Notes: Tunnel Log, known originally as Colonel Tunnel Log, was named for the large tunnel cut through its trunk during the summer of 1938. When the previously-unnamed giant redwood fell across Crescent Meadow Road on December 4, 1937, Roy Devoe, a surveyor for the Civilian Conservation Corps at Camp Wolverton, suggested cutting a tunnel through the fallen giant to clear the road rather than cutting apart and removing the tree. After Sequoia National Park superintendent Colonel John R. White approved his plan, Devoe and his crew used adzes and torches to carve the 17.0 ft (5.2 m) wide and 8.0 ft (2.4 m) tall tunnel and named the redwood Colonel Tunnel Log to honor Colonel White. Tunnel Log has been a popular tourist attraction ever since. A bypass near the tree allows larger vehicles to avoid the tunnel.

Other drive-through redwoods include Chandelier, Shrine, and Tour Thru. California is a walk-through redwood tunnel tree.

Drive: Tunnel Log is 219 mi (352 km) southeast of San Francisco near Fresno.

Northbound: From U.S. Interstate 5 North, transfer to California State Route 99 North toward Bakersfield. Drive north 97 mi (156 km) on California State Route 99 and transfer to California State Route 198 East toward Visalia. Drive east 60 mi (96 km) on California State Route 198 (Generals Highway), past Four Guardsmen, and turn right onto Crescent Meadow Road.

Southbound: From U.S. Interstate 5 South in Sacramento, transfer to U.S. Highway 50 East toward South Lake Tahoe. Drive east 1.7 mi (2.7 km) on U.S. Highway 50 and transfer to California State Highway 99 South. Near Fresno, transfer to California State Route 180 East. Drive east 56 mi (90 km) on California State Route 180, and turn right onto California State Route 198 West. Drive south 29 mi (47 km) on California State Route 198 (Generals Highway) and turn left onto Crescent Meadow Road.

Drive southeast 1.6 mi (2.57 km) on Crescent Meadow Road, past Booker T. Washington, Auto Log, Crescent Meadow Road Tree, Jefferson, and the the turnoff to Moro Rock Road loop, to Tunnel Log. After visiting Tunnel Log, hike northeast 200 ft (61 m) on the bypass road to Near Tunnel Log.

Road Warning: Crescent Meadow Road is open from late May to early November depending on snow levels. During summer (late May to early September) Sequoia Shuttle bus operations, Crescent Meadow Road is closed to private vehicles on weekends and holidays from 9:00 AM through late afternoon. When Crescent Meadow Road is closed, park in the lot near Giant Forest Museum and walk Crescent Meadow Road to Tunnel Log or take the free Sequoia Shuttle (Gray Route 2) from Giant Forest Museum to the Moro Rock parking lot and hike from there to Tunnel Log.

View Tunnel Log location in Google Maps

Panoramas: Click panoramas to take a virtual tour of Tunnel Log

Photos: Pictures of Tunnel Log taken from different sides