Sequoia National Park in California, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Sequoia National Park rises from California's foothills into forests of giant sequoias and the high Sierra. Giant Forest is a useful starting point for a first visit, but reaching it involves a winding mountain drive. Allow room in your day for the journey as well as time among the trees.

Highlights in Sequoia National Park

• General Sherman Tree: see a giant sequoia from the main downhill trail or a separate accessible approach.
• Big Trees Trail: follow a paved loop around Round Meadow, with signs about the grove's ecology.
• Moro Rock: climb granite steps for views toward the Great Western Divide when the route is free of snow and ice.
• Tokopah Canyon: walk beside the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River toward cliffs and a waterfall whose flow changes with the season.

Plan your visit to Sequoia

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Safety on mountain roads and trails

Expect sharp bends and substantial changes in elevation between the foothills and Giant Forest. Carry suitable layers and footwear. Snow or ice can make otherwise short walks hazardous. Do not climb Moro Rock when its stairs are icy or snow-covered.

Rivers are powerful and cold. Keep clear of fast water and slippery edges. Falling trees and branches are another hazard, particularly during severe weather. Respect closures even when a trail looks passable from its entrance.

Protect the groves and wildlife

Use designated paths around the sequoias. Store food and scented items in a properly latched food locker where one is provided; bears can break into cars. Keep wildlife at a distance and leave natural objects where you find them.

Pets are prohibited on park trails, including the paved General Sherman and Big Trees trails. In permitted developed areas, keep pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Carrying a pet does not create an exception to the trail rule.

Entry, campsites, and wilderness permits

There is no entrance reservation system. Campsite reservations are a separate requirement, and nearly all park campgrounds use advance bookings. Check the campground information for the specific site and season.

Overnight wilderness trips require a permit. During the non-quota period from September 27, 2026, through May 20, 2027, permits are free and self-issued at the appropriate station. Quota-season trips follow different booking rules. Review the wilderness permit instructions and arrange required food storage before arriving.

Maps, entrances, and the drive to Giant Forest

The Ash Mountain entrance is reached on California Highway 198 through Three Rivers. Generals Highway then climbs toward Giant Forest and continues toward Kings Canyon. The Big Stump entrance on Highway 180 from Fresno offers a less steep approach with fewer tight curves for larger vehicles.

NPS advises against vehicles longer than 24 feet between Foothills Visitor Center and Potwisha Campground, and longer than 22 feet between Potwisha and Giant Forest Museum. These are specific road-segment advisories. Mineral King has a separate narrow, winding access road and additional construction disruptions. Consult the road-by-road status report before choosing a route.

Use the official park maps to locate trailheads and entrances. A search result for the park name is not enough to choose the right arrival point.

Nearby parks to add to your route

• Kings Canyon National Park: the most direct neighboring park, reached along Generals Highway toward Grant Grove. Check mountain-road conditions before combining the two.
• Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park: a regional stop in the Central Valley, reached using the Highway 99 and Highway 43 corridor. It fits a valley-side journey rather than a short detour within the mountains.

Walk among sequoias and explore the mountains

The main General Sherman trail descends about half a mile from its parking lot and includes stairs. Remember that the return is uphill. A separate, approximately 500-foot accessible path starts beside Generals Highway.

Big Trees Trail makes a 0.75-mile paved loop around Round Meadow. Its boardwalks and resting places make it a useful option when a longer mountain hike is unsuitable. Consult the route's access information to choose the appropriate parking area.

For a longer outing, the Tokopah Falls trail runs 1.7 miles each way from Lodgepole Campground. The waterfall is generally strongest in early summer. Moro Rock offers a different experience: a stair climb rising about 300 feet rather than a level forest walk. Check trail and road access before committing to either route.

Facilities around Giant Forest and Lodgepole

Giant Forest Museum provides orientation and exhibits. Accessible parking, restrooms, and water-filling facilities are available in the Giant Forest area, including at Big Trees Trail. Facilities differ between trailheads, so choose parking with your walking route in mind.

Lodgepole has a seasonal market, food service, showers, and laundry. These services generally operate from May into October, with individual schedules that need confirmation. Campgrounds offer designated sites with picnic tables and food lockers; availability and opening seasons vary.

Wuksachi Lodge provides overnight rooms and a restaurant inside Sequoia. Accessible rooms and selected accessible trails and campsites are available, but accessibility does not apply to every route. Ask about the particular facilities you need when planning a stay.

About Sequoia National Park

Protection of the groves and a longer human history

Sequoia became a national park on September 25, 1890, to protect giant sequoias. That designation came long after people had lived in and cared for these landscapes. The parks recognize continuing connections with Mono, Yokuts, Tübatulabal, Paiute, and Western Shoshone peoples.

Early park protection also involved US Army troops. In 1903, Captain Charles Young led Buffalo Soldiers here, part of a history that visitors can explore alongside the natural history of the groves.

Wildlife from foothills to alpine slopes

Changing elevation creates different habitats. Deer and black bears live in the forest zone, while pikas and marmots occur in the high country. A visit to one grove will not reveal the whole range of the park's wildlife. Watch quietly, avoid approaching animals, and keep food secured.

Contact Sequoia National Park

Call 559-565-3341 for park information. The recorded menu includes road and weather information. Mailing address: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271-9700. Use the official contact page for current contact options.