Boy Scout Tree

Overview

This is the celebrity of Jedediah Smith Redwoods: a massive, double-trunk coast redwood rising about 238 feet with a base roughly 23 feet wide. It’s tucked off the Boy Scout Tree Trail, where two saplings fused long ago into one colossal tree—an unmistakable, living time capsule that feels older than everything around it.

What Makes It Special

The double-trunk form is the showstopper. You’ll stand beneath two ancient columns sharing one base, ringed by ferns and moss in a hushed, cathedral-like grove. The forest here is classic North Coast redwood country—cool air, filtered light, and silence that swallows road noise.

History & Name

Forget the internet rumor about the trunks mimicking a Scout salute. Park historians credit local sheriff Jack Breen—who helped start a Crescent City Scout troop in 1922—as the discoverer and namesake influence for the tree and trail. It’s a better-documented story and fits the era when these groves were being explored and interpreted.

Getting There

You’ll hike the Boy Scout Tree Trail from Howland Hill Road (a narrow, unpaved scenic drive not suited to trailers). The tree sits on a short spur marked by a small “B.S. Tree” sign and an aged placard—easy to stroll past if you’re daydreaming. Keep your eyes up for that sign as you near the latter half of the hike.

The Hike, In Brief

Expect about 5.3–5.5 miles round-trip through world-class old growth, with roots, occasional mud, and rolling ups-and-downs that feel moderate overall. If you’ve got extra energy, continue a bit beyond the tree to Fern Falls—a small, pretty cascade that some find underwhelming but still a peaceful capstone.

Wildlife & Atmosphere

Move quietly and scan logs and creek margins; this moist, shaded forest comes alive in the soft hours. Early mornings or after light rain can heighten activity and that ethereal misty mood. You’re here for redwoods first and foremost, but the understory is its own little world.

Logistics

Parking at the trailhead is limited and often full by mid‑morning; overflow ends up along Howland Hill Road. There are vault toilets at the trailhead, but no potable water—bring what you need. Footing is rooty and can be slick, so traction matters.

Best Time to Visit

Go early on weekdays or in the shoulder seasons for solitude and easy parking. The redwood canopy favors soft light—morning and late-day glow make the tree’s textures pop. Midday can still be lovely thanks to the shade, but it’s busier.