Off the Beaten Path

Three snow-covered giant sequoias on a sunny winter day.

7 ideas for winter fun among giant sequoias

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Everyone should have a chance to experience the magic of snow-draped sequoia, and this year, conditions are perfect. There’s plenty of snow and plenty of ways to get out and enjoy it. So if you’re craving a day in the forest, here are some ideas for where to go and what to do when the snow falls.

A person in a rain jacket walking a dog in the wet redwood forest

Delights of the rainy season in the redwoods

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Recent showers have kicked off the rainy season in the coast redwood range, bringing fresh, earthy scents, the patter of drops on fronds and leaves, and the enchanting sights of waterfalls, newts, and fungi. It’s a great time to enjoy …

A path runs from the foreground to the background through a redwood grove

4 peaceful redwood groves in San Francisco

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San Francisco lies within the coast redwood range, home to more than 100 redwood parks. In some of these parks live Earth’s tallest and among the oldest trees. If you’re visiting San Francisco and you don’t have time to travel to a redwood park, Golden Gate Park offers shady, peaceful groves. Although the following groves were planted and don’t contain the ancient giants of some redwood parks, these places are a great alternative to experience the look and feel of their wild counterparts outside city limits.

A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods

15 great redwood parks for people with disabilities

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With towering trees and fresh, oxygen-rich air, redwood forests have the power to inspire and enhance the well-being of all people. Our new, free e-guide provides an accessibility overview of 15 redwood and giant sequoia parks.

Hendy Woods State Park is a state park of California, USA, located in the Anderson Valley of Mendocino County, known for its old-growth coast redwoods.

12 ways to make the most of summer in the redwoods

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Summer is nearly here, with its long, golden days beckoning us outdoors for warm-weather adventures. Don’t let fall sneak up on you without making the most of this sunshiny season! Here are 12 ways to make the most of summertime in the redwoods.

Smith River

Six picturesque places to paddle in the redwoods

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Traveling on foot, wheels, and hooves are some ways to see the world’s tallest trees, but there’s nothing like paddling past magnificent coast redwood forests on beautiful rivers. These are the realms of playful river otters, magnificent ospreys, and at …

A woman hiking with a cane in a redwood forest.

A hike with Disabled Hikers was an eye-opening experience

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When you hiked, did you notice the number of benches along the way? If you’re not a person who uses mobility aids, chances are your answer is no because you don’t have to think about these characteristics. For those of …

The Forest in the Trees by Connie McLennan

The Forest in the Trees: A Children’s Book about the Redwood Canopy

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I have always lived within a hundred miles of the redwoods—though in northern California, 100 miles “as the crow flies” often means 200 miles of driving, some on tortuous coastal or mountain roads. I grew up in Yreka, California, where …

Waddell Beach. Photo by John Vonderlin, Flickr Creative Commons

4 Ways to Have a Beach Day Near the Redwoods This Long Weekend

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No Labor Day Weekend plans yet? We’ve got an idea: get out and Explore Redwoods. Now that summer’s coming to a close, a beach day might also be in order. Luckily, there are a few places not too far from the San Francisco Bay Area where you can do both. From the redwood forest to Pacific waters, here are four ways to fit in a beach day near the world’s tallest trees before summer’s over.

Old Grove Festival at Armstrong Redwoods SNR

For Music Under the Redwoods, It’s Hard to Beat the Old Grove Festival

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For some people, there’s nothing better than sitting on a log under the shady canopy of a coast redwood and strumming a guitar. If that’s your thing, you can hardly do better than the annual Old Grove Festival at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, celebrating its 14th year this Sept. 14-15.

League Conservation Programs Associate, Adrianna Andreucci​, visits Humboldt Redwoods State Park as a child.

My Favorite Redwood Park: A Gateway to the North Coast Redwoods and to My Own Future

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My favorite redwood park would have to be Humboldt Redwoods State Park. I grew up visiting it every summer as a child and have extremely fond memories of hiking and biking there with my dad. We camped nearby in Myers Flat at the Giant Redwoods RV Camp and went into the park each day for a different activity.

Two people looking up into the canopy of giant redwoods

10 Rules of the Redwood Forest

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We have amazing access to redwoods in some of the most beautiful parks on Earth. That’s worth protecting, and the best way to do it is to be mindful visitors. Here’s what you can do to be a good steward while exploring the redwood forest.

Everything You Need to Plan Your Next Trip to the Redwood Forest

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Just a few more weekends this summer to get out and enjoy California’s great redwood forests. And planning your adventure in the redwoods has never been easier, thanks to Explore Redwoods, our new and improved online portal that tells you everything you need to know to enjoy more than 100 parks.

A Native History of the East Bay Redwoods

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From forests to creeks to trails, every natural space has a past that predates our conventional history books. Few people today realize that the hills of the East Bay were once home to coast redwood forests of incredible stature. Living among them were the Ohlone people.

The animals of the redwood forests.

Which Forest Animal Is Like You? Take Our Quiz to Find Out

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Hello, this is Sunny the banana slug with a special invitation. Have you ever wondered what redwood forest animal is most like you? Take our new personality quiz and see. I promise, it will only take a moment, and it’s a nice way to break up this summer day. And who knows, you might even find out that I am your very kindred spirit!

Saturday, June 1, is American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day®.

Trail Service World Record to be Set on National Trails Day®

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On June 1, 2019, individuals across the country will set the world record for the most people improving trails in a single day during the 27th annual American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day®.

This Allen's hummingbird was spotted at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Photo by Ron LeValley.

Grab Your Binoculars: It’s World Migratory Bird Day!

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World Migratory Bird Day is when we celebrate our beautiful feathered friends for everything they contribute to our environment and for the long journeys they take across the globe every year.