Sequoia National Park is located deep in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and holds a very special place in my heart. There’s nothing quite like looking up at a magnificent giant Sequoia Tree and realizing how small we actually are. While the park is home to many giant sequoia trees, it also offers expansive views of the Sierras, countless trails to explore, and even a hidden cave tour.
Encompassing a vertical relief of nearly 13,000 feet, the park contains the highest point in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet above sea level. In this article, I’ll share some of my favorite things to do in Sequoia National Park as well as a few helpful tips for your visit.
Read on to learn everything you need to know to plan a trip full of the best things to do at Sequoia National Park.
Things to Do in Sequoia National Park
Table of Contents: Best Things to Do at Sequoia National Park
Table of Contents: Best Things to Do at Sequoia National Park
Planning an overnight visit to Sequoia National Park? The Montecito Lodge is a great spot right in the thick of things. Also check out these: Wuksachi Lodge, John Muir Lodge, Grant Grove Cabins
Things to Know Before Visiting Sequoia National Park
- Roads in Sequoia close all the time due to weather, particularly in the winter. Be sure to check the park website for the latest conditions.
- Fill up on gas before you get to the park. It’s a ways to the nearest pump once you’re in the thick of the park.
- Wear an eco-friendly sunscreen like this one. The high elevation means you can get sunburned easily, even on a cloudy day.
- Cell Service is spotty in the park so bring a map (here’s my favorite Sequoia Guidebook and map).
Best Things to Do in Sequoia National Park
1. See the General Sherman Tree (World’s Largest Tree)
No trip to Sequoia National Park is complete without a trip to see the largest tree in the world, the General Sherman Tree.
Will there be plenty of other tourists there? Yes, and why wouldn’t there be? Thanks to the National Park Service visitors are afforded the opportunity to lookup and ponder the existence of such a massive living being.
In the summer months the General Sherman Tree area is quite crowded and parking can be hard to come by, but in the fall and winter seasons (if the weather is cooperative) you’ll see fewer crowds and have the opportunity to explore the area without all the hustle and bustle.
Please be respectful and help others to be respectful of this area and the worlds largest tree. The General Sherman Tree along with the rest of the park are every Americans birthright and we need to do our part to make sure these giants continue to last for generations. So please stay on marked trails and always heed park signs and fences.
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2. Hike the Congress Trail
As you’re heading to the General Sherman Tree, you’ll see a wooden sign that says “Congress Trail.” This is a 2.7 mile round trip paved path through the Giant Forest and the rest of General Sherman’s Sequoia grove.
Hiking the Congress Trail is a family-friendly activity, as it brings visitors close to three of the five largest trees in the world within a relatively short distance from the General Sherman Tree. Other notable trees within the grove include the McKinley Tree, General Lee, and the President Tree.
An interesting fact about Sequoia trees is that for being such large trees, their roots are actually quite shallow. However, their roots spread with and intertwine with the other nearby Sequoias to form a sort of chain. This provides them with the stability they need to stay standing. Because their roots are so shallow, they’re considered very fragile. So while you’re exploring Congress Trail or any part of the park with Sequoias, it’s important to stay on the trail and protect their roots.
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3. See the Senate Trees
The Senate trees are part of the Congress Group (located on the Congress Trail), a spectacular collection of giant sequoias located within the park’s aptly-named Giant Forest area.
The Congress Group is divided into two main clusters known as the House and the Senate, with the Senate being particularly notable for its six giant, deep red-colored sequoias that grow very close together. These trees are among the oldest in the park, with some showing signs of fire damage but still standing tall.
4. Experience the Big Trees Trail
The Big Trees Trail is one of the most scenic and easy to access spots in Sequoia. The trail is a 0.7-mile loop that circles Round Meadow, much of it on a boardwalk, making it a manageable and enjoyable walk for people of all ages and abilities.
The far end of the trail is the most picturesque with some zig-zagging that allows for really beautiful photos and epic views of these gentle giants. Keep an eye out for wildflowers blooming in the meadow during spring and summer, adding a splash of color to the scene.
5. Ascend Moro Rock
As you drive into Sequoia National Park, Moro Rock looms overhead giving you a dramatic introduction to the park’s grandeur. The trail is only half a mile long but you might be huffing and puffing by the time you make it to the end. Getting to the top requires ascending 350 granite steps carved into the rock. The steps are steep and the path can be a bit narrow in places, but the view is well worth it.
