Walk the Stout Memorial Grove Trail

Overview

The grove sits on the Smith River's edge, which creates the key logistical puzzle: getting there. Two routes exist, and your choice depends on your vehicle and the season. The reward is the same either way — a short walk through old-growth forest that feels like stepping back a thousand years without the typical redwoods trail gauntlet of narrow, roots-and-ferns singletrack.

These aren't just big trees. The grove's redwoods range between 500 and 1,000 years old, with many topping 250 feet. The 44-acre boundary means you're walking through concentrated ancient forest, not just glimpsing it from the margins. A short spur drops 20 feet to the Smith River, where the scale becomes clearer — the water makes the trees look even more massive than they already are.

What to Expect

The trail itself is more sidewalk than backcountry experience. The wide, mostly flat loop uses wood and aggregate material, with gentle grades under 5 percent for most of the route. Some sections navigate minor elevation changes through switchbacks, but nothing that requires hiking boots or trail legs. The path stays between 4 and 6 feet wide throughout.

Plan on about 12 minutes of actual walking, though most people spend closer to an hour in the grove. The viewing platform at the base of the Stout Tree provides wheelchair access to one of the grove's signature giants. The loop design means you can extend the experience as long as the trees hold your attention, which tends to be longer than expected.

Tips & Logistics

Access depends on your rig and the calendar. Cars and vans can drive directly to the trailhead via the eastern section of Howland Hill Road, but this route isn't suitable for RVs or anything pulling a trailer. The road is narrow, winding, and mostly unpaved — fine for passenger vehicles, potentially awkward for larger setups.

The summer alternative requires parking at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground Day Use Area, which charges $8 but accommodates any vehicle size. From there, walk about half a mile upstream along the Smith River to reach the summer footbridge that crosses to the grove. This option only works late June through late September, when the temporary bridge is installed. Installation dates shift with the Smith River's flow, so call ahead if you're planning around the bridge season.

Year-round access via Howland Hill Road makes this grove available when many other redwoods destinations close due to weather. Winter visits trade the convenience of the summer bridge for fewer crowds and the sound of the Smith River running high.

The trailhead provides vault toilets and trash receptacles, but no water sources. Dogs aren't permitted on the trail, and there's no entrance fee beyond the summer day-use parking option. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent in the grove itself.

For photographers, the dense canopy creates challenging light conditions even on bright days. The grove's riverside location means morning fog is common, especially in summer, which can add atmosphere but limits distant views through the trees.