Lady Bird Johnson Grove

Overview

This upland redwood grove sits over 1,000 feet up Bald Hills Road and delivers a big, classic redwood payoff for minimal effort. The loop is easy and family-friendly, with benches sprinkled along the way and numbered plaques that turn the walk into a self-guided tour. It’s also a spot with real park history—the grove hosted the park’s dedication and was named in honor of Lady Bird Johnson shortly after.

What You’ll See

• Towering old-growth redwoods, especially beyond the Berry Glen junction, plus lush, ferny slopes and a mix of huckleberry and salal undergrowth.
• A clear transition from second-growth Douglas-fir near the start into ancient, unlogged redwood forest.
• The dedication plaque about a half-mile in, and quirky details like a leaning tree braced by a living neighbor.
• In late May to mid‑June, pink rhododendron blooms brighten the foggy greens.

Route & Wayfinding

Park three miles up Bald Hills Road, then cross the pedestrian bridge to start the loop. The first segment follows an old roadbed, passes the park dedication site, dips to the Berry Glen Trail junction (optional extension), then returns via a more scenic hillside before closing the loop. The path is wide and gently graded, with a few short ups and downs. A sloped hikers’ bridge means it’s not officially wheelchair accessible.

Logistics

• Parking is limited and routinely full from late morning to mid‑afternoon in summer. There’s no parking along Bald Hills Road, and oversized vehicles (RVs, buses, trailers) aren’t allowed in the lot.
• Vault toilets are by the parking area; there’s no potable water. Pets and bikes aren’t permitted on the trail.
• Cell service is spotty to nonexistent. Download maps and the NPS app’s grove tour ahead of time and bring a paper map if you can.
• Bald Hills Road is narrow and winding with few pull‑outs, and you may encounter logging trucks—take it slow.

Wildlife

Expect birds flitting through the canopy and the occasional banana slug on damp mornings. With the grove’s cool, moist microclimate, the forest floor is often alive with ferns and seasonal wildflowers.

Best Time to Visit

• For elbow room and easier parking, arrive early (before about 10:30 am) or late (after 4 pm), especially on summer weekends when midday is busiest.
• Morning fog often filters soft beams of light through the trees—great for photography. Spring can be wet and muddy; winter is quiet and can even see rare dustings of snow.
• Bloom watchers: aim for late May to mid‑June for rhododendrons.

Is It Worth It?

Absolutely—this is one of the most rewarding “quick hit” redwood walks. If you’re sampling different habitats, pair this airy upland grove with a denser lowland forest or a waterfall trail for contrast. In peak season, the only real hassle is parking; time your visit and you’ll love it.