The Boy Scout Tree Trail cuts through the heart of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, following a creek corridor to a waterfall in one of the most intact old-growth redwood forests on the coast. At 5.5 miles round-trip, it's long enough to shake off the crowds but short enough for most people to handle in half a day. The namesake tree—a massive double-stemmed redwood over 23 feet wide—sits just off the main route about halfway to Fern Falls.
Trail Details
- 🏃Activities
- Hiking
- 📊Difficulty
- Moderate
- 🔁Trail Type
- out and back
- 📏Distance
- 5.5 miles
- 📍Location
- CA
- 🐕Dogs Allowed
- No
- 💵Fee
- Free
Overview
This trail occupies the sweet spot between accessibility and solitude in the redwood parks. The route follows riparian areas through ancient groves, climbing gradually through switchbacks before ending at Fern Falls. The forest here is legitimately old and legitimately dark—the kind of place where you understand why early settlers found these groves unsettling. The trail surface varies from aggregate paths to natural forest soil, generally 4-6 feet wide, with a few hundred feet of elevation gain spread across the distance.
The Boy Scout Tree itself requires a short detour. At 2.3 miles, an unmarked spur trail branches right and climbs 50 feet uphill to reach the base of this double-stemmed giant. Standing over 238 feet tall with a combined trunk width exceeding 23 feet, it's the kind of tree that makes you recalibrate your sense of scale. The main trail continues northwest to Fern Falls, where the water drops over a moss-covered ledge in a grove that stays cool even on hot summer days.
What to Expect
The first mile starts with a manageable 4.3 percent grade before the switchbacks begin. The terrain shifts between creek-side flats and hillside climbing, with the steepest sections coming in the middle miles. Trail conditions change seasonally—expect mud and standing water between November and May, when winter storms can also drop trees across the route.
The forest canopy filters light down to perpetual twilight levels in some sections. This isn't the place for panoramic views or ridge walks. The experience is intimate: massive trunks, fern understories, and the constant sound of water moving through the woods. Cell coverage is nonexistent, so plan accordingly.
Tips & Logistics
Getting there requires commitment. From Crescent City, take Elk Valley Road southeast, then turn east onto Howland Hill Road for 3.5 miles to the trailhead. Howland Hill Road is narrow, winding dirt that's completely unsuitable for trailers or motor homes. Your vehicle will get dusty in summer, and winter storms can make the road impassable. Check conditions before heading out.
Parking at the trailhead is limited, which naturally caps the number of people on the trail. Summer weekends see the most use, but even then, you're unlikely to encounter large groups once you're past the first mile.
The trail runs 3-5 hours for most people, depending on how long you linger at the Boy Scout Tree and Fern Falls. There's no water available at the trailhead, and while you'll be following creeks for much of the route, bring what you need rather than filtering from potentially contaminated sources.
Stay on the developed trail. The park service is serious about protecting these old-growth habitats, and creating social trails damages root systems that have been growing for centuries. Pets aren't allowed on park trails.
Winter hiking is possible but requires checking road conditions and being prepared for muddy, slippery surfaces. The forest stays green year-round, but winter storms can change trail conditions quickly. Spring brings the best water flow at Fern Falls, while summer offers the most reliable access and driest trail conditions.