On September 25, 1890, President Benjamin Harrison signed legislation establishing America's second national park. Created to protect the giant sequoia trees from logging, Sequoia National Park was the first national park formed to protect a living organism: Sequoiadendron giganteum. One week later, General Grant National Park was created and Sequoia was enlarged.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' elevation gradient of over 13,000 feet (nearly 4,000 m) from the Sierra Nevada foothills to the high peaks provides a landscape of varied habitats for plants, animals, and other organisms. These parks are both recognized as International Biosphere Reserves for their important role in conserving biodiversity (a rich assemblage of organisms).

Save time at the entrance station by purchasing your pass in advance. They also gladly sell passes at the entrances.

Sale of annual passes are available online. Fee structure for all passes can be found below: https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/72471

Be sure to check Current Conditions before heading out!

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Spring (March to June):

A stunning time to visit. Wildlife becomes more active during spring in Sequoia. It can still be quite cold at night and some groves may still have snow. Most campgrounds open up in May.

Summer (Late June to Sept): Campgrounds are open and this is the busier time of year up in the park! Gorgeous hiking + many activities are available.

Fall (Sept to Nov): Leaves change color and temperatures get cooler, there is a crispness in the air. Many of the campgrounds close in late September/early October, so please take note of that.

Winter (November to April):

Peace & quiet. Campgrounds may be shut down, but the park is still open during winter in Sequoia! Hiking in the foothills, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are popular activities in the winter. There are far fewer visitors in the winter and solitude is abundant. Wildflowers begin to bloom in the foothills as early as January.

-Megan Starr Journal

General Sherman Tree: the largest living tree by volume on Earth. This amazing tree has a circumference of 102 feet and is 275 feet tall. There is a half-mile trail down to the tree from a parking area.

The Big Trees Trail (.75 mi/1 km): circles Round Meadow and has a series of informative panels along the trail that describes sequoia ecology. The trail is paved and handicap accessible.

Moro Rock: a popular lookout-point, which you can reach via a steep 300-foot stairway. At the top, you will have a fantastic view of the western half of the park and the Great Western Divide.

Tokopah Falls: an impressive 1,200-foot high waterfall over granite cliffs. The trail is an easy 1.7 mi/2.7 km walk along the Marble fork of the Kaweah River.

Alternative Hiking:

Grant Grove: This area has several trails among the sequoias that give you the possibility to get an up-close look at these giant trees. There are meadows, creeks, and mixed conifer and sequoia forests in this area. Buena Vista Peak gives a 360 view of the trees in Redwood Canyon, Buck Rock Fire Tower, and the high Sierra. Redwood Canyon is the largest of sequoia groves and has sixteen miles of trails to explore.

Cedar Grove: There are meadows, rivers, bridges, wooded areas, and waterfalls in this area. Don Cecil Trail leads to views of Monarch Divide and a shady glen on Sheep Creek. If you’re looking for an all-day hike, Lookout Peak is a 13-mile round-trip hike that climbs 4,000 feet to an incredible panoramic view of the park. Mist Falls trail leads to one of the largest waterfalls in the park through the forest and past other smaller waterfalls.