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and Sequoia National park Basic Information Our guests come from all over the world to visit the National Park, home to the world's largest living wonder.
The Sequoia National Park offers many points of interest and exploration such as the Giant Forest Museum. Visitors can learn the history of the beautiful Sequoia National Park. Other points of interest include the Crystal Cave, Crescent Meadow, Moro Rock, Mineral King and Hospital Rock.
The Lake Kaweah is located within minutes to the cabins.

Sequoia National park Information on :
Free Public WiFi , Operating Hours, Road Conditions, Entrance Fee, Weather. Pets, Fishing permit, Directions, Shuttle Services, Hiking adventure, Places to Go, What to See, Things to Do, Play in the Snow, Winter Driving and Snow Chains, Park Newspaper,
And The park "Trip Planner",
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Welcome to Three Rivers /Sequoia National Park
Photo opportunity with a giant huggable bear!
Kaweah General Store (1/4th of a mile down the road)
Established in 1957, this mountain store offers essential groceries, camping & fishing gear, and even rents snow chains. They have a unique twist
- an 8-foot rattlesnake on display and a photo opportunity with a giant huggable bear!
There are museums and the oldest post office located short distance.
Spring flowers covering the foot hills of the Sierra Nevada
Sunset in Three Rivers
View of the mountain panorama in Three Rivers (snow-covered mountain peaks during the winter season)
Sequoia National park Information :
*Free Public WiFi is available.
WiFi is offered by the park at two visitor centers: Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village, and Foothills Visitor Center near the Sequoia park entrance. No password is needed. Cell service varies in the park but is very limited. AT&T service is available near the Sequoia Park entrance. Verizon service is available in the Grant Grove and Lodgepole areas. Service is occasionally available in other areas, depending on conditions.
*Operating Hours & Seasons
Even though we are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, seasons and weather conditions impact the availability of some features and facilities.
Occasionally, winter storms will close roads leading into the parks until they can be plowed or repaired.
Seeing these parks involves going up in elevation. Sequoias grow about one mile higher in elevation than the orchards of the San Joaquin Valley. Weather varies from low to high elevation. Snow may close the Generals Highway between the parks while flowers bloom in the foothills. Some roads open only in summer and fall, and some have limitations on the length of vehicles permitted. Check what's open before you come, and be prepared for changing conditions and availability of facilities due to weather or other circumstances.
*Road Conditions - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
Phone #
Five Five Nine - Five Six Five -3341
(press 1, then 1).
Scroll down for road conditions or use the following links to jump to the conditions you are interested in:
General Highway
Highway 180
Sequoia National Park Roads
Kings Canyon National Park Roads
Other Roads near the parks, including those in Sequoia National Forest
No reservation is required to enter Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
*Entrance Fee (Standard Entrance Pass)
Private Vehicle $35
You can Purchase Entrance Passes Before You Arrive or at entrance gate.
Entrance passes can be purchased online, in advance of your trip. Buy online and save time at the entrance gate!
*Weather
Because of the extreme elevation range in the parks, weather conditions vary widely between areas. In summer, the sequoia groves have comfortable temperatures and the foothills are hot and dry. Snow lingers on high-mountain passes well into summer. In fall, conditions can range from summer-like to winter-like. Winter brings snow to sequoia groves and rain to the foothills. Be prepared for tire chain requirements. Spring is a great time to hike in the foothills and snow begins to melt at higher elevations.
*Chains may be required on some roads further inside the park (approximately 6 miles upwards).
Chain Rentals:
• Chain rentals are available in Three Rivers.
Starting from Kaweah General store
1 mile down the road from the cabin
• You can also purchase chains at Walmart before reaching up to Three Rivers.
*Pets
Pets are limited to few places in the park, and are not permitted on trails. Service dogs (not including emotional support animals) may attend to their handlers accompany them in park facilities. Rules for pets vary between the parks and the neighboring national forest land.
*Fishing permit :
Fishing is permitted in most areas of these parks, and on adjacent national forests. People 16 years of age or older are required to have a California fishing license. Get copies of park-specific regulations at any visitor
You can apply for a California fishing license online, by mail, in person, or through a license agent:
Online: You can purchase a license through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's (CDFW) website. You must be at least 18 years old and have a Visa or MasterCard. You can print your license immediately after purchase.
By mail: You can fill out a form and send it to the CDFW.
