12 National Park Trees That Are Truly Terrific

Famous, ancient, larger than life.

by roxannehoorn

12 Places

North America’s national parks are home to many natural wonders. Sure, they’ve got geysers and grand canyons—but what about some really remarkable trees? Among them is the largest tree in the world, a floating Sitka spruce, and a giant sequoia so old it stood watch over the land long before national parks even existed.

Explore these incredible trees that call the parks home.

Plan your next adventure with our Explorer’s Guide to the National Parks, packed with overlooked wonders, expert tips, and all the best spots to visit.

Santa Barbara County, California

Torrey Pines of Santa Rosa Island

Windswept and remote, this island was once the home of a rare mammoth and today is home to a rare tree.

CapnSirloin

Added by CapnSirloin

Hume, California

General Grant

The second-largest giant sequoia in the world.

Added by joesnuffy

Sequoia National Park, California

General Sherman

Quite simply the largest tree in the world (by volume).

Three Rivers, California

Tharp’s Log

A 19th-century cabin built into a hollowed-out Sequoia tree.

Added by cynthiaphung

Forks, Washington

Kalaloch Big Cedar

This tree has witnessed nearly 1,000 years of history.

Added by ColbyJack1989

Visalia, California

Sequoia Legacy Tree

Far out of its comfort zone, this sequoia was planted as a symbol of the connection between Visalia and its neighboring national park.

CoolCrab

Added by CoolCrab

Tulare County, California

Mark Twain Stump

Well, it was a tree. The last remnant of a tree that helped prove to the world that sequoias are real—and they're spectacular.

CoolCrab

Added by CoolCrab

Prometheus Tree Stump

This crumbling stump is all that remains of what was once thought to be the oldest living organism.

Josh

Forks, Washington

Kalaloch Tree of Life

A massive floating tree in Olympic National Park.

k344y

Holbrook, Arizona

Petrified Forest National Park

Trees so old they're fossils.

AllisonEng

Added by AllisonEng

The Bristlecone Pines of the Great Basin

The longest living non-clonal organisms on Earth.

Added by LongNow

Forks, Washington

Hall of Mosses

Walk among old growth bigleaf maples coated in moss.

Lily Landes

Added by Lily Landes

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