Officially named Big Tree Wayside, this massive redwood is a sight to behold and impossible to miss. Just a stone’s throw from the Prairie Creek Visitor Center off Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, this impressive natural wonder makes for a great quick stop on any Redwood National Park itinerary. Estimated to be around 1,500 years old, Big Tree is one of the few “ancient” trees left in a rare old-growth section of the redwood forest – miraculously untouched and unravaged by the rabid 20th-century logging industry.
Big Tree truly lives up to its name with a circumference of 74.5 feet, a diameter of 23.7 feet, and a height of 296 feet. Although technically located inside Redwood National Park, it’s officially located within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, which is home to many other picturesque and excellent hiking trails through old-growth redwood forests. From the parking lot, it’s a super quick 1-minute-ish, approximately 75-yard walk, making it the perfect stop for visitors short on time or with a lot to see. The parking lot is decently sized, with limited parking available for RVs or vehicles with trailers, and vault toilets available as well. There are also informative signs, audio boxes with stories from Yurok elders, and a viewing platform built immediately around the tree. However, in my opinion, marveling at it from afar is the best option to truly appreciate its greatness.
Be forewarned, given its highly accessible location, it’s a very popular spot, and you very likely will not be viewing it alone. While Redwood National Park was not been the most crowded National Park I’ve visited (most likely due to the time of year we came – mid-March), most areas had some visitors, with Big Tree being one of the most populated. Also, given its accessibility, Big Tree is popular with tour groups and charter buses touring Redwood National Park. If you wish to experience Big Tree with as few other visitors as possible, I recommend arriving early in the morning or later in the evening.
As mentioned, Big Tree is situated near many other well-known hiking trails, including Circle Trail, Foothills Trail, and Cathedral Trees Trail, which are all relatively short, approximately 15-minute walks. There is also the nearby Karl Knapp Trail, a considerably longer hike but extremely beautiful and well worth it.
Overall, this is a short “shout-out” blog to Big Tree, as this impressive marvel of nature’s beauty deserves its own feature, even if it is shorter than typical. While all the massive trees found in places like Redwood National Park, Sequoia National Park (Sequoia National Park: Largest Trees in the World.), and Ross Creek Cedars in Montana (Ross Creek Cedars, Montana: Some Really Big Trees.) deserve well-earned recognition, certain trees stand out on their own, like General Sherman, Hyperion, Major Oak, Methuselah Tree, and, of course, Big Tree. Bottom line is anyone visiting Redwood National Park should make time for a quick stop to this massive and beautiful old-growth redwood – come and marvel at Big Trees grandeur yourself!
