Kalaloch, Washington: World's Largest Western Red Cedar Tree

There is excellent off-road signage leading to the tree, starting where the pavement ends. Some of the written directions that I've seen are a bit off, but the signs will get you there.

There are signs pointing to two different cedar tree attraction on US Highway 101: "Big Cedar Tree" between Ruby Beach and Beach 4 (south of Ruby Beach near milepost 163) and "Duncan Memorial Big Cedar Tree" (north and inland from Ruby Beach near milepost 170). "Duncan Memorial Big Cedar Tree" is the World's Largest. Of course, I discovered this after visiting the wrong tree, so I get to go back. :-)

Poor signage. Turn off 101 at the brown sign. Just after you hit dirt there's a Y in the road -- go to the right. Go another mile or so, and there is another place to make a decision. Again, go to the right. Then about another mile you will see a brown sign to turn left. This road is passable, but go slow. 1/4 mile you will see the turn to go up to the parking lot. This road is worse. Passable, but if in doubt park and you can walk up the last 100 ft.

It's large and it's very old, but "world's largest" is mere hyperbole. The Avatar Grove on Vancouver Island is one, but probably not only, place of larger cedars.

This beautiful tree is very much alive! While it has suffered through the years of logging all around it, it has continued to survive. At first glance it does look dead, its bark-less exterior rough and worn. But look up! At the very top there are cedar branches and fronds growing on one side. Stop by to marvel and touch this gorgeous specimen that has outlived everything else around it.