Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

The 805-acre old growth coastal redwood grove includes a visitor center, self-guided nature trails, and a variety of picnic facilities. It is part of the 5,683-acre Austin Creek State Recreation area. While you can drive into the park, the best way to experience the dramatic effect of the towering redwoods, is to park in the lot at the park entrance and walk in for free. All of the main park features can be found along the Pioneer Nature Trail. This trail is a mile and a half loop, ADA accessible and is mostly flat. The Parson Jones Tree is the tallest tree in the grove, measuring more than 310 feet in height, and the Colonel Armstrong Tree is the oldest, estimated to be over 1,400 years old. The ancient coast redwood is the tallest living thing on our planet and live to be 500-1,000 years old, grow to a diameter of 12-16 feet, and stand from 200-250 feet tall. Coast redwoods are classified as temperate rainforests and need wet and mild climates to survive. The rainfall in Armstrong Redwoods averages 55 inches per year and the trees are often shrouded in fog.