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If you guessed California highest rated state parkwhat would be your guess?
That’s a difficult task, but it’s probably not the place you expect.
While it’s actually National Parks like 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!
With lush forestry accentuated by towering trees as tall as 100 meters, if you want an otherworldly experience you’ve never heard of, it’s time to set your sights on Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
As one of the most Instagrammable destinations in California, clear your camera roll and be amazed by one of the West Coast’s last remaining secrets!
Visit Humboldt Redwoods this fall: the secret is out!
You might say this California secret is spreading like wildfire, but that’s a soft spot for many Californians who live far from the Golden State’s iconic shores.
While NorCal is no stranger to Smoky Bear warnings, Humboldt Redwoods State Park still stands strong – literally.
Typically, travelers from far and wide visit Sequoia or Redwoods National Park to see some of Mother Nature’s most amazing works yet, but somehow Humboldt has slipped through the cracks for far too long.
More and more travelers are sharing their experiences with the wonders of Humboldt and it’s hard to find a bad word about it.
For the record, the park has a near-perfect 4.9 rating on Google with nearly 5,000 reviews and has a perfect 5 stars on TripAdvisor.
Honestly, a lot of tourists skip north Lake Tahoe, but that needs to change and it seems like it’s already happening with so much hype.
Autumn is an excellent time to visit the park as the weather is still beautiful, and in many parts of the park you can have fun away from pesky selfie takers in more notable parks.
In fact, you might see more wildlife than people, which is crazy to think since admission is free.
Swap vibrant fall foliage for skyscraping redwoods
A visit to Humboldt in the fall brings new expectations. You probably won’t see much rustic red or glittering gold 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 more than 100 miles of trails winding through Humboldt Redwoods, many of which are easily accessible even for beginners.
One of the most popular trails is the Founder’s Grove Nature Trail, which is short, targeted, and handicapped accessible. It will surprise you.
You will be enchanted by the begin as you witness the ‘giants’ of Humboldt, such as the “Dyerville Giant”, a fallen tree, perfect for photo shooting.
Another way to travel through the park is to take the “Avenue of the Giants,” an epic road trip through endless Redwoods with plenty of places to stop to absorb all the sights.
Tip: Don’t miss the Shine Drive-Thru Tree (exactly what it sounds like!)
‘Sasquatch’ influence
It’s a mystery how such a stunning destination, which captivates visitors at every turn, remains under the radar, but it may have to do with the less than flattering portrayal of Humboldt himself.
One of the best documentaries I’ve seen in years Sasquatchand no, don’t let the title fool you into sending you down a rabbit hole of a man in a monkey suit.
In case you haven’t seen it yet, I won’t give any spoilers, but let’s just say there are some similarities between the backroads of Humboldt County and the legends of the Appalachia Trail.
In other words, stick to what you know and don’t meddle in anyone else’s business.
That said, a visit to Humboldt Redwoods State Park is completely safe, otherwise there wouldn’t be such rave reviews from thousands of tourists.
Park representatives recommend following Highway 101 until it’s time to exit. For detailed directions, click here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and 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 in the post.
