The Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park

The Giant Forest Museum

A visit to the front country of Sequoia National Park, should include a stop at the Giant Forest Museum. Here you can learn a little something about the Sequoiadendron Giganteum and ask the ranger stationed inside for advise on what to see during your visit to the park. The rustic building that houses the museum was built in 1928 on a design by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood. Through great visual displays, the museum provides a wealth of information on the world's largest trees.

The Giant Forest is the most famous Giant Sequoia Groves in Sequoia National Park. it covers three square miles and is the second largest grove of Sequoias in the world. Of the 75 existing Sequoia groves, only the Redwood Mountain Grove along the border of Sequoia National Park and King's Canyon is larger. These special trees grow only in California on the west side of the Sierra Nevadas between 5,000 and 7,000 feet, making this a very special place. No matter how many times you see a Giant Sequoia, you cannot help but be impressed by their elegant enormity.

Outside the museum, the Sentinel Tree provides an example of an “average” Sequoia. Amazingly, this seven hundred ton giant is about half the size of the General Sherman Tree. According to the National Park Service, there are forty miles of trail to choose from in the Giant Forest, so if you are looking for a pleasant stroll among the Sequoias, you are in luck. Among the many trails are:

As much of the Sentinel Tree as could fit in the frame

Sequoia National Park was established in 1980 and only Yellowstone has been a park longer. Today, the park covers 630 square miles, most of which is a road-less haven for backpackers. In fact, there are no roads entering the park from the north, south, or west making this the larges area unpenetrated by roads in the continental United States. This preserves the beauty of Sequoia National Park and the treasures it contains. Within the boundaries of the park is Mt. Whitney, the highest point in California and the lower 48, and General Sherman, the largest tree in the world. One could easily spend weeks exploring Sequoia National Park.

Only in the park for a day? The short hikes to the General Sherman Tree (largest in the world) and Moro Rock (panoramic view) should not be missed. If there is time, consider hiking to Tokopah Falls or one of the other trails the ranger recommends.

For a taste of these other trails, sample this slideshow

Across from the Giant Forest Museum is a large parking lot and trails to Sunset Rock and Beetle Rock, two great granite overlooks. East of the Museum, a road leads to Moro Rock, which offers a stone carved climb to panoramic vies of the Kaweah River Valley. Just past Moro Rock is Crescent Meadow where you can hike to Tharp’s Log, where the parks first inhabitant other than the Yokuts, Hale Tharp, built a cabin out of a fallen Sequoia.

Staying overnight in Sequoia National Park? Lodgepole is the main campground in the park with 214 sites. Additionally, there is a pair of nice campgrounds, Potwisha and Buckeye Flats, down the mountain to the south. For a complete list of campgrounds, see the official Sequoia National Park camping page.

To get to the Giant Forest Museum: From Los Angeles, the Giant Forest Museum is 240 miles away. Take the 5 North to the 99 North. After 96 miles, take the 198 East toward Visalia. The 198 leads right to the park, where it becomes the Generals Highway. An entrance fee is charged to access the park. Once inside, drive another 16.5 to get to the Giant Forest Museum.

View Hiking the Sierra Nevadas in a larger map

	You might also enjoy:
	Moro Rock This 0.6-mile round-trip hike climbs a stone staircase to panoramic views. Consider this a mandatory hike if you are a first time visitor.
	Crescent Meadow Loop Several trails explore the Great Forest, but this 1.6 mile loop visits Sequoias, meadows, the Chimney Tree. and Tharp's Log. This hike is great for kids, and great for anyone.
	Sunset Rock This easy two-mile hike to an enormous plain of granite offers views to the south and west, making this a great place to (as you would suspect) watch the sunset.
	Tokopah Falls This 1,200-foot waterfall is the tallest in Sequoia National Park. The 3.4-mile round-trip hike to its base is gradual and scenic, and starts from Lodgepole Campground.
	Hikes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains This list explores the great Sequoias, peaks, waterfalls, lakes, and streams of the Sierra Nevadas.