Home to General Sherman, the world's largest tree by volume
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are administered together in the southern Sierra Nevada of California, covering a combined 1,353 square miles of ancient giant sequoias, deep glacier-carved canyons, and high-altitude granite peaks. The two parks share a boundary and are connected via the Generals Highway, which links the Giant Forest area of Sequoia with Grant Grove in Kings Canyon. Sequoia's primary draw is the Giant Forest, a 2,000-acre grove containing five of the ten largest trees on Earth by volume. General Sherman Tree — 274.9 feet tall with a base circumference of 102.6 feet — holds the record as the world's largest living organism by volume and is reached via a short paved trail from the Wolverton parking area. The Congress Trail, a 2.1-mile loop through the Giant Forest, passes multiple named sequoias including the President and Chief Sequoyah trees and provides the most thorough ground-level introduction to the grove. The Giant Forest Museum, housed in a historic building, provides context on sequoia ecology, fire cycles, and the trees' extraordinary resistance to disease and insects. Moro Rock, a granite dome at 6,725 feet, is accessible by a 300-step staircase from the road and delivers 360-degree views across the Great Western Divide and the San Joaquin Valley below. Crystal Cave, a marble cavern beneath the Giant Forest, is reachable by a half-mile descending trail and offers guided tours through stalactite and stalagmite formations from May through November. Kings Canyon on the park's north side contains Zumwalt Meadows, a flat valley floor walk beside the Kings River flanked by 8,000-foot granite walls — a setting often compared to Yosemite Valley with a fraction of the visitors. Cedar Grove, at the end of Canyon Road, is the deepest accessible point in the canyon and has a campground, lodge, and trailheads into the wilderness. Both parks are free of timed-entry restrictions, making them more spontaneous to visit than Yosemite, though campground reservations are strongly advisable from May through September.
Good to know
- Best time
- May-October
Highlights
- General Sherman Tree — world's largest living organism by volume at 274.9 feet tall, accessible via a short paved trail from Wolverton lot
- Giant Forest with five of the ten largest trees on Earth, connected by the 2.1-mile Congress Trail loop
- Moro Rock granite dome with a 300-step staircase ascent and 360-degree Sierra Nevada panoramas
- Zumwalt Meadows in Kings Canyon — a flat valley walk beside the Kings River flanked by 8,000-foot granite walls
- Crystal Cave marble cavern with guided stalactite and stalagmite tours from May through November
Tips for visiting
- The General Sherman Tree parking area fills by 9 a.m. in summer; overflow visitors take a shuttle from Wuksachi Lodge — plan accordingly.
- Book Crystal Cave tours in advance through recreation.gov; they sell out during peak summer weekends and the cave cannot be viewed from outside.
- The Generals Highway between Lodgepole and Grant Grove is narrow with sharp curves and is closed to vehicles over 22 feet in length.
- Visit in late September or October for sequoia cones on the ground, golden autumn light, and significantly reduced crowds compared to midsummer.
- Cedar Grove Road in Kings Canyon closes for winter, typically from mid-November through mid-April; check current conditions before planning a canyon visit.
- Carry food in hard-sided bear canisters or use the bear boxes at campgrounds — black bears are active throughout both parks year-round.
When to visit
Late May through early July offers snow-free access to most roads and moderate crowds. Late September through mid-October brings autumn light, fallen sequoia cones, and significantly lighter visitor numbers than the peak summer period.
Accessibility
The General Sherman Tree trail from the Wolverton parking area is paved and accessible to most mobility-aid users, though it involves a moderate downhill gradient. The Giant Forest Museum is fully accessible. Moro Rock's staircase is not wheelchair accessible. Cedar Grove Road has accessible restroom facilities near the river level.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to see General Sherman and the Giant Forest?
The paved trail to General Sherman is a half-mile round trip from the Wolverton lot. Adding the full Congress Trail loop extends the walk to about 2.5 miles and takes two to three hours. A full day allows time for Moro Rock and the Giant Forest Museum as well.
What is the difference between Sequoia and Kings Canyon?
Sequoia contains the Giant Forest and General Sherman Tree. Kings Canyon offers a deep river canyon with Zumwalt Meadows and Cedar Grove. Both are covered by the same entrance fee and are best explored together over two to three days.
Is Sequoia and Kings Canyon suitable for families?
Yes. The trail to General Sherman is paved and moderately graded, suitable for older children. The Giant Forest Museum has interactive exhibits for younger visitors. Moro Rock's 300-step staircase suits active children over six.