This area is actually a collection of State and National parks. Located near Crescent City, on Highway 199 is the ancient Redwood Groves. Hiouchi Motel is located in the heart of this wonderful area. The Giant Sequoias in Hiouchi offer an un-crowded experience for visitors wishing to experience the area. Backpackers & hikers will enjoy the excellent day hikes among the old logging roads in the state parks of Jedediah Smith, Del Norte, and Prairie Creek.
  
Created in 1990, the 305,000-acre Smith River National Recreation Area offer something for everyone. The Smith River - one of the largest Wild and Scenic River systems in the United States, is 27-miles of National Scenic Byways. This area is rich in cultural history, with unique examples of Native American culture, early mining, and mule train days. The area still offers many of the wonders that first brought visitors to the Redwoods. Come enjoy fishing, hiking, kayaking and other sports in the Heart of the Redwoods!
 
We are close to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park which was established as a state park in 1929. The park is named after the first white man to explorer the interior of Northern California, Jedediah S. Smith. As a trapper in Northern California, his journey began in 1826 and lasted 2 years. He pioneered a trail Southwest from the Great Salt Lakes, across the Mojave Desert and through the San Bernardino Mountains into California. You can learn more about this remarkable area when you visit Jedediah National Park, just West of Hiouchi Cafe & Motel.
  
This 10,000 acre park is comprised of predominately old growth Redwoods and is bisected by the last major free flowing river in California, the Smith River. Though the park is predominantly Redwoods, Conifers such as Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, Grand Fir, Douglas Fir, as well as the less common Port Orford Cedar can all be found with the parks boundaries. The ground cover is dense and a wide range of plants including shrubs, bushes, flowers, ferns, mosses and lichens line the pathways off the Redwood trails. Hiking and fishing is a favorite pastime for locals and visitors alike.
 
The Smith River provides water to the forest and the wildlife it contains. Steelhead, Trout and salmon fishing is a favorite pastime in and around the park. Because the Smith River is one of the last major free flowing rivers in California, it is clean, clear and a natural spawning ground for the native fish. Nearby fishing trips along the Smith River, fishing guides, also offers Kayak rentals, and shuttle service is available. There are no motorized boats allowed on the Smith River because it has a Wild & Scenic River designation, so it is a favorite for swimming and rafting as well.
 
Many bicyclers enjoy touring the Northern California Coastline. Jedediah National park has a bicycle camp located in old growth redwoods along the Smith River, as well as traditional camp sites. The park can accommodate motor homes up to 36' and trailers up to 31'. A RV dump station is available near the camp. For those not wanting to camp, Hiouchi Motel is located within walking distance from the park. Hiouchi cafe, right next door to the motel, provides warm, delicious meals daily. Don't forget to try their blue ribbon Clam Chowder and fresh baked deserts! if all you need is a few cooking supplies and fuel. Hiouchi Grocery store and gas station are also just up the road!
 
The discovery of gold along the Sacramento and Trinity Rivers in the mid-1800's drew thousands of people to Northern California. A supply route was needed to bring supplies and information to the remote mining camps of California. This need motivated settlers to begin building towns and settlements in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Del Norte County is full of historical sites. Be sure to visit this main town of the Del Norte County, the Historical town of Crescent City. A must see is the Battery Point Lighthouse and museum where you can explore the amazing history of this unique area and learn more about the people and the events that shaped this region of America. The main museum and office are at 577 H Street, Crescent City. Hiouchi Motel offers clean ,quiet rooms in the heart of the Redwoods. Crescent City is just a 10 minute scenic drive away. No need to stay in the noise and crowds when Hiouchi Motel is available.
 
The Native American museum at Trees of Mystery on Highway 101 is just a few more mile south. It holds one of the largest privately held collections of Indian artifacts in the world. The museum is free and a must see when visiting the area.
 
The ancient Redwoods were here when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Sixty-five million years later we can now stroll through these living artifacts and marvel at their beauty as they tower over us. The Redwood's life spans are about 800-1500 years. How out of scale the marvelous trees seem to be to us, the puny mammals that replaced the dinosaurs.
 
The Coastal Redwoods, the mighty Sequoia's, are the tallest living things in our world, some growing to 350 feet and beyond. The tallest living tree known at present is situated on Redwood Creek in the Redwood National Park. It measures in at 367.8 feet, which is higher than a 35-story building. Another giant is in Founder's Grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Situated near the South Fork of the Eel River, it is the Dyerville Giant. Prior to March 24, 1991, when this 362 foot tree was toppled after being struck by another tree during a storm, it was the second tallest known tree in the area. Still standing in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, in the same grove is the Founder's Tree, which is 346 feet tall. The Founder's Tree and the grove are dedicated to the people who helped establish the Save-the-Redwood's League.

The need of the Save-the-Redwood's League was evident because of the popularity of these trees. To lumber companies, the Redwoods in North America offered immense logs of clear, straight, beautiful, long-lasting timber for an ever-increasing market. In just a few short decades groves of trees that took centuries to grow were gone. By the turn of the century the number of old growth trees had been severely decimated.

In 1914 the Northwestern Pacific Railroad opened the Eel River Valley for the first time to visitors. Eel River Valley was home of some of the last untouched coast Redwoods. Visitors were so inspired by these Redwoods that a movement to save as many of these mighty giants as possible began. The Save-the-Redwoods League was established in 1918 and began its efforts to save the Redwood's in Northern California. This and other parks hold most of the old growth Redwood's that still remain.