A recent detour completely changed how I see Northern California’s natural wonders. The Avenue of the Giants isn’t just another scenic drive; it’s a 31-mile adventure winding through some of Earth’s oldest and most massive trees.
You’ll follow Highway 254 through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and honestly, it’s hard not to feel tiny among these ancient redwoods.
This legendary route lets you step right into thousand-year-old forests, check out quirky roadside attractions, and wander peaceful trails that you just won’t find anywhere else. What really surprised me was how the drive offers both quick stops and deeper forest wandering—perfect if you’re in a hurry or if you want to lose yourself for a while.
If you plan ahead and don’t rush, the Avenue of the Giants will reward you. Some stops are famous, like the drive-through trees, but there are also hidden groves where you can walk in near silence, dwarfed by giants. Picking the right stops and taking your time really makes all the difference here.
Planning Your Trip Along the Avenue of the Giants
A little strategy goes a long way when you’re planning your Avenue of the Giants drive. Choosing the right entry point off US-101 and timing your trip for the best weather can really shape your experience.
Seasonal weather changes everything, and don’t count on finding lots of services in the tiny towns along the route.
Getting to the Avenue of the Giants
The Avenue runs alongside US-101 in Humboldt County, with two main ways in. If you’re heading north, I’d start at Exit 672 near Pepperwood. For southbound, use Exit 645.
The whole drive is 31 miles, and with stops, you’ll want at least 2.5 hours. If you skip the Avenue and stay on US-101, you’ll cover it in 25 minutes—but where’s the fun in that?
Key Entry Points:
- Exit 672 (Pepperwood) – Northern entrance
- Exit 645 – Southern entrance (marked as “Alternate Route”)
Large RVs and trailers can handle the road, even with some narrow spots between towering redwoods. I noticed the pavement stays in great shape the whole way.
After you leave US-101, just ignore any signs trying to nudge you back to the highway. The Avenue will naturally reconnect with US-101 at the other end.
Best Times to Visit
I’ve driven the Avenue during different seasons, and every time feels a little different. Late spring to early fall usually means comfortable weather and long days.
Summer (June-August) gets busy, but the skies are clear and it’s warm. If you want to beat the crowds, hit the road early in the morning.
Fall (September-November) is quieter and the weather’s still nice. The changing leaves give some lovely color against all that evergreen.
Winter and early spring bring rain and fog. I actually love the misty light in the forest, but it’s definitely a different vibe.
Dates to skip:
- Early May and early October, when marathon events close the Avenue for up to 6 hours
Travel Tips and Accessibility
Cell service? Pretty much nonexistent along most of the Avenue. I always download offline maps or bring a paper one just in case.
Here’s what I always bring:
- Clean windshield (sun and shade alternate fast, and glare can be blinding)
- Full tank of gas
- Snacks and water
- Camera with a spare battery
The main road stays flat and paved. Short trails like Founder’s Grove are accessible, so visitors with mobility limitations won’t miss out.
California driving law: If five or more cars pile up behind you, pull over when it’s safe. On these winding roads, it happens a lot.
The Humboldt Redwoods State Park visitor center in Weott has maps, restrooms, and current info on trail conditions.
Nearby Towns and Services
Tiny towns along the Avenue add character and offer just enough services. Myers Flat has the well-known Shrine Drive-Thru Tree (it’s on private land), plus a couple of places to eat and shop.
Redcrest has a small market and the quirky Eternal Tree House gift shop. Locals there gave me some great tips on where to stop.
Burlington doesn’t have much, but it’s a solid rest spot. The antique shops give it a bit of old-school charm.
Weott is where you’ll find the main visitor center and the most services:
- Restrooms and drinking water
- Park info and maps
- Small grocery selection
- Gas nearby
I always gas up before entering or in Weott if I’m driving north to south. Restaurants are scarce, so packing a picnic lunch is my go-to for a meal under the trees.
The Legendary Scenic Drive Experience
The Avenue of the Giants delivers a wild 31-mile ride through the world’s largest old-growth redwood forest. You’ll find dozens of stops and these massive coastal redwoods arching overhead like a natural cathedral.
Route Overview and Must-See Views
The Avenue follows State Route 254 for 31 miles, running beside Highway 101 through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It really winds through southern Humboldt County and shows off the most jaw-dropping redwoods in California.
I drove through thick groves where sunlight cuts through the canopy in dramatic beams. Every curve brings a new angle on these ancient giants, some stretching over 300 feet tall.
Highlights I loved:
- Groves with wildly different tree sizes
- Easy river access along the Eel River
- Historic trees with cool backstories
- Simple hop-on, hop-off points to Highway 101
The road’s smooth, and most vehicles can handle it. A few attractions don’t allow big RVs or trucks, so check ahead if you’re driving one.
Auto Tour Stops and Pull-Offs
There are 14 major stops along the drive, each with its own vibe. Franklin K. Lane Grove at the southern end and the Garden Club of America Grove (it’s huge—8 square miles!) were standouts for me.
