Stout Grove

Trail Name: Stout Grove

Date Hiked: 11/27/20

Area: Redwood National and State Parks

Mileage: 0.7 total

Elevation Gain: 32 ft

NOTE: This is more than a hike, it’s an experience. Start with driving the beautiful Howland Hill Road from Crescent City, and if you can hike the Boy Scout Tree Trail AND Stout Grove. If you only have time to hit one Redwood grove during your time in Redwood National & State Parks, definitely make it Stout Grove.

Recommendations for a Day:

You might ask, why is this dude writing up a blogpost about a 0.7 mile trail, this dumb, I’m going to continue my google search…WAIT! Don’t do that! The combination of driving Howland Hill Road and walking Stout Grove is the #1 activity Emily and I recommend for Redwood National & State Parks. Not Lady Bird Johnson Grove or Tall Trees Grove. Stout Grove is by far the best.

Let’s start with the drive…

Howland Hill Road from Crescent City (use the Google Map above) has to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world. It takes you through immense old growth redwoods that are inches away from your car, so close that you can reach out the window and touch them. We haven’t ever seen anything like that before, and it’s the perfect drive for anyone that wants to see some of the best redwoods in the world even though their days of long hikes are behind them. If we ever take Emily’s Nana up to Redwood National & State Parks, we are 100% taking her on that drive. It’s just absolutely thrilling as you make your way down the one lane road (easily passable with any vehicle).

The grove is so far though…

It’s also worth noting that many people that visit Redwood typically see the south and middle portion of the park. They may look at how far north they would have to drive to get to this road/grove and remove it from their itinerary – but don’t be that person. The entire drive north from Prairie Creek Visitor Center is gorgeous. Along the way you’ll get to cross the mouth of the Klamath River (epic!), the giant Paul Bunyan statue at Trees of Mystery, breathtaking coastlines with rocks, giant redwoods, and you’ll be able to stop in Crescent City and try SeaQuake Brewing.

Breathtaking coastlines throughout the drive to Howland Hill Road

Trees of Mystery is definitely a tourist trap but it provides a cool photo op with Paul Bunyan

What about the actual grove…

After soaking-in the scenery along the way, and marveling at the extremely unique Howland Hill Road, you’ll be able to stop for a hike at the Boy Scout Tree Trail and head to Fern Falls OR just head straight to the main attraction – Stout Grove.

The Stout Grove hike is super short (0.7miles), it’ll be over quick, so take your time and enjoy it. It was our favorite redwood grove because of the environment of the grove. There aren’t many trees other than the redwoods, so it creates this open space between the redwoods that really allows for some great viewing and photo opportunities. The openness of the landscape really shows how majestic these trees truly are.

If you have time for only one redwood grove, make it Stout Grove – you won’t regret it.

And don’t forget to celebrate your excellent day of adventure with Crescent City’s SeaQuake Brewing, it’s top quality beer for a great price! They had curbside pick-up during COVID-19 and the process was relatively easy.