In person: You can purchase a license at a license agent, CDFW license sales office, sporting goods store, bait and tackle shop, or some grocery stores.
By phone: You can call the CDFW for general information
*Directions
Two highways enter the parks. Hwy 180 from Fresno leads east to Kings Canyon National Park, then continues 30 miles east to Cedar Grove. Hwy 198 from Visalia leads east to Sequoia National Park via Three Rivers. Inside the parks, Highway 198 becomes the Generals Highway, which connects 198 to 180. Vehicles over 22-feet long should enter the parks via Highway 180. In winter, the Generals Highway between the parks often closes. Chains may be required on park roads. No roads cross these parks east to west.
*Shuttle Services
Park and ride! In summer, shuttles operate within Sequoia National Park and can bring you to the park from nearby towns. Shuttles also run during some winter holidays.
Tulare County Area Transit (TCAT) bus :
During the summer season (typically late spring to early fall), the Sequoia Shuttle offers round-trip transportation from Visalia Transit Center to Sequoia National Park with stops at various locations in Visalia snd Three Rivers
Look into Sequoia Shuttle website for more information: sequoiashuttle.
If you're staying in Three Rivers, you can get to the Visalia Transit Center by taking the Tulare County Area Transit (TCAT) bus route. The TCAT bus route operates year-round and offers several trips daily between Three Rivers and Visalia.
*Sequoia National Park hiking adventure:
Sequoia National Park hoasts some of the world's most incredible giant sequoia trees. With towering giants, cascading waterfalls, and grand meadows, the park offers a variety of hiking experiences for visitors of all ages and abilities. Here's a quick rundown to help you plan your hiking adventure:
Picking the Perfect Trail:
The best hike for you will depend on your fitness level, interests, and the time you have available. Sequoia National Park offers trails ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs. Here are a few popular options to consider:
* Easy Hikes:
* Congres Trail: A paved loop that winds through the heart of the Giant Forest, offering up-close views of the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world by volume.
* Big Trees Trail: Another paved loop in the Giant Forest with plenty of sequoia giants.
* Hazelwood Nature Trail: A short and informative loop that delves into the park's ecology.
* Moderate Hikes:
* Crescent Meadow Loop: This 1.8-mile trail takes in meadows, forests, and stunning views of the Sierra Nevada.
* Tokopah Falls Trail: A 3.4-mile out-and-back trail that leads to a 120-foot waterfall.
* Moro Rock: This short but strenuous hike climbs 400 feet to the top of a granite dome for panoramic views.
* Strenuous Hikes:
* Alta Peak Trail: A challenging 7-mile hike with stunning views of the Sierra Nevada.
* Mineral King Loop: A long and challenging day hike or overnight backpacking trip that takes in meadows, forests, and stunning scenery.
* High Sierra Trail: A long-distance trail that traverses the Sierra Nevada, offering a true wilderness experience.
Important Things to Know Before You Go:
* Wilderness Permits: Some trails in Sequoia National Park require a wilderness permit. You can obtain permits at park visitor centers.
* Weather: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. The weather can vary greatly depending on the elevation.
* Wildlife: Be aware of wildlife encounters, such as bears and rattlesnakes.
* Leave No Trace: Practice Leave No Trace principles to protect the park's natural beauty.
Places to Go:
Visitor services are concentrated in five different areas: Grant Grove, Giant Forest, and Foothills areas stay open all year. Cedar Grove and Mineral King open from late spring to early fall. Campgrounds are open in all areas spring through fall; some stay open in winter.
Foothills Visitor Center
This visitor center is one mile past the Ash Mountain entrance station along the Generals Highway. Stop here for information, maps, books, gifts, and restrooms. Browse exhibits about the ecology and human history of the foothills, and join a free ranger-led program.
Open today: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
***What to See:
*General Sherman Tree
There are taller trees, and wider trees, but the General Sherman Tree contains more wood (volume) in its trunk than any other tree on Earth. Behind the Sherman Tree are the General Grant, President, Lincoln, and Stagg trees. Another measure of tree volume is the total biomass of the tree-trunk, branches, roots, and foliage. If we measure the biomass, the Sherman Tree still ranks at #1, but the General Grant Tree loses second place to the President Tree.
Rapid growth over a long life accounts for the size of these trees, but they are not as old as once thought. The most recent age estimate of the Sherman Tree is about 2200 years old.
Sequoia roots are shallow but spread wide.
