Attraction of the Week: Trees of Mystery in Northern California

Trees of Mystery is a touristy, yet very entertaining and worthwhile roadside attraction which gives you the opportunity to learn more about the beautiful coast redwood trees. Before visiting, I had heard from a lot of people that this was a so called tourist trap. I decided to check it out anyways on a recent drive up the PCH/Hwy 101. After my visit, I can say that I found it a fun and entertaining stop to break up a long road trip. I had a great time taking the gondola ride and enjoyed learning more about the trees and exploring the weird museum.

This long running attraction is located along picturesque Hwy 101 in Northern California, just 36 miles south of the Oregon border. It’s the perfect place to take a much needed break from driving. It’s a little strange, but a fun way to spend some time out of the car. For anyone who loves roadside attractions, this is for you.

This place is catered towards proving a great introduction to redwood trees for first time visitors. The park, which was established in 1931, is located within the Redwood National Park.

You will find 2 major attractions here: a Sky Trail gondola ride which takes you on a scenic ride high up above the redwoods, and a series of interpretative trails where you will learn some new and interesting facts about these incredible ancient trees. It’s all done in a bit of an oddball entertaining way, but that is just part of the fun. We could all use a little laugh after a long day of driving.

A little background history on Redwood trees…

There are 3 types of redwoods: Coast Redwoods, Giant Sequoias, and Dawn Redwoods. Coast Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world and Giant Sequoias are the largest (by volume). Dawn Redwoods, native to the Hubei province of China, are the smallest of the trees, although they can still reach a height of over 160 feet. The Dawn Redwood was thought to be extinct until it was found in the 1940’s. Today, you can find these beautiful trees planted throughout the US.

While coast redwoods were once believed to be found throughout the world, their natural range is now limited to Coastal Northern California and Southern Oregon. Giant Sequoia trees inhabit the Sierra Nevada Mountains at parks such as Yosemite and Sequoia National Park. Dawn Redwoods are native to China.

Giant Sequoia vs. Coastal Redwoods

The Giant Sequoia and Coast Redwoods are similar, however, the Sequoia claims the title as largest tree by volume in the world, while the coast redwood is the tallest tree in the world. General Sherman, found in Sequoia National Park, is the largest tree (by volume) in the world with a volume of 52,500 cubic feet. It is also estimated to be over 2500 years old, making it one of the oldest in the world!

The Tallest Trees in the World

Redwood trees can range between 8-20 feet in diameter and grow to be taller than 300 feet. The tallest redwood, the Hyperion, stands a whopping 379 feet within the Redwood National Park in Northern California.

If you have the extra time, the Avenue of Giants, a 31 mile drive along Hwy 101, is another great place to observe an abundance of these giant trees. It is home to some of the tallest Redwoods. It is most famous for the drive thru tree, the Chandelier Tree, a 315 feet tall beauty found in Legett, California.

Redwoods Longevity

Redwoods have been around for 240+ million years and are almost as ancient as dinosaurs. They can live up to 2000 years with the average tree’s age being 500-700 years!

Trees of Mystery is one attraction you cannot miss. From the road, you will easily see the famous 49 foot tall statue of Paul Bunyan and the 35 foot tall statue of Babe the Blue Ox. It’s super colorful and pops out amongst the trees.

I just had to get my picture atop the massive Paul Bunyan boot. It’s looks big in the picture, but it is even more massive in person!

The Sky Trail

The highlight of the visit for me was taking the scenic ride in an enclosed tram known as the Sky Trail. You may have taken similar ski chair lift rides in other mountain areas like Lake Tahoe, the Smokies, and so on. This one is even more incredible as you get to look out into the gorgeous redwoods.

As you travel 1570 feet up the mountain from the safety of the tram, you will see nothing but redwoods. The journey is only about 8 minutes and goes by pretty quickly, however, it is well worth it for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was really impressed with the scenery and did not want the ride to end. I love gloomy weather and the overcast skies really added to the eerie Bigfoot like ambiance.

The overlook offers the most incredible views of the redwoods and possibly some decent views of the Pacific Ocean on a clear day.

The views truly are spectacular so be sure to bring your camera! The ride is relaxing and fun and definitely the most unique way to see the redwoods in this area. I would recommend taking advantage of this opportunity if you happen to be driving out this way. It’s just another oddball roadside attraction to check off the list!

Hiking Trails

A series of educational trails to explore during your visit include: the Kingdom of the Trees trail, the Forest Experience trail, the Wilderness trail, and the Trail of Tall Tales. The trails are pretty short and easy, with a combined distance of under 2 miles. The Wilderness Trail is a bit more difficult and will require hiking shoes and exercise apparel, however, it isn’t too difficult for anyone in basic shape. It’s great to stretch the legs and get some circulation flowing after a full day of driving.

The Kingdom of Trees trail features coastal redwoods, sitka spruce, and douglas fir. Along the way, there are numerous audio and informational displays for history buffs.

The highlight along this trail is the Cathedral tree, a rare sight consisting of 9 living trees coming together to form one. This unique tree draws couples as a most unique wedding destination.

The Upside down tree pictured here is quite a unique sight. This tree forms when a horizontal and vertical tree grow together. Note that there are 2 trunks and 2 root structures.

On the Forest Exploration trail, you will learn more unique facts in an entertaining way. Highlights along this trail include the Brotherhood Tree and the Towering Inferno. The Brotherhood, at 297 feet, is the tallest tree on-site. Lighting struck the Inferno in 1996, making it quite the unique sight.

The Wilderness Trail is about a mile in length, although pretty easy as it is mostly a downhill trek. Yo can take this down the mountain as opposed to taking the Sky Trail back down. I recommend doing so as you will get to explore more of the beautiful redwoods in a more rustic setting.

On the Trail of Tall Tales, you’ll learn about the various adventures of Paul Bunyan. This is a fun, easy trail for anyone looking for an enjoyable, low impact nature walk. We also came across many random carvings like the bear pictured below. These chainsaw redwood carvings really are amazing and there are dozens to enjoy during your visit.

Non-hiking option

Note: you can take a shuttle up to the Sky Tram, thus avoiding all trails, however, I really recommend getting out there and exploring the beautiful scenery on your own 2 feet if you are able to do so. Only then can you truly appreciate the majesty of these trees. When standing directly in front of these enormous trees, you can really take in their true size.

The End of the Trail Museum

After you enjoy the trails and the gondola ride, you will have the opportunity to explore the End of the Trail Museum. Here you can visit 6 different rooms, each housing various Native American artifacts.

What I found most interesting was reading all the different Bigfoot sighting stories submitted over the years. Crazy! If Bigfoot really does exist, the foggy, dreary Northern California region sure seems like it would be an appropriate area. Just driving around with the mist and dark forests, I had a bit of an eerie feeling. When you drive through an area so desolate, dark, and natural, myths and legends do not seem all that strange anymore. While you are here, you can also purchase your own redwood seeds or mini trees!

Here’s one of many stories of a supposed sightings. I had a fun time reading all these being a fan of anything strange and unusual. It’s always fun to come across these weird stops while traveling – it keeps things interesting.

Overall, I would say this is a an excellent road trip stop for anyone traveling up the gorgeous Northern California coast. Take a break, stretch your legs, get in a light workout after sitting in the cars for hours, and enjoy the wonders of the beautiful coastal redwoods.

Locations & Admission Information

This attraction is located at: 15500 US-101, Klamath, CA 95548

Admission is $30 per adult, $25 for seniors, and $15 for kids ages 3-12. The fee includes entry to the museum, the gondola ride, and use of all trails. Pricing current as of 2025. Learn more about special events and the history of the history of the museum.