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Can you still drive through the tree in the redwood forest?

Only on the Northern California coast -- Not one but three giant redwoods offer motorists the opportunity to steer their wheels through a living tree. All are right off US Highway 101, known as the Redwood Highway, within an hour or so drive of the historic seaport of Eureka.



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The iconic Wawona Drive-Thru Tree in Yosemite fell over decades ago. Only the Redwood Coast has standing, living drive-thru trees. Also, for those with large vehicles, at best you'll have to tuck in your mirrors and drive super slow.

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A powerful winter storm in California has brought down an ancient tree, carved into a living tunnel more than a century ago. The Pioneer Cabin Tree, a sequoia in Calaveras Big Trees State Park, saw horses and cars pass through it over the years.

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Sequoia & Kings Canyon – 75 deaths There were 25 fatal falls between 2010-2020 and 13 drownings.

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Located in the Giant Forest surrounded by mature giant sequoia trees, tunnel log fell across the road nearly a century ago. National park visitors and tourists can come drive their vehicles through this fallen giant sequoia. This is a must stop spot inside the park.

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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer some of the best spots to see the behemoths, including the General Sherman tree. Stand below it or take a free park shuttle in the summer to see its size from a distance.

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The Wawona Tunnel Tree was one of the most popular until it fell down in 1969. The Pioneer's Cabin Tree in what would become Calaveras Big Trees State Park was the third tunnel tree. This tree fell down in a storm in 2017.

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On California's Redwood Coast, however, there are three drive-through redwoods still going strong, all of them operated as tourist attractions.

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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRIVE AVENUE OF THE GIANTS: The full avenue will take about 2.5 hours, and that's without stopping to take pictures or hiking the groves. If you can, plan on spending half a day to get the most out of Avenue of the Giants.

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Fewer than 120,000 acres, or 5 percent, of the original redwood forest remains today. It's a tragedy to have lost most of the ancient redwoods; however, science-based forest restoration holds the key to bringing back what we've lost.

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All the redwood parks can be visited year-round. Spring is the best time overall, especially from April through June. The woods are at their most lush and green, until Memorial Day the parks aren't too crowded, and all the trails and roads are usually open.

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Redwood National and State Parks are fee free with the exception of day use areas within the Prairie Creek Redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Parks. State park day use passes and Interagency Federal Passes (Senior, Annual, Access, etc.) are accepted within these three state parks.

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While you could easily spend multiple days in the Redwoods, you can also get a good feel for all the Redwoods have to offer in one adventure-filled day! If you only have one day, make the most of it and see the variety available in this National Park.

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There are no entrance fees for Redwood National Park. However, a $5 day-use fee is charged at the three adjoining state parks: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

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What is the closest town to Redwood National Park? Klamath is the closest town to Redwood National Park. Not to be confused with the Klamath in Oregon, this is a small California town with only one major hotel.

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While hikes abound, you can also soar through the forest on the SkyTrail gondola in the center of the park. Don't miss the drive along the lush 32-mile Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park where you can catch sight of the albino redwoods that survive with help from healthy trees.

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There used to be a drive-through sequoia tree known as the Wawona Tree in Yosemite National Park, but it fell in 1968/69. However, there are three privately owned drive-through redwood trees along Highway 101 in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties (northern California). The closest one is about 4 hours north of Muir Woods.

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