Forget Redwood National Park, California's Lesser-Known Gem Has Towering Trees And Miles Of Trails

California is full of staggeringly beautiful national parks. The Golden State boasts the most national parks in the country, and these wonderful protected outdoor spaces are a showcase of the best that California has to offer. Adventurers choosing the best California national park for a camping or hiking trip are spoiled for choice. But discovering eye-opening natural beauty in California isn't just about national parks. Often underrated and significantly less crowded, California's state parks are just as beautiful, and many of them offer similarly exciting experiences and dramatic landscapes. One under-the-radar spot is Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which actually boasts the largest old-growth redwood forest left in the world. 

The park is an amazing place to visit for anyone wanting to see the majesty and awe-inspiring beauty of these remarkable trees up close. Humboldt Redwoods State Park is located in northern California, about 35 miles south of Eureka along the Avenue of the Giants and 20 miles north of Garberville. 

The park is highly accessible, and the 32-mile-long Avenue of the Giants, which parallels Coastal Highway 101, is lined with giant redwoods. It's considered one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world and is a vital part of any scenic West Coast road trip.

In Yosemite, incredible granite peaks tower majestically over pine forests, while Joshua Tree's bizarre alien landscapes allow you to bask in otherworldly beauty. And, of course, Redwood National Park has the tallest trees in the world: California's mighty redwoods and sequoias. But Humboldt Redwoods State Park is no slouch, either. The park covers an area of more than 53,000 acres, almost twice as large as the San Francisco metro area. Almost a third of this is old-growth redwood forest, making this gorgeous state park the largest collection of ancient redwoods anywhere on Earth. The beginnings of the park were purchased in 1921 by the Save the Redwoods League, in response to the threat of logging, and it is now one of the best places in California to see these epic trees.

Most people start their Humboldt Redwoods experience with a drive along Avenue of the Giants, a 32-mile stretch of highway running through a corridor of towering, 300-foot redwoods. It is an easy way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this corner of California, and it's the best option if you only have a short time, since you can drive the road leisurely in about an hour, including a few photo stops.

If you've got a little longer, then it is worth heading out on foot to get up close and personal with the trees. Humboldt Redwoods State Park has miles of excellent hiking trails, and there's nothing quite like walking in the shade of these stunning, overwhelming trees. The Mahan Plaque Loop is a popular route to start with, featuring a rare albino redwood, while the Rockefeller Loop takes you into the heart of the Rockefeller Forest and feels like something out of a children's picture book. For a serious challenge, the Grasshopper Trail is an epic 15.3-mile out-and-back to the top of Grasshopper Mountain, the park's tallest peak, offering 100-mile, 360-degree panoramic views from the summit.

Just wandering through Humboldt Redwoods State Park is a treat, and wherever you turn you'll find wonderful forested dioramas and magnificent redwoods. But there are a few highlights of the park that are worth seeking out specifically. 

Founder's Grove, on the Founder's Grove Nature Trail, is a delightful place to rest and enjoy the impressive sight of the fallen 362-foot Dyerville Giant, as well as the California Federation of Women's Club's Hearthstone. The Visitor Center is also worth a stop for its excellent, educational exhibits, including the Kellogg Travel Log, an RV carved entirely from a fallen redwood.

Also seek out Eel River, which runs along the park's eastern edge and offers great kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and fishing, plus a delightful backdrop for many trails. For keen runners looking for a slightly unusual state park experience, the park hosts two trail marathon races each year. The Avenue of the Giants Marathon is held in the spring, while the Humboldt Redwoods Marathon occurs in the fall, and both offer an incredibly rare opportunity to race beneath the shadow of the world's largest trees!