Grove of the Patriarchs
Grove of the Patriarchs
4.5
About
A grove of red cedar and Douglas fir trees, some over 1,000 years old.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Grove of the Patriarchs and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
328 reviews
Excellent
235
Very good
76
Average
15
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Passenger790546
4 contributions
June 2021
The trees are beautiful in this area but it is heavily used. There is a single file swinging bridge that crosses over the river to the large trees. We had to wait in line to cross the bridge. Everyone was taking turns crossing each direction over the river. The sign says one person crossing at a time but most groups walked together.
Written 6 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PandaHouston
Houston, TX6,120 contributions
Aug 2021
The parking lot for Grove of the Patriarchs is small but since we were staying at Cowlitz River Lodge and it was only 20 minutes from our hotel, we came out late in the afternoon and found a parking spot at 4:15 pm without any issues. We came on Wednesday 8/4. Even when we left at 5 pm, there were lots of cars.
This is a 1.2 mile roundtrip easy trail through the forest. It only took us 50 minutes to complete. There is a suspension bridge and the sign said 1 person should cross so with back and forth traffic, there can be a bit of a wait. The day we came, it was hot and humid and there were some mosquitoes.
We thought this trail was OK. By this time, we were a little tired of forest walks.
This is a 1.2 mile roundtrip easy trail through the forest. It only took us 50 minutes to complete. There is a suspension bridge and the sign said 1 person should cross so with back and forth traffic, there can be a bit of a wait. The day we came, it was hot and humid and there were some mosquitoes.
We thought this trail was OK. By this time, we were a little tired of forest walks.
Written 20 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve5863
Avon, OH12,812 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
The Grove of the Patriarchs is a dense stand of huge, old growth Douglas-fir, western red-cedar and western hemlock, some over 1,000 years old and many 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3m) in diameter with some even larger, located on an island in the Ohanapecosh River and accessed by the equally nice 1.3 mile (2.1k) Patriarchs loop trail that first follows the river then crosses to the island, via a suspension bridge that is always a popular feature with kids, to a 0.5 mile (0.8k) loop through the grove, much of it on a boardwalk.
This is an excellent activity on a cloudy and/or drizzly day when other park features are often hidden in clouds and this weather actually enhances the look and mood of the temperate rainforest environment.
The trailhead to the grove is accessed from a parking area that has clean restrooms along Stevens Canyon Road just 0.3 mile (0.5k) west of its intersection with Hwy 123 and the Stevens Canyon Entrance in the southeastern corner of the park. I would recommend arriving by 11 am or even earlier on weekends and during the height of the summer season as this is a very popular attraction and the large parking lot, by National Park trailhead standards, fills up fast and it becomes a matter of luck and persistence to find a safe place to park later in the day.
This is an excellent activity on a cloudy and/or drizzly day when other park features are often hidden in clouds and this weather actually enhances the look and mood of the temperate rainforest environment.
The trailhead to the grove is accessed from a parking area that has clean restrooms along Stevens Canyon Road just 0.3 mile (0.5k) west of its intersection with Hwy 123 and the Stevens Canyon Entrance in the southeastern corner of the park. I would recommend arriving by 11 am or even earlier on weekends and during the height of the summer season as this is a very popular attraction and the large parking lot, by National Park trailhead standards, fills up fast and it becomes a matter of luck and persistence to find a safe place to park later in the day.
Written 3 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rockyjoe
Minneapolis, MN8,192 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
The Grove of the Patriarchs is a grove of old growth trees and is located in the southeastern part of Mount Rainer National Park. To get there follow the road past the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center and turn left onto Stevens Canyon Road. Parking is available in the area on the right, near the Eastside Trail. This National Park is open year round and is very busy on weekends in the summer. This old growth has trees that are as much as 1,000 years old and over 200 feet tall. At least one western red cedar is nearly 50 feet in circumference.
I visited this amazing grove of massive trees with my wife on a Saturday afternoon in early September and really enjoyed hiking among these old giants. They are not as big as the Giant Sequoias in California but they are still amazing. To see them we made the easy, 1.5 mile loop trail that brings you literally right next to the trees. We had to cross the suspension bridge over the Ohanapecosh River to reach the trees. It is not easy to cross this bridge as only one person at a time can cross and each side is supposed to take turns (but not everyone knows that). This grove is very popular and it was hard to find a parking spot near the trail head. In addition, there were lots of people walking on the Patriarchs Trail.
.
Overall I really enjoyed visiting this old grove of trees and highly recommend that you do the short hike and see them when visiting this fantastic National Park. I will definitely be back to see these cool trees on my next visit to Mount Rainer National Park.
I visited this amazing grove of massive trees with my wife on a Saturday afternoon in early September and really enjoyed hiking among these old giants. They are not as big as the Giant Sequoias in California but they are still amazing. To see them we made the easy, 1.5 mile loop trail that brings you literally right next to the trees. We had to cross the suspension bridge over the Ohanapecosh River to reach the trees. It is not easy to cross this bridge as only one person at a time can cross and each side is supposed to take turns (but not everyone knows that). This grove is very popular and it was hard to find a parking spot near the trail head. In addition, there were lots of people walking on the Patriarchs Trail.
