3 Scenic Spots to See Redwoods in Oregon (Local's Guide) (2024)

Trying to figure out where to find redwoods in Oregon? You’re in the right place. Soaring sequoias and coastal redwoods are predominantly found in California, but a handful of these majestic trees didn’t get the memo and made their way over to Oregon.

Reaching heights over 300 feet, redwoods are the tallest trees in the world. Thankfully, a few groves can be found along the southwestern Oregon coast. Hiking amidst redwoods is an unforgettable experience, so let’s dive into the best spots to see redwood trees in Oregon.

Where to See Redwood Trees in Oregon

Redwood Trees in Portland

When my husband first moved to Portland, he was stunned to see sequoias and redwoods in our neighborhood. We lived in Northwest Portland at the time and often passed Couch Park on our way to Trader Joe’s.

There, in full glory, we would come face to face with a stunning sequoia tree in the park. He was flabbergasted and dove into some serious research trying to understand how sequoias and redwood trees in Portland were even a possibility.

We learned the city of Portland inventories all trees and currently tracks 500 sequoias and redwoods in Portland proper. Of those 500 trees, 93% are in good/fair condition. Unsurprisingly, redwoods thrive in forests, and Portland is home to one of the largest urban forests in the country, Forest Park.

So, you might be wondering, where’s the best place to see redwood trees in Portland? Well, the answer may surprise you. Tucked neatly into the confines of Washington Park, one of the best parks in Portland, the Redwood Trail Loop is one of the best spots to see Oregon redwoods within city limits.

The Redwood Trail Loop at Washington Park

• Hike distance: 1 mile loop
• Elevation: Flat
• Difficulty: Easy

One of my favorite hikes at Washington Park is the Redwood Trail Loop because it meanders through an impressive grove of towering redwood trees in Portland.

There’s a cool little deck that provides an interesting vantage over the healthy grove below. Stop and admire the ancient giants, some which reach heights over 100 feet. On sunny days, the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy creates a picturesque setting few can resist.

Benches are provided for those wanting to rest their legs or enjoy a picnic. The Redwood Deck is popular for weddings, so sometimes it’s reserved and you may not be able to walk on it, so try to visit during the weekday if your schedule allows.

Southern Oregon Redwood Trees

Alright, so if the natural range of redwood trees is limited to California, it would make sense that the highest concentration of redwood trees in Oregon would be found in the southern-most portion of the state.

Redwoods thrive on fog, using their tall canopies to absorb moisture from the air. You don’t have to be a local to know the coast is notoriously foggy. As such, the Pacific Coast, which stretches from northern California and Southern Oregon, creates an ideal climate for coastal redwoods.

Grey and wet winters coupled with warm daytime temperatures create a perfect mix of foggy conditions that Oregon coast redwoods rely on. If you’d like to know about the best spots to find redwood trees in Oregon, there’s two trails worth knowing about.

Oregon Redwoods Trails

• Hike distance: 1.7 miles
• Elevation: 280 feet
• Difficulty: Easy

People travel from all over the world to experience redwood forests in person. Luckily for us Oregonians, we don’t need to travel far because the coast is home to an impressive display of redwoods in Oregon.

Case in point: the epic Oregon Redwoods Trail located less than 15 miles southeast of Brookings, one of my favorite towns at the Oregon coast.

This quick 1.7-mile hike will deliver you to a breathtaking grove of Oregon redwoods you have to see to believe. Making matters more interesting, there’s ample interpretive panels along the path that explain the impressive lifecycle of these striking giants.

The trail starts with a fork in the road, go left to start a series of switchbacks leading to redwoods that get bigger the further in you go.

You’ll see a dense cluster of redwoods growing among soft ferns, if you needed proof that the Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, this is it.

Continue the loop to be rewarded with incredible views of the most impressive redwoods in Oregon before returning to the parking lot. The hike is short and sweet, you can easily be done in two hours.

Local’s Tip: The Oregon Redwoods Trail is easy to find, just follow the signs off Highway 101. However, the road leading to the trailhead is a bumpy endeavor. We travel in our Prius and made it to the trail without a hitch, but heads up, it’s not a smooth ride.

Redwood Nature Trail

• Hike distance: 1 mile
• Elevation: 290 feet
• Difficulty: Easy

Found in the Siskiyou National Forest (near Brookings) the Redwood Nature Trail is one of the best spots to see redwoods in Oregon. The short trail passes a stunning grove of medium-growth redwoods peppered alongside Douglas fir.

This grove of Oregon redwood trees is unlogged, which leads some people to assume it’s the oldest-growth redwood grove in Oregon.

Begin the hike at Alfred Loeb State Park and follow a scenic river trail before connecting with the Redwood Nature Loop. If you opt to start the hike at the state park, the trail leading to the Oregon redwood trees is around 0.7 miles.

While you won’t find any redwoods growing along the banks of the Chetco River, you will begin to notice larger redwoods the further uphill you climb. This is unusual because redwoods at lower elevations tends to be larger than those at higher elevations.

Local’s Tip: Pick up the free brochure at the trailhead and learn about the various plants you’ll see along the way. Oregon redwood trees aren’t the only spectacle you’ll come across while hiking the trail.

Where to See Redwoods in Oregon

• Portland: The Redwood Trail Loop at Washington Park
• Southern Oregon: Oregon Redwoods Trail & Redwood Nature Trail

Map of Oregon Redwoods

Cheers!