Klamath Tour Thru Tree

This private, fee-charging roadside attraction sits off CA-169 near Klamath, just outside Redwood National and State Parks. Its draw is the tunnel cut through a coast redwood: drive through, then stop for the photo. Make it a quick novelty stop if that sounds fun; skip it if you want a grove walk or something that fills an afternoon. It is not operated by the national park.

The opening is roughly 7 ft 4 in wide and 9 ft 6 in high. Visitors report that some SUVs and trucks will not fit, so check your vehicle's width including mirrors before paying. If it looks close, don't force the fit; take a photo beside the trunk instead.

The coast redwood is estimated to be around 800 years old, with a trunk about 17 feet across. In May 1976, Harold A. Del Ponte commissioned two nephews to cut the tunnel; they reportedly finished in under two days with a seven-foot chainsaw. The small, hand-built passage is part of what makes the stop memorable.

The classic photo takes no hike, and most visits are only a few minutes. A small gift shop, picnic tables and a distinctive redwood restroom are reported at the site, though current availability is unconfirmed. This is a stop for the tree rather than a meal or a longer activity; confirm access and admission before making a special detour.