.
Overall I really enjoyed visiting this old grove of trees and highly recommend that you do the short hike and see them when visiting this fantastic National Park. I will definitely be back to see these cool trees on my next visit to Mount Rainer National Park.
Written 27 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexandra S
Seattle44 contributions
July 2015 • Family
This is a high interest, easy hike. It is level and has a suspension bridge which adds excitement for kids. The trees are enormous...comparable to Redwoods. This is a great introduction to the National Park and wonderful for any level of hiker.
Written 12 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ssseafan
houston51 contributions
July 2014 • Family
this is a great short and easy walk in the forest to see some of the giant trees representative of this area. there are benches along the way if someone needs a rest. great for little kids and folks who can't hike long distance to see the forest.
Written 18 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tmesiab
University Place, WA74 contributions
July 2011
I took my husband and young children (2yr and 5yr) to Mt. Rainier for some easy hiking. During the summer months, you should be aware of bears and mountain lions. We saw alot of tracks, even with so many people on the trail the weekend we went.
This is a beautiful, easy trail located by the Stevens Canyon Entrance near the Ohanapecosh River. On the trail, you'll encounter pretty wild flowers, small squirrels, birds, giant old growths and of course awesome views of the river. You can veer left a ways down the trail and make your way up the side of the mountain which leads to Silver Falls. If you continue down the main trail, you'll come up to an awesome suspension bridge. If you're scared of heights, beware! Awesome trail.
This is a beautiful, easy trail located by the Stevens Canyon Entrance near the Ohanapecosh River. On the trail, you'll encounter pretty wild flowers, small squirrels, birds, giant old growths and of course awesome views of the river. You can veer left a ways down the trail and make your way up the side of the mountain which leads to Silver Falls. If you continue down the main trail, you'll come up to an awesome suspension bridge. If you're scared of heights, beware! Awesome trail.
Written 28 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
willowcrown
Ann Arbor, MI243 contributions
Recently took my third trip to the Grove and I'm still blown away by how beautiful it is. This was the first time we took our children and even though they are at that "I'm too cool for everything" age, they still said it was "cool".
If you get to Mt. Rainier, you simply must do this. It's an easy hike (and I should know because I'm really out of shape) and it takes about an hour or so there and back. (Depending how much time you sit in the Grove)
If you get to Mt. Rainier, you simply must do this. It's an easy hike (and I should know because I'm really out of shape) and it takes about an hour or so there and back. (Depending how much time you sit in the Grove)
Written 23 July 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand4,289 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
If you don't like big trees, you should definitely not make the 1-mile+ hike to the Grove of the Patriarchs! All others should not miss this impressive stand of mammoth Douglas fir, cedar, and hemlock. The trail to the grove is one of the easiest in Mt. Rainier National Park, and most people should have no difficulty in making it. The largest of the trees is across a hanging bridge. Don't miss the "twin giants" (two incredible old Douglas fir trees growing side by side). Interesting to observe the trees in various stages of life, from the massive mature trees, to the fallen giants that provide a rich "nurse bed" for new seedlings growing in rows along the rotting fallen tree trunks, or in groups on rotting stumps. If I could make only on hike in Mt. Rainier National Park, this is probably the one I'd choose.
Written 23 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelleygirl2
Sarasota, FL6,295 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
We pressed on to The Grove of the Patriarchs and arriving at 10:30am on a Friday, we were stunned to find a parking place in the few allotted spaces. I got out to hike the easy 3 mile walk. Dave tried to join me for a short while but soon returned to the parking area where he rested his back and knees staying in the shade at a picnic table. The east walk (little ups and downs but a bit rocky at first) was quiet and peaceful. I had the trail mostly to myself. The tall Douglas Firs provided cooling shade and created a cathedral-like atmosphere on the winding path along the river. I crossed a suspension bridge over the clean, clear turquoise Ohanapecosh River rushing over colored stones. The same stones out of the water were not colorful but simply gray. The path continued on the other side of the river for a few hundred feet before turning to sand and then boardwalk entering the short Grove of the Patriarchs Loop. The tall cedar and fir gave a serenity to the grove and luckily I was able to experience it all alone. It took me over an hour, stopping along the way to reflect and photograph, before returning to find Dave had banged his head on the car again. This man needs a full time nurse!
Written 8 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible to see these trees? Or with the suspension bridge out is there no other access/walks that go through these trees?
Written 20 February 2024
Is there room in the parking lot for a small (24’) motor home?
Written 20 July 2019
We took a 25’ rv and had to wait a bit but we found a spot that fit. Also, if you pass the parking lot there are spots along the road on the right side that might fit the RV as well.
Written 4 August 2019
I am planning to make a trip to Mt. Rainier NP. Can you please tell me w/c cabin they are talking about ?
Written 14 March 2019
I think it would be best for you to check the website to see what is cabin space is offered and if there are vacancies.
Written 14 March 2019
Is the trail open???
Thanks
Randy
Written 26 April 2017
Can you take your dog on a leash on this trail
Written 9 April 2017
Showing results 1-10 of 22
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing