Highway access → arrival
Arrival: Boy Scout Tree marked parking on the north side of Howland Hill Road.
Approach: From US-101 one mile south of Crescent City take Elk Valley Road east about one mile, then turn right onto Howland Hill Road. Follow Howland Hill Road east to the signed north-side parking and trailhead.
Howland Hill is narrow/unpaved: motorhomes, RVs and trailers do not fit. Follow current trail notices; seasonal river bridges are not a driving approach.
Official directions & access ↗A 2.8-mile one-way old-growth trail from Howland Hill Road, continuing to Fern Falls. NPS recommends allowing at least half a day and warns of recurring vehicle break-ins at the trailhead.
Access details
- Parking
- Use the marked parking on the north side of Howland Hill Road; the map point identifies the trail rather than the parking entrance.
- Viewpoint
- The route travels deep into old-growth forest and ends at Fern Falls.
- Trail
- NPS lists a moderate 2.8-mile route each way with grades and switchbacks.
- Public water access
- No swimming access is represented from this trail.
- Water conditions
- RVs and trailers are not advised on Howland Hill Road.
Plan from the official source
Redwood National and State Parks is the manager or primary source for this entry. Check its current page for changing hours, fees, reservations, road restrictions, and closures.
Open NPS trails north of the Klamath River ↗