Notes: Tour Thru Tree is the fourth coast redwood tunnel tree. Located at 430 California State Route 169 (Klamath Glen Road) in Klamath, California 21 mi (34 km) south of Crescent City, Tour Thru and surrounding trees were spared when the area was logged in 1967.

In May 1976, retired United States Air Force Major and former Del Norte County supervisor Harold A. Del Ponte hired two nephews, one an engineer and the other a tree faller, to carve a 7.33 ft (2.23 m) wide and 9.50 ft (2.90 m) tall tunnel, large enough for automobiles, through the trunk of Tour Thru. They completed the job, using a 7 ft (2 m) long chainsaw, in just under two days. As compensation, Del Ponte offered his nephews $600 cash up-front or half of the tourism proceeds perpetually. Never anticipating that Tour Thru Tree would become a popular tourist attraction, the men opted for cash.

Tour Thru, which appears in a television commercial, is the newest and second most-popular of the three drive-through coast redwoods: as many as 60,000 vehicles visit the tree each year. Although Chandelier is more-popular, Tour Thru accommodates larger vehicles. Tour Thru Tree Park also offers picnic tables, a unique redwood restroom, a gift shop, and (in a field across the street) a mob of emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae). Tour Thru Tree Park is open year-round. Call 707-482-5971 for seasonal hours, entrance fees, and more information.

Other drive-through redwoods include Chandelier, Shrine, and Tunnel Log. California is a walk-through tunnel tree.

Drive: Tour Thru Tree is 272 mi (438 km) north of San Francisco near the community of Klamath.

From U.S. Highway 101, take Exit 769 Klamath/Terwer Valley. Drive east 0.2 mi (0.3 km) on California State Route 169 (Klamath Glen Road), turn left at the Tour Thru Tree Park entrance station (entrance fee required), and drive east 800 ft (243 m) to Tour Thru Tree.

View Tour Thru Tree location in Google Maps

Panoramas: Click panoramas to take a virtual tour of Tour Thru Tree

Photos: Pictures of Tour Thru Tree taken from different sides