Richardson Grove State Park, State park with ancient redwoods in Humboldt County, United States.
Richardson Grove State Park covers about 2,000 acres along the South Fork of the Eel River, 75 miles south of Eureka. It holds old-growth coast redwoods, including the ninth-largest remaining coast redwood. A low fence of rough-hewn rails and wire runs beside a dirt path; behind it stands a massive redwood with reddish-brown fibrous bark, and a large circular cross-section of a fallen trunk lies at its base.
The park is named after Friend Richardson, California's 25th governor from 1923 to 1927. The first road through the grove, later US 101, was built around 1915 and surfaced with gravel and oil in 1927. A 2001 study found a four-lane bypass infeasible due to cost and environmental disruption.
The park is named after Friend Richardson, California's 25th governor from 1923 to 1927. Its campgrounds carry the names Huckleberry, Madrone and Oak Flat, after plants growing in the groves. The visitors center holds displays on the wildlife of the surrounding area.
The park offers camping options in different sections and numerous trails varying in difficulty for visitors of different experience levels. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable visiting conditions, with moderate temperatures and good walking conditions throughout the groves.
US Route 101 runs directly through the forest, creating its narrowest section along the entire highway from California to Washington. The road threads between the massive tree trunks, offering drivers an unusual experience of traveling through old-growth redwood forest.
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