An odd couple greets guests at Trees of Mystery

The Redwood Highway continues past Eureka, Arcata and Trinidad, going past towns that get smaller and smaller. The places also become a bit funky. To some that’s appealing. Others might want to make Trees of Mystery just a rest stop rather than a destination.

Reviews of the Motel Trees near Trees of Mystery range from “cheesy” and “retro kitsch” to “affordable” and “a fun find.” The location is perfect if your destination is Trees of Mystery, but there’s not much to do there, and extremely limited options for eating.

Go up into the canopy on the Sky Trail

Trees of Mystery, in the center of Redwood National and State Parks, is an educational, cultural experience if you can get past the 49 foot statue of Paul Bunyan and his 35 foot blue ox, Babe. Actually Paul Bunyan is quite entertaining as he talks to you, from heaven knows where. I sat on a stump enjoying my ice cream as “Paul” talked to me about the flavor. I could not find where the voice came from, but it was entertaining.

The End of the Trail Museum inside is worth seeing. It’s full of Native American artifacts and history, and is one of the largest privately owned world-class musuems. Marylee Thompson has spent over 40 years assembling the artifacts and the museum is constantly being updated and improved.

You can see the Pacific Ocean in the distance.

The Sky Trail is a relatively new addition with a gondola that transports people up through the canopy to the top of the hill. From there, in the middle of the redwood forest, you can see the white caps on the wind-swept Pacific Ocean.

Enjoy the interpretive trail

A well-groomed interpretive trail winds around the gigantic redwood trees. Some of them are so unusual that they have their own names. The Cathedral tree and the Candlabra tree are impressive examples of the redwood’s unique ability to survive.

Even if you don’t want to take a tour, do stop to see the free museum, get an ice cream, and have a chat with “Paul.”

Trees of Mystery
15500 Highway 101 N.
Klamath, CA 95548
800-638-3389