Hendy Woods State Park is a California state park, located in the Anderson Valley of Mendocino County. It is known for its old-growth coast redwoods and also provides camping facilities near the wineries of the Anderson Valley.
Less than three hours from San Francisco in the heart of the Anderson Valley wine region, Hendy Woods State Park protects two groves of towering redwoods. Some of its trees may be more than 300 feet tall and 1,000 years old. Five miles of trails, including Big Hendy Grove’s wheelchair-accessible Discovery Trail, lead through the fern-filled forest.
To reach the park, drive 8 miles northwest of Boonville on Highway 128. Turn left on Philo-Greenwood Road. In 0.5 miles, turn left at the Hendy Woods State Park sign and proceed 0.2 miles to the ranger station.
THINGS TO DO
Warmer and less foggy than most redwood parks along the coast, Hendy Woods is a popular spot for swimming in the summer and canoeing and kayaking in late winter and early spring. The park is also known for the Hendy Hermit, a Russian immigrant who lived near the park for 18 years.
Open year-round for camping and day use, four cabins and 92 campsites are available year round. The park’s gentle trails lead through a spacious riverside meadow and the skyscraping redwoods of the Big Hendy and Little Hendy groves. The meadow (day-use) area has two shade ramadas, several picnic tables, barbecues, and bathroom facilities—all are wheelchair accessible. In the woods between the two old-growth groves, visitors can camp, stay in cabins, attend programs at the campfire center, or (during certain hours) get souvenirs, supplies, and information at a small, volunteer-staffed visitor center.
Hendy Woods’ accessible features include
There are several accessible hikes in Hendy Woods, but they all begin in the day use area parking lot, which is at the end of the park road. There’s accessible parking in the lot with level access over to the picnic area, where you’ll find several accessible tables under the trees. There’s also an accessible vault toilet neat the parking area.
The shortest accessible trail begins on the other side of the picnic area. The .3-mile All Access Trail, is wide, level and doable for just about everyone. The hard-packed dirt trail, which winds through Big Hendy Grove, is lined with redwoods and ferns. The trail ends on the park road; and from there you can double back through the redwoods for a .6-mile hike, or roll along the paved park road back to the day use area.
The accessible Discovery Loop Trail, which branches off of the All Access Trail, is another good choice. This .45 mile hard-packed dirt trail travels through the grove for a nice .85-mile hike. And if you’re up for a longer stroll, then take the Upper Loop Trail which branches off the Discovery Loop for a nice 1.8 mile hike through the grove.
Although spending the day at Hendy Woods is a treat, there’s nothing quite like overnighting in the park, surrounded by the giant redwoods. And although the Azalea Campground offers four accessible campsites (5,7,40,41), the adjacent Wildcat Campground also boasts a comfortable accessible camping cabin.
The Puma Cabin (1), which is located right across from the visitor center, is pretty basic, but it will save you from pitching a tent. There’s accessible parking on a cement slab in front of the unit, with level access over to the front door. Although there’s a slight lip on the threshold, most folks can bump over it easily. Inside there’s plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair around the bunk bed (double on bottom, single on top), wood stove, table and bench. Bedding is not provided, and you’ll definitely want to bring an air mattress or an egg crate, as the wooden bunks are bare – and hard. Outside there’s level access to a raised grill and an accessible picnic table.
There’s no water or plumbing in the cabin, but an accessible showerhouse is just a short roll away. Both the men’s and women’s sides include a accessible stall, roll-under sinks, and roll-in showers with grab bars, a lowered showerhead and a built-in shower bench. The pay slots for the showers are within easy wheelchair reach, and the accessible shower stalls also feature enlarged changing areas.
All in all the cabin and shower facilities offer a nicely accessible setup, and present a rustic but comfortable overnight lodging option.
