Boy Scout Trail Details

Activities
- Hike
- Trail Running
Mountain Biking not recommended or allowed.
Riding Area

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Crescent City, California
Difficulty Rating

Blue rate
Trail Type

Singletrack
Direction

Both Directions
Dogs Allowed

Yes

Built by Boy Scouts from Crescent City in the 1930s, this trail is the only one in the park that leads into the wild heart of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The destination, Fern Falls, is pleasant enough—but not as impressive as what you see in the process of getting there. At lunchtime, sprawl out under the more-than-300-feet-tall Boy Scout Tree, which is really two coast redwoods intertwined. At the end of the day, you’ll understand why redwood writer David Baselt calls this park “a showcase of the world’s best redwood scenery.”

Access Info

To get to the trailhead, turn off Highway 101 onto Elk Valley Road at the south end of Crescent City. After 1.5 miles, fork right onto Howland Hill Road. You can begin viewing magnificent trees from the car. In four miles, the signed Boy Scout Trail takes off to the north.