Valley of the Giants (Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Valley of the Giants |
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 Location in Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Geography | |
| Location | Oregon, United States |
| Coordinates | 44°56′10.92″N 123°42′55.68″W / 44.9363667°N 123.7154667°W |
| Area | 51 acres (21 ha) |
| Administration | |
| Governing body | Bureau of Land Management |
The Valley of the Giants is a special forest in Oregon, United States. It covers about 51 acres (21 hectares) of land. This amazing place is owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). You can find it in a quiet, remote part of the Oregon Coast Range. It's known for its incredibly tall and old trees.
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Discovering the Valley of the Giants
The Valley of the Giants is a protected forest. It's located in northwest Oregon. This area gets a lot of rain every year, more than 180 inches (457 cm)! This helps many large trees grow here. You'll find huge Douglas-fir and Western Hemlock trees. These trees are some of the biggest in the world.
What Makes This Valley Special?
One famous tree here was called "Big Guy." It was once the second largest Douglas-fir known in Oregon. Imagine a tree that was over 600 years old! "Big Guy" stood about 230 feet (70 meters) tall. That's taller than many buildings! Its trunk was also very wide, about 36.5 feet (11 meters) around. Sadly, a big wind storm blew "Big Guy" down in 1981.
Protecting Nature: Outstanding Natural Area
In 1976, the Bureau of Land Management gave the Valley of the Giants a special title. They called it an "Outstanding Natural Area." This means the area has unique natural features. It's important to protect these places for everyone to enjoy. It also helps keep the plants and animals safe.
A Heritage Tree Grove
On June 6, 2008, the Valley of the Giants received another honor. It was named a "Heritage Tree Grove" by the Oregon Heritage Tree Program. This program recognizes special trees or groups of trees. They are important because of their age, size, or history. This title helps make sure these giant trees are cared for.
Visiting the Valley
The Valley of the Giants is a bit tricky to get to. It's about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Falls City. You'll need to drive on logging roads. These roads are usually fine for regular cars, but you should drive slowly. It's a good idea to call the BLM's Salem District Office before you go. They can give you directions and tell you about the road conditions. Their phone number is 503-375-5646.
