Sequoia National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada, East-Center California. Sequoia National Park was established on September 25, 1890, Sequoia has some of the largest and oldest trees in the world. These trees can live for over 3,000 years. The largest big tree in the park is said to be 2,300 to 2,700 years, the tree is known as the General Sherman Tree. The tree is 274.9 feet (83.8 meters) high.
There’s something magical about awakening in Sequoia National Park, surrounded by groves of the world’s largest living things. And some smaller ones, too, like red-tail hawks and yellow-bellied marmots. Start your day in a neighborhood of natural wonders also known as Sequoia National Park.
Wuksachi Lodge’s prime location and guestrooms, as well as its dining options, cocktail lounge, retail, and ski shops, will appeal to California national park visitors looking for a mountain lodge experience. High-altitude adventurers will seek refuge at the ultra-cool Bearpaw High Sierra Camp, which is hidden 11.5 miles in Sequoia Park’s backcountry overlooking the Great Western Divide. Outdoor enthusiasts will find more than a dozen Sequoia campgrounds in addition to Bearpaw.
The parks have over 800 miles of trails that include sheer cliffs, river canyons, and rocky mountains. Hiking is a great way to see the park’s ecosystem while exploring its beauty. The park also includes Sequoia’s Crystal Cave, a marble cavern with a half-mile loop trail. Because the cave’s formations are fragile, the cave can only be visited with a guided tour.
Best Time to Visit Sequoia National Park
The months of June through August are ideal for visiting Sequoia National Park because the weather is the most stable. The park is open all year, but there are some challenges during certain seasons. Spring wildflowers bloom in June, and the massive groves provide excellent shade in the summer. Some facility hours and ranger-led programming will be reduced beginning in September. Winter brings snow, and snow chains or tyres are required to navigate park roads safely. There’s nothing like waking up in Sequoia National Park, from a cozy mountain lodge to glowing tent cabins, or perhaps just laying under the starlit Sierra summer sky. Beginning in September, the park’s ranger-led programming is reduced, and certain facilities’ hours are reduced. Some areas of the park, such as Mineral King and Cedar Grove, are completely closed due to access issues.
Sequoia Itineraries
If you only have one day, you’ll need to get an early start to see three of the park’s highlights. The Giant Forest and the General Sherman Tree should be your top priorities. Take a short hike to Crescent Meadow and breathe in the fresh air among the wildflowers and ferns. Hike to the summit of Moro Rock for spectacular views at the end of the day. If you have more time, stay at one of Sequoia’s many campgrounds or lodgings for an overnight or longer. A visit to Crystal Cave should be on any comprehensive itinerary, so book your tickets in advance. And make plans to hike some more, whether the foothills, sequoia groves, or mountain trails beckon. The atmospheric Lake Trail to the Watchtower is not to be missed.
Best things to do in Sequoia National Park
In any season, these parks provide a variety of activities in a variety of landscapes. Adventure awaits you here, whether you prefer a short walk or a week in the wilderness, a quiet sunset or a roaring river. Come prepared for whatever activities you choose. Weather varies greatly at various elevations, and storms can occur at any time of year. Giant sequoias inspire awe and wonder, whether you see them from your car or hike to a remote grove.
Climb Moro Rock
Moro Rock looms thousands of feet above the highway as you enter Sequoia National Park. This massive granite dome is a stunning geologic feature that can be seen from above or below. Over 350 steps lead to the top of Moro Rock via a concrete and stone stairway. The peaks of the Great Western Divide can be seen from a short distance away and above the forest canopy. Views open up as you climb, from the foothills and San Joaquin Valley to deep into countryside to the east. The climb is relatively safe thanks to handrails along the way, though small children should be watched closely due to steep dropoffs along the entire route. The hike can be difficult; taking your time as you ascend can help you adjust to the thinner air at higher elevations.
Free shuttles run from the Giant Forest Museum to the Moro Rock parking area during the summer. The road is closed to private vehicles on weekends, and shuttles are the only way to reach Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow. The road is open during the week, but the small parking lot may be full. In the summer, peregrine falcons nest on Moro Rock, and there are usually climbing closures for technical rock climbers to protect the nests. Hikers using the stairway are unaffected by these closures. Moro Rock / Crescent Meadow Road is closed by snow in the winter. Despite the fact that ski trails lead to the parking area, the stairwell is closed due to the danger of icy or snowy steps.
Visit the General Grant Tree
It is difficult to comprehend the General Grant Tree’s immense size, age, and stature, but it is simple to let your mind and spirit rise as its trunk carries your gaze toward the skies.
Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park is home to the General Grant Tree. A paved loop trail leads to the tree and other named trees and features such as the Gamlin Cabin, the Fallen Monarch, and the Centennial Stump. Other trails in the area provide views of sequoias, meadows, and wilderness.
Visit the General Sherman Tree
The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree in the world in terms of volume. It is 275 feet (83 metres) tall and more than 36 feet (11 metres) in diameter at the base. Sequoia trunks remain broad and tall. The Sherman Tree has a diameter of 17.5 feet (5.3 m) at 60 feet above the ground. There are two trails that lead to the Sherman Tree. Parking for the Main Trail is available off Wolverton Road (between the Sherman Tree and the Lodgepole); simply follow the signs. The trail descends half a mile (0.8 km) to the tree. It is paved and has a few stairs. You’ll enter the Giant Forest sequoia grove as you walk. Exhibits along the trail provide information about the natural history of giant sequoias. The walk back is steep.
Those with disability parking placards may park in a small lot along the Generals Highway’s edge. A wheelchair-accessible trail leads a short distance to the tree from there. If you don’t have a placard but can’t manage the Main Trail, you can ride park shuttles (all of which are wheelchair accessible, and some of which kneel) to the accessible trail during the shuttle season. If you can manage the initial downhill walk, another option is to park at the Main Trail, walk down to the Sherman Tree, and then continue down to the shuttle stop along the Generals Highway. You can avoid the uphill walk by taking a shuttle back to your parking spot.
Day Hiking
The wooden boardwalk and flat terrain of Big Trees Trail make it a good choice for families with young children and those looking for an easy walk. People in wheelchairs can also use the trail. Whether you choose a short, paved trail or an all-day hike, exploring these parks on foot is a fantastic way to experience them!
Exploring Sounds
Soundscapes are recorded by scientists using specialised equipment. Sound diversity and patterns can help us better understand how species diversity varies across space and time. For example, we can learn how wildfire affects the abundance and diversity of birds in giant sequoia forests with and without prior prescribed burning, how the presence of non-native fish affects the abundance and variety of birds and bats foraging at lakes, and how species composition changes over time. Biological monitoring with continuous recording acoustic equipment also allows for the extension of surveys to places and intervals where observers are inconvenient or impossible to be present.
Camping
Whether you want to reconnect with old friends, relax in the mountains, or teach your children how to roast marshmallows, our campgrounds have something for everyone. The parks have fourteen campgrounds, three of which are open all year. Each campsite can accommodate up to six people and includes a picnic table, a fire ring with grill, and a metal food-storage box. Almost all campgrounds require reservations in advance, and sites fill up quickly. Click here to know more about camping.
Picnicking
There are restrooms in every picnic area, and some also have water and barbecue grills. When there are fire restrictions, barbecue grills may not be available. Before you visit, please check the current fire restrictions for information on wood and charcoal fires, gas or propane stoves, and smoking. Because of bear activity or other issues, picnic areas may be closed. When there is snow on the ground, picnic areas are not ploughed and may be inaccessible.
Black bears have been known to approach picnic areas. Always keep food within arm’s reach when eating or preparing it. If metal food-storage boxes are available, store food, trash, and any odor-causing items in them. Observing park food-storage regulations protects park bears and aids in the prevention of aggressive behaviour.
Wildlife
These parks support an incredible diversity of life at various elevations. You have a good chance of seeing at least a few different species of animals during your visit, depending on where you go and when you go. Binoculars are the best way to view and enjoy a wild animal from a distance. When you come across an animal, stay still and watch it from behind cover, such as a shrub or tree. Never disturb, approach, or attempt to feed wild animals; doing so is hazardous to both you and the animal.
Backpacking
Sequoia National Park offer incredible opportunities for wilderness recreation, with over 800 miles of maintained trails designed to help you experience the more than 800,000 acres of designated Wilderness. The Sierra Nevada mountains have long been a source of wonder and excitement, stretching from the impressive heights of Mt. Whitney to the tangled oak woodlands of the foothills.
Expenses to Visit Sequoia National Park
- Vehicle Pass valid for 7 days includes everyone traveling in the vehicle cost $35.
- A 7-day pass for a single person traveling on foot or by bicycle costs $20.
- Non-Commercial vehicles with a capacity of 16 persons or more are charged per person cost $15.
- Commercial vehicles with a capacity of 1 to 6 passenger cost $25
- Commercial vehicles with a capacity of 7 to 15 passenger cost $75
- Commercial vehicles with a capacity of 16 to 25 passenger cost $100
- Commercial vehicles with a capacity of 26 plus passenger cost $200
- Motorcycle Pass costs $30 which is valid for 7 days.
- Annual Pass costs $70 the pass permits all passengers in a private and non-commercial vehicle