According to the National Park Service, tree enthusiasts who have bushwhacked off-trail into dense vegetation to reach Hyperion's base have caused enough habitat destruction to warrant the closure of the entire area, plus a $5,000 fine and potential jail time for those who decide to make the trip anyway.

As of 2026, it remains strictly illegal to visit Hyperion, the world’s tallest living tree. Located deep within Redwood National Park in California, the area surrounding this 380-foot giant has been closed to the public since 2022. Because Hyperion is off-trail, the influx of "tree seekers" led to severe environmental degradation, including trampled ferns and damage to the tree's shallow root system. To protect the site, the National Park Service has established a forbidden zone; anyone caught in the area faces a $5,000 fine and up to six months in jail. Park officials emphasize that there are no actual trails to the tree, and the view from the base is underwhelming because its height cannot be perceived from the ground. Hikers are encouraged to stick to designated trails like the Tall Trees Grove, which offer equally spectacular, and legal, views of the ancient forest behemoths.