California Federation of Women’s Clubs Historic Hearthstone

Designed by legendary San Francisco architect Julia Morgan (if you’ve ever been to Hearst Castle in San Simeon, you’ve admired her work), the four-sided hearth at the California Federation of Women’s Clubs Grove is a magnificent example of Arts and Crafts style built of stone and redwood timber and serves as a monument to the women’s civic groups that rallied to protect the grove and other old-growth redwoods from logging in the early 20th Century.

The four-fireplace hearthstone is located in a peaceful clearing and flanked by two large redwood picnic tables, each big enough for a large family. It overlooks the South Fork of the Eel River next to a popular swimming hole. In summer, a footbridge is sometimes installed across the Eel River allowing an easy and scenic hike to Rockefeller Grove.

To get there, take Avenue of the Giants 3 miles north from the Visitor Center. Follow a sign marking a narrow road, which continues west through the forest to a parking lot near the hearthstone.