Giant Forest
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, CA
This majestic grove is home to the most immense trees in Sequoia National Park—and some of the largest living beings on earth. Among them are General Sherman, a giant sequoia standing 275 feet (84 meters) tall and 100 feet (30 meters) wide. In addition to the sequoias, a network of trails ranging from 1-hour hikes to half-day excursions originate in the grove.
The basics
With celebrated giant sequoia trees and easy hiking trails, the 3-square-mile (8-square-kilometer) Giant Forest is the top destination in Sequoia National Park. For a good introduction, start your visit by viewing the exhibits dedicated to the ecology of giant sequoia trees at the Giant Forest Museum.
In the summer, you can take a free shuttle from the museum to the General Sherman Tree trailhead and parking lot; from there, it’s a short hike to General Sherman. The Congress Trail, a paved 2-mile loop, and Moro Rock Trail, a short but steep climb to the top of the rock, are all in the Giant Forest area.
Things to know before you go
Giant Forest should typically be your first stop in Sequoia National Park.
Find accessible restrooms and wheelchairs for use at the Giant Forest Museum.
The museum also houses a park store.
In addition to the sequoias, other trees in the grove include incense cedars, sugar pines, and white firs.
Outside the quota season, you can pick up wilderness permits from the self-issue station outside the museum; find info on the park website about reservations and walk-up permits during the quota season.
How to get there
Giant Forest, at the west end of Sequoia National Park, is accessible via Generals Highway. From Three Rivers, enter the park at the Ash Mountain entrance and drive about 22 miles (35 kilometers) north to the Giant Forest Museum. Find trailheads along Crescent Meadow Road. From the north, enter at the Big Stump entrance and drive about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south on Generals Highway.
When to get there
Like the national park, Giant Forest is open year-round, but certain times of the year bring particular challenges. Summer has the most stable warm weather, but requires planning due to large crowds—it's also when the park offers a convenient shuttle service from the museum to trailheads in the Giant Forest area. Winter can bring fun snowy landscapes, and reasons to snowshoe, but there are also road closures due to snowfall.
Snowshoeing in Sequoia National Park
Rangers lead snowshoeing and ski trips around the Giant Forest starting in mid-January, for as long as winter conditions allow. You can book ranger-led walks, which provide snowshoes, or rent a pair at Grant Grove Market for self-guided trips. Longer, self-guided trips can follow many of the park’s tails and require permits for overnight stays.
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