Est. 1890 | California | 404,062 acres

Deep in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains lies a relic from prehistoric times—a mammoth of days gone by, the giant sequoia tree. Sequoia National Park, the nation’s second park inducted into the National Park System serves as a sanctuary for more than six noteworthy old growth sequoia groves. These trees can tower over 300 feet tall and boast more than 20 feet wide. But beyond its namesake, the park also holds rolling foothills, scenic lakes and granite monoliths, including the tallest peak in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney. Sequoias are just the foot in the door to a Sierra wonderland waiting to be explored.

With the exception of Mount Whitney, the main attractions all lie on the eastern side of the park. Generals Highway, the main thoroughfare through the park, winds north and south along the eastern flank of the Sierra mountains through foothills and forests, featuring points of interest along the way. Mineral King Road, an offshoot of Generals Highway juts east into the park accessing minor, but notable, backcountry trails and groves. Because there is no road traversing the park laterally, the best way to reach Mount Whitney and the eastern half of the park is to drive 6 hours down around the entire range and approach from the east.

Park Highlights

1. Congress Trail—At nearly 275 feet tall, General Sherman is the largest living tree by volume. Because of its sheer size it is perhaps the single most visited attraction within the park, making Congress Trail extremely popular. But don’t let this deter you. Beholding the magnitude of this rare tree is worth braving the crowds. The rest of the 2-mile Congress Trail surrounding General Sherman is also worth the time. Stroll along massive trunks both living and fallen as they dwarf the forest around them.
2. Lakes Trail—A park secret, Lakes Trail is considered one of the most beautiful hikes in Sequoia National Park. Beginning in Wolverton, it climbs 6 miles through meadows and forests, under cliffs and around overlooks to the high sierra backcountry. Many day hikers turn around at Heather Lake, a small alpine lake nestled in treeline, but not before taking a plunge in the water to cool off. However, the Watchtower, a thousand-foot granite slab, is the highlight of the route. A short climb to the pinnacle from the trail reveals gorgeous 360-degree views of the alpine range and Tokopah Falls below. Consider packing a headlamp and hiking this at sunset for a magical alpenglow experience.
3. Big Trees Trail—A quieter alternative to Congress Trail, Big Trees Trail is a short three-quarter mile loop meandering through groves of sequoias. The path encircles Round Meadow offering great views of hikers below the trees showcasing the enormity of sequoias.
4. Moro Rock—Moro Rock is a granite dome ascended by 300 feet of carved stairway. Views atop this centrally-located viewpoint are breathtaking. On clear days, Mount Whitney can be seen in the eastern horizon. Because this attraction is only 2 miles from Generals Highway and a short accessible hike, it attracts large crowds—especially at sunset. Expect to wait in line as you climb the tight stairway. If parking is full, shuttles from the nearby Giant Forest Museum will drop off visitors.
5. Tunnel Log—In 1938, a sequoia fell from natural causes across Crescent Meadow Road. Instead of removing the log, park staff tunneled through it. Today, visitors can still drive through the 17-foot wide, 8-foot tall tunnel. A detour is available for taller vehicles.
6. Crystal Cave—A little known fact, Sequoia National Park is home to an underground world of rock formations, marble slabs and rare minerals. The only way to view Crystal Cave is to book a guided tour in advance.

Best time to visit Sequoia

Summertime is the best season to visit the extent of Sequoia, though expect large crowds and busy roads. Try waking early, staying late, or visiting during mealtimes to avoid people at popular destinations. Longer backcountry trails are less frequented and offer plenty of space to retreat in solitude. However, this warmer drier season also brings the threat of wildfires to Sequoia National Park. Wildfires are common in the late summer months (July–September) and can cause temporary closures, poor visibility and unhealthy air quality. Check for updates on the park website before visiting to better set trip expectations.

Winter on the other hand brings heaps of snow to the sierra mountains so much of Generals Highway is closed for the season. Mineral King Road, Crescent Meadow Road and Moro Rock Loop also remain closed throughout the snowy season, typically reopening in late March or April depending on weather conditions.

