The Grove of Titans opened to the public in 2022 after a $3.5 million project that includes a quarter-mile elevated walkway through some of the most massive coastal redwoods on earth. Three of the ten largest redwoods by volume grow here, including the Lost Monarch at 320 feet tall and 26 feet across. This is old-growth forest access engineered for preservation — you walk above the root systems on steel grating, not dirt.
Trail Details
- 🏃Activities
- Hiking
- 🔁Trail Type
- loop
- 📏Distance
- 1.5 miles
- 🪨Surface
- compacted gravel, dirt, and duff
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, october, november, december
- 📍Location
- CA
- 🐕Dogs Allowed
- No
- 💵Fee
- Free
Overview
The trail starts with a half-mile climb gaining about 100 feet through standard Jedediah Smith forest before descending toward the main event. The elevated boardwalk section carries you through the grove itself on a 1,500-foot metal pathway four feet wide. You're walking on compacted gravel and dirt most of the way, then iron grating when you reach the giants.
The engineering here serves the trees, not convenience. The walkway keeps foot traffic off fragile root systems while giving access to specimens that were previously off-limits to casual visitors. Lost Monarch dominates the grove — 26 feet in diameter puts human scale into sharp relief. The other named trees (Chesty Puller, Del Norte Titan, Screaming Titans) fill out a forest cathedral that feels genuinely primeval.
This isn't a wilderness experience. It's a designed encounter with trees that predate European contact by centuries, managed to handle thousands of annual visitors without trampling the ecosystem to death. The metal steps and railings make that protection visible.
What to Expect
The first portion follows typical north coast redwood terrain — duff underfoot, filtered light, manageable grades. The elevation gain front-loads early, so you're descending by the time you reach the grove proper. The transition to elevated walkway is obvious; suddenly you're walking on steel grating 3-4 feet above the forest floor.
The boardwalk section moves you methodically through the grove's interior. Individual trees get close enough to touch (though staying on the walkway is required). The scale becomes clear when you realize people standing at the base of Lost Monarch look like action figures. The loop design means you see different angles and groupings on the return.
Trail width stays consistent at four feet, but the surface changes from natural materials to engineered walkway and back. The metal sections include steps and can be slippery when wet. The NPS notes this isn't ADA accessible due to the step count and grade changes.
Tips & Logistics
Park on the eastern side of Howland Hill Road. Access from Highway 199 near Hiouchi works best — it's 26 minutes from Crescent City via Howland Hill Road, 35 minutes via US-199 North. Parking fills early on weekends during peak season (April through October), so arrive before 9 AM if possible.
No dogs allowed, standard for park trails. Cell coverage is minimal to nonexistent. The NPS specifically recommends paper maps over phone navigation for this area. Buy a proper trail guide rather than trusting online maps.
The trail connects to Mill Creek Trail if you want to extend the walk, but the grove itself is the main attraction. Most people complete the loop in under 40 minutes, though you'll likely spend longer if you're photographing or just absorbing the scale.
Weather matters less here than in exposed coastal areas, but winter conditions can make the metal walkway sections slick. Spring through fall offers the most reliable footing. The forest canopy provides natural weather protection year-round.