Sierra Nevada
Where to See Giant Sequoias in California: Best Groves
Where to see giant sequoias in California: Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Yosemite’s groves and Calaveras Big Trees compared, with trails and fire closure notes.
By Alex Khachigian · Updated September 2026 · 4 min read
Giant sequoias, the largest trees on Earth by volume, grow only on the Sierra Nevada’s western slope in about 70 groves. This guide compares Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon, Yosemite and Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
Fires in 2020 and 2021 killed an estimated 13 to 19 percent of large giant sequoias. Most famous groves are open.
In This Guide
- Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park
- Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park
- Yosemite’s Giant Sequoia Groves: Mariposa, Tuolumne and Merced
- Calaveras Big Trees State Park
- Giant Sequoia National Monument and the Trail of 100 Giants
- Best Time to Visit the Sequoia Groves
- Where to Stay Near the Giant Sequoias
- Which Giant Sequoia Grove Should You Visit?
- Protecting the Giant Sequoias
- FAQ
Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park
Giant Forest holds the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree by volume. A paved trail drops half a mile from the main lot, and an accessible trail from a Generals Highway lot has little climbing.
General Sherman ranks first in the world by size, the President third, the Lincoln fifth and the McKinley eleventh. The last three are on the Congress Trail.
- General Sherman Tree: short, steep walk, busy midday
Congress Trail and Big Trees Trail
The Congress Trail is a 3-mile loop from General Sherman past the President, the Senate and House groups and the McKinley. The Big Trees Trail is a flat, accessible loop around Round Meadow near the Giant Forest Museum and the Sentinel Tree.
Moro Rock, Crescent Meadow and Tunnel Log
Moro Rock is about 350 granite steps to views of the Great Western Divide, best at sunset. Crescent Meadow Road passes Tunnel Log, a fallen sequoia you can drive through.
Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park
Grant Grove holds the General Grant Tree, the second largest in the world. The paved third-mile loop passes the Fallen Monarch, which you can walk inside.
Nearby Redwood Mountain Grove is larger and quieter. The Boole Tree, seventh largest, is on a loop trail in Converse Basin.
Yosemite’s Giant Sequoia Groves: Mariposa, Tuolumne and Merced
Mariposa Grove is Yosemite’s largest; Tuolumne and Merced are quieter groves in the northwest.
Mariposa Grove
Near the south entrance, the Mariposa Grove has over 500 mature giant sequoias. A 2018 restoration moved parking out of the grove.
The Grizzly Giant Loop is 2 miles round trip past the Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree. The Guardians Loop is longer and quieter.
Tuolumne and Merced Groves
The Tuolumne Grove, off Tioga Road near Crane Flat, is 2.5 miles round trip with a walk-through tree and an uphill return. It is reachable while Tioga Road is open to Crane Flat, most of the year.
The Merced Grove, off Big Oak Flat Road, is the smallest and quietest, about 3 miles round trip. See my best day hikes in Yosemite.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Calaveras Big Trees near Arnold made sequoias famous in the 1850s. The 1.5-mile North Grove Trail loop passes the Discovery Tree stump, cut in 1853.
The South Grove Trail is about 5 miles round trip to the Agassiz Tree and other large trees, with fewer people.
Giant Sequoia National Monument and the Trail of 100 Giants
The Trail of 100 Giants, off the Western Divide Highway near Johnsondale, is an easy paved loop through Long Meadow Grove.
The 2021 Windy Fire destroyed a boardwalk section still being rebuilt; the rest reopened in 2022. The road closes with winter snow, so check the Sequoia National Forest site.
Best Time to Visit the Sequoia Groves
Late spring through fall has open roads, shuttles and snow-free trails. In summer, arrive early for parking at General Sherman and the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza.
Winter has snowshoe routes in Giant Forest and the Calaveras North Grove.
Where to Stay Near the Giant Sequoias
Wuksachi Lodge is closest to Giant Forest, and John Muir Lodge is in Grant Grove. In Three Rivers, AutoCamp Sequoia and Kaweah River cabins are the usual picks; see my Sequoia and Kings Canyon lodging guide.
For the Mariposa Grove, Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp is 10 minutes from the south entrance. For Calaveras, stay in Murphys.
Which Giant Sequoia Grove Should You Visit?
For the biggest trees, go to Sequoia. For sequoias plus the Valley, go to Yosemite’s Mariposa Grove; my California national parks road trip links both.
- Biggest trees: Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park
- Sequoias plus granite scenery: Yosemite
- Closest to the Bay Area and Sacramento: Calaveras Big Trees
- Solitude: Redwood Mountain Grove in Kings Canyon
Protecting the Giant Sequoias
Sequoia roots are shallow, and foot traffic compacts them. Stay on trails and off posted trees and logs.
Respect closures around recovering groves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to see giant sequoias in California?
Sequoia National Park, home to the General Sherman Tree. Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Calaveras Big Trees are also good.
What is the difference between giant sequoias and coast redwoods?
Giant sequoias are the largest by volume and grow in the Sierra Nevada. Coast redwoods are the tallest and grow along the Northern California coast.
Is the Mariposa Grove open?
Usually, but storms have closed it for weeks at a time, including early 2026. Check the NPS Mariposa Grove page.
Can you see giant sequoias in winter?
Yes, but roads may be snowy or closed and chains may be required.
How many giant sequoias died in recent wildfires?
The 2020 Castle Fire and the 2021 KNP Complex and Windy fires killed an estimated 13 to 19 percent of large giant sequoias. Parks have expanded fuel reduction and replanting.
Destination guide
My Sequoia hotel, Airbnb and tour picks
