What to Know About the Chandelier Drive Thru Tree in Leggett, CA

The Chandelier Drive Thru Tree in Leggett, CA is a fun and unique tourist attraction that is perfect for families.

When I was planning our family vacation to visit the Redwoods, I learned that there were a few trees that you can actually drive your vehicle through! Our route took us closest to the Chandelier Drive Thru Tree in Leggett, California. I’ve put together some helpful information so you can know what to expect when you visit.

Chandelier Drive Thru Tree FAQs

What are the hours?

Daily from 8:30am to dusk, weather permitting. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can also check their Facebook page for the most current information, since occasionally they have to make adjustments.

Is there an Entrance fee?

Yes, there is an entrance fee to visit the Chandelier Drive Thru Tree. The Underwood Park, where the tree is located, is a day use area.

• Cars, Vans, Trucks: $15
• Motorcycles, Bikes, Walk-ins: $10

How do I know if my vehicle will fit through the opening of the Chandelier Drive Thru Tree?

One of the most interesting things about the Chandelier Drive Thru Tree is that it is still alive and growing! This means that the opening can shrink or swell a little on any given day due to moisture.

According to their website: “While most vehicles are able to drive through the opening there is a bypass into the parking lot should your vehicle be too large. We’d like our visitors to be conscious of aftermarket upgrades such as lifted suspension, ladder/luggage racks, etc. that may need to be taken in consideration. Ultimately, we leave it up to the discretion of the driver whether or not you’d feel comfortable driving through and we recommend bending in your mirrors if necessary.” (source)

Our experience

We pulled in our side view mirrors before driving through and our minivan barely fit through the tree. I’m talking, maybe a couple inches on each side if we’re lucky. It was a fun and unique experience, although my husband said it was a little stressful for him as the driver.

Can I walk through the opening instead of driving through it?

Yes! Just be aware of the vehicles trying to drive through, as that is what they are there for.

What else is there to see and do besides the Chandelier Drive Thru Tree?

While the drive thru tree is the main attraction, there is a lot to explore in the area. Our family found a variety of chainsaw carved animals, fallen trees to climb in and on and grassy areas to run through.

How long should I plan on spending at the Chandelier Drive Thru Tree?

In all, we spent about 1.5 hours there. I’m sure we could have stayed longer, but our young kids (ages 10, 8, 4 and 17 months, at the time) started to get hungry. Plus, we were on our way to our next stop on the trip.

What is the gift shop like?

Our family loved the gift shop. They have a huge variety of items, with many of them made from fallen Redwood trees. You can pick up a magnet, shirts, hats and more to commemorate your visit to the Chandelier Drive Thru Tree. One of the most surprising items I saw there was a little seedling for a Giant Sequoia and Coastal Redwood.

You can get a sense for the items the offer by looking at their online shop. Just know that there are a ton more items available when you go in person.

Can I bring food into the park?

Yes, you can bring food into the park.

Where can I eat my food?

There are picnic tables, as well as a large grassy area to spread out a blanket and eat lunch.

Is there a restaurant or food available to buy inside the park?

The gift shop has a few snacks but no restaurant. Because we had left our previous hotel in Fort Bragg (where Glass Beach is) that morning, we didn’t have any lunch items. We stopped at a small grocery store (very small) to pick up some food for our lunch and it was pricey.

Where are the restrooms?

The restrooms are located in a building next to the gift shop.

Where can I park?

When you drive in the park, you follow the dirt road through the trees until you see the Chandelier Drive Thru Tree. You can choose to drive through it at the very beginning of your visit, or turn off and park in the parking lot.

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