Near Fresno, California, in the southern part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, lies a national park full of gorgeous, gigantic trees. Established in the late 1800s, Sequoia National Park is the second official national park in the United States, consistently rated among the best-loved parks in the world. It is a perfect spot for those interested in experiencing the great outdoors.

There are a lot of things to do at Sequoia National Park, like hiking, exploring caves, and standing face-to-face with the General Sherman tree. Visitors can get a healthy dose of fresh air while seeing some of Earth’s most magnificent trees. A trip to Sequoia National Park is a terrific destination for nature-lovers of all ages!

Hiking Trails

Interesting in hiking? Sequoia National Park features several hundred miles of interesting trails, ranging from the easiest trails suitable for beginners to more challenging treks best reserved for experienced hikers.

Travelers can admire fantastic waterfalls, beautiful scenic overlooks, and, of course, gigantic Sequoia trees.

Moro Rock Trail

Check out the Moro Rock Trail, which is an easy half-mile walk perfect for families with children. Featuring a rocky staircase up to outstanding, panoramic views, this trail is a great chance to see the beautiful park from above.

General Sherman Tree Trail

The General Sherman Tree Trail is another comfortable trail, lasting approximately one mile. On this trail, hikers can see a great assortment of Sequoia trees, as well as the famous General Sherman tree.

Tokopah Valley Trail

The Tokopah Valley Trail, is a longer, slightly more difficult four miles, but it offers visitors the chance to see Tokpah Falls- peaceful, serene waterfalls against a backdrop of rocky cliffs and boulders.

Marble Falls Trail

The Marble Falls Trail clocks in at a full seven miles, but it is still worth looking into, as hiking longer tails can give guests the best chance at seeing some awesome sights! Marble Falls features more gorgeous waterfalls, small natural swimming pools, and pockets of tree-sheltered shade.

The Congress Trail

If guests are interested in seeing the General Sherman Tree, the Congress Trail, which starts and ends near the famous tree, is an easy-going, flat walking path which curves in a two-mile loop. It’s perfect for those who want to see the tree in all its glory and also get in a small bit of exercise, while also getting fabulous views of the Giant Forest itself.

Regardless, all of these trails offer spectacular views and fantastic opportunities for that next great Instagram post.

  • Note: Bring a physical map, as cell service is not reliable.

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The Various Attractive Places to Visit

Whether visitors utilize the various trails to walk to these places or simply drive, the General Sherman Tree and Crystal Cave are unmissable destinations at Sequoia National Park!

General Sherman Tree

Do not miss the General Sherman tree! At 275 feet tall and over two thousand years old, this behemoth is the largest known living tree on the planet. Named after the American Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman, the General Sherman Tree has survived storms, wars, and earthquakes. When it first sprouted, the very first Olympic games were taking place, as well as the first use of metallic money and cast iron artifacts. This tree certainly has seen a lot, making it one of the must-see destinations not only in the state of California but in the entire world!

Don’t forget to stop by the Giant Forest Museum, which will educate guests on the area’s natural and cultural history. There are many trails beginning at the museum for travelers to look into, as well as pamphlets, brochures, and friendly staff to help out with any questions.

Crystal Cave

Located on Crystal Cave Road near the Giant Forest, Crystal Cave is an exciting and stimulating adventure. Cave experts guide guests along the half-mile path, where visitors can learn about stalagmites and stalactites and the various colorful mineral deposits.

  • Duration: 50 minutes
  • Cost: $16 for adults, $8 for children aged 5-12, $5 for children under 5, $15 for seniors (65 and older)
  • Note: Tickets cannot be purchased in person; reservations must be secured ahead of time (usually two to three months in advance).

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Scheduling And Fees For Tours

There are two different tours available- the family tour, and the “wild cave tour”. Both tours offer a different experience and come with different price points.

Family Tour: This tour is very easy and accessible for all ages, lasting for roughly an hour.

  • Cost: $17 for adults, $9 for children, $6 for younger children (aged 4 and younger)

Wild Cave Tour: This tour allows cave enthusiasts to actually crawl into tighter, off-the-trail spots not included on the basic tour. It is led by professionals.

  • Cost: $50 for all guests

Tour Schedule:

  • 10:00 am until 4:00 pm
  • Every day of the week except for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
  • Note: Bring a sweater or jacket. Temperatures within the cave can reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit and below!

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

Otherwise known as Highway 180, Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is the best chance travelers in cars can get to see one of the deepest canyons in the United States. From the comfort of a vehicle, guests can take the winding, fifty-mile road and enjoy all the sights of the park from high above. Prepare to reserve at least two hours of time for this gorgeous drive, and an extra hour for all the amazing photo opportunities!

General Information

  • The park is open all day, every day of the year.
  • It is $35 for one day of parking, and a pass for visitors without a car is $20.
  • On certain holidays, the park admission is free!
  • Always pack water and plenty of snacks.
  • Be careful when swimming, as the waters can be rough in some places.
  • Watch out for black bears! While they are not typically aggressive, always keep a respectful distance and hide away any food while camping.
  • Take a look at the park’s website for more information on safety, potential park closures, and other important information before visiting.

Open every single day of the year, Sequoia National Park features so many splendid sights and sounds. Wilderness lovers will have blast hiking the trails, vising Crystal Cave, driving Kings Canyon Byway, and seeing the glorious Sequoia trees of California’s Sequoia National Park. It is always wonderful when a park can combine stunning natural landscapes with intriguing historical sights, like the General Sherman Tree. Sequoia National Park should be on every nature enthusiast’s bucket list!

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