Lady Bird Johnson Grove

Redwood National Park was established in 1968 after a long battle to protect the last great stands of old growth from logging. The park was formally dedicated the following year on this ridge, and the grove was named in honor of Lady Bird Johnson, whose beautification and conservation efforts had helped bring the park into being.

A simple plaque near the loop marks the dedication. It is a fitting spot: not a monument of stone but a grove of living giants, the very thing the park was created to save.

Coast redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, and the ones in this grove are ancient, many of them centuries old and some far older. They grow in a narrow band of the foggy North Coast, where cool summer fog gives them the moisture they need to reach such heights.

The forest floor is soft with needles and ferns, and downed trees nurse new growth from their fallen trunks. Walking here, the scale is hard to take in; the trunks rise straight up past the limits of what the eye easily follows, and sound goes quiet among them.

The grove sits high enough that fog often pools among the trees, drifting between the trunks and softening the light into something otherworldly. On such mornings the redwoods seem to fade in and out of the mist, and the whole grove feels hushed and ancient.

That same fog is the forest's lifeblood. Redwoods comb moisture from it through their needles, and the drip feeds the ferns, mosses, and the trees themselves through the rainless summers. The forest and the fog are one system.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove is part of Redwood National and State Parks, a patchwork of national and state lands that together protect much of the world's remaining old-growth coast redwood. Nearby, the meadows of Prairie Creek shelter herds of Roosevelt elk, and Fern Canyon and untouched beaches lie within a short drive.

The whole North Coast redwood country rewards slow travel, with grove after grove, wild rivers, and a coastline of sea stacks and driftwood. This easy loop is one of the finest introductions to it.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Lady Bird Johnson Grove, in Redwood National Park on California's far North Coast, is one of the most beloved and accessible old-growth redwood groves in the parks. Named in honor of former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, who was dedicated to conservation and beautification, the grove features a gentle, mostly level loop trail winding through a stunning forest of towering ancient coast redwoods, often wreathed in atmospheric coastal fog. The easy trail, beautiful trees, and peaceful, ferny setting make it a wonderful introduction to the majesty of the redwoods, offering an awe-inspiring walk suitable for nearly all visitors.

The Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail is a relatively easy loop of roughly one and a half miles, mostly gentle and level as it winds through the beautiful old-growth redwood forest, making it accessible to most visitors, including families. The trail begins after crossing a footbridge from the parking area. Interpretive signs share information about the redwoods and the grove's history. Wearing comfortable shoes and allowing time to soak up the majestic setting is all that is needed. The easy, rewarding walk makes it one of the best introductory redwood hikes in the parks.

The grove is reached by a narrow access road off the highway, and the small parking area can fill up, so arriving early helps, especially in busy season. The coastal forest is often cool, damp, and foggy even in summer, so bring warm layers. Staying on the trail protects the fragile forest floor. Cell service is limited. The gentle loop is family-friendly, but bring good shoes for the trail. Coming prepared with layers, allowing for the small parking area, and staying on the path helps ensure a peaceful and rewarding visit to this beautiful grove.

The grove is beautiful year-round, with late spring through early fall offering the driest weather, though the frequent coastal fog lends the redwoods an especially magical, atmospheric quality any time. Fall is lovely and quieter, and winter is wet but lush and green. Mornings can be foggy and peaceful. Because it is a popular, accessible grove, arriving early helps with parking and solitude. For the most pleasant weather aim for late spring through early fall, but the misty forest is enchanting in any season, so bring layers whenever you visit.

The grove is in Redwood National Park on California's far North Coast, near the town of Orick, within the broader Redwood National and State Parks that include Prairie Creek Redwoods with Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach nearby, with the Trees of Mystery attraction and Crescent City with its lighthouse and Jedediah Smith Redwoods to the north. That makes the Lady Bird Johnson Grove a beautiful and accessible stop to combine with the other redwood parks, Fern Canyon, and the coastal attractions of California's far North Coast on a visit to the region.