California · National and State Parks trail

Lady Bird Johnson Nature Trail Stop #4

in California

More than Redwoods Redwoods do not stand alone. In fact, what we call old-growth redwood forests may contain as few as eight or ten of the towering monarchs per acre. A diverse community of plants and animals thrive in the shadows of the redwood canopy.

High above, Douglas-fir and western hemlock share the skyline with redwoods, their mossy branches home to flying squirrels and marbled murrelets, seabirds that only nest on large limbs of old-growth conifers. Tanoak and rhododendron fill in the middle space between the forest canopy and forest floor. Closer to the ground, the fleshy black berries of evergreen huckleberry and salal provide sustenance for bears and birds alike, and their shrubby forms shelter the ferns and redwood sorrel of the forest floor.

The redwoods dominate and define this timeless forest community. They protect, shelter, and sustain the other residents of the forest through hundreds of years of harsh winter storms and long summer droughts.

States: California
Trail type: National and State Parks trail
Centroid nearest city: Eugene, OR · 196 mi · ~6 hr drive
Centroid coords: 41.3065°, -124.0214°

About Redwood National and State Parks

National and State Parks

This trail is inside Redwood National and State Parks, a national and state parks managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/lady-bird-johnson-nature-trail-stop-4.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Lady Bird Johnson Nature Trail Stop #4 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.