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  "description": "Explore the Big Cedar trail at Kalaloch, WA in Olympic National Park. Learn what to expect, how to get there, and why it's worth the visit.",
  "path": "/the-wonderful-smell-of-big-cedar-at-kalaloch-washington/",
  "publishedAt": "2025-01-27T04:03:50.000Z",
  "site": "at://did:plc:xoczgo53ahhoei6pror2b43g/site.standard.publication/3mmwwrtzqnc7k",
  "tags": [
    "Hiking",
    "Olympic National Park",
    "Olympic Peninsula",
    "Road Trips",
    "United States",
    "Washington",
    "Northwest"
  ],
  "textContent": "When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. See our Affiliate Policy. We don’t have a set agenda when we travel and I think that’s half the fun! We go with the flow, and if we see something interesting along the way, we stop and explore! During our 2.5-week road trip across the Olympic Peninsula, we woke up early to visit Kalaloch’s Tree of Life. As we were driving there from Forks, we saw a sign for something called Big Cedar. We weren’t sure what it was (it wasn’t on our ‘must see’ list) but we thought, ‘Why not? We’re here, let’s check it out!’ These are some massive trees! And I’m so glad we did! Months later, I can still remember the cedar smell from the second I stepped out of the car. The 0.3-mile trail is easy to access and takes you right up to some giant cedar trees (some are thought to be nearly 1,000 years old!). Just to clarify, there are actually two Big Cedar locations on the Olympic Peninsula. The one we visited is Big Cedar Kalaloch, not to be confused with the separate Big Cedar Quinault. Getting to Big Cedar Big Cedar Kalaloch is located about 5 miles (an 8-minute drive) north of the Tree of Life along Highway 101 on the Olympic Peninsula. Once you turn in, the road narrows and leads to a small, free Kalaloch Big Cedar tree-parking area that loops back to the entrance. The trail starts just steps away from the parking lot. Hiking the Kalaloch Big Cedar Nature Trail This gravel trail is a short, 0.3-mile out-and-back loop that takes about 6 minutes to walk. It’s perfect for a quick stop with great views and even better scents! When we visited in late July, it was raining, and the damp forest made the cedar scents even richer. The best time to visit is between March and October, though a little drizzle just adds to the Pacific Northwest experience. Still wondering if Big Cedar is worth the stop? Watch our 360° video for a full look at this incredible spot before you visit! Since we were traveling with our dogs, we weren’t sure if they were allowed on the trail. So, we took turns exploring Big Cedar while the other stayed with the pups in the car. We later learned that leashed dogs are allowed on the trail according to the Washington Trails Association. This AllTrails map needs analytics cookies to load. These cookies cover both our site and the embedded content. Or View on AllTrails The iconic Big Cedar once stood more than 175 feet tall before a storm in March 2014 caused significant damage. At the time, it was the third-largest western red cedar of its kind. Today, it’s surrounded by a wooden fence to help protect it. If you keep going along the trail, you’ll come across more western red cedars about a quarter mile farther down. They might not be as tall, but they are still worth seeing. A little rain, a lot of awe Other Things to Do Nearby The Olympic Peninsula Coast is full of amazing places to visit, many just a short drive from Big Cedar. Within 5 minutes, you can explore Ruby Beach, the Kalaloch Tree of Life and the Spruce Burl Trailhead. If you’re up for a longer drive, about an hour north you’ll find La Push, the dog-off-leash-friendly First Beach and leashed-dog-friendly Rialto Beach. If you’re looking to explore more of the rainforest, about an hour northeast, you’ll find the Hall of Mosses.",
  "title": "The Wonderful Smell of Big Cedar at Kalaloch, Washington",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-09T23:09:38.000Z"
}