The River Trail runs parallel to the South Fork Eel River, but despite its name it’s mostly out of sight of the river. It’s a gentle, shady, and little-used trail through second-growth forest and a few old-growth stands with numerous memorial groves. The hike crosses Bull Creek near the start, the river near the end, and several small streams in between. The southern part passes through the site of the 2003 Canoe Fire, one of the largest old-growth-redwood fires ever recorded. It burned over 11,000 acres and forced trail closures that lasted over a decade. There’s a picnic area near the far end.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park: info@parks.ca.gov, 707-946-2409
Erratum: The mile markers on the map are wrong, so disregard them.