How long should I visit Sequoia?

Though the highlights can be seen in 1 day, Sequoia is best visited in 2–3 days. This allows room to visit popular attractions at convenient times and venture further into the high country. However, to fully explore all the attractions (major and minor) along Generals Highway, consider a 4–5 day trip.

Hiking Mount Whitney

Mount Whitney is its own beast; not just because it is located on the opposite side of the park, but because it is a strenuous, long hike—often 12 to 14 hours—requiring high altitude experience. However, just because it is a challenge does not mean it is not worth the attempt. If you are comfortable with long miles and elevation gain this may be up your alley. Some avid hikers are able to summit within a day while other attack the mountain in phases spending 1 or 2 nights on the trail.

The popular route is to ascend Mount Whitney Trail up from Whitney Portal in Inyo National Forsest just outside the town of Lone Pine, California. For a backcountry trail, the path is well-maintained gaining 6,600 feet over 22 roundtrip miles. The ideal window for hiking Mount Whitney is late July through early September, when high altitude snow has melted.

Those wishing to summit Mount Whitney will need to reserve a permit in advance. The park allows 100 day use permits and 60 overnight permits each day between May and October. This permit system is highly competitive, especially for the late summer months (July–August) when weather is ideal. To reserve a permit, each hiker must enter the lottery in early March. If chosen, they will be awarded one of their desired dates. Any leftover permits from the lottery will then be open for public reservation in April. These are usually booked in minutes. If you do not score a permit, don’t be discouraged. Try again. Many hikers attempt for years before scoring a permit. The secret is to hold your travel plans loosely.

Getting to Sequoia

If flying in, Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the obvious choice. Other options include Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Jose, but only located an hour west of the park, no other airport competes with Fresno’s rates and proximity matrix. From Fresno, rent a car at the airport and take Highway 180 east up into the mountains. Turn south on Generals Highway at Wilsonia and arrive at Sequoia National Park.

Where to stay in Sequoia

Sequoia National Park has one lodge and six campgrounds. The Waksuchi Lodge in the Giant Forest area of the park is open year round with 102 rooms and an onsite restaurant, lounge, and gift shop.

The campgrounds are dispersed throughout the park at different elevations. Potwisha Campground and Buckeye Flat Campground are located in the foothills near the southern entrance. Dorst Creek Campground and Lodgepole Campground, the two largest, are centrally located higher up in Giant Forest. Finally, Cold Springs Campground and Atwell Campground are situated highest along Mineral King Road in the southern portion of the park. Together the campgrounds boast over 550 campsites. These can be reserved on Recreation.gov.

Additional lodging can be found in the outlying town of Three Rivers, California, just 6 miles south of the southern entrance. And neighboring state parks, monuments and forests also have campsites nearby should park accommodations sell out completely.

When should I book?

Lodging is the biggest limiting factor in the summer months, so it is best to reserve accommodations as early as possible. Campgrounds are released on a rolling basis 4 months in advance. Lodgepole Campground fills up quickly for summer dates beginning in February while the other minor campgrounds are usually open. Because it is more expensive, Waksuchi Lodge does not book up nearly as quickly, though check often before you book as it could sell out in peak season. Winter lodging is less in demand so last-minute trips are not unheard of.

How much should I budget?

A 3-day trip can range from $500–$1000 depending on your required needs. Here is a range of what to expect:

Roundtrip Airfare to Fresno	$200–$400
Car Rental	$50–$80/day (not including taxes/fees)
Campsite	$20–$35/night (not including taxes/fees)
Hotel Lodging	$140–$400/night
Restaurant Meals	$10–$20/meal

Packing list for Sequoia

Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Sequoia National Park, we wouldn’t want to be caught without hiking shoes, sunscreen, camelback, and a hat.

Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into our trip to Sequoia.

For more detailed information on Sequoia National Park, visit the official park website.