Visiting Trees of Mystery with Kids in Klamath, CA near Crescent City, CA
If you’re planning your first visit to Crescent City, every one will tell you that you have to make time to go see the Trees of Mystery down in Klamath, CA. We took their advice and here is what you can expect when you visit Trees of Mystery with your kids.
It is a beautiful drive along the coast and through the Redwoods as you drive south from Crescent City. Depending on traffic it was about a twenty to thirty minute drive. Be sure to allow time to pull off to the scenic overlook on your way down to take in the view. Once you arrive, you cannot miss the giant statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox in the parking lot. We had to stop and get our photo with them. Just past the statues, head to the ramp on the right side of the gift shop to enter the park.
Once you buy your tickets, just follow the path as it takes you through the forest. There are lots of photo ops along the way as you stroll through and enjoy the giant trees. The most notable trees have signage. Some have audio stations as well. If you are visiting with small children, they will likely be excited about crawling underneath the Octopus tree and climbing the roots of the elephant tree for a photo.
Our family’s favorite part was exploring the Redwood Canopy Trail. This is a serious of eight netted suspension bridges connected to platforms around the trees. There is even a spiral staircase at one point you’ll need to walk down. This experience was a truly unique one. It was a little daunting to be up that high with a moving suspension bridge but we made it through unscathed.
If you want to see the forest canopy from above, but suspension bridges aren’t sounding like your thing, don’t worry. They have a SkyTrail gondola ride. These gondolas take you all the way through the tree canopy and up to a viewing deck where you can see all the way down to the ocean. There was one picnic table on the platform area if you’d like to pack a snack or lunch to bring along.
After you ride the gondola back down, there are more photo ops one the last section of the trail which had unique wood carvings. Your journey ends at the gift shop. They had a wide variety of items but most things were a little more spendy than the other gift shops we’d visited in Crescent City.
If you need to grab a meal on your way out, they have a Forest Cafe across the street. There are also picnic tables to the left of the gift shop near the bathrooms and at the far end of the parking lot- those had shade from nearby trees.
We enjoyed our visit. It belongs on your to do list when you visit. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. Keep in mind it will be cooler at the top of the gondola platforms so packing a light jacket is a great idea.