Redwood Park is a 790-acre forest that begins at the edge of the Cal Poly Humboldt campus and climbs into the hills east of Arcata. The park contains genuine old-growth coast redwood groves — some of the trees date back more than a thousand years — alongside second-growth forest, open meadows, and picnic areas. The trailhead is a ten-minute walk from the Plaza.
The trail network is well-maintained and not crowded except on warm weekends. The Redwood Loop trail takes about an hour at a relaxed pace and passes through the densest old-growth section. If you continue uphill, the trees thin out and there are partial views over Humboldt Bay. Bring a jacket — the canopy holds moisture and the temperature drops noticeably inside the grove.