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If you were to guess California’s highest-rated State Park, what would be your guess?
That’s a tough call, but it’s probably not the place you expect.
While it’s actually National Parks, such as Yosemite, Sequoia, and Joshua Tree, that tend to steal California’s spotlight away from the coastline, there’s one Northern California State Park that will leave your jaw on the floor.
Some visitors say this unsuspecting park is better than the always-fascinating Redwoods National Park, and that’s saying something!
Boasting lush forestry highlighted by towering trees as much as 350 feet tall, if you want an out-of-this-world experience you’ve never heard of before, it’s time to set your sights on Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Being one of California’s most Instagramable destinations, clear your camera roll and get ready to be wowed by one of the West Coast’s last remaining secrets!
Visit Humboldt Redwoods This Fall: The Secret Is Coming Out!
You could say this California secret is spreading like wildfire, but that’s a soft spot for many Californians who live away from the Golden State’s iconic shores.
While NorCal is no stranger to Smoky Bear’s warnings, Humboldt Redwoods State Park is still standing strong – literally.
Usually, travelers far and wide visit Sequoia or Redwoods National Park to see some of Mother Nature’s most astonishing work yet, but somehow Humboldt has slipped through the cracks for far too long.
More and more travelers are sharing their experiences of Humboldt’s wonders and it’s hard to find a bad word about it.
For good measure, the park holds a near-perfect rating 4.9 rating on Google with close to 5,000 reviews and holds a perfect 5 stars on TripAdvisor.
Truth be told, many tourists skip anywhere north of Lake Tahoe, but that needs to change and seems like it’s already happening with so much hype.
Fall is an excellent time to visit as the weather is still splendid, and in many areas of the park, you can enjoy yourself away from pesky selfie-takers at more notable parks.
In fact, you may see more wildlife than people, which is crazy to think since admission is free.
Swap Vibrant Fall Foliage For Skyscraping Redwoods
Visiting Humboldt in autumn comes with some new expectations. You likely won’t see many rustic reds or glistening golds falling from the trees.
Park guests will have to change their ‘leaf peeping’ ways in favor of abundant green canopies that seemingly kiss the sky.
There are over 100 miles of hiking trails winding through Humboldt Redwoods with many of them being easily navigable, even for beginners.
One of the most popular trails is Founder’s Grove Nature Trail, which is short, straight to the point, and handicap accessible. It will astound you.
You’ll be mesmerized from the start as you bear witness to Humboldt’s ‘giants’, such as the “Dyerville Giant,” a fallen tree perfect for photo ops.
Another way to venture through the park is by taking the “Avenue of the Giants”, an epic road trip through never-ending Redwoods with ample places to pull over to absorb all the sites.
Tip: Don’t miss the Shine Drive-Thru Tree (just as it sounds!)
‘Sasquatch’ Influence
It is a mystery how such a stunning destination that captivates visitors at every turn flies under the radar, but it may have to do with the less-than-flattering portrayal of Humboldt itself.
One of the best documentaries I’ve seen in years is Sasquatch, and no, don’t let the title fool you by sending you down a rabbit hole of a man in an ape suit.
In case you haven’t seen it, I won’t give any spoilers, but let’s just say there are some similarities between Humboldt County’s backroads and the legends of the Appalachia Trail.
In other words, stick to what you know and don’t get involved in anyone else’s business.
That being said, visiting Humboldt Redwoods State Park is perfectly safe, otherwise there wouldn’t be such rave reviews from thousands of tourists.
Park reps recommend sticking to Highway 101 until it’s time to exit. For detailed directions, click here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.