Moro Rock has been a landmark for centuries. Its name comes from a blue roan mustang owned by a local rancher in the 1800s. Native American tribes also considered the rock sacred, believing it to be a place of spiritual power.
Parking can be tough, so I’d recommend getting there early or utilizing the free shuttle system that picks up at the Giant Forest Museum parking lot. Moro Rock is located off of the General’s Highway on the way up to General Sherman.
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Sequoia National Park
6. Drive Through Tunnel Log
For some reason people are obsessed with the idea of driving their car through one of these giant trees. Well, here’s your chance. This enormous Sequoia fell to the ground in 1937. Rather than trying to move it, workers from the CCC cut a hole in it big enough for a car to drive through.
The opening is 8 feet high and 14 feet wide – please for the love of god don’t attempt this if you’re cutting it close. It’s a national park not a funhouse. You will be recorded by onlookers and shamed online if you screw this up.
Tunnel Log is located along Crescent Meadow Road, just half a mile past Moro Rock. It’s typically accessible from May to late September.
7. Crystal Caves Tour
Taking a cave tour is probably one of the most unexpected things to do in Sequoia National Park. Tickets for the tour are only available for purchase at the visitor centers so don’t show up to the cave without a ticket. More information on visiting the cave and buying tickets here.
There are several different tours offered. One tour is a simple walking tour on a man-made path perfect for the whole family. The other tour requires crawling through tighter areas in the cave.
The cave is made out of marble and boasts incredible stalactites. It’s quite chilly inside compared to the ground above, so I’d recommend bringing some sort of a jacket. You’ll see the turn-off for this trail on your way up the General’s Highway. The turn-off is clearly marked with a sign that says “Crystal Cave Road.”
8. Visit the Giant Forest Museum
If you’re a history buff, one of the best things to do in Sequoia National Park is to make a stop at the Giant Forest Museum. Not only is it full of historical information, but the building itself is a historical landmark and was built in 1928.
Within the museum, you’ll learn all about how Sequoias were chopped down to be transported to the World’s Fair in 1876. The stump of the transported tree was named the Centennial Stump. You can still see it in the park. The stump is so wide, that people used to use it as a stage and dance floor.
The museum is located off of the General’s Highway and marked with a clear sign for the turn-off.
9. Venture Out to the Muir Grove
If seeing Sequoias without all of the crowds is on your list of things to do in Sequoia National Park, then this is the hike for you. It’s a 4 mile moderate hike with an elevation gain of 462 feet.
You’ll reach the Muir Grove towards the end of the hike and trust me, it’s an incredible thing to see.
The Muir Grove trail is accessed through the Dorst Campground. Depending on the time of year, the campground may be closed, which means you’d park outside of the campground and walk in. The hike is well worth it, but this does add about an additional 2 miles to the total of the hike.
10. See Tokopah Falls
Tokopah Falls is not on a lot of folks lists of things to do in Sequoia National Park because it’s doesn’t have the tall trees. Don’t let that stop you! This is considered a moderate 4 mile hike with an elevation gain of 639 feet. Really I’d consider the first 90% of the hike quite easy, but closer to the falls, the remaining 10% is fairly difficult.
This is one of the best things to do in Sequoia National Park during the spring and early summer months when the waterfalls are still flowing. It can be accessed through the Lodgepole Camp Ground. Due to the drought, the water almost comes to a stop once all of the snow runoff has melted. So while the hike is still beautiful, don’t expect a big waterfall in the fall or winter. Also, be sure to bring bug spray. The mosquitos can tend to run rampant on this trail in the spring and summer.
Top 15 Best Things to Do in Sequoia
11. Catch Sunset at Beetle Rock
If a beautiful sunset view is on your list of things to do in Sequoia National Park, then be sure to check out Beetle Rock. This granite dome offers an expansive view across the entire park. Personally, I like to get an early start and skip the crowds by watching the sunrise from up here.
Regardless of going for sunrise or sunset, bring a headlamp or flashlight for safety. It’s also a great mid-afternoon picnic spot. It’s located behind the Beetle Rock Educational Center.
12. Scale Alta Peak
This trail is for the experienced hiker looking for more challenging things to do in Sequoia National Park. It’s rated hard with a length of 14.9 miles with an elevation gain of 4064 feet. Many people choose to spread the hike out over two days and backpack along the way. This trail is accessed via the Wolverton parking lot.
The trail is exposed off and on throughout. The wildflowers along the way are beautiful if you time your trip right. Keep an eye out for marmots scurrying about through the rocks. They’re curious critters and always make for an interesting encounter.
