Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve

and Austin Creek State Recreation Area

California > Mendocino/Sonoma region

The woods near the Colonel Armstrong Tree

Armstrong Redwoods is located in a canyon two miles north of the Russian River and the town of Guerneville.

The Russian River is a popular summer resort area for Northern Californians. The very liberal town of Guerneville is the biggest in the area and is ideally located between the dreary fog and frigid sea breezes of the coast and the baking heat of the inland valleys. Surrounded by hills covered with second-growth redwoods, the river has several beaches good for swimming. Canoes can be rented and are a common sight on the river, while River Road offers a flat and scenic bicycling route.

Unusually, Armstrong Redwoods' Visitor Center and main parking lot are actually located outside the entrance gate (if you're up for a pleasant 10-minute stroll, you can park here and walk into the park without paying the $6 entry fee). Inside the gate, the road splits: the right-hand road goes to a picnic area with lots of parking; to the left, a one-lane road with two-way traffic leads to the Armstrong Tree, where there are a few shady parking spots in a particularly serene and attractive redwood grove. Most people instinctively go right and so spots are often available by the Armstrong Tree even on summer weekends. The best scenery and largest redwoods in the park are actually along the single-lane road; the trails are less impressive.

The road to the Colonel Armstrong Tree

The Discovery/Pioneer loop passes through much of the park's old growth grove. The grove resembles the drier southern groves such as Henry Cowell and Muir Woods in that the trees are generally small and a dense understory of tanoak tends to obscure views. Unlike these other parks, however, a moderately dense carpet of sorrel and ferns covers the ground here.

South of the loop, the Pioneer Trail leads to the gate. This trail passes through a heavily-logged area, although near the gate there is a collection of large trees. To the north, the Pioneer Trail closely follows the access road past some nice old-growth trees.

The reserve offers two well-worn trails that climb the ridges to either side of the central canyon. The portions of these trails that flank the Pioneer Trail aren't particularly interesting, although they do make a good workout. The woods quickly become surprisingly dry as you climb out of the canyon, with no groundcover. Since the reserve is located well inland, it may not get as much moisture from summer fog as other redwood parks. To the north, both ridge trails climb into Austin Creek State Recreation Area, eventually reaching a very scenic ridge with superb views over the surrounding mountains.

Horse rides are offered within the park and horse manure is commonplace on the ridge trails, especially in summer.

Click map to enlarge; click again to show all trails

** The Colonel Armstrong Loop

This flat 1.3-mile loop takes in the best of Armstrong Woods' redwoods. I prefer to start from the small parking lot near the Colonel Armstrong Tree, but if that lot is full you can also start from the larger day use lot.

Take the Discovery Trail toward the Colonel Armstrong Tree and stay to the left at the first intersection. The trail runs past mid-sized redwoods with dense foliage as it curves around a hill. As it approaches the Pioneer Trail, it divides around the Icicle Tree and crosses Fife Creek on a bridge.

Turn left at the intersection with the Pioneer Trail. The Pioneer Trail runs through attractive redwoods close to Armstrong Woods Road. There are a few large trees on your way to the Day Use parking lot. When you reach the lot, turn around and return to the intersection, then continue straight until the trail crosses a small road. Turn right onto the road and cross an auto bridge.

The Discovery Trail, which starts on your right just after the bridge, leads back to the Colonel Armstrong Tree. However, the road, although it's just a few feet from the trail, is a lot more scenic and passes the best redwoods in the park. Traffic on the single-lane road is usually light and moves slowly, but step aside for drivers who may be paying more attention to the trees above than the road.

The Pioneer Trail