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    Founders Grove

    4.8 (20 reviews)

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    Founders Grove Nature Loop Trail
    Travis T.

    Founders Grover is located in the heart of Humboldt Redwoods State Park just off the Avenue of the Giants scenic drive. In 1917, a Save the Redwoods League was formed to save these unprotected trees. This eventually led to the formation of this amazing park and many other protected areas on the Redwood Coast. Founders Grove is dedicated to the founders of Save the Redwoods League. Founders Grove is a half mile, 20 minute nature loop trail. It took me a little longer to go through here because I was taking lots of pictures. The biggest highlight when you first enter the trail is Founders Tree. It is 346 feet tall and quite a slight to see. You can stand directly under it and get a glimpse of how tall it is. It was once the tallest known tree in the world back in the 30's. But it has since lost part of its top and several other taller trees have been found since then. The Dyerville Giant was also fun to check out. It was 362 feet before it fell in 1991. A local heard the impact of the fall a half mile away and thought it was a train crash. Now you can walk the whole length of the tree and stand next to its massive roots. It is amazing to see and gives you a different perspective of the size of these trees. Also in Founders Grove is an old growth tree that had been through many fires and still continues to live. There are lots of things to check out here like albino trees, fallen trees, ferns everywhere, birds and other little critters. Definitely take your time as you walk the nature trail and take it all in. There are picnic tables and bathrooms on site as well. Founders Grove is a nice area to break from driving and relax for a bit. It's a beautiful shady spot and one of my favorites in Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

    Anya T.

    I took a drive here and it was beautiful however, whete I parked at there were no clear marked trails. I was by myself and scared to get lost so I walked outside the trees there is a straight path.

    Founder's Tree Reaching To The Sky!
    Arnel S.

    First is: you have to wear comfortable shoes to enjoy this place! There is a lot of walking to do if you are to enjoy being around these Redwood giants, being around the beauty of nature. A lot of the areas you will be walking in have fallen Redwoods, probably uprooted during a storm. And standing beside the roots gives you a sense of how massive these majestic trees are! There are a few different paths to take, all dependent on how much time you have to walk through the forest. Even the shortest route provides a lot of enjoyment...take pictures along the way, beside the roots of the fallen trees, or walking beside the fallen trees and feel awe at how tall these trees are! Take a leisurely walk. Lots of views to take in and enjoy!

    Guiding signs
    William G.

    What a great visit to the Giant Redwoods of Humboldt County. We drove to the well marked road that led us to the well marked parking area where numerous well maintained trails start, the landscape is breathtaking, large ferns , native plants , huge trees, and great trees, when you are driving the Ave of the Giants make sure this is one of your stops, highly recommended

    Erin M.

    If you are visiting the North Coast redwoods then this is a must stop. If there is nothing else you can see stop it Founders Grove. This place captures all of the Beauty and the Redwoods and the absolute bonus is that it is free! It is a half mile Loop that is a flat walk so it is very accessible. You can get a handout that will point out the 12 different sightseeing amazing historic elements that nature has bestowed upon us. Take time to walk slowly sit in the beautiful redwoods, green moss and the beauty that surrounds at all. Soak in the beauty! I've been here half a dozen times in my life and every time it is simply rewarding. This is the place to get in touch with your nature self.

    PatrickJ T.

    Redwoods, Redwoods, Redwoods!!!!! Absolutely love visiting these Majestic towering trees!! Founders Grove located in Humboldt State Park is a wonderful spot to admire these beauties. You travel the Avenue of the Giants in order to get to Founders Grove. It is a great place to go for a very easy walk. There is a 1/2 mile trail to use which is also wheel chair accessible. So this is a fine place to go for all ages. Beauty everywhere you look. If you love Mother Nature, then come here. Enjoy!!

    Redwoods on the trail
    Christopher T.

    Must stop and see the grove .. This has got to be my favorite grove. I remember seeing Star-wars being filmed in the grove several years ago. This spot it magical..

    Sin A.

    The Founders Grove is located at the end of the Avenue of the Giants. There is a picnic area some bathrooms and limited parking spaces so plan ahead. It is FREE to enter so no worries there. This walk through nature is a fantastic one for the whole family. The trail loops around for a distance of approximately 0.6 miles. Not very long but there is so much to see, specially the founders Grove dedicated to the ones who drove efforts in protecting these trees. Great place to film and to photograph. You can come out with some pretty sick footage. Highly recommend it follow me and my adventures ig Sin_Aguayo_canelito

    The size of these roots tho...
    Jennifer N.

    When traveling the Avenue of the Giants, there are a few must do groves and I consider this one of them. The Founders Grove is technically in Humboldt State Park and you will need to turn off the main road to find it. It's not too far off the Avenue and the turn off is well signed. There is a small lot with clean restrooms-a plus in my book. The Founder's tree is the attraction but along the .5 mile loop, there are numerous uprooted trees which truly give you a sense of how immense these are. Easy path for younger hikers and those with more limited mobility-a great way to see some large trees with little effort. Very peaceful stop off the main road, free and educational-a must stop if you're driving Avenue of the Giants.