With this hike, depending on the time of year, you may encounter snow. With the high elevation of the peak and temperature drop, snow can last well into the summer. Bring crampons and trekking poles just in case as well as clothing layers for the varying temperatures.
13. Hike the Little Baldy Trail
The Little Baldy Trail is a moderate 3.3 mile with a 739 foot elevation gain. It’s quite steep to the top, but the view is spectacular. If you’re a climber looking for things to do in Sequoia National Park, Little Baldy happens to be a popular climbing destination. It’s located off of the General’s Highway.
This area was impacted by the recent fires, but maintenance crews cleaned and restored the trail. I wouldn’t recommend this trail during any sort of rain as mudslides are very possible and dangerous.
Add this one to your list of things to do in Sequoia National Park if you’re looking for great views of the park.
14. See Hanging Rock
Arguably, the hanging rock trail is the less popular brother to Moro Rock. This half-mile hike is ranked as easy with an elevation gain of 111 feet.
You’ll actually have a fantastic view of Moro Rock’s granite dome from this vantage point. Similarly, this trail is also not for those with a fear of heights.
But I’d say this is one of my favorite underrated things to do in Sequoia National Park. Parking is limited because it actually shares the same lot as the Moro Rock trail.
15. Explore the Marble Falls Trail
If a day hike is on your list of things to do in Sequoia National Park, then be sure to check out the Marble Falls Trail. It’s a moderate 7.8 mile hike with a significant elevation gain of 1,499 feet. Access to the trail is found in the Potwisha Campground.
This trail has a lot of exposure, meaning a lot of areas without shade. Because of that, it’s best to start early in the morning. I’d also argue that hiking boots are necessary for this hike for traction purposes. There are some narrow parts on the trail and some steep edges, so you’ll want all the traction you can get. The area also has a lot of brush, so long pants are also recommended.
Overall though, the view of the falls is spectacular and the perfect place to sit in the shade and enjoy some lunch. Bring lots of water and sunscreen.
16. Stargazing
Sequoia offers incredible stargazing opportunities thanks to its high elevations. It can be a pretty incredible sight to look up and behold the milky way filtered through thousand-year-old giant trees.
The park also offers ranger led-stargazing opportunities that are always fun for the whole family. Be sure to check out he park website for more information on those.
17. Visit Kings Canyon National Park
There’s some confusion out there about whether Sequoia and Kings Canyon are separate national parks, they are. But they’re co-managed. So we’re throwing Kings Canyon on this list of things to do in Sequoia to make sure you get over to Sequoia’s sister park and do a little exploring if you have time.
Kings Canyon is spectacular in it’s own right with some of the best views of the Sierras found anywhere. The park has a number of great overlooks as well as some serious hiking trails for those looking to do some backcountry trips. Plus the second largest tree in the world is here, the General Grant.
Read On: 15 Epic Things to Do in Kings Canyon National Park
Map of Things to Do in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park has five distinct regions you should be aware of while planning your trip. Despite being relatively close to each other on the map, drive times between each of these regions can be significant.
The reason? There’s no road across the top of the mountain meaning you’ve got to drive around it which can take a long time.
FAQ – Sequoia National Park Fun Facts
The General Sherman Tree, Muir Grove, the Congress Trail, and Moro Rock.
The tallest Giant Sequoia is 316 feet tall which is taller than a 30 story building!
The General Sherman Tree is roughly 2,200 years old. This means it was sprouting out of the ground around 180 B.C.
According to Save The Redwoods, “Giant Sequoia grow so large because they live a very long time and grow quickly. To thrive, giant sequoia require a great amount of water, which they primarily receive from the Sierra snowpack that accumulates over the winter months and soaks into the ground when it melts.”
The best time to visit Sequoia National Park for most folks is August – October when temperatures are typically mild and crowds have thinned out. Beware of wildfires during this time though. I personally prefer the winter when the park is pure magic.
Summary of Things to Do in Sequoia National Park
- The General Sherman Tree
- Hike the Congress Trail
- See the Senate Trees
- Experience the Big Trees Trail
- Ascend Moro Rock
- Drive Through Tunnel Log
- Crystal Caves Tour
- Visit the Giant Forest Museum
- Venture Out to the Muir Grove
- See Tokopah Falls
- Catch Sunset at Beetle Rock
- Scale Alta Peak
- Hike the Little Baldy Trail
- See Hanging Rock
- Explore the Marble Falls Trail
- Stargazing
- Visit Kings Canyon National Park
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