Drive-Thru Tree Park Leggett — Attraction in Fort Bragg

August, 2019...I flew (from Phoenix, AZ) to Seattle, just to drive my Mom down the Oregon and northern Cali coast...then in land...to drive THROUGH the 'Drive-Thru Tree' on her 75th birthday! Though there were many parks to choose from (& we did make quick stops at a few of them), the famous DRIVE-THRU TREE PARK was THE ONLY ONE she had wanted to see since she had read about it as a child! From the online information, I wasn't sure if her 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan would fit thru the opening of the tree. (Didn't think to call & ask!) We thought that if those 1950 beasts could...so could we! And we DID...WITH EASE! A plus, was there was a significant amount of space and access around the tree. One wasn't funneled thru barriers, but had options as to WHERE you wanted to go, and WHAT you wanted to see or do! (i.e. After driving thru the mountainous forest, our bladders begged our legs head STRAIGHT for the toilets/restrooms!) The park grounds were peaceful, well maintained, relatively level (though gravely)...and surprisingly walkable for we two older gals. There were a few steps up into the mid-sized, WELL STOCKED gift shop, but were easy to navigate with my walker! All that allowed me to even go "off path" to snap pics of Mom infront of a few of the MASSIVE Redwood bases! The only REAL struggle in the park, was how hard it was to keep up with my mom...as she "Oooed", "Aaahed", and EASILY navigated from one spot to another..both IN the shop, AROUND the park, then BETWEEN the massive and wonderfully healthy trees! The pure mountain air was certainly as energizing, as the sights were stunning! There were plenty of places to picnic and enjoy the undisturbed scenery that Mother Nature had on display around you. The park also offered even more for parents many! There were wide, open (and safe) areas for children (and toddlers) to run and play...burning off extra energy before being strapped into your vehicle for more travel or sightseeing! The 'DRIVE-THRU TREE PARK' was, in our opinion, everything my mom's imagination thought it would be...AND MORE!

CAUTION/ BE ADVISED... and...DON'T BE FOOLED There were a few other (so called) "parks", that advertise a "drive-thru tree" with photo opportunities. Some charge per carload, others CHARGE PER PERSON INSIDE the auto. NONE were as well maintained, offered a such a shop (certaily none as tastefully stocked or with as much quality in merchandise...let alone drinks/snacks) or restroom facilities. These "parks"...AS WELL AS the opening thru which an auto MIGHT squeeze...WERE SMALL and DIFFICULT to navigate. One such park didn't allow vehicles to stop or occupants to exit once inside...even for photos. They kept vehicles moving thru a narrow, railed (switchback) trail, only stopping at a marked spot long enough for the designated "park photographer" to snap a QUICK pic, if you pre-paid at the entrance, (when you paid the entrance fee), before moving you along the rough path to the exit. All one could do was hope everyone could be seen and were smiling, because there WAS NO 2nd chance to "get the picture right"! WORSE YET...when I asked, the entrance gate attendant/ticket taker DIDN'T KNOW THE MEASUREMENTS of the drive-thru opening! We had to WAIT until we faced it! Luckily for all, there wasn't anyone in line BEHIND US. I had to BACK OUT thru the switchback, railed path...because we DIDN'T FIT! Such a waste of precious time. Also, though online "maps" showed an occasional building, shop, or facility near by, many either had limited hours of operation...or were empty/closed/no longer in business. So if you SEE an OPEN store/restaurant or rest stop/toilets...STOP THERE! We were luck enough to have planned ahead and were loaded with food, drinks, flashlights/batteries, toilet products, hand sanitizer, and...(wink, wink)...funnels!** Hope this...

Y’all. I just drove through a tree. A living, breathing, 2400-year-old skyscraper of bark and glory. And I don’t mean “next to” or “under.” I mean full-blown: roll-down-the-windows, pray-your-mirrors-don’t-snap-off kinda drive-through.

When we mapped out our trip to see the mighty Redwoods, this stop was non-negotiable. Required. Like brisket at a Texas wedding. Just off the 101 and nestled in the kind of forest that makes you want to grow a beard and start writing poetry, this place is equal parts roadside kitsch and natural cathedral.

You ease in along a short path through towering giants — the kind of trees that whisper ancient wisdom if you listen close enough (or maybe that was just my wife reminding me not to hit the wooden bear statue with the bumper). Along the way, there’s a whole menagerie of whimsical wood carvings: bears, cougars, raccoons, and on your way out you’ll spot the elusive yeti lounging in the sun like he’s three mimosas deep on vacation. Keep your eyes peeled to the left side of the road or you’ll miss the majestic wood-carved Bigfoot pulling a full Zoolander pose among the ferns.

But let’s be honest: this was all foreplay for the main event — The Chandelier Tree.

Standing a staggering 315 feet tall and 21 feet in diameter, this gentle giant has had literal cars pass through its gut since before I was born. Now, I drive a full-sized truck back home, and I knew there was no way the ol’ Ram was squeezing through this barky bottleneck. But we had a rental, and let me tell you — we barely made it. I’m talking inches, folks. As in “hold-your-breath and suck-in-your-side-mirrors” tight. My wife gave me the look — that mix of love, alarm, and resignation — and we inched forward like a couple sneaking into the back row of church during the sermon.

I cheered. She rolled her eyes. Nature won.

At the end of the path, there’s a cozy little gift shop for those who want to grab a souvenir or magnet to prove you did something awesome with your day. We didn’t go in, but just knowing it was there felt like the cherry on top of this towering sundae of wonder.

TL;DR:

If you’re even remotely near Leggett, make this stop. It’s pure Americana wrapped in redwood bark. Go for the drive-through wonder, stay for the yeti sunbathing like he...

We visited the Drive-Thru-Tree Park mid week in June, 2023. Admission to the park cost us $15 for our vehicle with two of us inside it. It is a little tight driving what amounted to a trail down to the tree. No it was not a problem for us. But one of the two RV's we saw pull in might not have had it quite so easy. The tree is 315 foot tall and looms over you when you stand below it. I found driving through the tree itself to be pretty easy. Some folks may not see it that way. I guess it depends on the individual. I know a fairly large SUV like a Tahoe will fit through. Anything bigger, I'm not so sure. But fold in the mirrors and watch the edges. Maybe enlist a spotter to help you if you're not sure about something . If you don't think your vehicle will fit or you do not want to try it, you can just by pass the tree itself and go right to the parking area. Even after I drove through myself, it was fun to watch others do the same. I even took some pictures of others. Once done with that and parked. There is a nice gift shop that you had to know they would have there. It wasn't huge. But it was big enough and did have some nice souvenirs available. They also had other displays and wood carvings for visitors to check out. There was a nice field and things to look at. Unlike a good amount of the state, we did have a good cell signal down in the park. It gave us time to make a call or two and send some messages and such. There was a small building with restrooms in them if needed adjacent to the gift shop and parking area. There were even some cavings and such on the way back out of the park. I found that to be a nice touch. I thought it was a fun place to visit. Other than driving through the tree itself, most things can be seen or done elsewhere for probably free. I felt the novelty of driving through the tree was worth the price. But that's what doing that type of stuff...