Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail — Attraction in McKinleyville

In my opinion, this is one of the most magical rainforests on earth. I came at the perfect time. Fog in this grove is wild. This has been one of my favorite places since I was kid. I can't say enough about this beauty and the photos speak for themselves.

*The drive up to the grove is very steep and long for such an incline. My car did not like it much, so be warned. The parking lot is small and in high demand. I was lucky when I arrived at 10am, because it was almost full. When I left at noon, people were circling.

There are restrooms in the parking lot. The paths are wide, smooth and well maintained. This is a short walk with a gentle slope/grade. Depending on your level of mobility, I would say this is pretty accessible compared to most outdoor parks of this sort.

**PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE This is a national park and prestine. Read the signs, follow the rules. DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED! Have some respect for this forest. And if you can't do that, I don't know why you're here, but do it for visitors who want an uninterrupted visit. There are thousands of parks that allow dogs, go there. Dogs bark. Dogs poop. Dog dig holes and kick up dirt. Dogs pee. Dogs fight with other dogs if other disrespectal visitors are present. Owners are audibly scolding undisciplined dogs. Leave your dogs at home or in the car. Enjoy the time you visit, don't take it for granted. We don't know how long this will exist. To wrap it up, I highly recommend anyone and everyone to venture off 101 and experience this magnificent wonder of the world. It's the best presentation of the redwoods that Northern California...

The Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail is one of the most accessible and rewarding trails in the Redwood National and State Parks. It’s a fantastic option if you're short on time or want a peaceful walk that still delivers that “wow” redwood experience. And it doesn't require a permit.

This is a 1.5-mile loop, mostly flat with a few gentle slopes that's easy for all fitness levels and family-friendly. The trailhead is just off Bald Hills Road, and while the road is a bit winding, the views along the way are beautiful.

As soon as you step onto the trail, you’re surrounded by towering coast redwoods, ferns, and lush greenery. The forest is often misty in the morning, creating a magical, almost dreamlike atmosphere. It feels ancient and sacred, quiet, cool, and deeply peaceful.

There are interpretive signs throughout the trail that provide insight into the ecology of the redwood forest and the story behind the grove’s dedication to Lady Bird Johnson, former First Lady and a champion of environmental conservation. This trail is more popular than some of the deeper backcountry trails, but it never felt overcrowded. Most people were respectful, and the grove was quiet enough to hear birds,

Tips for Visitors: -Wear sturdy shoes as it is mostly dirt and can be damp or slippery. -Go early in the day for fewer people and the best light through the trees. -Bring a jacket or layers even in summer, it can be chilly up in the grove. -Parking is limited, so arrive early during...

This is a truly mystical place... if you can get here when there's no one else around, which is increasingly rare. If you are here at sunset with the right conditions on a foggy day, you may see the amazing sight that I witnessed: the bloody red of the sunset diffused by the fog, making it look like the fog is glowing: amazing! Why oh why did I not have a camera with me? That's easy to answer: because I went to this grove about a hundred times while living in Trinidad.

This is one of the most wheelchair-accessible redwood groves on the Northcoast, and the trail is quite short but there's a lot to see. It's an easy hike even for those as lazy as I am and one of the most serene places you can visit... when it's mostly empty. The silence is amazing: the redwoods absorb sounds very effectively, and about the only animals living in old growth forests are birds, and not many of them, either. You might see a spotted owl if your lucky (doubtful; I never saw one), but the only sound you're likely to hear--other than people--is the buzzing hum of a native bird that I've never caught sight of, mostly because it's damn dark under...