Sequoia National Forest Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of California, Sequoia National Forest is a breathtaking natural wonderland that offers a unique and unforgettable experience for all who visit. Home to towering sequoia trees, rugged mountains, and pristine lakes, this national forest is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

One of the main attractions of Sequoia National Forest is the awe-inspiring giant sequoia trees. These ancient giants, some of which are over 3,000 years old, tower above visitors, creating a sense of wonder and humility. The General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth by volume, is a must-see for anyone who visits the forest. Its massive size is truly a sight to behold and will leave you in awe of the power and beauty of nature.

In addition to the sequoia trees, Sequoia National Forest offers a plethora of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. Hiking trails wind through the forest, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a casual nature enthusiast, there is a trail for you. For a more adventurous experience, rock climbing and bouldering are popular activities in the forest, with granite cliffs providing an exhilarating challenge.

For those who prefer to take in the beauty of the forest from the comfort of their car, the scenic drives in Sequoia National Forest are not to be missed. The Generals Highway, which winds through the forest, offers breathtaking vistas and access to some of the park's most iconic landmarks. From the Tunnel Log, a fallen tree that cars can drive through, to the stunning vistas of Moro Rock, these drives provide a unique and unforgettable way to experience the beauty of this natural wonderland.

As the day draws to a close, visitors can relax and unwind in one of the forest's many campgrounds. Falling asleep under a canopy of stars, surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature, is a truly magical experience. Whether you prefer a rustic campsite or a more luxurious cabin, there are accommodations to suit every preference.

Alternative names: Established: 1908 (116 years ago)Elevation: 6555 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 36°4'51"N, 118°30'14"W

Location

CaliforniaUnited States

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Sequoia National Forest Top Attractions

Sequoia National Forest Attractions - What to See and Explore

Sequoia National Forest offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Lake Isabella, The Needles, Mountain Home Grove, Sirretta Peak. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Lake Isabella
Lake Isabella also called Isabella Lake, is a reservoir in Kern County, California, United States created by the earthen Isabella Dam. It was formed in 1953 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dammed the Kern River at the junction of its two forks at Whiskey Flat. At 11,000 acres, it is one of the larger reservoirs in California.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
The Needles
The Needles are a series of massive granite rock formations rising up from the North Fork of the Kern River near its junction with the Little Kern River.
Nature • Forest
Mountain Home Grove
Mountain Home Grove is a grove of giant sequoia trees located in the southern part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, and includes some of the largest trees in the world.

Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Sirretta Peak
Sirretta Peak is a mountain located in the southern Sierra Nevada in California. It rises to an elevation of 9,982 feet north of Highway 178 and Lake Isabella. The high elevation means that most of the precipitation the mountain receives is snow.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Brown Peak
Brown Peak is a peak located in Kern County, California. The peak is located on King Solomons Ridge at the head of Haight Canyon, 2.1 miles southwest of Liebel Peak and 12.5 miles north of Loraine, California in Sequoia National Forest.
Park
Giant Sequoia National Monument
The Giant Sequoia National Monument is a 328,000-acre U.S. National Monument located in the southern Sierra Nevada in eastern central California. It is administered by the U.S.
Nature • Natural attraction • Forest
Belknap Complex
The Belknap Complex, sometimes referred to as Belknap Grove, is a complex of three giant sequoia groves located in the Tule River watershed of Giant Sequoia National Monument, just south of Camp Nelson, California.
Tree
Stagg Tree
The Stagg Tree, officially the Amos Alonzo Stagg Tree and formerly known as the Day Tree, is a giant sequoia in Alder Creek Grove in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. It is the fifth largest tree in the world and the tallest giant sequoia south of Lincoln in Sequoia National Park.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Sentinel Peak
Sentinel Peak is located near Johnsondale, California. It is a popular with Boy Scouts visiting Camp Whitsett, with several hundred scouts hiking the mountain each week in the summer. It is in Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest.
Tree
Adam Tree
The Adam Tree is a giant sequoia located in Mountain Home Grove, a sequoia grove in Giant Sequoia National Monument in the Sierra Nevada of California.
Tree
Hollow Log
The Hollow Log of Balch Park is the naturally hollowed out log of a fallen Giant Sequoia tree. It is also one of the best known features of the Mountain Home Grove, a stand of Giant Sequoia trees that surrounds Balch Park in Tulare County, California.
Tree
Hercules Tree
The Hercules Tree in the Mountain Home Grove of California is a living giant sequoia tree that has a room carved into the center of it. It is also known as the "Room Tree".
Nature • Natural attraction • Natural feature
Greenhorn Mountains
The Greenhorn Mountains are a mountain range of the Southern Sierra Nevada, in California. They are protected within the Sequoia National Forest.
Tree
Genesis Tree
The Genesis Tree is a giant sequoia that is the seventh largest tree in the world. It is located within the Mountain Home Grove, a giant sequoia grove located in Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest in the Sierra Nevada of eastern California.
Tree
Methuselah
The Methuselah Tree is a giant sequoia located in Mountain Home State Forest, a sequoia grove located in Sequoia National Forest in the Sierra Nevada in eastern California. It is the 28th largest giant sequoia in the world, and could be considered the 27th largest depending on how badly Ishi Giant atrophied during the Rough Fire in 2015.
Mountain pass • Nature
Sherman Pass
Sherman Pass is a mountain pass in California on the Kern Plateau in the Sequoia National Forest near the southern tip of the Sierra Nevada.

Day trips

Sequoia National Forest – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Sequoia National Forest, it's worth seeing attractions such as: General Sherman Tree (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks), Moro Rock (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks), Giant Forest Museum (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks).

37 milesN
Sequoia National Park’s main attraction
General Sherman Tree, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
The General Sherman Tree is a natural marvel that stands proudly within the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the United States. Known as a giant sequoia, this colossal tree is not just any sequoia—it is renowned for being the largest tree on Earth by volume.
35 milesNW
Natural attraction, Geologic formation, Hiking trail
Moro Rock, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Moro Rock, a striking granite dome, stands proudly within the heart of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the United States. This colossal rock formation is not just a geographical wonder but also a popular destination for tourists seeking panoramic views of...
37 milesNW
Village, Visitor center, Museum
Giant Forest Museum, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
The Giant Forest Village–Camp Kaweah Historic District is located in Sequoia National Park. It is notable as one of two registered historic districts in the park that were largely demolished as part of National Park Service efforts to mitigate the impact of park visitor facilities on the park's giant sequoia groves.
36 milesN
Hiking trail, Outdoor activities, Park
East Face, Mount Whitney
The East Face of Mount Whitney is a technical alpine rock climbing route and is featured in Fifty Classic Climbs of North America. Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the contiguous United States.
37 milesNW
Tree
Sentinel Tree, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Sentinel is a giant sequoia located within the Giant Forest Grove of Sequoia National Park, California.