Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail

Q: Do I need special hiking boots?

No. Trail shoes or sturdy sneakers work fine. The surface is well-maintained aggregate and wood. In wet weather, traction matters—avoid smooth soles.

Q: Is this trail safe to hike alone?

Yes. It's a popular, well-marked loop in a safe park. Stay on the trail and carry a whistle. Cell service is unknown—tell someone your plan and expected return time.

Q: How crowded does this get?

Very crowded summer mornings to afternoon. Expect full parking by 9:00 AM. Spring and fall offer solitude. Winter is quiet but may require road closure checks.

Q: Can I hike this in rain?

Surfaces get slippery. The footbridge becomes a hazard when wet. In winter storms, Bald Hills Road closes entirely. Check park alerts before driving up.

Q: Do I need a map or GPS?

No. The 1.5-mile loop is well-marked and impossible to lose. Use the park app for the interpretive tour audio guide if you want historical and ecological context.

Distance

1.5 mi

Est. Time

45-60 minutes at a leisure pace. Faster if you skip the interpretive tour stops; longer if you linger for photos.

Route Type

Loop

Dogs Allowed

Best Season

Spring through fall. Winter access depends on Bald Hills Road conditions—check park alerts for closures.

Overview

About This Trail

Walk a 1.5-mile loop through iconic coast redwoods—the southern park's most accessible old-growth experience. No elevation gain. The trail is flat, well-maintained wood and aggregate boardwalk, with a memorial plaque to Lady Bird Johnson at the grove's heart. Expect 45-60 minutes of constant shade and forest immersion. This is a solid warm-up hike, perfect for families and first-time park visitors.

Highlights

Difficulty Level

Easy

Trail Highlights

Walk among giants in an iconic old-growth redwood grove. The memorial plaque honors Lady Bird Johnson, the First Lady who championed habitat protection. Most accessible redwood experience in the park—perfect for families and first-timers.

Insider Tips

• The loop is short—many finish in 45 minutes, but linger for the memorial and interpretive stops • Download the park app before you go; it provides audio context at each stop • Avoid the mid-day crush (10 AM–3 PM in summer); dawn or late afternoon are golden • The footbridge is stable but intimidating if you fear heights—trust the engineering • The plaque dedication area is the focal point; pause there and read the inscription

Best Season to Hike

Spring through fall. Winter access depends on Bald Hills Road conditions—check park alerts for closures.

Hiking Tips

Arrive early—parking lot fills by mid-morning in summer
Bring 1-1.5 liters water (no refill sources on trail)
Download park app for interpretive tour audio stops
Watch for wet surfaces and slippery boardwalks year-round
Drive Bald Hills Road slowly—winding, steep, narrow; no RVs/trailers
The memorial plaque is the focal point—don't rush past it

Family Info

Suitable for ages 5+. The footbridge is stable but has no railings—hand-holding recommended for younger kids. Muddy in wet weather; good shoes required. Vault toilets at parking lot (no running water).

What Hikers Say

Hikers praise this 1.5-mile loop as the perfect introduction to old-growth coast redwoods without technical challenge or serious exertion. The memorial plaque and interpretive tour stops add historical and ecological depth. Most feedback emphasizes the parking lot battle and the rough access road as the real obstacles, not the trail itself.

Details

Trail Specifications

Distance: 1.5 miles

Duration: 45-60 minutes at a leisure pace. Faster if you skip the interpretive tour stops; longer if you linger for photos.

Difficulty: Easy

Route Type: Loop

Surface: Packed aggregate and wood boardwalk, 4-10 feet wide throughout the loop.

Getting There

Trailhead: Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trailhead, accessed via Bald Hills Road, 10 minutes north of Orick. Coordinates: 41.30° N, 124.02° W.

Parking: Limited—approximately 20-30 vehicles. Fills quickly in summer.

Fills Up: Full by mid-morning in summer (9:00 AM onward). Spring and fall rarely reach capacity. Winter is quiet.

Restrooms at trailhead

Requirements

Permit Required

No permits required. The trail is open to the public year-round (subject to seasonal road closures).

Fees: Free. No entrance fee required. America the Beautiful pass holders welcome.

Shuttle Available

No shuttle. Self-drive to the trailhead via Bald Hills Road. The road is narrow and winding—take it slow.

Trail Rules

Dogs: No—pets are not permitted on this trail.

Biking: No—trail is pedestrian-only. The narrow boardwalk and footbridge prohibit bikes.

Trail Markers: Well-marked and obvious loop. Thirteen interpretive stops are numbered and labeled. Nearly impossible to get lost.

Map/GPS recommended

Trail Features

Conditions & Safety

Water: Dry trail—no potable water sources. Bring at least 1-1.5 liters.

Shade: Full shade from old-growth redwood canopy. Summer fog adds chill. Temperature stays 10°F cooler under the trees.

Hazards:

The hikers footbridge crossing Bald Hills Road has a steep slope unsuitable for wheelchairs. The 2.5-mile drive up Bald Hills Road is narrow, winding, and shared with logging trucks—speed matters. Surfaces are constantly wet due to frequent coastal rainfall, especially October–May. Heavy rains may prompt temporary closures.

Emergency: 911. For park-specific emergencies, contact Redwood National and State Parks ranger station (see park map for direct number). No cell service guaranteed.

Crowd Info

Typical Crowds: Moderate to heavy in summer; quiet in spring and fall.

Peak Times: Summer mornings through late afternoon (9:00 AM–4:00 PM). Parking fills and the trail becomes crowded.

Accessibility & Family

Accessibility:

Not ADA accessible. The hikers footbridge exceeds wheelchair slope limits. Trail is 4-10 feet wide with aggregate and wood surface. Service animals welcome.

Family Notes:

Nearby Facilities

Orick is 10 minutes downhill with gas, lodging, and dining. The trailhead offers only vault toilets—no water, food, or retail. Pack everything you need.

What Hikers Say

FAQs

Can kids do this trail?

Yes. Ages 5+ is ideal. No elevation gain, flat terrain, vault toilets at the lot. The footbridge has no railing—hand-holding recommended for younger kids.

Do I need special hiking boots?

Is this trail safe to hike alone?

How crowded does this get?

Can I hike this in rain?

Do I need a map or GPS?

🏞️ National Park Service 📝 YourNPGuide Editorial

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