#1 best thing to do in sequoia national park

The General Sherman Tree – the world's largest tree by volume – stands 275 feet tall and measures more than 36 feet in diameter at its base. Visitors call the tree magnificent and humbling, but warn that lines can be long to take photos by the tree. Many advise arriving early and having patience.

Travelers can see the tree via two trails. The Main Trail can be accessed from a parking lot off Wolverton Road and it's a half-mile walk downhill to reach the tree. Along the way, you'll pass through the Giant Forest and spot exhibits explaining the history of giant sequoias. After you've snapped your photos at the General Sherman Tree, you'll have to walk back uphill. While this trail is paved, there are a few steps. If you'd rather avoid the uphill walk, you can continue downhill to the shuttle stop along Generals Highway. The shuttle will return you to the parking area. There is a wheelchair-accessible trail, which starts from a parking lot along the edge of Generals Highway. From there, it's a quick trip to the tree. The 2-mile-long Congress Trail, a paved loop that begins near the General Sherman Tree, is another hiking option and offers the chance to take in even more views. Visitors say it is well worth it and report that it's not a difficult hike.

In the summer, free park shuttles (all of which are wheelchair accessible) transport visitors to the accessible trail. In the winter, the parking area off of Wolverton Road closes and the accessible parking area on Generals Highway is open to all visitors.

Access to the General Sherman Tree is included in park admission. The tree is accessible to visitors 24/7, though the shuttle operates on a set schedule. For more information, visit the National Park Service website.

Key Info

47050 Generals Hwy Website

Price & Hours

Free   9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

Details

Natural Wonders, Free, Sightseeing

 TYPE

2 hours to Half Day 

TIME TO SPEND 

The General Sherman Tree – the world's largest tree by volume – stands 275 feet tall and measures more than 36 feet in diameter at its base. Visitors call the tree magnificent and humbling, but warn that lines can be long to take photos by the tree. Many advise arriving early and having patience.

Travelers can see the tree via two trails. The Main Trail can be accessed from a parking lot off Wolverton Road and it's a half-mile walk downhill to reach the tree. Along the way, you'll pass through the Giant Forest and spot exhibits explaining the history of giant sequoias. After you've snapped your photos at the General Sherman Tree, you'll have to walk back uphill. While this trail is paved, there are a few steps. If you'd rather avoid the uphill walk, you can continue downhill to the shuttle stop along Generals Highway. The shuttle will return you to the parking area. There is a wheelchair-accessible trail, which starts from a parking lot along the edge of Generals Highway. From there, it's a quick trip to the tree. The 2-mile-long Congress Trail, a paved loop that begins near the General Sherman Tree, is another hiking option and offers the chance to take in even more views. Visitors say it is well worth it and report that it's not a difficult hike.

In the summer, free park shuttles (all of which are wheelchair accessible) transport visitors to the accessible trail. In the winter, the parking area off of Wolverton Road closes and the accessible parking area on Generals Highway is open to all visitors.

Access to the General Sherman Tree is included in park admission. The tree is accessible to visitors 24/7, though the shuttle operates on a set schedule. For more information, visit the National Park Service website.

 To visit Kings Canyon by car, the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (otherwise known as Highway 180) is the only option for vehicles. The 50-mile route, which is full of twists and turns, takes visitors into one of the deepest canyons in North America.

Visitors call it breathtaking and beautiful, but they also caution that drivers should prepare for the route's many curves and allow plenty of time to stop for photos. The route begins in the foothills outside of Fresno, California, at the Hume Lake Ranger Station, enters the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park, then descends through the Sequoia National Forest, finally ending at the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park. Along the way, highlights include hiking to the General Grant Tree, touring Boyden Cave (in the summer) and visiting the gorgeous Grizzly Falls.

Access to the scenic byway is included in park admission. You'll want to budget at least two to three hours for the drive. The byway does experience seasonal closures, so check the NPS website for the most up-to-date information and plan your trip between mid-May to mid-October.

  There are hundreds of miles of trails in Sequoia National Park suitable for all abilities and ages. In the Giant Forest, the Congress Trail, a paved 2-mile loop that begins near the General Sherman Tree, is a big hit with visitors, who call it a beautiful, relatively easy walk. A shorter hike in Giant Forest, the Big Trees Trail, is a 1-mile loop that goes around a meadow and features interpretive exhibits about the natural history of giant sequoias along the way. For those looking for longer hikes, treks to scenic places like Mist Falls include an 8-mile round-trip journey through forest and chaparral, past rapids and cascades, to finally reward hikers with views of one of the largest waterfalls in the park.

Additional traveler-approved trails include the half-mile Moro Rock Trail, the 4-mile Tokopah Valley Trail, the 7-mile Marble Falls Trail and the 1-mile General Sherman Tree Trail. Each route provides beautiful sights, from scenic overlooks to massive trees to waterfalls. 

