years ago. Well, minus the pathways.

They were so worth the neck strains to try and see the top of those trees. It was a bit challenging tying to capture their full size in photos.

California Redwoods

Zen Setting

I know I may sound like a broken record sometimes when I say you have to see things in person to fully appreciate it. But, this really is one of those times just because of the redwood’s sheer size. There are no words to fully capture the experience and beauty of looking up at these majestic trees.

Redwood National State Park with kids

With hardly any distractions, no phone signals for us here (much to my husband’s and kids’ disappointment), it was easy to fully enjoy the beauty of this forest in solitude. Its primitive surroundings almost felt like something would jump out of the trees.

As we walked around, I casually mentioned to my husband that this looked like the Ewok forest from Star Wars. As it turned out, Jedediah State Park was actually used as a film location for the Return of the Jedi in the Star Wars movie series.

Redwood Stout Grove Trail

I found the fallen trees fascinating since we got to see a closer look at their massive root systems. Can you imagine the sounds that reverberated through this area when these massive trees fell?

redwood tree root

The ground beneath the redwoods was covered with pine needles and plants that almost looked like clovers but we found out were called redwood sorrel. My kids enjoyed going in the high sword ferns which was a pleasant surprise to find here.

Redwood National Park ferns

It was sad to see but also made me angry to find this vandalized tree. I can’t believe how some people couldn’t appreciate this ancient forest without leaving their mark. Unfortunately, this one can’t be covered up by paint.

Redwood tree grafitti

An Outdoor Playground

One of the great things about this trail is it also served as an outdoor playground. My kids loved exploring, balancing and climbing on the fallen redwoods.

Redwood National Park with kids

Kids could go inside the branches and see how it looked. They could crawl through and my son would have done this repeatedly if we didn’t have to leave. They were perfect sizes for kids too.

Inside the Redwood tree

My kids also enjoyed looking for growths on the bark that looked like it could pass for a character from The Hobbitt movie. What do you think?

Redwood National Park growth

Stout Grove Trail was a perfect place for a quick stop and a wonderful introduction to the giant redwood trees for us. The trail is very accessible and was an easy walk for everyone no matter what age.

Photos can’t really do any justice to these trees. So, make this scenic trail one of your first stops when you explore these natural world wonders.

Stout Grove Trail

Tips for Visiting Stout Memorial Trail

  • No entrance fee to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park or Stout Memorial Grove Trail.
  • Getting here: The easiest way to get here is by using Highway 199 and follow the signs a few miles from the town of Hiouchi. We took Howland Hill Road, which was a gravel road among the redwoods, to leave Stout Grove. Certain areas were very narrow and dusty and we wouldn’t recommend using this route.
  • No vending machines or food vendors on this trail. So, bring snacks and water especially for the kids even if it is a short trail.
  • Use the restrooms at the nearest visitor’s center – Hiouchi Information Center along Highway 199. There were no facilities here.
  • It was located at the crossroads of two rivers and there was also a trail that led down to the river.
  • Bring insect repellant. There were mosquitoes here so beware.
  • Check out our adventure hiking Fern Canyon Trail inside the Prairie Creek State park.

Have you visited the majestic coastal redwoods?

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stout grove trail redwood national park

32 thoughts on “Strolling the Stout Grove Trail at Redwood National Park”

  1. I have been in forests with big trees, huge trees. In W.A., Canada and NQ. and there is nothing like looking up and up, and how about the width! I too have had trouble fitting them in the frame. I like the photos that contain people to show just HOW big these trees are, it is so easy to look at photos of the trees and not realizing their enormous side. There is something calming and humbling about walking amongst giants.

  2. Nice shots, I’ve been to those parks a few times. Most recently, I’ve seen the sequoias in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and in the past, those in Yosemite.

    I’m lucky enough to live near Muir Woods, and hiking trails elsewhere in Marin County where coastal redwoods grow.

    And, of course, I’ve got my own personal “grove” of redwoods right next to my house.

  3. Those trees are just incredible! We have seen really big trees in Stanley Park in Vancouver but I don’t think they are quite so big as these. I love that photo of your son with the roots of the fallen tree – it really gives a great perspective of just how massive that tree was!

  4. Visiting the Redwoods is a dream of mine!! I can’t even imagine how it must feel to stand beneath these ancient giants. I can’t even fathom in my mind trees this tall. I heard that it’s impossible to take a whole picture of a redwood from to to bottom. Photographers have to take a few and stitch them together digitally. Although it looks like from one of your pictures you got the whole tree!

  5. How lucky you had the redwoods to yourselves! I just love these parks, but it’s been a while since I visited. Just looking at your pics, I can almost smell those amazing trees. I’ve never ceased to be in awe of how big and beautiful they are. Definitely looks like the kids had a great time.

  6. The photos of your kids looking up at the soaring trees, climbing through the fallen trunks and standing next to the expose root system really show off how big these trees are. It must be magnificent to experience in person. And it’s kind of nice that you’re forced to unplug with the lack of cell phone service there.

  7. My family has wanted to see the Redwoods for years. When we were in California last year, we thought about extending our trip up the coast so we could see them but much to my disappointment, we decided another trip was needed. My Star Wars fan will appreciate the trip all the more.

  8. Hi Mary, these trees are so magnificent, so spectacular. It must feel very humbling standing next their vastness. I feel spiritual just looking at them through your beautiful photos. I long to photograph them myself. Those growths look like Hobbit characters indeed! It nice that the kids found other things to entertain themselves. Thanks for another great post on National Park.

  9. I felt exactly the same way, the first time I saw the redwoods. I was completely unprepared for how amazing they’d be. And no, pictures don’t really do them justice – you have to see them in person. Thanks for sharing these trip details with us!

  10. What gorgeous trees! We haven’t been to the Redwood forests for ages, but you have captured the trees so beautifully. I love looking for things like faces in nature so your “Hobbit” tree pics reminded me of that too. And it’s cool that kids don’t always need playgrounds but are just happy playing in nature and exploring. Sounds like you guys had fun!

  11. This is really cool. I’ve seen the redwoods as a child (probably one of those scrambling around and crawling through the trees like your kids), but would love to visit again. They look impossibly huge and I love that this park was used for Star Wars. Totally looks like it.

  12. I haven’t been to this national park (yet!) but visited a couple of redwood and sequioa parks this year, and they are hard to photograph. You did a great job! I’m pinning this for a trip up there, which I hope will not be too far in the future. :)

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