Tall Trees Trail Guide: Redwood National Park

Located in the National Park, Tall Trees is one of the best hikes available within the Redwood National & State Parks. The hike takes you through some old-growth redwoods, including some of the tallest in the park.

The trail is popular and these days require a permit to visit. We provide information on its difficulty, permitting process, and more. Follow along to determine if it’s a good fit for you.

About the Hike

Distance: 3.6 miles | Type: Out & Back | Avg. Time: 1.5 hours | Difficulty: Moderate | Dog Friendly: No

Tall Trees is one of the better-known longer-day hikes in the park. The trail takes you deeper into the forest than many other day hikes in the park. This trail is located within the boundaries of the National Park, which is not the case for most of the popular hikes in the area.

This is also rare, given this trail’s old-growth and tall trees. Sadly, many trails in the National Park are not old-growth, as this area was logged far longer than the state parks.

Many of the “record breakers” of trees can be found in this area. The tallest tree, ‘Hyperion,’ is officially listed as not along this trail. You actually have to sign that you cannot access Hyperion from this trail. Whether or not it’s there, I don’t know. But I know it’s illegal to try to go and locate it.

Walking Trail Loop along Tall Trees Trail - Redwood NP

The trail is straightforward and well-maintained. It descends towards the grove loop and there’s a mile hike around the grove and then back to the parking area. Even the up is pretty steady, so nothing that should impact most experienced hikers.

This was one of my favorite hikes in the park. When we arrived, we were the only folks on the trail until we approached the parking lot. It was magical having much of this area to ourselves.

Note: This trail requires a permit to access year-round. See our section below for more information about obtaining the permit. There are other options for reaching the grove; however, many of those trails are only accessible during summer (due to stream crossings).

Tall Trees Permit System

Since 2020, the Tall Trees Trail has required a permit. This is to limit the number of people who impact this fragile ecosystem daily. There is a limit of 50 parties per day.

Price: Free

There are two permit options: full-day and half-day.

Full-Day: Can be reserved up to 180 days ahead of your trip. This is the only option for those reserving ahead of time.

Half-Day: Can only be reserved 24 hrs before your reservation. Permits drop at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm the day prior to your visit. You can visit anytime during your window (8:00 am – 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm to Sunset).

The permit will be emailed 24 hours before your intended visit date. It will include the gate code to open the locked gate at the start of the 6-mile road to the trailhead.

Note: Be sure to print or screenshot your permit. You’ll need the gate code to open the combo lock at the start of the road. You may also be requested to show it to a ranger. There is little to no cell reception in the area.

Tip: There are quite a few items you need to select and enter on the permit. If it’s a particularly busy weekend choice, you may find it easier to do it on a computer. Permits for holiday weekends can book up very quickly.

Tall Trees Trail Trailhead & Parking

Tall Trees Trailhead is located along Tall Trees Access Road. The access road is 7 miles down Bald Hills Road. For those coming from Crescent City, it takes about 1.5 hours to reach the trailhead.

Access Gate - Tall Trees Trail - Redwood NP

When you reach the turn-off for the access road, you’ll approach a gate that limits access to the trail. The gate code will be emailed to you as part of the permit. Be sure to relock the gate after you pass through.

The road itself is a well-maintained gravel and dirt road. Please try not to go fast if you are passing any folks along the road (we had a truck throw stones that hit our windshield). It’s about 6 miles from the turn-off until you reach the trailhead.

There’s a small parking lot at the trailhead. There’s also a pit toilet for those who need it.

Best Time to Do the Hike

The hike is most popular in the summer, with the longest days and the best weather to complete it. This is also the time to do any of the longer extensions on the hike, which require crossing various streams (there are summer bridges in some areas).

Summer is also the most challenging time to secure a permit for the hike, so be sure to plan ahead if you can. Thankfully, this park has fewer visitors than many other California Parks, so it never feels quite as packed.

Spring and Fall can be great times to explore the trail. In particular, late spring and early fall will have weather similar to summer but with fewer crowds. If you can visit during a weekday, you’ll likely easily snag a permit the day prior. Full-day permits often still book ahead, however. Early spring and late fall can be rainy, muddy, and even snowy. Be sure to plan accordingly.

Winter is a fantastic time to hike the trail and visit the park. The trail can be super quiet this time of year, and getting such places to oneself is rare. Winter can, however, bring days of rain and even snow, which may make travel difficult. Cold weather gear, spikes, and more are essential to pack during this season.

The Tall Trees Trail Hike

The trail starts at the end of the 6-mile gravel/dirt road that leads from the access gate. You’ll see a small trailhead by the parking lot and some seats and pit toilets to the right.

The trail descends steadily from the start. You’ll be heading down the well marked trail as well as various sets of switchbacks. I noticed that even though I was here around 8:30 am, no one else was on the trail besides my group.

Descending Tall Trees Trail - Redwood NP California

Just of note, the trail is out and back, so you’ll have to ascend this same trail on your way out. I found it pretty steady and not overly steep so hopefully you’ll be ok on the way out. Honestly, the best tree views are the end loop so you’ll want to go to the loop if you can.

There are a few intriguing spots along the trail, like these “tree tunnels”. This one is about 0.4 miles from the start of the trail. I found the trail very quiet, so be alert for wildlife if you are alone like we were.

Grove and Bench - Tall Trees Trail - Redwood NP

At about 1.4 miles, you’ll reach the start of the loop area. You’ll see a small grove of trees with a bench here. It should take about 30 minutes from the parking lot or so to reach this point.

Right past this, you’ll see the loop. A small sign shows that it’s about one mile long. You can travel in either direction.

The loop is the trail’s highlight. The trail also offers views of Redwood Creek.

The trees here are some of the tallest in the park. There are some of the “record setters” in the park. Whether or not Hyperion is in the area, you are not allowed to go off and look for it. It requires off-trail travel and crossing some boundaries that have legal implications.

Once you complete the trail, you’ll return along the same trail to the parking lot. This trail should take about 45 minutes to return on.

Tips & FAQs

If you are planning to do the day before permit. You have a chance at both 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Be sure to be ready at precisely those times as they can book up quickly.
Try to go early, especially if you have the 8 a.m. slot. It was great having the trail primarily to ourselves.
If available, use a computer for the permit. You have to complete a strangely high number of items, and it was easier for us on a computer.
Bring water. There are creeks, but everything must be filtered.
Pay attention to wildlife. There are bears, mountain lions, coyotes, among others that can be encountered on the trail.
Wear good shoes. It’s an uneven and rocky trail at times.