When hiking, make sure you have a map in hand (cell service is spotty in the park), bring plenty of water and stay alert for bears. While encounters are rare, hikers should always be aware of their surroundings. Also, plan for the weather and dress accordingly. To learn about all the hikes available, stop at one of the park's visitor centers. You can pick up maps and get advice from rangers about which of the many trails would be the best fit for you. Trails are accessible 24/7 and free for all visitors. For more information about hiking trails, visit the National Park Service website.

   Located within the adjacent Kings Canyon National Park, Grant Grove Village features a visitor center; an ATM; cabins and a lodge; the Grant Grove Restaurant; a market for groceries (including beer and wine); a gift shop with Native American crafts; and – perhaps most notably – the General Grant Tree.

Nicknamed the "Nation's Christmas Tree" by President Calvin Coolidge (and officially named after Ulysses S. Grant in 1867), the gigantic tree is the second-largest sequoia (after General Sherman) and third-largest overall tree in the world. It towers approximately 270 feet tall, and its trunk circumference measures a massive 107 feet. The estimated weight of its trunk is 565 tons, and its approximate age is between 3,000 and 4,000 years old. 

Travelers enjoyed walking among the towering trees in Grant Grove. Some visitors noted that there are fewer sequoias here than in Giant Forest, but others felt that the trees in this grove were even taller overall. Regardless, most visitors recommended taking a stroll through the forested area, especially during the week when crowds are lighter than on the weekends.

Access to the area is free with park admission. Hours of operation for the different facilities within Grant Grove Village vary. In the winter, visitors should use Highway 180 to get to Grant Grove Village, as roads between Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park may be closed due to snowfall. For more information, visit the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks website.

    The Tunnel Log, located along the Crescent Meadow Road in the Giant Forest, offers a fun photo-op for park visitors. This enormous tree, which fell across the road in 1937, was 275 feet tall and 21 feet at the base when it collapsed. The tunnel was cut through the tree the following year and ever since, visitors have been drawn to the novelty of it. The National Park Service believes the tree is at least 2,000 years old.

Recent travelers recommended going early in the day to avoid the crowds of people posing in front of, below and even on top of the Tunnel Log. Only vehicles shorter than 8 feet tall can drive through the 17-foot-wide tunnel (larger vehicles can go around on a bypass lane). Access to the Tunnel Log is included in park admission. For more information, visit the NPS website.

    For a fully immersive Sequoia National Park experience, consider pitching a tent and camping overnight in the park. There are seven campgrounds within Sequoia itself: Lodgepole, Dorst Creek, Buckeye Flat, Potwisha, South Fork, Atwell Mill and Cold Springs. Keep in mind: The latter two campgrounds are not connected via the main road in Sequoia National Park, and they are only open in the summer months. There are additional camping areas in nearby Kings Canyon National Park and the surrounding forest land.

Sequoia's campgrounds offer something for every type of camper, whether you'd prefer a fully equipped spot or a more rugged experience. If glamping in an RV is more your speed, head to Potwisha campground, which has sites for RVs up to 24 feet long, flushing toilets, potable water and other basic essentials. In contrast, travelers can connect with nature at the tent-only Buckeye Flat campground, which is located next to the Kaweah River. Recent travelers are complimentary of the camping facilities within the park. Many recommended packing extra layers, as the temperatures often drop at night.

Camping in Sequoia National Park costs $22 per night. All campers are required to secure their food, beverages, toiletries and trash in the large storage lockers found on each campsite to keep bears away. Hours and seasonality vary depending on each campsite. Reservations may be required to camp in the park, so be sure to check the National Park Service website before planning your trip.

     With a total length of about 1,200 feet, Tokopah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Sequoia National Park. But instead of one long drop straight down, the waterfall twists and turns over craggy rocks, creating many different viewpoints to admire the falls.

Recent travelers enjoyed hiking the 4-mile trail leading up to the falls, which the majority reported is mostly easy and flat enough for small kids and beginner hikers. Some reviewers said that the winding waterfall, which is surrounded by dark gray rocks and towering trees, looked like something out of a fantasy movie. They were also pleased to find restrooms and water stations at the beginning of the hike. However, some visitors did note that in the fall months, the water flow throughout the waterfall is fairly light. The water is reportedly at its strongest during the spring and early summer, when winter's snow melts.

To see the waterfall, head to Tokopah Falls Trail, which begins at the Lodgepole Campground. Two free shuttles (the Green and Purple routes) service the trailhead in the summer. To learn more, visit the National Park Service website.

     A vast greenspace surrounded by giant sequoia trees, Crescent Meadow is a great spot to take in the peaceful sights and sounds of nature. Travelers can access the meadow by heading to the end of Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Road, walking through the Crescent Meadow parking lot and then continuing on the 1.5-mile loop that encircles the grassy field. Colorful wildflowers bloom here in the summer months, and animals like deer, marmots (a type of ground squirrel) and even bears can sometimes be seen from the trail. (Just remember: Humans should always keep their distance from such animals in the wild, as they may be fearful or protective of their young.)

