Howland Hill Road and Stout Memorial Grove are two of the most memorable experiences in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, but they require more planning than a typical roadside stop. The road is narrow, winding, and mostly unpaved, while the grove has limited parking and no space for RVs or trailers. In 2026, Howland Hill Road is currently listed as open, yet conditions can change after storms, maintenance, or road damage. A careful plan helps you enjoy the redwoods without blocking traffic, damaging roadside vegetation, or spending the day waiting for a parking space.
This guide explains the best approaches for small vehicles, the summer footbridge option from the campground, realistic timing, crowd-avoidance strategies, and a simple half-day itinerary. Check the official Redwood National and State Parks current conditions page before leaving Crescent City or Hiouchi. For wider trip planning, use our Redwood parks summer 2026 guide and Del Norte County travel guide.
How to Reach Howland Hill Road and Stout Grove in 2026
Howland Hill Road runs for about ten miles through the northern redwood country between the Crescent City side of the park and the Hiouchi area near U.S. 199. Much of the route is unpaved and only wide enough for careful passing. The drive is not difficult because of speed or distance; it is difficult because drivers must watch for blind curves, potholes, pedestrians, parked vehicles, and cars using the center of the road to avoid rough sections.
Allow at least an hour for the full scenic drive, even before adding a hike. That estimate gives you room to slow down, yield at narrow points, and use legal pullouts without rushing. The route is not a shortcut between Crescent City and U.S. 199. Treat it as a destination in its own right.
Choose the Access Option That Fits Your Vehicle
Stout Grove has two practical approaches. The year-round option uses the eastern section of Howland Hill Road and is intended for smaller vehicles. The seasonal alternative starts at the Jedediah Smith campground day-use area and reaches the grove on foot by way of a summer hikers’ bridge. The right choice depends on vehicle size, bridge installation, available time, and parking conditions.
Eastern Howland Hill Road Approach for Cars and Vans
Cars and standard passenger vans can normally reach the Stout Grove trailhead from the Hiouchi side. This eastern approach avoids driving the entire road from Crescent City, making it useful when the grove is your main priority. However, the road still becomes narrow and unpaved, and the parking area remains small.
Motorhomes, recreational vehicles, trucks that are too wide for the road, and vehicles towing trailers should not attempt Howland Hill Road. There is no RV or trailer parking at Stout Grove. Large vehicles create passing problems, may strike roadside trees or vegetation, and can become trapped where turning space is limited. Travelers using an RV should choose the campground day-use approach only if the vehicle fits the developed parking rules, or visit a more accessible grove such as Simpson-Reed.
Use a downloaded or printed official map rather than following every GPS instruction. Online maps can send visitors onto remote roads, private property, or unsuitable approaches in the redwood parks. If you are arriving from Oregon, review our U.S. 199 and Route 197 construction guide before committing to an arrival time.
Summer Campground and Footbridge Approach
During summer, visitors can park at the Jedediah Smith campground day-use area, pay the applicable day-use fee, and walk roughly half a mile along the Smith River before crossing the seasonal hikers’ bridge to Stout Grove. This approach can accommodate a wider range of vehicles and avoids the narrow road to the trailhead.
The footbridge is normally installed from late June through late September, but exact dates depend on Smith River flow and park operations. Never assume it is in place simply because the calendar says summer. Confirm the bridge status locally or through current park information before choosing this route.
The campground approach adds walking distance but can create a more relaxed visit. The river section gives the day a different character, and you do not have to compete for the very small Stout Grove trailhead lot. The day-use area has a fee even though Redwood National and State Parks does not charge a general entrance fee. Carry a payment method accepted at the site and avoid parking in campsites or spaces reserved for registered campers.
What to Expect on the Stout Memorial Grove Trail
Stout Grove is a short loop of about half a mile through a 44-acre old-growth redwood grove beside the Smith River. The trail distance looks easy, but the complete visit commonly takes one to two hours once you include the approach, photographs, the river spur, and time spent looking into the canopy.
The route uses wood and aggregate surfaces, includes switchbacks, and descends toward the river. It is not an ADA-accessible trail. Pets are not allowed on the trail, although leashed pets may be permitted on Howland Hill Road and in certain developed areas. Service animals are allowed. Visitors should review current pet rules rather than leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle.
Timing, Parking, and Responsible Photography
For a better chance of finding parking and experiencing a quieter grove, arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Midday is often the busiest period, especially on summer weekends. Early fog can soften the light, while later sun may create brighter patches between the trunks. Neither time guarantees solitude, so be prepared to choose the campground approach or another open trail if the lot is full.
Do not park with tires on ferns, roots, or soft forest soil. Do not stop in the travel lane for photographs, and never use a private driveway as a turnaround. At the grove, stay on the developed trail instead of walking to the base of every large tree. Redwood roots are shallow and can be damaged by repeated trampling. A long camera lens or a wider composition usually produces a better image than stepping into protected vegetation.
Keep voices low, allow faster walkers to pass, and avoid occupying one viewpoint for an extended photo session. Drones are not appropriate for this setting, and commercial filming or organized photography may require permission. The grove is not a studio; it is a living ecosystem shared with other visitors.
How to Plan a Low-Stress Redwood and Smith River Day
The best Howland Hill Road itinerary limits the number of major stops. Trying to combine Stout Grove, Grove of Titans, Boy Scout Tree Trail, several river accesses, Crescent City, and the coast in one day creates parking pressure and turns a scenic drive into a checklist. Choose one primary grove, one optional short stop, and one river or community break.
A Practical Half-Day Itinerary and Safety Plan
Start in Crescent City after checking road conditions, weather, and fuel. If you have a suitable vehicle, drive toward Howland Hill Road early and continue slowly through the old-growth corridor. Make Stout Grove the main stop. If the trailhead parking is full, do not wait in the road. Continue safely, use the campground approach if the bridge is operating, or switch to an alternative such as Simpson-Reed. Our alternative redwood hikes near Crescent City provides more backup options.
Pair the Grove With the Smith River or Crescent City
After the grove, add a legal Smith River access or return to Hiouchi for a break. The river can look calm and exceptionally clear, but cold water, changing current, submerged rocks, and slippery banks still require caution. Do not jump from rocks, enter unfamiliar current, or leave children unsupervised. If the river area is crowded, continue to another developed stop rather than creating a new path down the bank.
For a broader day, return to Crescent City for the harbor, a meal, or a coastal viewpoint. This keeps the itinerary geographically sensible and provides a backup if fog or road conditions change. Our Crescent City guide can help you select nearby stops, while the Redwoods and Hiking category offers additional forest guides.
Carry water, a warm layer, food, and a downloaded map even on a short outing. Cell service can be limited, and the temperature beneath the canopy may feel cooler than Crescent City or the riverbank. Wear footwear that can handle damp aggregate, roots, and uneven surfaces. Keep valuables out of sight before reaching any trailhead.
Howland Hill Road and Stout Grove remain accessible highlights in 2026, but their appeal depends on visitors respecting the limits of the road and forest. Use a small vehicle, allow more time than the mileage suggests, confirm the summer bridge before relying on it, and keep a backup trail ready. A slow drive and one carefully enjoyed grove will deliver more than a rushed attempt to collect every famous stop in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
