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Plan a Road Trip > Explore America > National Parks > Sequoia National Park |
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47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271
Phone: 559-565-3341 or 559-565-3134
Fax: 559-565-3797
Open All Year
Overview. Towering giant sequoia, lyrically beautiful alpine meadows, and the breathtaking crest of the Sierra Nevada define Sequoia National Park. Sequoia is home to the largest living thing on earth, the massive General Sherman Tree, and to the highest mountain in the lower 48 states, Mt. Whitney. In between these two landmarks are spectacular snowcapped peaks and deeply carved canyons, wildflower-strewn alpine glades and crystalline mountain lakes. The wonders extend even beneath the earth where, by touring Crystal Cave, you can see stalactites and stalagmites formed of shimmering calcite.
Sequoia was California's first national park and the nation's second. It has grown through the years and now stretches from the western foothills of the Sierra to its highest crest. The latest addition was made in 1978, when the remote alpine wonderland of the Mineral King Valley was annexed to save it from commercial development. Whether you want to stay close to your car or embark on a hiking or pack trip into the high Sierran wilderness, Sequoia will present you with gorgeous Sierra vistas and breathtaking scenery.
What to see and do. You'll probably enter Sequoia National Park at Ash Mountain near the Foothills Visitor Center or at Grant Grove. Then travel along Generals Highway to the Giant Forest Museum and the Lodgepole Visitor Center. Stop by one of these centers to take in the exhibits and pick up a copy of The Visitor Guide, the park newspaper. It contains important park information.
The Giant Forest is the main attraction in Sequoia; the largest living thing on earth resides here. The gigantic General Sherman Tree, 275 feet tall with a base circumference of 103 feet, weighs in at an estimated 1,385 tons. Other trees may be taller than General Sherman, but none exceed it in sheer volume. The Congress Trail winds for two miles through the Giant Forest, thick with these huge conifers that grow taller than 300 feet and live for more than 3,000 years.
Nearby Moro Rock overlooks Giant Forest and the canyon carved by the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. From its 6,725-foot summit, over 4,000 feet above the valley floor, you may be able to see over a hundred miles, from the California coastal ranges to the 13,000-foot-plus crest of the Great Western Divide. Alas, you can't see Mt. Whitney from here. It's obscured by the mountains between it and Moro Rock. Don't despair -- the view is without peer, especially if you're there at sunset.
Attractions near Moro Rock include the Auto Log and the Tunnel Log, where you can motor through a fallen giant.
Most of the park is spectacular backcountry, accessible only on foot or by pack animal. Horses, burros, and llamas are allowed on designated trails; check with the park for details. Mineral King Valley, open only in the summer, is the latest addition to this mountainous park. It is a lovely sub-alpine region full of lakes, meadows, and mountain peaks. A rough road, closed in winter, leads into this area of the park. From there you're on your own. All overnight hikes require backcountry permits. Backcountry camping permits are issued on a quota system and cost $15 per permit or $30 for stock users. This fee includes the cost of reservations made in advance. If you choose to climb Mt. Whitney, you'll need to secure a special permit, even if you're only making a day hike from Inyo National Forest to the east of Sequoia. These special permits are obtained from the Inyo National Forest and require a small fee. If you approach Mt. Whitney from the west through Sequoia National Park, no special permit is required, however, a Backcountry Camping Permit is required from Sequoia National Park.
Winter is a special time at Sequoia. The big trees are cloaked in a thick mantle of snow, and the park is uncrowded and quiet. Trails around the Giant Forest are marked for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with a trail suitable to every level of expertise. The park is open year-round, but certain roads are closed in winter. Main roads are kept plowed, but may be closed temporarily by winter storms. Campgrounds are located throughout the western area of the park, but not all of these are open year-round. Call the park for more information on winter services.
While visiting Sequoia, be sure to extend your exploration north to adjacent Kings Canyon National Park. Stop by Grant Grove to see the "Nation's Christmas Tree," the massive General Grant, then continue on along Kings Canyon Highway to scenic Cedar Grove where there is ample trail access to the high Sierran backcountry. Cedar Grove is only open during the summer.
Please note: All overnight facilities in Giant Forest are closed. Services are located in Lodgepole and Wuksachi, four miles north of Giant Forest.
There are no gasoline stations in either Sequoia Naitonal Park or Kings Canyon National Park.
| Activities and Services |
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Archeological Sites |
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Bird Watching |
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Caving |
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Climbing |
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Cross-country Skiing |
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Fishing |
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Food Service |
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Geological Sites |
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Gift Shop |
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Hiking/Nature Trails |
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Historic Sites |
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Horse Trails |
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Picnic Sites |
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Programs/Talks |
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Self-guided Tours |
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Visitor Center |
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Wildflower Viewing |
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Wildlife Viewing |
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