General Grant Tree

In 1926, the General Grant Tree was proclaimed the Nation's Christmas Tree, and each December a ceremony is still held at its base. In 1956 it was further designated a national shrine, a living memorial to those who gave their lives in war, the only living thing to hold that honor.

The tree is among the largest sequoias in the world by volume, ranking near the very top alongside the General Sherman Tree in neighboring Sequoia National Park. Its enormous base and towering trunk make it the centerpiece of the grove.

The paved loop trail through Grant Grove is easy and mostly gentle, leading past the General Grant Tree and other named giants, a fallen sequoia called the Fallen Monarch that visitors can walk through, and the remains of an old logging camp.

Because it is close to the Grant Grove entrance and village, with nearby parking, it is one of the most accessible ways to experience giant sequoias in the park. As always, staying on the trail protects the trees' shallow roots.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The General Grant Tree is a giant sequoia in the Grant Grove section of Kings Canyon National Park, California, and one of the largest trees on earth by volume. Standing about 268 feet tall and estimated to be around 1,700 years old, it was named the Nation's Christmas Tree in 1926 and later declared a national shrine, a living memorial to Americans who died in war, the only living thing to hold that distinction. Reached by an easy paved loop trail through the grove, it is a beloved and accessible highlight of the park, surrounded by many other giant sequoias.

The General Grant Tree was proclaimed the Nation's Christmas Tree in 1926, after a young girl reportedly looked up at the enormous sequoia and called it the finest Christmas tree she had ever seen. Each December since, a Christmas ceremony has been held at the base of the tree, a tradition that continues today. In 1956 the tree was given a further honor, being designated a national shrine, a living memorial to Americans who died in war, making it the only living thing in the country to hold that status. These distinctions add a layer of history and meaning to an already awe-inspiring tree.

The General Grant Tree is in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park, near the park's Big Stump entrance and the Grant Grove village. From a nearby parking area, an easy, mostly paved loop trail of about a third of a mile leads to the tree and through the surrounding grove. Because Grant Grove is one of the most accessible parts of the park, it is a popular first stop. Keep in mind that the grove sits at high elevation, so the short walk can feel a bit tiring, and parking can fill during busy periods, so arriving earlier in the day helps.

The General Grant Tree is one of the very largest giant sequoias in the world, but it is not quite as large as the General Sherman Tree in neighboring Sequoia National Park, which holds the title of largest living thing on earth by volume. The General Grant ranks near the top of the list, typically considered the second or third largest sequoia, and it is enormous by any measure at about 268 feet tall with a massive base. Both trees are ancient giants in the same region, and many visitors see both, since Grant Grove in Kings Canyon and the Giant Forest in Sequoia are managed together and relatively close by road.