They entangle with the roots of other sequoias, forming a kind of mesh that helps all the trees maintain balance and stability.
As you walk among sequoias, watch for Douglas squirrels, also called chickarees.
They climb into sequoias and chew through the stems of cones. If you come across a tree that seems to drop a cone every few seconds, you know that a Douglas squirrel is cutting cones for dinner. They then eat the green, fleshy covering of the cones; look for chewed-up cones on the ground.
They also store cones and dried mushrooms high in pines or sequoias.
The Congress Trail starts near the Sherman Tree, and provides a tour of some of the most spectacular sequoias of Giant Forest.
This easy three-mile loop also connects to other trails that can take you throughout Giant Forest (be sure to take a map).
The Sherman Tree was once named the Karl Marx Tree by the Kaweah Colony, a utopian group that lived in Three Rivers before Congress created this park. The Kaweah Colony supported itself in part through logging. When the national park was established, their efforts were deemed illegal. One of their original structures, Squatter's Cabin, still stands near Crescent Meadow and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1903, the Buffalo Soldiers protected these parks. Their leader, then-Captain Charles Young, was one of the first superintendents of these parks and the first African-American superintendent of any national park. He developed plans to protect the legacy of the giant sequoia groves, oversaw the building of the first roads into the parks, and protected both parks from illegal logging, grazing, and poaching.
Services and Parking
The main parking area and trailhead for the General Sherman Tree is located just off Wolverton Road. The parking area is one of the main shuttle stops in the parks. Shuttles stop here every 15 to 20 minutes.
Parking for people with disabilities is located on the Generals Highway 2 miles from the Giant Forest Museum and 3 miles from the Lodgepole Visitor Center.
The parking area provides restrooms, trash cans, water, and food-storage lockers.
Make sure that you store all food is stored in these lockers-bears can be active in this parking lot.
The General Sherman Tree is about a half mile from the parking lot. Be prepared for an uphill climb when return from your hike.
In summer, you can avoid the uphill hike by walking from the Sherman Tree down to the accessible parking lot and shuttle stop along the Generals Highway. From there, take the Orange Route back to the main General Sherman Tree parking area. LOCATION
Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park
*General Grant Tree
Before you stands the second-largest tree in the world. The General Grant Tree is not one of the oldest, but it has the advantage of growing in a spot with bright sunlight and plenty of water, so it grew larger quickly. It holds two additional titles: the Nation's Christmas Tree (not the National Christmas Tree, which gets decorated in Washington, D.C.) and the country's only living national shrine.
Sequoia Facts
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are home to seven of the ten largest trees in the world. Out of the largest 30 trees, 18 can be found here.
How is tree size determined? In this system, trees are measured by trunk volume only, not branches, leaves, or roots.
Tree dimensions change year to year because trees grow, branches fall, and fires can burn and remove a portion of a tree. Until 2003, the Washington Tree in Giant Forest (Sequoia National Park) was the second-largest sequoia. After being reduced by fire, it no longer ranks among the top 30.
If branches are also measured, the President Tree is the second largest tree, bumping General Grant to third.
Tree Facts
Height: 268.1 feet (88.7 meters)
Ground circumference: 107.5 feet (32.8 meters)
Trunk volume: 46,608 cubic feet (1320
cubic meters)
LOCATION
Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park
*Moro Rock
Climb to the top of this immense granite dome for views of the park that extend deep into wilderness. Along the way, stop to catch your breath at exhibits that offer details about the surrounding landscape. At the top, a railing encloses a flat portion of the rock to protect viewers from steep dropoffs.
Safety
The stairway, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is safe as long as you stay on it. Avoid climbing if snow or ice are present. Stay away from Moro Rock during thunderstorms or if there's static in the air.
Winter Access
To access this area in winter, you will need to hike, snowshoe, or ski into the area.
LOCATION
Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park
*Crescent Meadow
Picnic Area and Trailhead
The Crescent Meadow Picnic Area is 2.6 miles from the Giant Forest Museum, near Moro Rock and several trailheads. The picnic area rests at the edge of a lush meadow, surrounded by giant sequoias.
From here, you can follow the High Sierra Trail deep in the wilderness, or hike a short loop around Crescent or Log meadows.
Winter Access
To access this area in winter, you will need to hike, snowshoe, or ski into the area.
LOCATION
Located at the end of the Moro Rock / Crescent Meadow Road.
