Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Hendy Woods State Park adventure.
An inland wonderland with some of California's most breathtaking redwood groves.
Need a respite from the urban bustle of the San Francisco Bay Area? Take a swing through the redwood groves of this inland state park in Mendocino County. The Big Hendy and Little Hendy groves both feature towering redwoods nearly 1,000 years old.
This spot's a bit warmer and less foggy than coastal parks, allowing for better sightlines. The 85-site campground is pretty popular. Reservations are recommended for the busy summer season.
The 1.6 mile Upper Loop Trail is your best overall choice for hiking. You'll see Big Hendy's most impressive trees and some of its more hidden treasures.
If you like oddball history, take a few hours to travel the Hermit Hut Trail. This forthrightly named trek takes you past a (very) reclusive Russian immigrant's abandoned dwellings. He lived in the area (mostly out of a downed redwood) for almost 20 years!
The park's location on the Navarro River also offers options on and in the water. Note there's no fishing allowed in the park itself.
The best time to visit Hendy Woods State Park is from April through October, when the weather is warmer and the park is less foggy than coastal redwood parks. However, the park's natural beauty can be enjoyed year-round, with cooler temperatures and fewer visitors in the off-season.