Best Things to See and Do in Sequoia National Park ⋆ Middle Journey

If you’re a tree lover like me, Sequoia National Park is one of the most surreal landscapes to visit in the United States. It’s one of those rare places that makes you feel like you’re living in a fever dream. The trees are just SO BIG.

Found in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, the park protects some of the world’s oldest and largest living things. Many of the giant Sequoias standing today were already centuries old before the Roman Empire existed. Try to wrap your mind around that fact. Impossible.

a woman looks tiny inside a caved out part of a giant tree while a man in the distance takes a photo — People next to a Giant Sequoia tree. Photos by Rene Cizio

Whether you want scenic hikes, iconic landmarks, wildlife or massive trees that completely distort your sense of what a tree is, Sequoia National Park delivers.

Fascinating Facts About Giant Sequoias

Giant sequoias are among the most resilient living organisms on Earth. These ancient trees have survived wildfires, mountain winters, droughts, insects and thousands of years of environmental change (mostly).

A grove of giant trees as seen from ground looking up — The views in Sequoia National Park. Photos by Rene Cizio

Some giant sequoias were already ancient when the pyramids of Egypt were being built! Many trees in Sequoia National Park are between 2,000 and 3,000 years old, making them some of the oldest living creatures on Earth.

I mentioned wildfires, but not all fire is bad. One of the most surprising facts about giant sequoias is that they depend on fire to thrive. Their bark can grow up to 3 feet thick and contains very little resin, making them highly fire-resistant. Low-intensity fires clear away smaller competing trees and brush while also opening sequoia cones so seeds can fall onto the soil.

woman is dwarfed inside the burned part of a giant tree — Rene inside the burned part of a giant Sequoia.

Fun facts:

A giant sequoia cone can remain green on a tree for 20 years before releasing seeds. The seeds of giant sequoias are only the size of an oat flake, but a single cone can hold around 200 seeds.
The bark of a giant sequoia is spongy and deeply grooved. It acts like natural insulation against fire, insects, disease and extreme weather.
Even trees with massive burn scars and hollow centers can continue living for centuries.
Sequoias grow massive but not deep: Despite their enormous size, giant sequoias have shallow root systems. Their roots rarely go deeper than 12 to 14 feet underground. The roots spread widely and intertwine with neighboring trees for stability.
Giant Sequoias need a specific environment: They only grow on the western slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, where elevation is between 4,000 and 8,000 feet.
They are the largest trees on Earth by volume. Coastal redwoods are generally taller, but giant sequoias are wider and heavier.
The General Sherman Tree is considered the largest tree on Earth by volume. It’s about 275 feet tall and contains about 52,500 cubic feet of wood.

The History of Giant Sequoias

It’s difficult to imagine (or maybe not), but these magnificent creatures have been logged nearly to extinction. Imagine facing the oldest, grandest living thing known to humankind and saying, “Wow, that’s amazing, let’s kill it for money.” Ironically, sequoia wood proved brittle and poor for construction. Much of the timber was wasted.

Huge gnarled roots of a massive tree reach for the viewer — Gnarly Sequoia. Photos by Rene Cizio

In the 1800s, entire groves were decimated, so today giant Sequoias grow only in about 70–80 groves along a narrow 260-mile stretch. Public outrage over the destruction helped inspire conservation efforts and contributed to protecting the trees through the national park system.

Things to Do in Sequoia National Park

Driving and hiking are two main things to do in the park.

Drive Through Tunnel Log: One of the most famous attractions in the park is the Tunnel Log. It’s a fallen sequoia that was carved into a tunnel after it collapsed across Crescent Meadow Road in 1937. You can drive directly through the massive trunk if it’s open. Crescent Meadow Road closes on weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. until late afternoon. During that time, you can only take the park’s free Sequoia Shuttle. Needless to say, I skipped it. There are several other tunnel trees throughout the park that you can walk through.

A hiking trail in a forest with a giant tree blocking the path, but a tunnel has been carved through the tree. — One of many trees with tunnels carved through. Photos by Rene Cizio

Explore Crystal Cave

Hidden among the mountains is a marble cavern filled with twisting tunnels, polished stone walls, stalactites, and underground streams.