Don’t miss these:
- Founders Tree: This 3,000-year-old legend kickstarted conservation in the area.
- Shrine Drive Thru Tree: The only one you can actually drive through (cars only).
- Immortal Tree: Survived lightning, fire, floods, and still going.
- Williams Grove Day Use Area: Great picnic spot with river access.
Most pull-offs have plenty of parking and restrooms. I’d spend 10-15 minutes at smaller groves, but bigger areas with trails kept me busy for an hour.
The Gould Grove Nature Trail and Visitors Center staff shared some local secrets that really deepened my appreciation for the redwoods.
Coastal Redwoods Canopy
These trees create a natural cathedral—no exaggeration. The coastal redwoods grow so thick that sunlight barely makes it to the ground, and even on the hottest days, it stays cool and misty.
The forests here have their own microclimate. I noticed the air felt damp and chilly under the canopy, a big change from the open stretches along Highway 101.
Why the canopy feels magical:
- Trees shoot 300+ feet above you
- Sunlight filters through in these surreal, shifting patterns
- The thick bark and foliage muffle sound—super peaceful
- Fog drips from the branches, feeding the forest
Redwoods grow in “family circles,” sprouting from the roots of ancient trees. You can spot these groves clearly from the road.
If you can, go in the morning. The light is softer and sometimes you get lingering fog among the upper branches.
Scenic Byway Essentials
A few practical things made my drive much smoother. The scenic byway’s open all year, but winter can mean heavy rain or the occasional closure.
My go-to planning tips:
- Time needed: Set aside at least 3-4 hours for the full drive
- Best time: Early morning—better light, fewer people
- Fuel up: Services are limited, so don’t risk it
- Weather: Bring layers; it gets chilly under those trees
Most attractions are free, though a few private stops (like the Shrine Drive Thru Tree) charge a small fee. The Avenue connects easily to Highway 101 at both ends, so it’s simple to add to a bigger coastal road trip.
Cell coverage drops out a lot, so I recommend downloading maps ahead of time. The park brochure you can pick up at the entrances is packed with useful info about each stop.
Iconic Attractions and Unique Redwood Giants
Along the Avenue of the Giants, you’ll meet some of the world’s most remarkable redwoods. These ancient trees have survived disasters, and some are so big you can literally drive through them. It’s wild to think about the stories they could tell—thousands of years, right in front of you.
Shrine Drive-Thru Tree
The Shrine Drive-Thru Tree is hands-down one of the quirkiest stops. This 3,000-year-old redwood is 21 feet across, and yes, you can drive your car right through its trunk.
A fire hollowed out the inside ages ago, leaving a natural archway. Nature’s handiwork, not human.
Heads up:
- No vans, trucks, or RVs—just regular cars
- The opening is about 6 feet by 6 feet
What blows my mind is that the tree is still alive. The thrill of driving through a living, ancient redwood? Photos just don’t do it justice.
Immortal Tree and Grandfather Tree
The Immortal Tree got its name for good reason. It’s over 1,000 years old and has survived lightning, loggers, fires, and floods.
If you look closely, you’ll spot scars from lightning near the top and an old axe mark from a logger’s failed attempt. There are even fish fossils in the bark, showing how high the floods once reached.
Standing next to this survivor, it’s hard not to feel a little awed. These trees are tough—way tougher than they look.
Dyerville Giant and Founders Tree
Founders Tree is iconic. This 3,000-year-old redwood inspired the Save-the-Redwoods League and draws visitors from around the globe.
It stands in Founder’s Grove, surrounded by other giants. The shape and height are just perfect for photos, especially at golden hour.
Nearby, the Dyerville Giant tells a story of loss. This massive tree once stood as one of the tallest on Earth until a winter storm knocked it down in 1991.
Walking the length of the fallen trunk—over 360 feet long and 17 feet wide at the base—really puts things in perspective.
Giant Tree and Rockefeller Forest
Giant Tree is a showstopper. In the middle of Rockefeller Forest, it ranks among the world’s largest trees by sheer volume.
Rockefeller Forest is the largest old-growth redwood forest left anywhere. The place feels almost spiritual, with sunlight barely touching the lush ground.
Giant Tree stats:
- Height: 363 feet
- Diameter: 13.4 feet
- Age: 1,500-2,000 years
The thick canopy creates perfect conditions for ferns and sorrel, which cover the ground in a soft, green carpet.
If you get there early, you might catch the forest shrouded in fog. The mist makes for some of the best photos and adds to the forest’s mysterious vibe.
Exploring the Redwood Wonderland: Groves, Trails, and Forests
The Avenue of the Giants opens up a world of ancient redwood groves, with over 100 miles of hiking trails weaving through 53,000 acres of pristine forest. I found myself craning my neck at 300-foot trees, spotting wildlife, and feeling genuinely lucky to explore such a rare, wild ecosystem.
Majestic Redwood Groves
I’ll never forget wandering through Rockefeller Forest. People call it the crown jewel of redwood groves, and honestly, it lives up to the hype. Here, I found some of the tallest trees anywhere—like the Giant Tree, which soars up to 354 feet.
