California

Sequoia National Park

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Sequoia National Park

California

Managed by National Park Service

Established 1890

404,064 acres

Website: nps.gov/seki

Overview

In 1890, Sequoia became the second National Park in the United States in order to protect its famous groves of giant sequoia trees, not to be mistaken for California’s coast redwoods.  The park’s hub in the Giant Forest contains the General Sherman tree, the largest by volume in the world.  Most of the park is in the High Sierra and includes Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous U.S. at 14,505 feet.  It is comanaged with Kings Canyon National Park.

Know someone who loves National Parks? Gift them our travel guide A Park to Yourself: Finding Solitude in America’s 63 National Parks. 

A scenic view of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park featuring tall sequoia trees, green foliage, and patches of snow on the ground with a sign in the foreground.

Highlights

General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, Crystal Cave, Mt. Whitney, John Muir Trail, Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail

Must-Do Activity

The remarkable giant sequoia tree can live over 2,000 years, reach three hundred feet in height, and grow the largest wood volume of any single-stemmed tree on the planet.  They are only found in 75 protected groves scattered throughout California’s Sierra Nevadas.  Bring your whole family to see how many people it takes arms linked to reach around the base of one of these massive trees.  With circumferences reaching over 100 feet, you are going to need a big family! 

Best Trail

Crescent Trail starts near the General Sherman tree, winds up the hill, and then connects with the Trail of the Sequoias, which passes the dense clusters of the Senate and House Groups.  It is especially nice when there is snow on the ground.

Instagram-worthy Photo

Any time of year is great to visit, but the winter is perhaps the prettiest as the snow contrasts nicely with the orange bark of the giant sequoia trees.

A towering sequoia tree surrounded by smaller evergreen trees in a snow-covered forest.

Peak Season

Summer due to the high elevation

Hours

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Fees

$35 per vehicle or America The Beautiful pass

Road Conditions

Roads are paved, but steep, winding, and narrow.  The rough Mineral King Road is closed in winter.

Camping

There are several large campgrounds near the Giant Forest, as well as two on the rough road to the remote Mineral King section of the park.  All backcountry camping requires a permit and is on a quota system during the summer.

Related Sites

Yosemite National Park (California)

Giant Sequoia National Monument (California)

Kings Canyon National Park (California)

A large fallen tree trunk with a tunnel cut through it, allowing a vehicle to pass underneath, surrounded by tall trees in a forest.
Tunnel Log
A person standing among tall, reddish-brown giant sequoia trees in a forest, showcasing the towering trunks and texture of the bark.
Senate Group
A steep stairway on a rocky hillside with a view of mountains in the background and dead trees leaning down towards the path.
Tiff on the trail up Moro Rock
A panoramic view of rugged mountain ranges with tree-covered slopes and rocky peaks under a partly cloudy sky.
View of the Sierra Nevada from Moro Rock
View of towering trees from ground level, looking up towards the canopy with sunlight filtering through the leaves.
A couple stands in front of a frozen waterfall surrounded by rocky terrain and snow.
Tokopah Falls in winter
A young black bear walking through a forested area with pine needles and cones on the ground.
Black bear cub
A person standing on rocky terrain, silhouetted against a foggy background with a glowing orange light, likely from the sun setting or a fire, and a tall tree on the right.
Subalpine sunset in Mineral King
A couple standing in a snowy landscape with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A person standing on the summit of Mt. Whitney, holding a sign marking the elevation and location. The background features rocky terrain and distant mountains under a clear sky.
Panoramic view from a mountain summit showcasing rugged terrain, distant peaks, and a blue lake surrounded by rocky slopes under a clear sky.
A marmot standing among large rocks in a rocky landscape.
Yellow-bellied marmot
A stone cabin with a metal roof situated on a rocky mountain landscape under a clear blue sky.
A tranquil mountain lake surrounded by rocky terrain and towering cliffs, with clear water reflecting the sky and patches of green grass along the shore.
A black raven perched on a large rock, with blurred trees in the background.
Raven about the park
Logo of Sequoia National Park featuring tall trees and a bear illustration.

This design we created to celebrate Sequoia National Park is available on a variety of products at Cafe Press and Amazon.

Explore More – Why do park rangers recommend you wrap your car with chicken wire when you visit Mineral King?

Book cover of 'A Park to Yourself: Finding Solitude in America's 63 National Parks, Expanded 2nd Edition' by Scott Sink, PhD and Tiff Sink, MPH, featuring a person walking through a narrow canyon.

Know someone who loves National Parks? Gift them our travel guide A Park to Yourself: Finding Solitude in America’s 63 National Parks. 

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