Best Hiking Trails in Sequoia National Park

Overview

A visit to Sequoia National Park is a walk amongst living giants, with some of the largest trees in the world. It's also witnessing a tether to the past, as even the 'young' trees are hundreds, if not a thousand years old, with “middle aged” trees 2,000 years old. But it's not only about size or age. The rugged southern Sierra Nevada range east of the San Joaquin Valley houses these verdant giants, but is also home to deep canyons, caverns, granite cliffs and abundant wildlife.

Getting Started

For many Californians at least, Sequoia National Park is a mere handful of hours away. For other visitors coming from afar, this part of the country offers a fantastic array of parks to visit on a roadtrip. Neighboring Kings Canyon National Park, Yosemite, Death Valley and others are well worth the extra driving.

One of the most famous attractions is a visit to the 2,200 year old giant sequoia tree named General Sherman, the world's largest tree by volume. And amidst the biggest trees is the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney at 14,494 feet. And of course, don't miss one of the many great hikes in our “popular hikes” section, just below. Because the park is managed jointly with Kings Canyon National Park next door, check out places to go and things to do in both parks. Looking for places to sleep? You'll have plenty of camping and lodging options, but do consider booking ahead, especially in the busy summer months and weekends. And remember to stop in at the visitor center, where the friendly rangers can give great advice.

Find winter travel conditions, weather reports, park conditions and more, here.

When to Go

All year offers something different, but you can see by the graph on the right which months are the busiest. Try the shoulder seasons to beat the crowds, or plan for a winter wonderland trip if you have the vehicle, gear and knowledge to handle the snowy conditions.

Permits

Fees are required to enter the park. See this page for wilderness backpacking permits.

Dog Info

Like most national parks, dogs are only permitted in designated campgrounds, roads and picnic areas, and must be kept on a leash no longer than 6-feet in length. Get the full scoop, here.