The cave was discovered in 1918, and guided tours take visitors deep underground into chambers shaped by water over millions of years. Crystal Cave is only open from May 22 through November 1, so check before you take the steep half-mile hike down into the canyon to the entrance. Tickets must be booked in advance online through the Sequoia Parks Conservancy Crystal Cave Booking.

Spot a Black Bear

Sequoia National Park is home to hundreds of black bears. Sightings are common, especially in meadows, forests, and near rivers during summer and fall. Seeing one in the wild is one of the most memorable experiences in the park. I saw a momma bear with her cub! Check out the video. When spotting wildlife, always keep a safe distance of at least 50 yards!

See video of a mama and baby black bears walking through Sequoia National Park.

Climb Moro Rock

Moro Rock is a massive granite dome with a 350-step concrete-and-stone stairway, built in the 1930s directly into the rock. The short but steep climb (elevation 6,725 feet) leads to one of the best panoramic views in California. From the summit, you can see layers of Sierra Nevada peaks stretching across the horizon while giant sequoia forests spread below.

Scenic Drives Through the Giant Forest

Driving through the Giant Forest is an experience in itself. Massive sequoias tower above the road while winding mountain routes reveal dramatic cliffs, rivers and forest overlooks.

Famous Trees and Landmarks

General Sherman Tree: This is the largest tree on Earth by volume and the most famous landmark in Sequoia National Park. It stands nearly 275 feet tall with a base diameter wider than many city streets. The tree is estimated to be between 2,000 and 2,700 years old and weighs about 1,400 tons. Seeing General Sherman in person completely changes your understanding of well, everything.

A huge tree stands like a giant among other giant trees under a blue sky — General Sherman stands tall in Sequoia National Park. Photos by Rene Cizio

The Sentinel: Is another impressive giant sequoia in the Giant Forest area. Its towering trunk and immense height make it one of the most striking trees in the park. Walking among these giants feels almost prehistoric.

A huge Sequoia tree under a blue cloudy sky — The Sentinel Tree. Photos by Rene Cizio

The Senate and House Groups: Along the Congress Trail, clusters of giant sequoias are grouped together and named after political bodies like the Senate and House. Many are also named after presidents and famous politicians.

Tunnel Rock

Near the Ash Mountain entrance, Tunnel Rock forms a natural gateway into the park. This enormous granite boulder became wedged above the roadway, allowing visitors to drive beneath it. Today, however, the road routes around it.

A massive rock balanced over another rock. It's so large cars can drive underneath it. — Tunnel Rock. Photos by Rene Cizio

Crescent Meadow

Often called the “Gem of the Sierra,” Crescent Meadow combines peaceful grasslands with towering sequoias surrounding the edges of the valley. John Muir famously described this area as one of the most beautiful spots in the Sierra Nevada.

Best Hiking Trails in Sequoia National Park

Congress Trail: Distance: 2 to 3 miles, depending on route

This is one of the best hikes in the park for seeing giant sequoias up close. The paved trail loops through the Giant Forest and passes famous tree clusters like the Senate and House Groups. It is an easy hike with some of the park’s most impressive scenery.

Gnarled tree roots upended from a felled tree. — Tree roots – look how shallow they are! Photos by Rene Cizio

Moro Rock Trail: Distance: Short staircase climb

Although short, this trail climbs hundreds of stone steps carved into the granite dome of Moro Rock. The panoramic views at the top are among the best in Sequoia National Park.

Tokopah Falls Trail: Distance: About 4 miles round trip

This scenic trail follows the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River through granite canyon scenery before reaching Tokopah Falls, a dramatic waterfall cascading down steep cliffs. Spring and early summer offer the strongest water flow.

A giant pinecone bigger than two human hands. — A giant cone. Photos by Rene Cizio

Big Trees Trail: Distance: 1 mile loop

Perfect for an easy walk, this trail circles a peaceful meadow surrounded by giant sequoias. Informational signs along the route explain the forest’s ecology and history.

Crescent Meadow Loop: Distance: Variable loop options

This quieter area combines forest trails, meadows, and giant trees while offering a more peaceful atmosphere than the crowded General Sherman area.

Why Sequoia National Park Feels So Unique

Sequoia National Park is not just about seeing large trees. It’s about perspective. The park makes you feel small in the best possible way. A fallen tree becomes a tunnel, granite domes rise above endless forests. Living organisms older than most civilizations tower watchfully overhead.