Notes: Buena Vista is the 14th largest tree in Atlas Grove. Cal Poly Humboldt forestry professor Stephen C. Sillett named the tree Buena Vista, spanish for good view, because it provides a good view of Iluvatar. As documented in the National Geographic Explorer program Climbing Redwood Giants, photographers hoisted cameras into the canopy of Buena Vista to create the composite photograph of Iluvatar published in the October 2009 issue of National Geographic magazine.

Drive: Buena Vista is 262 mi (422 km) north of San Francisco near the community of Orick.

From U.S. Highway 101 just north of Orick, take exit 753 Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Drive north 1.5 mi (2.4 km) on Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway to Cal-Barrel Road. Turn right onto Cal-Barrel Road, drive east 650 ft (198 m), and park just before the road turns left through a gate.

Hike: From the parking area walk northwest on Cal-Barrel Road toward Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and Foothill Trail which crosses Cal-Barrel Road. Turn left at the Foothill Trail sign and hike southwest 450 ft (137 m) on Foothill Trail, past the Rotary Memorial Grove marker on your left. Buena Vista stands 65 ft (20 m) off-trail to your left.

View Buena Vista Tree location in Google Maps

Panorama: Click panorama to take a virtual tour of Buena Vista Tree

Photos: Pictures of Buena Vista Tree taken from different sides