Are There Redwoods In Washington State? (I Found One…)

If any state were destined to be home to the biggest, greenest, most jaw-dropping trees on earth, it would be Washington. It’s called the Evergreen State for a reason, after all.

But when it comes to redwoods—the tallest trees on the planet—Washington comes up a bit short. At least, mostly.

On a recent road trip from Northern California up through the Oregon Coast, I noticed something. Massive redwoods gave way to towering firs and mossy spruces… and then, north of Brookings, Oregon, the redwoods vanished. It left me wondering: Are there any redwood trees in Washington?

Are Redwoods Native to Washington?

In short: no. Redwoods (specifically, Coast Redwoods, Sequoia sempervirens) are not native to Washington. Their natural range ends in Southern Oregon. Any redwoods you see in Washington were planted by people—often as ornamentals in parks, campuses, or private yards.

These redwoods are real, living examples of the species—but they’re young, relatively small, and scattered. You won’t find sprawling redwood groves or hiking trails beneath cathedral-like canopies like you would further south.

Still, if you’re a tree nerd or just need to touch some redwood bark to make your day, there are a few places to go.

Where To See Redwoods in Washington

The most helpful public resource is Monumental Trees, which currently lists a handful of redwoods in Washington State. Most are in Western Washington and were planted in the last 100 years or so.

A few redwoods that are publicly visible include:

• Port Angeles City Pier Park – One healthy coastal redwood stands here among other ornamentals.
• Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park – Known for having both dawn redwoods (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and coast redwoods.
• University of Washington Campus (Seattle) – A few redwoods have been planted around campus as landscaping trees.

Keep in mind: many redwoods in Washington grow on private land, and there’s no official registry, so they’re hit-or-miss to find.

Sequoias vs. Redwoods – What’s the Difference?

People often confuse Giant Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) and Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), and it’s easy to see why—they’re both red-barked tree titans native to California.

• Redwoods are the tallest trees on earth.
• Sequoias are the largest trees by volume.
• Redwoods grow along the foggy Northern California coast.
• Sequoias grow in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Interestingly, Giant Sequoias have adapted better to planting outside their native range and are slightly more common in Washington than Coast Redwoods.

If Not Redwoods, Then What?

Disappointed there’s no Jurassic-sized redwood grove in Washington? Don’t be. Washington boasts some of the biggest, oldest, and most majestic trees in the world—all growing natively.

Here are some jaw-droppers you can see (and hug) in the Evergreen State:

1. Kalaloch Cedar – World’s Largest Western Red Cedar

• Height: 174′
• Circumference: 63.5′
• Location: Near Kalaloch Lodge on the Olympic Peninsula
• A massive, ancient tree—partially fallen, but still clinging to life. It’s one of the most impressive trees in the PNW.

2. Quinault Spruce – World’s Largest Sitka Spruce

• Height: 191′
• Circumference: 55.6′
• Location: Rain Forest Resort Village, South Shore Rd.
• Easily accessible on a short, flat trail. A must-see if you’re near Lake Quinault.

3. Quinault Fir – Largest Douglas Fir in the U.S.

• Height: 302′
• Circumference: 40.8′
• Location: Quinault Research Area (not publicly accessible)
• Recently dethroned as the largest in the world by a tree in B.C., but still the U.S. champ.

4. Cameron Creek Spruce – Largest Engelmann Spruce in the U.S.

• Height: 179′
• Circumference: 22.1′
• Location: Cameron Creek Trail, Olympic Peninsula
• A remote but rewarding hike for conifer lovers.

5. Grand Fir – Largest Known in Olympic National Park

• Height: 246′
• Location: Near Duckabush River, Olympic Peninsula
• This one’s a bit of a treasure hunt—follow the Duckabush Trail and keep your eyes peeled.

Final Thoughts

You won’t find towering redwood groves in Washington like you can in Humboldt or Jedediah Smith. But the state isn’t lacking in forest giants.

If you’re simply chasing size, the Quinault area is a dream. If you’re curious about redwoods specifically, keep your expectations modest—but yes, there are a few scattered trees to see.

Either way, Washington doesn’t disappoint when it comes to trees. And sometimes the best part of the forest isn’t the tallest trunk—but the journey you take to find it.