I am a lover of the outdoors. Trees, nature, fresh air… it’s all necessary for happiness in my world. (I do wish we could avoid snakes though!)
Getting to go with my family to visit the Redwoods was a dream come true. There are so many things to see and do. So many trails to hike. But without a doubt, one of our favorite things to see was the drive-thru tree.
(You can check out the amazing pet-friendly VRBO that we stayed in.)
Located just outside Leggett, California; this tree is 315 feet tall and 21 feet in diameter! Such a monster of a tree!!
When this tree was cut into to make it a drive-thru tree they were able to use what they found to get an even better idea of how old this tree is. I never would have guessed it is 2,400 years old!! The hole was cut in the 1930s.
Location of the Drive-Thru Tree
The Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree is at
67402 Drive-Thru Tree Road
Park Hours: 8:30 am- dusk
When you arrive at the Drive-thru tree entrance you pay your admission and they will let you know if your vehicle
will fit in the tree. We were with our family in their SUV with a roof-top luggage rack, so driving through the tree was not an option. BUT that doesn’t mean you have to miss out!
As of May 25, 2024 the price for entrance is
Automobiles $15
Motorcycles $10.
I do not know if RVs can make the drive down. I would say almost certainly no. But you may be able to call and give them the specs and see if you can fit down the narrow road. (707) 925-6464
We were able to go down to the tree even though we couldn’t drive through. There was plenty of parking the day we visited. The road going down is beautiful. There are old trees that have been cut into art. It is a beautiful area.
The beautiful flowers at our VRBO we stayed at during our trip.
https://vrbo.tp.st/L7p6ayFY
The Drive Thru Tree
The tree is still living. When you look at it you will see areas on both sides that are fenced off that allow the roots of the tree to be able to continue to support its monstrous self. The tree is a coastal Redwood. Which you will only find on the West Coast (think Northern CA). These trees have a shallow root system that adds to the stability of the tree.
Leashed dogs are not only welcome, they have water bowls out for them.
There are restrooms located on the property.
We were able to find a little area to walk around, just a short trail… but a great spot to stretch our legs.
The park does a beautiful thing with tree stumps. They have them turned into wood sculptures and it is unreal. The park also has a general store. You can grab some water, snacks, souvenirs and (my favorite) postcards
Our family had a great time getting to walk through the tree and take in the monstrous size.
We got lucky and were visiting on a day when it wasn’t crowded. It was nice to be able to walk through the tree and get to take it in without rushing. If you can pick a time to visit I would recommend going earlier to possibly avoid any crowd.