Founder’s Grove wowed me in a different way. The boardwalks are super easy to navigate, and they wind right among ancient trees. It’s wild to think these gentle giants have such shallow roots, and yet they’ve lasted for centuries.
I stumbled upon the Immortal Tree in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. This one’s got stories—survived fires, floods, even loggers. You can almost feel its stubbornness.
Bull Creek Flats felt like a secret cathedral. Massive trunks, dappled sunlight, and that hush you only get in old-growth forests. If you’re after the real, untouched redwood vibe, this is it.
Every grove has its own mood. Some stand thick with towering trees packed together, while others open up to lone giants in sunny meadows.
Top Hiking Trails
The Founder’s Grove Loop Trail is my go-to for a gentle stroll. It’s just half a mile, paved, and honestly, anyone can handle it in about 20 minutes.
I pushed myself a bit more on the Bull Creek Flats Trail. This moderate 3-mile path hugs Bull Creek and winds through some of the oldest, most impressive trees I’ve ever seen.
The Drury-Chaney Trail surprised me with its variety. It’s a 2.5-mile loop where one minute you’re among ancient giants, and the next, you’re in a young, recovering forest.
Looking for a challenge? The Mattole Road Trail really tests your legs. It’s an 8-mile round trip, but the reward—remote groves that most people never see—makes it all worth it.
Families shouldn’t miss the Children’s Forest Trail. It’s a super short 0.3-mile loop, and the signs along the way make learning about the redwoods genuinely fun for kids.
Wildlife and Ecosystem Highlights
Roosevelt elk wander right through these forests and the open prairies nearby. I spotted a few herds grazing near the visitor centers—kind of surreal, honestly.
The Eel River brings so much life to this place. I watched salmon darting upstream, saw a playful river otter, and lost count of all the birds along the banks.
If you keep your eyes down, you’ll spot banana slugs everywhere. They’re bright yellow, a little odd, and absolutely crucial for breaking down leaves and keeping the soil healthy.
The fern understory is like a lush, green carpet beneath the redwoods. Five-finger ferns, sword ferns, and redwood sorrel cover the ground, making everything feel a bit enchanted.
High up in the branches, marbled murrelets nest. These seabirds fly all the way inland from the coast just to raise their chicks in the safety of these massive trees.
This forest teems with life—over 40 kinds of mammals, 150 bird species, and more insects than I could ever count. All of them work together to keep this ancient place thriving.
Exploring Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Humboldt Redwoods State Park sprawls across 53,000 acres, with 17,000 acres of old-growth coast redwoods. The visitor center quickly became my basecamp, and Founders Grove is where I spent most of my time wandering among legends. Plenty of picnic spots line the Eel River—ideal for a midday break.
Visitor Center and Park Amenities
You’ll find the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center right on Avenue of the Giants. For me, it was the perfect launch point.
Inside, I grabbed maps and got the latest trail updates. The staff really knows their stuff and gave me tips for spotting wildlife.
Key amenities include:
- Clean restrooms and water fountains
- Cool exhibits on redwood ecology
- A big, shady picnic area with tables
- Gift shop stocked with local finds
The visitor center stays open all year, though hours shift with the seasons. I always recommend stopping in before you hit the trails—it just makes everything smoother.
Parking’s free and there’s plenty of it. The building itself kind of melts into the forest, which I loved.
Founders Grove and Historical Significance
Founders Grove draws the biggest crowds, and for good reason. I walked the half-mile loop through this ancient redwood forest, and every corner felt special.
The Founders Tree towers 346 feet overhead. Benches dot the trail, perfect for just sitting and taking it all in.
There’s a deeper story here, too. The Save the Redwoods League stepped in to protect these forests, and you can feel that legacy as you wander.
A few highlights I came across:
- The fallen Dyerville Giant—1,600 years old when it crashed down in 1991
- Trees that have stood for centuries
- Signs that explain the secrets of redwood ecology
The trail stays accessible for most folks. Fallen logs form natural boundaries and show how the forest keeps cycling through life and death.
Big parking lots and restrooms nearby make this an easy stop for families.
Picnic Areas and Eel River Access
The Eel River winds right alongside Avenue of the Giants. I stumbled on several picnic spots where you can walk straight down to the water.
Williams Grove stands out as one of my favorite river access points. Picnic tables sit tucked beneath massive redwoods, and the riverbank’s just a short stroll away.
During the summer, the river looks especially clear. I saw families wading in the shallows, laughing as they explored.
You’ll find a bunch of day-use areas offering:
- Picnic tables shaded by redwoods
- Fire rings for cooking up something tasty
- Trails that lead right to the water
- Restrooms close by
River levels shift with the seasons. Summer’s usually the safest time to wade, but in winter, the water rises and moves faster.
The mix of towering trees and the sound of flowing water creates a calm, almost magical vibe. I loved taking long breaks here during my drive—honestly, it’s hard to leave once you settle in.