*Panoramic Point Overlook
This overlook is located a short driving distance from the Kings Canyon Visitor Center. Look outward from Panoramic Point across hundreds of miles of Kings Canyon National Park and neighboring national forest lands. Below lies Hume Lake, a small historic lake in Sequoia National Forest that was created in 1908 using a rare multiple-arch dam. The lake water fed a flume that floated timber down to the valley. Beyond, lies the deep glacial gorge of the Kings Canyon itself and a wealth of the High Sierra's peaks.
The area before you has a rich history. In the 1890s, artist Bolton Brown climbed many peaks to learn about and paint the area more accurately. Beginning In the late 1920s, poet Kenneth Rexroth often hiked here and wrote about this area. James Hutchings also spent time here, developing his Illustrated California magazine in the 1850s to bring attention and protection to the High Sierra. The likes of John Muir, Stephen Mather, George Moskey, and Horace Albright spent time here discussing how to develop a national park system.
This is also home to countless species of plants and animals, from the alpine zone, where cold-tolerant species like pika and foxtail pines live, to the foothill zone, where heat-tolerant life thrives year round. You can also see the effects of fires that have passed through, leaving the forest healthier and stronger.
You can also continue past the overlook on a more difficult 2.6-mile unpaved hike to the Park Ridge Fire Lookout. If the lookout volunteers are in, they may give you access and a tour of the view.
LOCATION Kings Canyon National Park
*Tunnel Rock
This granite boulder created a tunnel over the Generals Highway until the road was rerouted. If you want to take a closer look, accessible parking and a paved path provide easy access to the old roadway beneath Tunnel Rock.
LOCATION Generals Highway, foothills of Sequoia National Park
*Hospital Rock Pictographs
Note, this is a sacred area, please be respectful.
By working with local Native Americans, we've learned the pictographs at Hospital Rock are sacred to their communities. They are part of their traditional belief systems, and as important as any place of worship.
Do not touch or mark on the pictographs or rocks here. If you see someone vandalizing this area, please let a park ranger know right away.
Hundreds of years ago, people who came here drew these pictographs. Their meaning is unknown, but local
tribal members explain that they serve as a history for the people who once lived here, and are a reminder of how important this place is to them today.
This area once hosted a village of hundreds of people from the Mono (Monache), Yokuts, and the
Tubatulabal tribes. The tribes who once lived here are no longer in the park, but they live in nearby communities and actively continue to honor past traditions.
*Lost Grove Sequoia Grove
This pull-out looks into the Lost Grove Sequoia Grove, where an entrance station once stood. Now giant sequoias stand right next to the road. Stop for a restroom break or just enjoy this peaceful spot near the Sequoia National Forest boundary.
LOCATION
Generals Highway, Sequoia National Forest
*Tharp's Log
Back in 1861, Hale Tharp built this cabin in a tree, making him the first non-Native American to live in the Giant Forest. He grazed cattle in these meadows in summer and near Horse Creek, in the foothills, in the winter. John Muir stopped here in 1875, the same year he named this grove "The Giant Forest." Muir and his mule, Brownie, found Tharp quite hospitable.
What would it be like to live here, watching the forest change throughout the season?
What might you learn? Could you do it without damaging the surroundings, or yourself?
LOCATION Log Meadow Trail
*Gamlin Cabin
Imagine life in a cabin like this in the shadow of trees like these. What would you come to value most about this place and the sequoias?
LOCATION
Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park
*Sequoia National Park Historic Entrance Sign
This historic entrance sign was constructed in 1935 by Civilian Conservation Corps craftsmen based on a smaller design from a National Park Service architect. Over time, the original sign has been updated and painted. A sequoia log four feet in diameter supports the sign, complete with sequoia bark.
History emanates from some objects.
Sequoia National Park's entrance sign, with its powerful presence at the boundary, is one such antique. Its origins speak of varying aspects of our past. But is this sign, with its Indian head image, still appropriate for display today?
LOCATION
Generals Highway, just beyond Ash Mountain Entrance Station
* Wolverton Picnic Area, Trailhead, and Snowplay Area
In addition to being a great place to stop for lunch, Wolverton offers trailheads to some of the most stunning frontcountry and backcountry hiking in these parks. The Lakes Trail leads to Heather Lake, Emerald Lake, and Pear Lake. The challenging Alta Trail, which climbs more than 4,000 feet in elevation over 12.8 miles (20 kilometers) to the summit of Alta Peak, has some spectacular views. Or go as far as Panther Gap 4 miles, (6.4 kilometers) for a good look at the Great Western Divide. The Watchtower portion of the Lakes Trail leads you along the ridge overlooking Lodgepole, the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, and Tokopah Falls. This stretch of trail is extremely treacherous if any snow or ice is present; if icy or snowy conditions are present, always choose the Hump Trail instead.
