There’s definitely a LOT of natural splendor to explore here in Northern California, but our world-famous redwood trees consistently stick out as a must-visit natural attraction. Lucky for us, there are a plethora of both national and state parks that make it easy to take in the incredible beauty of these towering trees. Prairie Creek State Park is an especially fantastic place to see one redwood tree simply known as Big Tree (or Big Tree Wayside.) Located just a short walk away from the parking lot, visitors can take a quick minute to see this massive tree or spend hours exploring everything this park has to offer.
Big Tree Wayside is a popular tourist stop in Orick's beautiful Prairie Creek State Park. Located just off the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, finding this natural wonder is easy and it makes for an accessible adventure you won't forget.
Seriously, it's hard to miss this massive tree! The walk to Big Tree is just 200 yards from the parking area. For this reason, the location is especially popular among visitors with a limited amount of time to enjoy the park.
Considered one of the largest old-growth coast redwoods in the park, Big Tree definitely lives up to its name. It's over 300-feet high and boasts an impressive circumference of 75-feet. The tree has definitely had a lot of time to get this big, as it's believed to be at least 1,500-years-old.
Be sure to check out the trail information and audio boxes at the trailhead. Here you can learn about the redwood trees directly from Yurok elders and gain a better understanding of the tribe's centuries-long connection with the redwood trees.
It won't take long to walk to the platform directly at the base of Big Tree. After you've seen the main attraction, you can wander around to other notable trees in the area. The 15-minute "Circle Trail" can be found nearby along with other short walks to really, really big trees.
If you're looking to extend your visit even more, you can head over to the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center located just a mile south. This is also where you'll find Elk Prairie Meadows, famous for its herd of free-roaming Roosevelt elk that are unique to Northern California.
It's places like Big Tree Wayside that remind us that adventure is everywhere in NorCal. Whether you only have an hour or an entire day to explore, a visit to this famous redwood and Prairie Creek State Park is an easy adventure that everyone can enjoy!
Have you visited this easily accessible redwood tree? What’s your favorite spot to soak in the beauty of the redwood forest? Let us know in the comments. There are SO many options!
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