    Big sign at Founders Grove Loop Trail.
    Tom B.

    This provides a review of Founders Grove, a few comments about Big Trees Loops Trail, along with some botanical facts about redwood trees (a.k.a., sequoia sempervirens). Founders Grove includes standing redwood trees, fallen redwood trees that have remained intact, and fallen redwood trees where 40-foot long segments of the tree has been converted to a collection of monster-sized splinters. Founders Grove also has thousands of ferns and carpets of bright green Redwood Sorel. Redwood Sorel looks like clover, except the leaves are bigger. I have been to Founders Grove three times in the past 25 years, including this week's visit. Founders Grove was never crowded with too many visitors. Founders Grove has 12 numbered signposts. A 16-page book is available ($1.00 donation) at Founders Grove. This book provides fun facts about all 12 locations. We learn that the tree at Signpost No. 7 fell over in March 1991. The book also explains that Founders Grove includes an albino redwood tree, also called, ghost redwood trees, and that this tree is by Signpost No. 2. Ghost redwood trees are described by Davis and Holderman (2014) The White Redwoods: Ghosts of the Forest, and also by Cowan and Kuty (2018) The water relations and xylem attributes of albino redwood shoots (Sequioa sempervirens). PLoS ONE. Vol. 13. Ghost redwood trees are not free-standing trees. Instead, they grow out of the trunk of a normal redwood tree or out of one of the roots of a normal redwood tree. Ghost redwoods have a mutation that prevents them from making chlorophyll, causing the tree's needles to be white (instead of green). ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPHS. (1) Trail sign for Founders Grove Nature Loop Trail, (2) Sign in front of Founders Tree, where the photo shows the boardwalk leading to this tree, (3) Fallen tree, where a segment was converted to a monstrous network of huge splinters. (4) Another photo of the same splintered fallen tree. (5) Photo showing underside (part that was in direct contact with the ground) of a fallen tree, (6) Me standing in the large opening that leads you into a hollow tree, (7) Photo of a hollow tree having two large openings. If you look through both openings, you can see a hiker in the distance. (8) Carpet of Redwood Sorel, looking like huge clovers, in Founders Grove. (9) Stream near Big Trees Loop Trail. (10) Shadow of a water strider in the stream near Big Trees Loop Trail. The shadow of the water strider includes dark, blobby dots. Also, you can see a tiny fish over to the right. (11) Sign in front of Giant Tree, near Big Trees Loop Trail. (12) Fallen trees in a criss-cross formation, near Big Trees Loop Trail. A similar photograph occurs in the book, VISUAL SYMPHONY, by famed photographer Bruce Barnbaum. (13) Herd of cows on the beach. The best way to see this herd, is to drive north to Ferndale, and then take Mattole Road to the ocean. BIG TREES LOOP TRAIL. From Route 101, take Lower Bull Creek Flats Road to the west. The name of this road changes to Mattole Road. Parking at Big Trees Loop trail is 4 1/2 miles west of Founders Grove. Parking is near a stream. We watched water striders, darting here and there on the stream's surface. Also, we saw a tiny water snake swimming under the water. Information about how water striders move across the water's surface is available (see, Chan and Bush (2003) Hydrodynamics of water strider locomotion. Nature. 424:663-666; (7) Lawry (1973) Scanning electron microscopic study of the water strider. 116:25-30). A little bridge takes you across the stream to Big Trees Loop trail. This trail is similar to the trail in Founders Grove. The trail takes you to Giant Tree. Giant Tree is surrounded by a little boardwalk in the same way that Founders Tree is surrounded by a boardwalk. It is possible to take Mattole Road and continue driving west from the parking lot at Big Trees Loop Trail all the way to the Pacific Ocean, where you will see a big herd of BEACH COWS who graze in a fenced-off area near the beach. Do not drive directly from Founders Grove, over Mattole Road, to the ocean. A 20-mile stretch of Mattole Road is the most miserable road in America. Instead, drive north on Route 101 to the Town of Fernbridge, and then head west on Route 211 to the charming town of Ferndale, and from there drive to the ocean to see the BEACH COWS. MORE FUN BOTANICAL FACTS. Fungal infections in redwood trees include the fungus Oligoporus sequoiae, where the disease is called, "Redwood Cubical Rot." The fungus, Heterobasidion annusum, causes the disease, "Annosus Root Disease." Redwoods also suffer from a disease called, CANKERS. Cankers in redwood trees can be caused by certain fungi, such as, Seiridium. See, See, Scharpf (1993) Diseases of Pacific Coast Conifers. USDA Handbook No. 521 (Chapter 6 is about Root Diseases, Chapter 7 is about diseases of the heartwood in the central core of the tree). Pages 61 and 78 are about cankers.

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    Ask the Community - Founders Grove

    Review Highlights - Founders Grove

    This place captures all of the Beauty and the Redwoods and the absolute bonus is that it is free!

