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Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree

67402 Drive-Thru Tree Rd., Leggett, California 95585 USA

$
Budget
  • Independent
  • Pet Friendly

No Longer Maintained

This location is no longer maintained in Roadtrippers. Please confirm location details before visiting.

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“picnic by the pond & take a hike!”

**Unfortunately, the Drive-Thru Tree has fallen due to a winter storm**

Located 175 miles north of San Francisco at the junction of US 101 and Coast Highway 1, lies the tiny hamlet of Leggett known worldwide as the home of the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree.

"The Chandelier Tree in Drive Thru Tree Park is a 315 foot (96 metre) tall coast redwood tree in Leggett, California with a 6 foot (1.83 m) wide by 6 foot 9 inch (2.06 m) high hole cut through its base to allow a car to drive through. It is the most famous of all drive-thru trees. The hole was carved in the 1930s. A vintage postcard of the Chandelier Tree was shown during the opening credits of National Lampoon's Vacation."

You will notice all of the roads in the Park are dirt roads, they are paved with "nature's speed bumps". Please heed the 5 mile an hour speed limit. If you drive slower you can enjoy the beauty and varied plants, or you might catch a glimpse of the deer hiding alongside the road.

The Chandelier Tree derives it's name from the enormous branches balanced on either side of the trunk. These branches, which are the size of small trees, begin about a hundred feet up the trunk.
    Imagine a three-armed candelabra or, if you are more athletic, stand on your head for the chandelier effect.

Along the "In-Road" is an opening in the tree canopy creating the filtered sunlight which is needed to grow the three-foot tall sword ferns, giant horsetails (ancient survivors of the Paleozoic Era), or the mossy carpet lining a tinkling brook.

The creek which passes under the road provides the moisture needed by the plants that proliferate in this sunfilled fairyland. Springs inside the Park provide ponds for giant bullfrogs, as well as watering holes and resting spots for the varied wildlife.

Through the tall trees you spy blue sky, you are about to enter the meadow where the Drive-Thru Tree awaits you. Here you find parking, picnic tables, rest rooms, and gift shop. To the right of the Drive-Thru Tree is a large meadow where tour buses, motorhomes and larger vehicles will find ample parking.   Trails into the Park begin here.

The picnic area behind the gift shop has a view of the duck pond. The Park's geese don't mind sharing their pond with the migrating ducks and geese who stop by to rest on their long journeys. Sit in the swing under the trees and reflect on this peaceful interlude in your trip. You might spy deer grazing under the apple trees at the far end of the meadow.

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Reviewed by
strandyman

  • 1 Review
  • 1 Helpful
January 14, 2017
Rated 5.0

R.I.P. Drive thru tree😑 blew down in storm this week. Very sad, was an iconic part of driving through the Redwoods.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
thurmsw

  • 3 Reviews
  • 4 Helpful
July 20, 2014
Rated 4.0

Kitschy for sure but it was a nice break on a drive from the bay area to Eureka. Our Sienna minivan fit through and the stop served as a good introduction to the awe inspiring beauty of Redwoods we were going to witness for the next two days on the way up to Oregon. Definitely worth stopping for.

1 person found this review helpful
  • Road Warrior
  • 78 Reviews
  • 183 Helpful
May 13, 2014
Rated

Totally kitschy but worth the $5 for 10 minutes of entertainment. You are here, you have to do it, because you won't be able to do it anywhere else. You also need the picture to prove it.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
radiantflow

  • 4 Reviews
  • 7 Helpful
January 22, 2014
Rated

Our dodge grand caravan could not fit through the tree, so small bummer, but it was still worth stopping for.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
EmilyMiller

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
June 30, 2013
Rated

Very interesting, Ty!

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Jodi

  • 14 Reviews
  • 5 Helpful
August 20, 2018
Rated 5.0

Super fun stop!

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Reviewed by
ashleighmurray1

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
July 05, 2017
Rated

This tree is still standing. The tree that fell down is at Calverras State Park http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/09/508919216/iconic-sequoia-tunnel-tree-brought-down-by-california-storm?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social

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Reviewed by
MeganCocke

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
March 23, 2017
Rated

THIS TREE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE THROUGH. JUST A FOREWARNING FOR ANY HOPEFULLS

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Reviewed by
javdheiden

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
November 06, 2016
Rated 4.0

Kept the place for over 30 years before I visited it.
Found it very interesting

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Reviewed by
DeanaMcIntosh

  • 8 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
May 25, 2016
Rated 3.0

.. Well worth $5. .. It is pretty small space to go through .. ( Lost my passenger rear view mirror ) but, what a time to remember . Staff is friendly .. Play like Nike & just do it

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Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree

67402 Drive-Thru Tree Rd.
Leggett, California
95585 USA
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