Top 3 Destinations to Visit in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is a magical place that’s home to some of the world’s largest and oldest trees on earth.
Ready to feel like an ant but in the best possible way?
With ginormous rocks to hike, trails to explore, and plenty of wildlife, it’s one of the few places that I would travel back to in a heartbeat.
It’s an exciting, beautiful and spiritual adventure.
Giant Redwoods and Giant Sequoia’s engulf your surroundings as you wander through the forest amongst these subtle giants.
So find your hiking boots, pack some snacks, and let’s talk about the most epic things you must do when visiting Sequoia National Park.
First things first, getting there.
More commonly visited during the summer months, I chose to venture here mid-April on a solo day trip.
With only 6 hours to explore, I found it to be less crowded than the usual wave of sight-seers, campers and hikers.
Upon entering the park, you’ll receive a paper map to carry with you at all times. This is exceptionally important as there is limited phone service in the park. Full sized map boards also exist throughout the park.
Day admission goes as follows (as of 2024) …
- $35 per vehicle
- $30 per motorcycle
- $20 per individual entry on foot or bicycle
- $15 per person for non-commercial group
Once past the entrance, continue driving up the steep windy roads.
You’ll soon notice a gigantic rock hovering over a valley. This is Moro Rock and is one of my favorite places inside the park, but I’ll touch on that later.
Tunnel Rock is the first landmark you can stop at, located about 1.5 miles past the Visitor Center.
It’s a balancing tunnel made of granite slabs.
You can pull over to the side of the road and walk through the balancing tunnel or just to stretch your legs and take a breather – the altitude will begin to rise swiftly once you get back on the windy road.
I didn’t find this landmark particularly exciting but I do think it’s worth mentioning as there are also lookout points along the road facing Moro Rock.
Not long after Tunnel Rock, you will pass by Hospital Rock – a large quartzite rock that’s covered in Native American pictographs.
Unfortunately, I didn’t stop here but considered it as a possible pit-stop if needed during the windy route up.
As you meander up the mountain and increase your elevation, you’ll start to notice the trees getting bigger and bigger, and the colors getting greener and greener.
Which leads me to my first suggestion for what to do in Sequoia National Park…
#1 Hike with the Giant Sequoia’s
Giant Sequoia trees inhabit almost every hiking trail and campground within the park.
These thousand-year-old trees grow at around 5,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation, which is why they are so abundant within the California Sierra Mountain range region.
Some of the most beautiful hiking trails to see Giant Sequoia’s are listed below:
I chose to take the Moro Rock Trail.
There were only a few hikers around me as I meandered through the forest, so it was a true getaway by definition (and at no point did I feel unsafe or unprepared).
A few items that I brought with me included a light backpack, hat, water bottle, snacks and camera.
Don’t be afraid to take any side trails as you move along the path.
Sometimes you come across hidden Sequoia’s that are not always seen from the trail.
I was able to come across some of the most interesting and astonishing Sequoia’s; some were split in two and some allowed you to walk right through them!
But wherever you go, the smell of fresh pine, bark and clean air surround you.
About 1.5 miles later, I found a road that led straight to a parking lot, with a large granite stairway heading straight to the sky.
Which leads me to my second suggested activity to do inside Sequoia National Park…
#2 Take the Stairs Up Moro Rock
Moro Rock is a giant granite dome with a carved stairway that leads you straight to the top (6,725 ft. in elevation).
The right hand side overlooks a large portion of the park and on the left you can see the Great Western Divide mountain range.
This is also the rock you might have seen while making your way up from the park entrance (Three Rivers entrance).
This “hike” is considered more like a walk, as it is only about 400 steps total.
Try to stop at the various lookout points and enjoy the mountain range views and valleys below. The air is thin up here so heavy breathing will definitely be a side effect!
The trek goes by quickly and sometimes can be a bit crowded depending on the time of year.
Enjoy every second you have, as this is easily one of the most stunning experiences inside the park.
Pictured above is only a small glimpse of the beauty you’ll witness going up Moro Rock.
And below is a video from my recent trip in April. Notice the comments… a few people had a strong fear of heights! Keep that in mind if you’re in a similar boat.
@ashleykchristian Making my way up Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park #Sequoia #mororock ♬ Somewhere Only We Know - Gustixa
Next up, a quiet walk back into the trees again.
#3 Visit the Largest Tree in the World
The world’s largest tree by volume, General Sherman Tree, resides here in Sequoia National Park, California.
At about 275 ft. tall, its giant structure is something nobody should miss seeing!
Being one of the most popular sights to see within the park, I have some suggestions and insights on how to maximize your visit.
In order to get there, turn onto Wolverton Road and enter into a large parking lot.
To skip the crowds, arrive earlier in the morning if traveling during the summer. You should be okay to visit anytime throughout the day if visiting during the Spring or Fall season.
Once parked, there is a clean paved pathway that leads you down into the grove and makes a 1.2 miles loop, with signs leading you in the right direction.
Those with a disability or wheel chair have access to an accessible route as well.
You may notice some of the trees in this area are black, charred or burned.
The Sequoia region often experiences wildfires, and while General Sherman is constantly being protected during California fire season, it is always under threat from the dryness of California’s air and forest fire threat.
Unfortunately this means that many trees in the surrounding areas have experienced threats and damage from wildfires.
Nonetheless, this section of the park includes hundreds of Giant Sequoia’s and paved pathways to explore these mystical trees on our globe. An amazing experience that you might never never get enough of.
How to See General Sherman Tree, the Largest Tree in the World
Is there anything more astonishing in this world than standing below a 2,000-year-old Giant Sequoia? General Sherman is located in Sequoia National Park, CA, and is one of the larg
Consider bringing with you…
Durable Hiking Shoes: Wear comfortable, dirt-friendly hiking shoes to safety walk in this terrain. Sneakers are okay if you choose to stay on the paved trails.
My favorite and most durable hiking shoes are these Merrell Women’s Moab Hiking Shoe, and are less than $100.
Water Bottle: A large water bottle with a handle to easily carry around is important.
Metal water bottles are great for keeping your water cold for long periods of time but they can be too bulky and heavy for hiking. I recommend Nalgene Sustainable water bottles for hiking.
Face Moisturizer with Sunscreen: The air is thin and your face can easily get burned and dry without any skin care support. A 2-in-1 with this Coola sunscreen provides UV face protection as well as moisture to the skin.
Small Backpack: A light backpack, or sackpack, is a great way to just carry the essentials with you.
As a result, you don’t have to lug around extra weight, and these bags are perfect for holding whatever items you need on your hike.
Comfortable Leggings: Comfortable, high quality leggings are great to take on any adventure in your future.
Seeing these incredibly sturdy and powerful trees, rocks, and mountains was a humbling experience that I wasn’t expecting to feel before visiting Sequoia National Park.
And I can’t wait until I get to go back again.
It’s an experience I hope you all have the privilege of enjoying one day.
Please share your favorite destination inside Sequoia National Park! I would love to learn about your experience or favorite places to explore.
*This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission of the links if items are purchased.
ashleykatechristian
Whatever you have always dreamed of doing, I want to help you get there.
Leave a Reply