Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

The largest trees in the world can be found at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California. Sequoias can grow to be 30-250 ft tall and 20 – 35 ft wide. There are many trails to explore these giant forests and notable trees to learn about.  The drive to this national park is windy and at high elevation.

At Kings Canyon, the main attraction is the General Grant Tree Trail (1/3 mile) to see General Grant Tree, the second largest tree in the world.  If you have more time, take the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway and stop at viewpoints like Junction View and Yucca Point.  I visited on a foggy day so I couldn’t see anything on this highway but the easy waterfall trails such as Grizzly Falls and Roaring River Falls were not affected.  

At the Sequoia portion, stop at Tunnel Rock which is a boulder that forms a tunnel you can walk through.  Use some flush toilets near the Giant Forest Museum to read up on these giant trees.  You can learn how they grow, their size, the history behind the preservation of this area, and get some souvenirs.  Drive on over to General Sherman, the largest tree on earth and take some trails around the grove. 

If you’ve had your fill of trees, hike to Moro Rock, a large granite dome rock, that requires you to ascend 390 stairs to the top.  Close by you can drive your car through a tree at Tunnel Log. Lastly, you can also reserve tickets to Crystal Cave at the Lodgepole Visitor Center to see stalactites.