For a much easier hike, try the Wol Meadow Loop which circles a wetland. On this trail, you must usually make two easy stream crossings; however, early in the season the water can be high. Wolverton Meadow is an excellent place to view black bears in the late spring and early summer.
They are often seen feeding in the meadows. The meadow's wildflowers change throughout the season, so taking this hike in June is a different experience than in August or May. Keep an eye out for pine martens, relatives of the weasel that live high in the branches of pine trees and are relatively common here. They are shy of people and hide well, so you have to stop for a while and search for them.
LOCATION End of Wolverton Road
*Zumwalt Meadow
Highway 180 closes for the winter in mid-November. This area typically reopens the fourth Friday in April; reopening is conducted by CalTrans.
in Zumwalt Meadow is one of the park's most iconic, scenic meadows. Explore its trail that begins near the Kings River, crosses a riparian corridor, and then climos gently along a rocky hillside. From here, as you hike through a talus slope, you will catch glimpses of the meadow below.
Meadows often attract bears and other animals such as yellow-bellied marmots, deer, birds of prey, and snakes; watch for them all here.
Trail guide brochures are available for purchase at Cedar Grove Visitor Center.
LOCATION
Located in Cedar Grove, along Highway 180, Just before Road's End.
*Road's End Trailhead
Highway 180 closes for the winter in mid-November. Access to this area typically reopens the fourth Friday in April; reopening is conducted by CalTrans.
This trailhead orientation panel shows a map and images of the Road's End Trail area.
Road's End is the start of some great hiking adventures. Looking for relatively easy, flat hiking? Try the Zumwalt Meadows Loop, or make a longer day hike to Roaring River Falls. If you want to gain elevation, hike one of the trails that lead to Bubbs Creek, Mist Falls, Paradise Valley, and Copper Creek.
These tougher hikes climb out of the valley floor quickly, but offer spectacular views of the canyon and rivers. As you climb into the high country, you will pass through a number of different ecosystems and life zones on the way to subalpine forests. Be sure to stay hydrated as the canyon is hot and dry in summer.
Kings Canyon is also a very active bear area. Be sure to stow anything with a scent in the food storage lockers. Bears have a keen sense of smell and can cause significant damage to your vehicle.
*** Things to Do:
*Visit the Foothills Visitor Center
Depending on your journey, you've either passed through the Foothills Entrance Station or you're about to leave the park for the next chapter in your trip. Take a moment to stop at the Foothills Visitor Center. Get information about the road ahead. Pick up some maps, books, and gifts. Use the restrooms. Browse exhibits about the ecology and human history of the foothills, and join a free ranger-led program if one's on the schedule.
*Visit the Kings Canyon Visitor Center
Depending on your journey, you've either passed through the Big Stump Entrance Station or you're about to leave the park for the next chapter in your trip. If you just arrived, you might be about to embark on the Generals Highway towards places like the Giant Forest or Lodgepole. Take a moment to stop at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center. Get information about the road ahead. Pick up some maps, books, and gifts. Use the restrooms. Browse exhibits about sequoia ecology and human history of the groves. Take a moment to watch the
15-minute park movie. Join a free ranger-led program if one's on the schedule.
It's all here.
*Visit the Lodgepole Visitor Center
Recently renovated and sitting tall at 6,700 feet, the Lodgepole Visitor Center is a key stop on your visit. Brand new exhibits and short films will allow you to learn more about the variety of ecosystems in these two parks and the plants and animals that inhabit them. Do you have a wilderness permit reserved? Do you want to walk in and pick one up? This is the place to do it.
Need to pick up some items from a Sequioa Parks Conservancy Park Store? That's here too.
*Picnic Among the Giants
Getting hungry? Refuel and refresh at one of the many picnic areas between the Giant Forest and Grant Grove. Enjoy sandwiches by a peaceful meadow or barbecue under towering trees.
Pinewood: 1.1 miles north of Giant Forest Museum. Picnic in the Giant Forest at Pinewood Picnic Area, which features barbeque grills and water spigots.
