Sequoia National Park Trail & Visitor Guide
Sequoia National Park · United States · 404,064 acres (about 631 square miles), in the southern Sierra Nevada of California. Jointly administered with adjacent Kings Canyon National Park.
Why Visit Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park protects groves of giant sequoias, the largest living organisms on Earth by volume. The General Sherman Tree, the largest of all, stands 275 feet tall with a circumference of 102 feet at its base. The park also contains Mount Whitney (14,505 feet), the highest peak in the contiguous United States. Adjacent Kings Canyon adds deep glacier-carved valleys to the landscape.
Free Sequoia National Park Audio Guide with Roamee Pro
Roamee Pro offers a free, self-guided Sequoia National Park audio guide. It narrates trails, viewpoints, geology, and wildlife as you explore — General Sherman Tree, Congress Trail, Moro Rock, plus quieter spots like Crescent Meadow and Big Trees Trail. No guide, no schedule, works offline.
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Signature Trails
- General Sherman Tree Trail0.8 mi round trip · Easy (paved, with about a 200 ft descent on the way in and climb on the way out, at 6,900+ ft elevation)
Reaches the General Sherman, the largest tree on Earth by volume at about 52,500 cubic feet.
- Congress Trail2.0 mi loop · Easy to moderate (paved loop)
Connects from the General Sherman through sequoia stands including the House and Senate groups; fewer crowds than the Sherman spur alone.
- Moro Rock0.5 mi round trip · Moderate (about 350 stairs carved into the granite)
A granite dome at 6,725 ft with views over the Great Western Divide and the foothills; closed when icy.
- Tokopah Falls Trail3.4 mi round trip · Easy to moderate
Follows the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River to a 1,200-ft cascade; best flow in late spring and early summer. Starts near Lodgepole Campground.
- Big Trees Trail1.3 mi loop · Easy (mostly flat, accessible boardwalk)
Loops around Round Meadow with interpretive signs; sequoia viewing without elevation gain.
Must-See in Sequoia National Park
- •General Sherman Tree — the world's largest tree by volume, estimated at 52,500 cubic feet of wood
- •Congress Trail — a 2-mile paved loop through the Giant Forest passing the largest concentration of sequoias on Earth
- •Moro Rock — a 300-step staircase carved into a granite dome with panoramic Sierra Nevada views
- •Crystal Cave — a marble cave with stalactites and formations accessible by a 0.5-mile steep trail
Best Viewpoints
- •Moro Rock summit — view of the Great Western Divide
- •Beetle Rock, near the Giant Forest Museum — sunset views over the foothills
- •Hospital Rock area along the Generals Highway — Kaweah River canyon
- •Crescent Meadow — John Muir called it 'the gem of the Sierra'
- •Amphitheater Point pullout on the Generals Highway — switchback canyon views
Quieter Corners of Sequoia National Park
- •Crescent Meadow — a wildflower-ringed meadow John Muir called the Gem of the Sierra, with a 1.6-mile loop
- •Big Trees Trail — a 1.3-mile accessible loop around Round Meadow with interpretive signs on sequoia ecology
Wildlife You May See
Entrance Fee
$35 per private vehicle, valid 7 days and covering both Sequoia and Kings Canyon. $30 per motorcycle, $20 per person on foot or bike. An annual park pass is $70; the America the Beautiful interagency annual pass is $80.
Getting There
No public transit and no airport inside the park; you need a car. From the south or west, take CA-198 from Visalia through Three Rivers to the Ash Mountain entrance (about 1 hour from Visalia). From the north, CA-180 from Fresno enters via Kings Canyon and connects to Sequoia by the Generals Highway. The Generals Highway between the two parks is steep and winding; vehicles over 22 ft are advised to avoid the Ash Mountain–Giant Forest section. Nearest major airport: Fresno Yosemite International (FAT), about 1.5 hours to the Fresno entrance.
Where to Stay
Inside the park, Wuksachi Lodge (open year-round) is the main hotel, near the Giant Forest. Campgrounds include Lodgepole and Dorst Creek (reservable via Recreation.gov) and Potwisha and Buckeye Flat at lower elevation in the foothills. Outside the park, the gateway town of Three Rivers on CA-198 has motels, cabins, and vacation rentals. Visalia and Fresno offer more hotel options.
Best Time
Late spring through early fall (May–October) offers full road access. Crystal Cave and high-elevation roads close in winter, and the Generals Highway can require chains or close temporarily after storms. July and August are the most crowded; September brings fewer crowds.
Safety
Black bears are the top concern: use the metal food-storage lockers at trailheads and campgrounds, and store every scented item (food, toiletries) out of your vehicle — bears break into cars. Tire chains may be required on the Generals Highway in winter (carry them October–April). The Giant Forest sits near 6,900 ft, so allow for altitude and bring layers; mountain weather changes fast.
Scenic Drives
- •Generals Highway — connects the Ash Mountain entrance to the Giant Forest and on to Kings Canyon, passing the major sequoia groves
- •Crescent Meadow Road — accesses Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow (often closed to private cars in summer; use the free shuttle)
- •Mineral King Road — a steep, narrow 25-mile road with about 700 curves to a high glacial valley (typically open late May to late October, no trailers or RVs)
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