Towering redwood trees and bright spring blooms sounds like the perfect combination. Time your visit well to Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve and that’s exactly what you’ll witness! Every spring, this beautiful redwood forest brightens up with blooming rhododendrons. It’s a gorgeous sight! Read on to learn all about this natural reserve and what type of beauty it has to offer.
Located about 20 miles north of Jenner on Highway 1, Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve is a heavenly destination all year long, but especially in the springtime!
Home to a beautiful forest of second-growth redwoods, Douglas firs, grand firs, and tanoaks, the reserve's rich landscape is stunning. But it's not just the trees that will grab your attention...
The reserve is also home to a plethora of rhododendrons. Come May every year, the rhododendrons burst into bloom and brighten up the forest with their brilliant pink blossoms. It makes for a spectacular sight.
If you time your visit to the reserve accordingly, you'll be treated to the incredible sight of bright pink blooms tucked between the redwood trees. The reserve contains more than two miles of hiking trails which are perfect for taking in the forest's vibrant beauty.
The abundance of rhododendrons is a product of plant succession patterns following a severe fire that once devastated the forest. The regenerating forest is gradually overwhelming the rhododendrons by competing for sunlight, so a rejuvenation project began in 1979 to encourage rhododendron growth.
Besides the rhododendrons, visitors of the forest will be enamored with the bright green ferns, lush foliage, and trickling seasonal streams. Other commons plants in the forest include salals, pacific wax myrtle, and California Huckleberry.
This spring, immerse yourself in the beauty of one of the most unique redwood forests with a visit to Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve. Visit the reserve's website for more information on things to do and accessibility.
Have you been to this rhododendron reserve in Northern California? What’s your favorite place to catch spring blooms? Please feel free to share with us in the comments below!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.