If you’ve ever wanted to see some of the biggest trees on the planet, this post is totally for you.
Washington is packed with trees that are so tall, wide, and old, they make your average forest look like a bunch of houseplants.
Some of these giants stretch over 250 feet high and have been around longer than the United States.
Some line secret trails where hardly anyone goes, and a few are so close to the road you can see them without even breaking a sweat.
Ready to meet the biggest trees in the state? Let’s go find these legends.
1. Mount Rainier National Park (Longmire area)
Mount Rainier National Park’s Longmire area is just 6 miles from the Nisqually Entrance, and it’s packed with some seriously massive trees that will make your neck hurt from looking up.
Right around the Longmire Trail of the Shadows, you’ll spot towering Douglas firs and western red cedars, many of them over 200 feet tall—that’s like stacking ten houses on top of each other!
Some of these giants are more than 500 years old, with trunks so wide you’d need four friends holding hands just to wrap around one.
2. Deception Pass State Park
If you’re heading north, Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island is another awesome spot for big trees.
This place has wild coastal cliffs with dense forests full of mossy Sitka spruce and western hemlock, some reaching up to 200 feet tall and standing like green skyscrapers in the mist.
Wander the trails near Rosario Head or Goose Rock, where you’ll get salty sea air, crazy-beautiful views, and towering trees all in one perfect hike.
3. Quinault Rain Forest
If you fancy heading into the rainforest, the Quinault Rain Forest in Olympic National Park is one of the best places in the state to see giant trees.
This lush, drippy wonderland is home to record-breaking trees like the world’s largest Sitka spruce which is over 190 feet tall and nearly 60 feet around!
Take the Big Tree Trail for an easy stroll through a forest so green and thick, you’ll probably leave with your jaw permanently dropped.
4. Hoh Rain Forest
Just a short drive from Quinault, the Hoh Rain Forest is home to trees so mossy and massive, they look straight out of a fantasy movie.
You’ll find towering western hemlocks and Sitka spruce here too, many over 200 feet tall and dripping with green fuzz thanks to over 12 feet of rain a year.
Walk the Hall of Mosses Trail and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world that’s quiet, misty, and filled with trees that have been growing for hundreds of years.
5. Gifford Pinchot National Forest
For something a little more off the radar, Gifford Pinchot National Forest is a huge stretch of wild, untamed forestland just south of Mount Rainier.
This place is packed with ancient Douglas firs and noble firs that shoot up over 200 feet, especially around the Lewis River Trail and the Wind River area.
It’s less crowded than the national parks, so you can wander through massive, mossy trees in peaceful silence—just you, the birds, and some seriously epic trunks.
6. Big Beaver Valley, North Cascades National Park
Way up in the North Cascades, Big Beaver Valley is like a hidden forest time forgot, situated along the edge of Ross Lake.
This remote spot is home to some of the largest old-growth western red cedars in the entire country, with some stretching over 150 feet tall and nearly 20 feet wide at the base.
The hike in is a bit of a trek, but totally worth it for the chance to walk among ancient giants that have been growing here for over a thousand years.
7. Tiger Mountain State Forest
Closer to Seattle but still packed with tree power, Tiger Mountain State Forest is your go-to if you’re not up for a long drive.
The trails near Tradition Plateau lead through second-growth forests where some massive Douglas firs and cedars have made a strong comeback, many shooting up over 150 feet.
It’s a mix of mossy woods, quiet switchbacks, and surprise views so is perfect for a half-day hike.
8. Lewis and Clark State Park
If you’re heading down south, don’t skip Lewis and Clark State Park, one of the last places in Washington where you can still see old-growth lowland forest.
This park has some seriously tall Douglas firs and western red cedars, with trunks so wide you’ll want to wrap your arms around them (and still not reach halfway).
The short trails here are super chill, making it a perfect spot for a peaceful walk under towering trees that have stood tall for centuries.
9. Rockport State Park
Way up in Skagit County, Rockport State Park is a small but mighty stop with some of the tallest untouched trees in the state.
This forest has never been logged, so you’ll find massive old-growth Douglas firs over 250 feet tall just steps from the parking lot so there’s no long hike required.
The short loop trails here are packed with moss, ferns, and silence, making it feel like you’ve stumbled into a secret forest world.
10. Federation Forest State Park
Last but not least, Federation Forest State Park near Mount Rainier is a total gem for tree lovers who want lots of epic views without the crowds.
Right off Highway 410, you’ll find giant old-growth Douglas firs and western red cedars that tower over 200 feet high, especially along the interpretive trails near the visitor center.
It feels like you’re deep in the woods but with easy access and peaceful paths, making it the perfect final stop on your tour of Washington’s most awesome big trees.
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