Giant Forest

Giant sequoias grow only on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, and the Giant Forest is the largest and most impressive of all their groves. The trees can top 250 feet, live for thousands of years, and grow to enormous girth, their thick bark helping them survive the fires that are part of their life cycle.

Among the forest's famous features are the General Sherman Tree and the Congress Trail, an easy paved loop that passes clusters of huge sequoias with names like the House and Senate groups. The nearby Giant Forest Museum tells the story of the grove and its protection.

Trails in the Giant Forest suit every ability. The paved, partly accessible Big Trees Trail loops around Round Meadow past enormous sequoias, the Congress Trail visits many of the largest named trees, and longer routes wander deeper into the quiet grove.

Because the sequoias have shallow roots easily harmed by trampling, staying on the trails is essential. Reached by the Generals Highway or the park shuttle in season, the Giant Forest rewards a slow, unhurried walk among some of the oldest and largest living things on earth.

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 Giant Forest is the largest grove of giant sequoias on earth, at the heart of Sequoia National Park, California. Spread across a gentle plateau, it contains thousands of the massive trees, including the General Sherman Tree, the largest living thing on the planet, along with many other named giants. Named by naturalist John Muir, the forest is laced with easy trails, from the paved Big Trees Trail to the Congress Trail, that let visitors walk among the towering, ancient sequoias. Peaceful and cathedral-like, it is one of the finest and most accessible places in the world to experience these extraordinary trees.

The Giant Forest has a network of trails for all abilities. The Big Trees Trail is a short, paved, partly accessible loop around Round Meadow that passes several enormous sequoias and interpretive signs. The Congress Trail is a mostly easy paved loop that visits many of the grove's largest named trees, including clusters known as the House and Senate. From these, longer and quieter trails branch deeper into the forest. There is also the Giant Forest Museum, a good starting point for understanding the grove. Because the sequoias have shallow roots, staying on the trails is important to protect them.

The Giant Forest is reached via the Generals Highway in Sequoia National Park, and in the busy summer season the park runs a free shuttle that serves the area, which is often the easiest way to get around given limited parking. The Giant Forest Museum makes a natural starting point, with trails and shuttle stops nearby. Because parking fills up and shuttle service and access can vary by season, it is worth checking current park information before your visit. Once there, the many trails let you explore the grove and reach highlights like the General Sherman Tree at your own pace.

The General Sherman Tree, the largest living thing on earth by volume, stands at the northern edge of the Giant Forest and is the grove's most famous resident. It is reached by a short paved trail from a nearby parking area or shuttle stop, and it also connects to the Congress Trail, which loops past many other giant sequoias. So a visit to the General Sherman Tree pairs naturally with a walk through the wider Giant Forest. Because the tree and grove are extremely popular, using the park shuttle and visiting earlier in the day can help you avoid the biggest crowds and limited parking.