Redwood National and State Parks
Circle Trail
easyFamiliesFirst-TimersRoad Trippers
0.2 miDistance
VariesEstimated Time
loopTrail Type
What to Expect
The Circle Trail is less a hike than a pilgrimage — a short loop through cathedral redwood forest that deposits you at the base of one of the largest living trees in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The path is packed dirt and duff, soft underfoot and perpetually shaded by a canopy so dense the forest feels dimly lit even at midday. You'll hear the creek before you see the tree, and then the Big Tree simply appears: a trunk wider than most living rooms, bark furrowed like ancient stone, disappearing into the fog above. The loop circles the base and returns you to the trailhead before your eyes have fully adjusted. There's no summit, no view, no challenge — just the humbling realization that this tree was already old when the country was founded. Perfect for families with toddlers, road-trippers making a quick stop, or anyone who needs a fast dose of perspective.
Trail Details
Distance0.2 miles round-trip
Difficultyeasy
Estimated TimeVaries
Trail Typeloop
PetsNot allowed
SeasonYear-round
TrailheadCircle Trail
- 1
Arrive before 9am or after 4pm on summer weekends — the Big Tree draws serious crowds by midmorning, and the experience of standing alone beneath it is worth adjusting your schedule.
- 2
The forest floor stays damp year-round and the roots around the tree's base are slick when wet; wear shoes with actual grip rather than sandals, even in July.
- 3
For scale photography, position a travel companion against the base of the trunk before you back up — without a human reference, every redwood photo looks the same and no one believes how large the tree actually is.