Wolverton: 4.2 miles north of Giant Forest Museum. Near popular day hikes, backpacking trails, and a winter snowplay area, Wolverton offers both barbeque grills and water spigots. In summer, the Orange Route (General Sherman Tree Trails) shuttle stops here.
Lodgepole: Lodgepole Picnic Area is across the road from Lodgepole Visitor Center. Grab lunch or some snacks at the nearby market or deli and enjoy them by the banks of the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River. The picnic area offers provides water but no barbeque grills.
Halstead Meadow: Take a break by this restored meadow, where you'll find barbeque grills but no on-site water. 3.9 miles north of Lodgepole.
Crescent Meadow: Crescent Meadow
Picnic Area is 2.6 miles from Giant Forest
Museum, at the end of Moro Rock - Crescent Meadow Road. Nearby, visit Moro Rock and several trailheads. The picnic area rests at the edge of a lush meadow. It does not have water or grills. In summer, take the free park shuttle's Gray Route from Giant Forest Museum.
*Bike the River Road
There's a road that not too many people know about: the River Road in Cedar Grove.
This one-lane dirt road winds through the forest and parallels the Kings River. It requires high clearance, so vehicle traffic tends to be light. This makes it a great place to ride your bike, walk, or run.
It's also a good spot to walk your leashed pet, as pets are not allowed on park trails.
Since this is a dirt road that is open to vehicle traffic, your dog is welcome to come along!
The road will take you through a mixed conifer forest, and will give you views of towering granite cliffs and the south fork of the Kings River. Wildlife sightings may include birds, black bears, and mule deer.
Park your car at the Hotel Creek Trail parking area or, if you're staying at Cedar Grove Village, leave your car and walk or bike towards the Cedar Grove Pack Station.
The River Road starts east of the pack station. Take the road for up to five miles and then return the way you came... and you've got a 10-mile round-trip, fairly flat, riverside cruise.
Please ride or walk with safety in mind, and watch for vehicles.
*Drive Through Tunnel Log
Soon after the Moro Rock / Crescent
Meadow Road was completed, a giant sequoia fell, blocking the roadway. The tree was too large to move, so workers carved a tunnel through it. Since 1935, people have been driving through Tunnel Log. Now you can join in on the novelty of driving through a fallen Sequoia. Tunnel Log is located just 0.5 mile (0.8 km) past Moro Rock. Vehicles taller than 8 feet (2.4 m) can use a bypass.
***Hopeful Wildlife Day Trips
Tokopah Falls
From Lodgepole Campground, cross the log bridge and set off on the Tokopah Falls trail. This 3.4 mile out-and-back trail has a slight incline over the 1.7 miles to the viewing area for the falls. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful soundscape of the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River. Keep an eye out for yellow-bellied marmots, who bask on the boulders in the sun near the falls.
In the summer, travel via the free Sequoia Shuttle! From Lodgepole Campground, take the free Green Route 1 shuttle to Giant Forest Museum. At the museum, you can catch the Gray Route 2 shuttle to Crescent Meadow.
Crescent Meadow
From the trail that begins at the Crescent Meadow parking area, turn right to walk around the southern portion of the meadow, following signs to Tharp's Log.
The trail leads beyond Crescent Meadow to Log Meadow where you can explore
Tharp's Log, a cabin built onto a hollowed-out sequoia in 1858. While you hike, look for bears, marmots, snakes, and other species of animals. Always keep a safe distance and never approach wildlife. Head back toward Crescent Meadow and stop by the Chimney Tree, which was hollowed out by fire. Along the way, keep your ears open for the numerous species of birds inhabit the area. This portion of the day trip is about 1.8 miles round trip.
*Watch Park Wildlife
Park wildlife are often seen along the Big Trees Trail, an easy and accessible path that starts at Giant Forest Museum and takes you around a meadow lined with mature sequoias. The trail circles Round Meadow and includes outdoor exhibits describing sequoia ecology. As you walk, keep an eye out for black bears, deer, and a variety of birds in the lush meadow. It is also an excellent place to look for insects like butterflies, dragonflies, and beetles.
Many benches line the trail, so you might have a seat and enjoy the view. Consider bringing a camera or binoculars to see if you can spot animal activity deep within the meadow. As a bonus, the Big Trees Trail is one of the best places to see wildflowers in spring and summer. After finishing the loop around the meadow, head back to the museum for a total of a 1-mile hike (1.6 km).
