Tall Trees Grove

Tall Trees is the one that takes commitment. The grove sits on the Redwood Creek floodplain, 800 feet below a locked gate at the end of a long gravel road, among trees exceeding 350 feet. The Libby Tree here held the title of world's tallest until 1994, and a 1963 National Geographic expedition to this grove is a large part of why the national park exists at all.

You need a free reservation, and only 50 parties get one per day. It's online only — the Park Service explicitly stopped issuing permits in person at visitor centers. Book a morning slot (8am–12pm) or afternoon (1pm to sunset), and a gate code arrives by email 23 hours before your date. If you miss the window, day-before releases drop at 8am and 1pm with the code emailed immediately.

Budget the whole thing properly. From Highway 101 it's about an hour each way, including roughly six miles of narrow gravel with very little room to turn around. The hike is 4.5 miles round trip with 1,600 feet of total elevation change and grades over 10%. The Park Service calls it moderately strenuous, and the climb is at the end, when you're tired. Allow three to six hours on the trail and at least four hours out of your day.

Bring water, food, sturdy shoes, rain gear and a flashlight. There are two vault toilets and a shelter at the trailhead, and nothing else. Don't rely on phone maps.

Redwood Creek runs high and dangerous from October through May.