Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Nature reserve in Sonoma County, United States.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is a protected area in Sonoma County about 2 miles (3 km) north of Guerneville, with dense stands of coastal redwood trees that can reach heights above 300 feet (90 m). Between the thick trunks run several level paths and a wider forest road leading deeper into the wooded valley.
Colonel James Boydston Armstrong (1824–1900) set the land aside as a natural park and botanical garden in the 1870s. After his death, his daughter Kate and the Le Baron family campaigned to save the grove, and in 1917 Sonoma County bought it for $80,000. The state took over in 1934, opened it as a state park in 1936, and made it a natural reserve in 1964.
The reserve takes its name from lumber baron James Boydston Armstrong, who in 1878 transferred the land to his daughter Kate for "one dollar, love and affection." Guerneville was first called "Stumptown" for the stumps left after logging. The Icicle Tree, once known for its long hanging burls, has been badly damaged by vandalism.
The main trails are wide and level, making them accessible for wheelchairs and suitable for people who prefer to avoid steep climbs. On cooler days or early in the morning, the shade under the tall trees makes it noticeably colder, so bringing a jacket is a good idea.
Some of the oldest trees in the reserve are over 1400 years old and started growing long before the first European settlers arrived in California. Their bark can be more than 12 inches (30 cm) thick in places and protects the trunks from fire and pests.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,776 contributors worldwide.