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    Van Duzen County Park - Inside looking out of the window of the Camp Kitchen.

    Van Duzen County Park

    (5 reviews)

    I've heard about this park a few times from fellow camping buddies. I've heard only good things…read moreand I've come to learn from a recent camping adventure to the park that the good things I heard were all valid. So there are a few campgrounds that are part of this county park. I am reviewing for the group campground, Pamplin Grove, but will mention another campground nearby that we showered at. The teardrop trailer group held their event at Pamplin Grove and to find out this was not the first time. But, it was for me and my the first time to attend the event and camp at the campground. It is a difficult entrance to notice if you are not paying close attention. Because of the natural habitat it is a challenge to locate the entrance but noticing the paved road will help guide you in. This is a beautiful spot and if you ever get a group invite to camp here, do it! It is gated so you will be given a combination to enter. As you drive in you will notice camping areas, they are not numbered. It is on a first come, first served basis. When you drive in you will find some signs/bulletin boards with info. You will eventually come to an open area, and off to the right you will see an open field which we were told is called the, Meadow. There is only one entrance and exit and that will be found towards the end of the trail. Cars can pull into the field and is open to camping there. We were told at one time that about 120 trailers attended and filled the campground! This time around, we were only 40 trailers and camping vans. There are two areas that have pit potties. The bathrooms have motion lights inside, doors with lock. It is very spacious and was always supplied with plenty of TP. Water spigots outside of bathroom to wash hands. There is a couple bathrooms next to each other on the lower part of the campground and another couple at the upper part of the campground which is also near the Camp Kitchen, Picnic area , and large fire pit. BBQ grills are need the the Camp Kitchen .There is also a BBQ pit! The kind that is underground. It was not used at this event but I heard it had been used in the past. I can't express the beauty of this spot! Oh and near by there is a short trail to get to the river. We found wild blackberries on the way to the riverbed. We could hear the birds but were difficult to find, except for the vultures. Banana slugs were also visible, pretty interesting. You should google it for more info. The yellow of the slug was vibrant. I event found one that had spots. Please be kind and leave them be. We did drive to the Swimmer's Delight campground to take showers (quarter operated). It was nice to have a warm shower with good pressure. Pamplin Grove is a non hook up (dry)campground. Also no showers. We did bring our portable shower, but when it came to washing my hair we visited the other campground for showers. There is a camp host located at the lower part of the campground. When you are in the trees it is pitch dark! Walk into the meadow at night and go star gazing. TIP - Upper bathroom you tend to get a whiff of it once in awhile if you are near the bathroom. So if you camp in the upper part you may want to keep this in mind. Also they said they try their best to keep the area poison oak free, but once in awhile you will see them, so be on the lookout where you and your pet walk. Please, Please be aware of the Loggers and people that drive this route. Especially when you are entering the campground. They follow close at high speed.

    The happy hour is amazing! Love the staff too AND the food is delicious. It's a win. It's easy to…read moresee why this place is packed more often than not.

    The Redwood Sky Walk - 05.24.25

    The Redwood Sky Walk

    (43 reviews)

    Most importantly: wheelchair friendly for 85-90% of the skywalk! Wide enough ramps up and a turn…read morearound section* (cuts out the suspension bridge with more flexibility that likely wouldn't allow for a wheelchair*) The skywalk is unlike any experience you'll ever have. People come from all over the world to experience this, I'm fortunate enough it's my "backyard" so to speak. The amount of science and engineering that went into making this is next level. (So is the upkeep which is so interesting to watch if you happen to be there when routine maintenance is needed) Several feet above the forest floor you get a perspective unlike anything else Ive taken siblings, cousins, friends and their kids, and honestly anyone who wants to come with me I love the zoo, I love the skywalk. I'm practically an unofficial tour guide

    While we were passing through Eureka we decided to stop by the Sequoia Zoo, which included the…read moreRedwood Skywalk. We are AZA members so when showing our membership we got in for half price. The Redwood Sky walk is located in the back left side of the zoo, it is a self guided tour. The skywalk slowly increases over 100 ft above the beautiful forest floor below and is about a 1/4 mile walk. I am afraid of heights, but felt safe walking along the trail. Most of the walk is over the park nextdoor to the zoo, as you are looking down from high above and you can see tiny people & dogs walking the trails below it was so cool. We could also see the bears in the zoo from high up in the trees, we had a better view of them than could see them below on the zoo trail. Be sure to look up at the majestic redwood trees along the trail, and when on the platforms you can touch the redwoods, and learn alittle about them with the information boards. It was an amazing experience, being so high up in the Redwood trees. It was Breathtaking and beautiful. I felt safe walking the trail as they had guardrails that go along the trail and was pretty good width across for people to walk by. People who are nervous of the wooden suspension bridges that move when others walking on them can walk about half way through trail before reaching these bridges and walk back the way they came. We will always remember this trip to Eureka, and cannot wait to bring our granddaughter here next time. Enjoy your adventure!

    Founders Grove - parks - Updated May 2026

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