Travelers confirm that if you are looking for an easy, leisurely hike to take in the scenery, Crescent Meadow checks the boxes. Visitors of all ages can stroll along the path at their own pace and stop to take photos of the field, trees and potential wildlife. However, some reviewers did note that the parking lot at the trailhead is fairly small, so if you're planning to drive in and park, get their early in the morning to secure a spot.

The access road into Crescent Meadow generally opens in the middle of Memorial Day week and closes once heavy snow begins in the winter. On summer weekends and holidays, travelers can only access the trailhead via the free Sequoia National Park shuttle; no private cars are permitted in at these busy times. Crescent Meadow connects to a larger network of picturesque hiking paths, including Tharp's Log, Trail of the Sequoias and Log Meadow. For more information, see the National Park Service website.

      This granite dome rewards hikers with a breathtaking view of the Great Western Divide and the western half of Sequoia National Park. Between the 350-plus steps that lead to the top of the rock and the higher elevation, the hike can be a bit strenuous. Still, visitors declare it completely worth the workout to enjoy the amazing views at the summit. Handrails should be used and adults should keep an eye on children, as there are steep drop-offs. Make sure to bring water and take breaks when you need to.

How hard visitors have to work to get to Moro Rock depends on the season. In the summer, when the Moro Rock parking lot is typically open, travelers just have to climb the steps to reach the summit. Free shuttles also run from the Giant Forest Museum to the Moro Rock parking lot in the summer. If the lot is closed, then visitors are in for a 2-mile walk from the nearest parking area. In snowy or inclement winter weather, Moro Rock closes to visitors, as the stairs get too slippery to be safe. 

Access to Moro Rock is included in park admission. For more information about Moro Rock and other granite domes within the park, visit the National Park Service website.

       While the towering trees are the superstars of Sequoia National Park, there are plenty of other amazing places to explore. Crystal Cave is one not to miss, according to travelers, many of whom call it a surprise highlight of their visit. The subterranean marble cavern is filled with stalactites and stalagmites. It also features all sorts of colorful minerals, forming blue, green, yellow, black, white, orange and red deposits, as well as formations along the walls, ceilings and floors of caves. 

Once underground, cave naturalists guide visitors through the cave along a half-mile trail, explaining the formations and at one point, turn off all the lights for an eerie glimpse at the subterranean space in the dark.

The cave is located near the Giant Forest on Crystal Cave Road, down a curvy, winding lane. Signs direct drivers to the parking area. It takes about 30 minutes to drive from the Giant Forest Museum to the parking lot. The marble cavern, which can only be accessed via a steep half-mile walk from the parking area, is open from spring through fall. Visitors have to book a guided tour in advance, as tickets are not sold at the cave. The NPS recommends travelers purchase tickets two months in advance. 

There are a variety of tours, from a low-key family tour (suitable for all ages) to the wild cave tour (for ages 13 and older), where visitors go off the trail and even crawl on their stomachs through narrow passageways. Tickets for the 50-minute family tour start at $17 for adults, $9 for children ages 5 to 12 and $6 for kids 4 and younger. In comparison, the wild cave tour costs $50 per person. Tours are offered Thursday through Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The NPS recommends bringing a jacket, as temperatures inside the cave typically rest at 50 degrees or lower. You'll also want to set aside half a day for the entire experience. Travelers can book tickets on the cave's website.

        If you're seeking a true adventure that will get your heart racing, look no further than Mount Whitney. The tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney sits on the border of Sequoia National Park and Inyo National Forest. The mountain's summit elevation is 14,494 feet. As such, scaling Mount Whitney is best left to experienced climbers, though there are a few trails that will appeal to a slightly wider array of hikers.

The shortest hiking trail travelers can embark on is 10.7 miles long and starts at Whitney Portal on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. Despite being the shortest option, this hike still requires some preparation; visitors may need supplies like ice axes in the spring and early summer, but they can likely do without climbing equipment between mid-June and the beginning of October. On the other side of the spectrum, serious hikers can embark on a 60-mile trek on the High Sierra Trail, which begins in Giant Forest. This journey takes six to 10 days to complete, so visitors should plan on camping out in new sites each night.

Travelers who have hiked Mount Whitney recommend staying hydrated throughout the journey and starting your hikes early in the morning. Some also advised future climbers to pack painkillers to help with sore muscles, as well as plenty of layers to keep warm (even in the summer, and especially at night). Still, almost all agreed that if you feel prepared to take on the challenge, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views at many points along your journey.

If you'd rather leave your hiking boots at home and admire Mount Whitney from a distance, keep in mind that another mountain range that runs through the middle of Sequoia National Park will likely obstruct views of the mountain from within the park itself. The best views can be seen from the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center on Highway 395.   

Before venturing out to Mount Whitney, all travelers who intend on climbing the mountain will need to secure a hiking permit. To learn more, visit the National Park Service website.