Notes: Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve, named after former Mendocino County assessor Andrew J. Montgomery who filed a homestead claim for the region in 1884, was established in 1945 after Orr Hot Springs owner Robert Orr donated a 0.01 mi2 (0.04 km2) tract of old-growth redwood forest beside Montgomery Creek to Save the Redwoods League.
The marshy Montgomery Flat, which formed after an ancient landslide clogged Montgomery Creek, provides ample soil and water for tall coast redwoods to thrive. The steep canyon walls protect the trees from high winds and, before the park was established, made them less accessible for logging. Today, Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve spans more than 4 mi2 (11 km2) of terrain, contains 3 mi (5 km) of hiking trails, and receives more than 17,000 visitors annually.
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve includes former world's tallest tree Mendocino and 2 of the 20 tallest trees on Earth (Mendocino and Norman J. Hendry). The park contains 18 trees taller than 350 ft (106.68 m) and 4 trees taller than 360 ft (109.73 m).
Mendocino is the tallest tree and Montgomery Giant is the largest tree in Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve.
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve includes 11 coast redwood groves:
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Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve includes the following coast redwoods:
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Visit parks.ca.gov for seasonal hours and more information.
Drive: Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve is 114 mi (183 km) north of San Francisco near the city of Ukiah.
Northbound: From U.S. Highway 101 just north of Ukiah, take exit 551 North State Street, turn right onto North State Street, and drive north 0.3 mi (0.5 km) to Orr Springs Road.
Southbound: From U.S. Highway 101 just north of Ukiah, take exit 551 North State Street, turn left onto North State Street, and drive north 0.4 mi (0.6 km) to Orr Springs Road.
Turn left onto Orr Springs Road and drive west 13.7 mi (22.0 km) to Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve. Turn left at the sign to enter the parking area.
Photos: Pictures of Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