***Play in the Snow
*Ski Through the Sequoias
Trail: Trail of the Sequoias
Distance: 3.0 miles (4.8 km) one way
For skiers with more experience, the Trail of the Sequoias is a great opportunity to find some solitude among the big trees. This trail will take you away from the crowds and past some of the most notable trees in the Giant Forest, including the House and Senate groups. Combine the Trail of the Sequoias with the Crescent Trail to make a nice loop that takes you past several open meadows.
Don't have skis? Rent them at Wuksachi Lodge.
This trail contains several steep pitches through thick forest and is not suitable for novice skiers.
DURATION
3-6 Hours
FEE
Free
LOCATION
Giant Forest
*Play in the Snow at Wolverton
Sitting at 7,250 feet (2,160 m) above sea level, snow transforms Wolverton Meadow into a winter wonderland. This is a great place for people of all ages and abilities to play in the snow. Look for Wolverton Snowplay area at the end of Wolverton Road, two miles north of the General Sherman Tree.
Be prepared for the cold and wet conditions that come with snowplay. Dress warmly and wear waterproof footwear.
Every year, people are injured while sledding. If you decide to sled, be sure to practice safe sledding techniques.
FEE
Free
LOCATION
Wolverton Snowplay Area
PETS ALLOWED
No
RESERVATIONS
No
*Explore the Winter Forest by Foot
There is no better way to see the Giant Forest than to get out on the trails and walk around. In the winter, snow usually covers trails in the sequoia groves, but don't let that stop you! Whether you rent snowshoes or bring your own, snowshoeing around a sequoia grove is a fun experience for people who are well-prepared. The trails take you around hundreds of big trees, beautiful meadows, and mountain viewpoints. Pick up a trail map or ask a ranger for advice at Giant Forest Museum.
If you're walking or snowshoeing, be sure to avoid damaging the cross-country ski tracks.
*See the General Sherman Tree in Snow
In winter, park at the winter Sherman Tree parking area on the Generals Highway just 2 miles north of the Giant Forest Museum.
From there, it is a short, easy walk to the tree. Enjoy an up-close experience walking around the big trees. Snow and ice can make the trail slippery; wear sturdy shoes and hike carefully. Traction devices for your shoes may help prevent slips and falls.
*Snowshoe with a Ranger
Our popular ranger-guided snowshoe walks are a great way to explore snowy trails.
Snowshoe programs are usually offered from December through March, as long as there is at least 8 inches of snow on the ground. No experience is necessary! We provide the snowshoes; you bring warm layered clothing, waterproof boots, gloves, and anything else you may need for spending an hour or two on the trails.
Listen to a ranger and discover the story of sequoias and the forest that surrounds them.
*Winter Driving and Snow Chains in Sequoia
National Park
In winter, you must be prepared for snowy or icy mountain roads and cold temperatures. Tire chains can be required on any park road at any time from fall through late spring.
Chain control is in effect here when roads are snowy and slippery, usually November through March. State law requires that ALL vehicles (including 4-wheel/all-wheel drive) carry tire chains or cables when entering chain-control areas.
When chain control is in effect, all vehicles must carry chains (and may have to install them) in order to drive to sequoia groves and designated snowplay areas. If you do not have chains, plan on renting or buying them before entering the parks. Road conditions and chain requirements can change rapidly; for example, you may not need chains when you enter the park but they may be required by the time you leave.
Park Newspaper
The park "Trip Planner" is a good place to start when planning a visit. It includes phone numbers, opening/closing dates, and information on camping, dining, shopping, showers, activities, attractions, hiking trails, wilderness permits, food storage, safety, road-construction delays, where to find gasoline, vehicle-length advisories, shuttle service, a park map, and more.
Restaurants :
While most restaurants are close to the cabins, there's one exception:
• The Gateway Restaurant & Lodge (45978 Sierra Drive) is a fantastic option, but it's located 6.5 miles away near Sequoia National Park gate.
For restaurants closer to your cabin, you have great choices like:
• Casa Mendoza Mexican Restaurant: Offering delicious Mexican food for dine-in or takeout.
(40869 Sierra Drive)
* Pizza Factory: A popular choice for convenient pizza takeout. (40869 Sierra Drive)
* River View Grill & Bar: Enjoy American cuisine, drinks, and a scenic patio overlooking the Kaweah River. (42323 Sierra Drive)