Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail: Easy Hike In The Redwoods

Lady Bird Johnson Grove is an easy 1.5-mile loop in Redwood National Park. The trail is easy, mostly flat, well-groomed, and very beautiful. If you can only do one hike in Redwood National Park, make sure to choose Lady Bird Johnson Grove.

Redwood National Park is one of the most stunning National Parks in the US. The Redwood Trees protected in this area are ancient giants that are bigger, stronger, and more magnificent than you can ever imagine. Redwood National and State Parks encompass a large area with so much to see, and so many miles to drive you may feel overwhelmed trying to decide what to do first. Lady Bird Johnson Grove is an excellent hike that showcases the best of Redwood National Park. It’s short, quick, and easy enough that anyone can do it! We were able to walk the Lady Bird Johnson loop in under one hour.

This area is named after Lady Bird Johnson in appreciation of her role in protecting and promoting the protection of this beautiful area. You can find a plaque in the grove that shows the dedication of this area to the past First Lady by President Nixon in 1969. In the 1960s loggers began clear-cutting this area but thankfully it was declared a National Park in 1968.

Take a look at these Hiking Quotes and Captions!

Prior to its preservation, the area had begun to be heavily logged, and you can see evidence of this as you enter the hike. Surrounding the parking lot and up to the bridge, you will notice newer growth from trees being replanted after logging. Once you pass the bridge you will be able to see the incredible old-growth forest and the ancient Redwood trees.

How to get to Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trailhead

Lady Bird Johnson Grove is located near the town of Orick California about 15 minutes from the Kuchel Visitor CenterHeading North on US Hwy 101, you want to be looking on the right-hand side for Bald Hills Road. After the turnoff, you’ll follow the road for about 2.5 miles until you see a parking lot on the right. There isn’t parking available here for RVs. The road is windy and full of potholes, but you do not need 4wd to drive the road. There are pit toilets available at the end of the parking lot.

When to visit Lady Bird Johnson Grove

You can visit Lady Bird Johnson Grove any time of the year. The trail can be very muddy. Even when it is raining, there are some parts of the hike that are covered enough by the trees that you don’t get too wet but dress appropriately for the rain.

If you visit during the summer, you may be able to go on a ranger-led educational walk. Check with the NPS online or the visitors center to check the time the walks are being led.

You can also pick up a brochure that will help you understand what you are seeing along the way if you don’t want to attend the ranger-led walk. Another option is to scan the QR code at the beginning of the hike (just after the bridge) to have an audio tour while you are walking through the grove.

You can also save this guide on your phone to use as a reference while in the park. We did not have cell service on the road to the hike but had small amounts of service while in the grove itself.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove Hike

First of all, let me say that when I call this a hike, I’m being a bit dramatic. This is more like a walk. It’s relatively flat, slow-paced, and short, but it feels like we accomplished more if we call it a hike, so hike it is. Just don’t let the word “hike” keep you from checking this out. There are benches along the way too so you can sit and rest or enjoy the scenery.

After parking your car head to the end of the parking lot and over the wooden bridge that crosses the street. The grade of this bridge does not meet ADA standards as it is too steep which is why this trail is not labeled as wheelchair accessible. The rest of the hike is pretty flat. A quick note on strollers, it may be possible depending on when you go. It was very muddy when we were there and I think a stroller would have gotten stuck.

After you cross the bridge look to your right to find the trail brochure that you can take with you along the walk, or where you can scan the QR code for an audio tour.

Head straight down the trail, and you’ll begin to notice posts with numbers on them. This is where the brochure or audio tour comes in handy if you want to know what you are looking at.

Eventually, you’ll come to a fork in the road. You can go either way. This hike is a lollipop loop (think a straight line and then a circle on top). We went straight here to do the loop portion clockwise. Doing it this way keeps the posted numbers in order, but other than that it really doesn’t matter.

You’ll be surrounded by incredible Redwoods, ferns, and other native plants. Admire the beauty of the trees, notice the bark, the nurse trees, the moss, and other interesting features as you go. There are several trees that have holes in them large enough for you to stand in!

Be sure and stay on the marked trail so as not to damage anything along your way. There is plenty to look at and interact with without venturing off the trail.

Once you complete the loop, you will head back down the straight path (the stick of the lollipop) and back across the bridge.

What to bring on your hike

There are no fees, reservations, or permits needed to hike Lady Bird Johnson Grove. Parking is free. Be sure to not leave any valuables in the car. Dogs are not allowed on the Lady Bird Johnson Loop.

I highly recommend you download the NPS app on your phone prior to your trip. Search Redwood National Park and select the tab that allows you to download the information. This way, even when you don’t have service you can have access to information, park maps, driving directions, and trail maps.

Even though this is not a huge hike, you should always be prepared when spending time outdoors. The weather can be cooler and damp here, so dressing in layers is a good idea. I like having a fleece jacket that I can take off, they are lightweight and don’t take up much room. Wear shoes that can get muddy and keep your feet dry. Always have the 10 essentials of hiking with you!

Be sure to bring a charged phone, or camera with SD card.

What else to do after Lady Bird Johnson Grove

Since Lady Bird Johnson Grove is a short walk, you can easily combine it with some of the other features of Redwood National Park. From the back of the loop, you can combine this with the Berry Glen Trail for an additional 3 miles. I suggest following the map above and also hiking the Trillium Falls hike. If you still have time you can spend time in Elk Meadow watching for the elk herds or driving through the scenic drive of the Newton B Drury byway.