Pros & cons
PROS
- Raised boardwalk lets you stand among true giant redwoods without trampling roots
- Easy add‑on via Mill Creek Trail to reach Stout Grove for a longer day
CONS
- Parking on narrow Howland Hill Road fills quickly
- Steps and short climbs make it inaccessible to many mobility devices
Small pullouts along Howland Hill Road near a restroom; spaces are limited and fill early. No RVs or vehicles with trailers are permitted on Howland Hill Road.
Spotty cell service; narrow road and limited parking; stay on the boardwalk to protect roots; metal‑mesh decking can be slick or abrasive—mind kids and footing; no pets.
Overview
Tucked inside Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, the Grove of Titans delivers outsized wow for minimal effort. This compact loop showcases several of the world’s biggest coast redwoods by volume, made accessible by a raised boardwalk completed in 2022 to protect the fragile forest floor. Expect an intimate old‑growth scene: towering trunks, a lush understory, and the hush of nearby Mill Creek.
The Experience
Plan on roughly a 1.5–1.7‑mile loop with about 150–200 feet of total elevation change. The route mixes firm trail and about 1,500 feet of elevated metal‑mesh boardwalk. You’ll meet celebrity trees like Chesty Puller (a dramatic fused pair), Lost Monarch (a true giant and the largest single‑trunk tree here), the double‑trunk Screaming Titans, and El Viejo del Norte. It’s short, but you’ll likely linger—the scale is hard to process in a quick pass.
Logistics and Access
The trailhead sits on the east side of Howland Hill Road near Hiouchi. Parking is very limited and fills early, especially in summer; the road is narrow and closed to RVs and vehicles towing trailers. Cell service is spotty—download maps and have a check‑in plan. Most visitors spend 45–75 minutes depending on photo stops.
Best Time to Hike
Year‑round is good, but shoulder seasons shine. Spring brings trillium and rhododendron blooms under the redwoods; fall lights up with bigleaf and vine maple color. Mornings offer easier parking, softer light for photography, and thinner crowds on this very popular walk.
Accessibility and Etiquette
The boardwalk has steps and grades, so it’s not wheelchair accessible. Stay on the boardwalk and designated trail—the walkway exists to prevent further root damage and soil compaction. No pets or bikes on the trail. The metal mesh can be slick when wet; watch footing and keep a close eye on kids.
Make It a Bigger Day
If you’re not ready to leave the forest, the loop connects with the Mill Creek Trail. Continue about 2 miles to reach Stout Grove for another superb—and very different—cathedral of redwoods.
Elevation
1.6 mi · 1 hrWhere it starts
41.7726, -124.0994Near Grove of Titans
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayGrove of the TitansBoardwalk access to some of the park’s biggest redwood titansRestroom · Parking
0.6 mi awayBoy Scout Tree TrailOld-growth redwood cathedral to a hidden double giant and fallsModerate · 5.5 mi · 3 hr
1.2 mi awayBoy Scout TreeFused giant redwood deep in a hushed old-growth groveRestroom · Parking
1.4 mi awayRiver TrailEasy forest stroll from camp with big trees and a creek crossingEasy · 1 mi · 30 min
1.4 mi awayStout Grove TrailCathedral-like loop among ancient redwoods with river accessEasy · 0.6 mi · 20 min
1.5 mi awayStout Memorial GroveCathedral-like redwoods on an easy loop with Smith River accessTrailhead · Restroom
1.7 mi awayJedediah Smith Visitor CenterSmall, seasonal hub for trail intel, maps, and Smith River accessVisitor Center · Restroom
1.8 mi awayLittle Bald Hills TrailRemote redwood-to-savanna climb with bikes, horses, and solitude.Moderate · 18.3 mi · 9.5 hr
