richardson grove state park

Standing among these giants gives an individual an opportunity to contemplate our purpose in the universe

I grew up with redwood trees a yard thick a short walk from where I lived. When I was 8 years or so old I would pull a 6"-8" long piece of bark off a tree, whittle a point on one end, square off the back, bore our a small hole in the middle with the point of my cub scout pocket knife, insert a twig into the hole and then a paper sail with two holes cut in the middle for the twig-mast.The trees there were "second growth" after being logged over in the 1860's or so. Richardson's Grove has "old growth" giant trees, but the "Grove" is far from a "virgin" forest. The latter would be impossible to walk through. It would be covered with a mass of brush and "undergrowth" to a height of 10 to 15 feet.The "Gove" today, and for the past many years has been a "park," cleaned out and prepared for tourists to see and appreciate the trees. I stopped there one summer after college let out while on my way home to Arcata and made a "boat" as described above for a boy about 8 years old who was walking there with his mom. She chewed me out for endangering the tree! She was right, of course. If everyone did that, the trees would soon be bare of bark at ground level, however, I was just remembering my childhood, and a different forest. I didn't tell them how great the redwood sorrel tastes, which look like giant clover a few inches high, growing near the trees. My mom used to make a tea from it, especially the stems which taste like rhubarb! (Great for a sore throat!)I guess I felt just 1% or so of how the native people felt when the white man came and told them they could no longer treat the plants, animals and land the way they had for generations. I remember seeing pictures of old Alaskan native women gazing at "protected" and "endangered" plants like those their mothers and grandmothers, etc., had used to weave baskets. They, of course, were prohibited from using them . . . to "save" the plants.Very sad.Stew

We enjoy camping, hiking, and swimming at Richardson Grove State Park It is a very pretty park south of Garberville. We also like going to the visitor center.There is a wide range of ranger programs as well such as camp fire talks.While we found the river down this year due to California drought, hopefully, our rainy season returns and the park will be even better next year. The redwood groves here are amazing.

Take the path across the road from Williams Grove Campground. It's the Hidden Springs Trail.You'll never forget it!

We camped right under over a 1000 years of life. You just have to soak that in for a bit and come away with a sense of just how small we are. A lovely place for reflection where you can get in the right state of mind. I rode my bike around the grove and over to the visitor's center. The hiking trails are quite nice as well including simply walking within the campground area itself. A jewel of nature's perfection without an argument and even if you don't stay at the campground, which is obviously a heavenly retreat, don't dare drive on by without taking a rest stop at the visitors center. Time.well spent with no regret

This place is amazing,and you cannot miss it. The highway goes right through Richardson Grove.We camped on the far side of the river, in a grove of ancient trees, it felt like a church. Wonderful!

Went there last visit was not able to go this time. However, I have fond memories from previous visits. It is a great destination if you care to see some big old redwoods near Highway 101. Significantly historical highway which is still the primary artery connecting the Redwood Empire to the Megalopolis of the Bay Area and to smaller but important cities as Eureka and Santa Rosa.

We worked in the visitor center at the park from May until the end of July this summer. It was the best experience of our lives. The park is well maintained and the staff is fantastic. The trails around the visitor center are level and easy to walk. The other park trails give you lots of exercise because they are steep.The Eel river runs right through the park and has several nice swimming holes.

Went as day use and had a picnic and short hike. Nice for a short visit to see the redwoods. Visitor Center was informative.

We camp here every year and have visited in all seasons. The grove is beautiful and the campground is very nice. There are three campgrounds within the park: Huckleberry, Madrone and Oak Flat. All have flush toilets and coin operated showers . Madrone is at the top of the hill and is very popular with families who desire more wooded areas. Truthfully, I don't see it. Huckleberry is just as wooded and is a much closer walk to the river. Oak Flat is closest to the river but is a dry oak woodland accessed across the river. There is a nice interpretive exhibit, ranger programs and hikes. Bears are not an issue here and the raccoons usually aren't either. We've seen otters in the river and there are some nice pools for swimming. My one big caution to families is to avoid the park the week before Reggae on the River until a couple of weeks after, unless you are visiting for the concert of course. In late summer the river get quite low and Blue-green algae can be a concern for children and pets and is better avoided.

My son and I just had an hour to explore this park and we are very glad that we did so. We were given a free 1 hr. pass. I grew up amongst redwood trees and am still awed by them. We did a couple of trails including the loop trail which is short, maybe .5 mile and gives you a good glimpse of what the park has to offer. I didn't realize that this was also a good place to get into the water to cool off. Many people were there to do just that. We may plan for that next time we are in the area. The Visitor's Center was one of the best I have been too. The animal pelts were a unique hands-on display as were the other taxidermy animals.

Durfey Creek is the one Richardson Grove Hike that takes you away from the highway noise and is not too steep. While the whole loop is about 4 miles (2 hours), and quite steep...you can take an enjoyable 45 minute hike along the all year creek, with only 1 steep climb and turn around a little after the wooden bridge when the trail turns away from the creek, before the steep section....for an easy hour and a half hike. The biggest redwoods at Richardson grove are right alongside HWY 101, on either side of the road, the other Richardson Grove hikes are on the steep side but worth the effort for the beauty of the abundant huckleberry, oaks, redwoods and madrones ... There is a $7. day use fee...but you can buy an annual pass on line for most CA State Parks for $70...or park outside the park along side hwy101 and walk in for free. Kayaking is amazing here in the spring and you can swim in the Eel river through most of the summer...

Well worth the extra minutes to drive this gorgeous road through redwoods. Drive slowly and stop every once in a while to truly feel the majesty of these trees.

Highway 101 goes right through Richardson Grove. This is one of the last stretches of 101 that has *not* been improved. Many years ago, there were small redwoods right next to the highway. Now they are big redwoods and some have been "shaved" to allow modern large trucks and RVs *just* enough room to get by. Slow down and use caution. If you're in a car, keep to the right, as large rigs may go over the center line since there isn't enough room. The state really needs to cut down some of the trees that are dangerously right on the highway!There are places to park and you can walk about under the trees. There are also some nearby kitschy shops selling redwood souvenirs. Richardson Grove also has a campground. It is *not* for large rigs and does not have hookups, but we saw many of the sites were located in full shade under the towering trees. There is a day use parking area, trails to walk, and the visitors center.

The Richardson Grove exemplifies our California's fabulous redwoods. It is a peaceful drive through hundreds, perhaps thousands of years of nature's magnificence. If you take your time, it is a soothing, special experience. If you go, don't rush. Just enjoy nature's beauty.