Redwood Grove Hike Guide (Carbon Canyon - Brea)

1.5 miles - Easy Effort
1 Hour (Total)
50 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 430 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

It's an easy hike to visit Southern California's largest Redwood Grove, located in Carbon Canyon Regional Park. The Redwood grove, while not as majestic as those in Northern California, is still impressive. You'll be able to wander in the shade of over 200 Redwoods, which would not survive in the hot, dry Southern California climate without the loving attention of OC Parks. It's a great hike that's easy for families and beginners.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions to the Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove
How to Get to the Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Insider Tips and Recommendations for the Hike

Quick Links: Carbon Canyon Regional Park - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Feb 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

This is a popular hike. Come as early as possible for the best experience.

Where is the Orange County Redwood Grove?

The Redwood Grove is tucked away in a corner of Carbon Canyon Regional Park. Use this address for the park:
Carbon Canyon Regional Park, 4442 Carbon Canyon Rd, Brea, CA 92823

There is a fee to enter the park.

Redwood Grove Carbon Canyon Parking — When you enter the park, drive down to the large south parking lot.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 3 — There's a massive dirt parking lot for the Redwood Grove hike. On nice days it can get full.

There are bathrooms and water fountains throughout the park. There's also a water fountain at the Redwood grove.

Gear For the Hike

This hike is short and flat. Wear comfortable shoes and casual fitness clothes. It can get very hot and dusty on the way to the grove. If you get thirsty, there is a water fountain at the start of the grove.

I waste my time with lousy hiking gear so you don't have to. Only the winners get onto my gear page. There's no fluff, sponsorships, or promotions. It's just gear I personally use, have tested, and recommend. Right now I'm liking my inReach Mini 2, Garmin Epix, and Lone Peak 6 shoes.
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My February 2023 Top Gear Picks

Redwood Grove Trail Maps

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 2 — The trail is well marked with these posts leading you to the Redwood Grove.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Free Nav Tools: GaiaGPS - AllTrails

Guides to Help You Navigate

How To Use the AllTrails App (Beginners)

Hiking With Gaia GPS For Beginners

How-To: Using Routes, Tracks, and Waypoints for Garmin Outdoors GPS

How To Read a Topographic Map

The Redwood Grove Story

Redwood Grove Olinda Historic — Today there is a scenic and serene Redwood grove. In 1890, the area of the park was a booming oil town named "Olinda," seen here in 1900. So, unlike most of Orange County, which went from scenic lands to development, the area at Carbon Canyon Regional Park did the opposite, from oil town to parkland. There is hope... Photo SoCa Digitization Project

When the oil ran dry in Olinda, the area was cleaned up and Carbon Canyon Regional Park was created in 1975.
When the park first opened, 100 Redwood seeds were planted at the grove. The seeds were left over from a bank promotion giving them out to customers opening accounts.
The trees, usually found in the wet and nutrient-rich soils of Northern California, won't normally grow this far south. The grove area was selected because it's low and attracts the most moisture and fog. The grove has a man-made irrigation system that waters the trees five days a week.
When the trees were originally planted, it was thought that they would grow to their normal height of about 350 feet (higher than the Statue of Liberty). However, the challenging Southern California climate has kept the trees under 100 feet. They're still impressive and majestic.

Orange County Redwood Grove Hike Directions

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Video Directions

Turn by Turn Directions

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 4 — The trail starts at the end of the big parking lot on the right.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 5 — The trailhead is well marked. Read any posted notices at the trailhead.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 7 — At the first big intersection, hike left into Coyote Pass.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 8 — Here's the sign at that junction. Head through Coyote Pass, which sounds more epic than it really is.

In the distance is Carbon Canyon Dam, opened in 1961, which handles overflow and flooding from the Santa Ana River drainage system. The dam is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which also leases the Redwood Grove area to OC Parks.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 9 — Coyote Pass is a short stretch that crosses the (99% of the time dry) Carbon Canyon Creek.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 10 — Make the right after Coyote Pass.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 11 — Hike as the trail meanders down to the left.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 12 — At the trail junction, hike left.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 13 — And then you'll see the Redwoods poking above the surrounding trees.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 14 — And then you reach the grove. Some people walk up the road and then come back through, but I find it nicer to head into the grove and come back the same way.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 15 — There's a water fountain at the entrance.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 16 — And here you are, the Redwood grove! Hike up the path through the fences.

The Redwood is the California state tree.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 17 — Immediately you'll feel the coolness that the shade provides.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 18 — Cross the clearing to continue through the other side of the grove.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 19 — And then there's more Redwood trees to enjoy!

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 20 — When the trail ends at the road, turn around and head back the way you came.

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 1 — You'll notice signs at the end for photography areas. This is a popular spot for engagement photoshoots (which require a permit).

Carbon Canyon Redwood Grove Hike 21 — And as you head back, if you get lost, look for trail signs toward the picnic area, which is where you started.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).

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