Little Hendy Grove at Hendy Woods State Park

This easy 0.5 mile hike from Wildcat Campground through the Little Hendy Grove at Hendy Woods State Park was a big hit with my little hiker!

We were camping at site 75, which was right near one of the trailheads to the Little Hendy Grove. After setting up our site, I mentioned that I wanted to go for a short hike, and I was pleasantly surprised when my daughter announced that she wanted to go with me too. Luckily, this trail was very easy even for a three-year old. It was well marked the whole way as we headed gently downhill from the campground into an alluvial flat at a bend in the Navarro River. The water table in this valley supports the larger old growth trees, whereas the trees up at the campground are not as big. This grove has a wide path through it, which makes it easy and fun for a young kid to run around from tree to tree to explore. Sunlight from the apple orchard opens up the grove. 

For a longer variation of this hike (one that starts from the day use area), see this write up at one of my favorite sites: redwoodhikes.com. Although he was not as impressed as we were, this really is a great hike for someone with a very young child who wants to run and explore!