Why Sequoia National Park is a Must-See Destination (Road Trip Series Part 11)

Perhaps this one phrase will be enough to motivate you: the world’s largest trees.

Yes, it’s worth the drive or flight out to Sequoia National Park to see these colossal giants that are a silent testimony to centuries—and even millennia—of national history.  

The Sequoia National Park is the second national park that was established in America, in 1890. Within its 1.1 million acres it has it all—mountains, canyons, lakes, and caverns. But its claim to fame is the trees.

The immense sequoia trees capture the admiration and imagination of people from around the world. It’s not surprising that over a million people visit the park every year.

What should you see and do in Sequoia National Park? We give you our list of favorite places to check out when you visit.

The (seemingly) eternal sequoias

They grow on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California and can live up to 3,400 years. The reddish-orange bark that covers the sequoias has helped them survive the ravages of fires.

Sequoias are so tall it’s hard to see the treetops. If you want to get a good look at them, swing by Giant Forest, where you can admire around 8,000 sequoias. Don’t miss a glimpse at the most impressive sequoia of all, known as General Sherman, measuring 36 feet in diameter.

Warm weather activities

Sequoia National Park has activities to keep you and your family busy throughout the warm months. Try boating on the lakes, fishing in the rivers, or biking on trails. You can pack a picnic for a day trip or camp overnight. When weather permits, you can go rock climbing or explore the terrain on horseback.

Winter activities

The Park continues to thrive during the winter. You can take winter drives around the park, or get out to do cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

Mountains and caverns

Sequoia National Park takes you to the highest heights—quite literally. At 14,491 feet above sea level, the highest mountain in the continental US resides within the park. But in Sequoia National Park you can also explore an underground ecosystem in hundreds of marble caverns. This subterranean world is accessible on guided tours of Crystal Cave.

Hiking

Hike over 1,147 miles of trails throughout the park and in the foothills. Choose from paths that are paved or unpaved, with hikes ranging from easy to more demanding. Your hike may take you past the tallest waterfall in the park. With a 1,200 feet drop, Tokopah Falls is a beauty as it rushes down the hillside.

Wildlife

Wildlife in the park abounds, with both permanent and migrating species calling the park home at some point. Keep an eye out for bears, gray foxes, marmots, and bobcats. Listen to the sound of woodpeckers, owls, and other birds. Keep in mind that bears love your food, so keep all edibles in the bear boxes in the campsites. 

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