Hendy Woods State Park

Hendy Woods State Park’s old redwoods rise just off Highway 128, visible from the road as the trees start to crowd the sky. The entrance comes up fast — easy to miss the sign — but once inside, the road curves with the Navarro River and dips beneath dense forest. The park spans two main groves, Big Hendy and Little Hendy, linked by four miles of looping trails that stay mostly shaded all year. A short, accessible path runs near the day-use area, while the Hermit Hut Trail leads to a makeshift shelter built decades ago by a local recluse. The campground splits into two loops — Azalea and Wildcat. Sites are level and tucked apart by ferns, trunks, and underbrush, with space for tents, trailers, or a compact RV. Each has a fire pit and bear box — both needed, since raccoons and black bears sometimes pass through. Water spigots are spaced throughout, and there’s a dump station near the entrance. Cabins line one side of the park for anyone skipping the tent setup. Restrooms and showers anchor each loop. Some buildings are older, but everything’s functional. Showers take quarters — four for five minutes — and there’s no soap stocked, so it’s worth bringing your own. Shower tokens and firewood are sold by the camp host before 8pm. Parking is simple: pull into your site or use the day-use lot near the trails. The pace here stays quiet. Redwoods filter the light, and the forest stays cool even in peak summer. Poison oak grows along trail edges, and wild blackberry bushes show up by late August. Deer, slugs, birds, and cicadas drift through regularly — along with mosquitoes in the evenings. A short trail heads toward the Navarro River — about a mile out — where people wade or swim when water levels are high enough. Picnic tables dot the day-use zone and show up in a few trail clearings. Interpretive signs help orient the groves, and the Hermit Hut is easy to find once you spot the worn marker. Dogs are allowed on paved roads and in camp, but not on trails. Fees are collected at the booth or through the honor system. Locals can sometimes borrow a State Park Pass from the library for free access. Philo has the closest store, and Mendocino’s an easy drive if you need to head out. Gowan’s Apple Farm sits right up the road with cider tasting, and nearby vineyards line the valley floor. Solar panels work on clear patches, but most of the time, it’s filtered light and thick shade. Most people come for that — the quiet, the trees, and one of the last stands of old-growth redwoods left in this part of California.