When some people think about natural wonders in the United States, their mind goes straight to the Grand Canyon or the geysers in Yellowstone National Park. While these things are truly amazing, there is another natural wonder that will take your breath away: the enormous Sequoia trees in Redwood National Park. These trees (also known as redwoods) can reach heights of up to 350 feet, making Redwood National Park a forest full of enormous, majestic giants. Here are three things you can only see at Redwood National Park.
Klamath River Overlook
After all that talk about trees, the first item on our list is not a tree. But just hang in there - there is more to see at Redwood National Park than just the beautiful redwoods, and you don't want to miss out! The Klamath River Overlook is a fantastic place for a picnic. Located "high up on a bluff on the north side of the Klamath River mouth," this overlook gives you an incredible view of the beach that borders the river, as well as the sea that it flows into. To get to the overlook, you have to hike up a rocky cliff, but it will all be worth it when you catch a glimpse of what awaits you at the top. During November, December, March and April, you can often see migrating gray whales and sea lions, but no matter what time of year you visit, you just can't beat that view.
Lady Bird Johnson Grove
Named for the former First Lady of the United States, Lady Bird Johnson Grove is one of the most famous areas in Redwoods National Park. In this hidden copse of trees, redwoods are mingled with Douglas firs and other smaller trees and foliage, which is unusual in this park. This grove is located more than 1,000 feet above sea level, putting it near the very top of the park. The redwood trees here are hundreds of years old (perhaps even thousands) and are unique in that they are not as red as most redwood trees. This is due to the high moisture level in the area, thanks to its raised elevation. To make this area even more of a draw for visitors, the trail that leads to it is a short one, so even those who are not in great shape can trek in to see the gentle giants as they tower over the landscape.
Big Tree
It may not have the most creative name in history, but Big Tree more than makes up for it with its sheer impressiveness. With a circumference of 68 feet, this gargantuan "old growth giant" is more than 286 feet tall, making it the 15th largest single-stem coast redwood in the world. But that is not the only thing that makes it worth seeing: Big Tree is at least 1,500 years old. In a country as young as the United States of America, seeing something so old is a truly awe-inspiring experience. Luckily it, too, is one that everyone can enjoy, as the Big Tree Loop of the Redwoods National Forest is another fairly easy one to hike.