
Duration | Multiple Days |
Topic(s) | Geology, Scenic Views, Wilderness, Coniferous Forests, River and Riparian, Rock Landscapes and Features, Waterfalls, Forests and Woodlands, Mountains, Trails, Caves, Caverns and Karst, Meadows, Animals, Wetlands |
Activities | Hiking, Backcountry Hiking, Scenic Driving, Caving, Front-Country Hiking, Museum Exhibits, Wildlife Watching |
Type | Active, Relaxed, Inspirational, Outdoors, Group Friendly |
Parks | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
Home to over 2,000 giant sequoias, the Giant Forest is one of the best places on earth to see big trees. The Giant Forest offers activities of all kinds; scenic drives, picnics, short walks, longer hikes, wildlife viewing, and photography. Head to the Giant Forest Museum or Lodgepole Visitor Center to explore exhibits or join a ranger program. The Giant Forest is filled with beauty and wonder—spend the day exploring it your way!
In summer, the Sequoia Shuttle runs throughout the Giant Forest, taking people to visitor centers, trailheads, and more.
Here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your experience among the big trees.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Learn about Giant Sequoias
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Museum Exhibits
- Pets: No
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day
Before you investigate the area, stop here at the Giant Forest Museum to learn about giant sequoias and area history.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Watch Park Wildlife
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Wildlife Watching
- Pets: No
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
Park wildlife are often seen along the Big Trees Trail, an easy and accessible path that starts at Giant Forest Museum and takes you around a meadow lined with mature sequoias.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
See the General Sherman Tree
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Front-Country Hiking
- Pets: No
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
The General Sherman Tree is a must-see while visiting the Giant Forest. It is the largest tree in the world.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Hike Among the Giants
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Front-Country Hiking
- Pets: No
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day
There is no better way to explore the Giant Forest than by going out on the trails. Try a stroll on the Congress Trail, a 2-mile (3.2-km) loop that starts from the General Sherman Tree and takes you into the heart of a sequoia grove.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Climb Moro Rock
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Hiking
- Pets: No
- Location: Moro Rock
- Duration: 30–120 Minutes
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
A stone and concrete stairway leads to the top of Moro Rock, a granite dome that towers over the Generals Highway. From the top, enjoy sweeping views of the hills below and the wilderness to the east.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Drive Through Tunnel Log
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Scenic Driving
- Pets: Yes with Restrictions
- Duration: 5–10 Minutes
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
Since 1935, people have been driving through Tunnel Log. You too can join in on the novelty of driving through a fallen Sequoia.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Hike Around Crescent Meadow
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Front-Country Hiking
- Pets: No
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
The Crescent Meadow Trail is an ideal place for photography and a relaxing walk. Follow the flat, 1.5-mile (2.4-km) loop trail around Crescent Meadow, where bright green vegetation contrasts with the red bark of giant sequoias.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Discover Tokopah Valley and Falls
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Backcountry Hiking
- Pets: No
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn
The Tokopah Falls Trail is great place to see the “classic” Sierra Nevada landscape. Sheer granite cliffs, a dense conifer forest, and a rushing river create a peaceful mountain scene.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Enjoy a 360-Degree View at Little Baldy Dome
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Hiking
- Pets: No
- Location: Generals Highway, Sequoia National Park
- Duration: 2–3 Hours
- Season: Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
Hike on a lesser-known trail in Sequoia National Park. The Little Baldy trail takes you through a mixed-conifer forest to the top of a granite dome. Once there, you can take in a 360-degree panoramic view.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Explore Crystal Cave
- Activity Fee: Yes
- Reservations: Yes
- Activity: Caving
- Pets: No
- Season: Summer
- Time of Day: Day
A tour through Crystal Cave will give you an inside look at the complex world that lies beneath our feet. Spend time with a guide and learn about the unique geologic features and animal creatures found within the cave.
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Last updated: October 5, 2020