Big Trees Trail Guide
Numerous giant sequoia, a large alpine meadow, an informative museum, and with only about 50 feet in elevation change, the Big Trees Trail is the perfect introductory hike for anyone new to Sequoia National Park. Located in the Giant Forest Grove of sequoia, this short trail gives you a glimpse of many of the things this Sierra Nevada park has to offer, with the chance to learn a little more about how these big trees came to be.
When to Visit
​
The Big Trees Trail is open year-round, as is the the Giant Forest Museum where the trailhead is found, though there is the possibility of it shutting down due to inclement weather. Winter hours for the museum will be different than summer. As this is a starting point for many visiting the park and the Giant Forest Grove, expect crowds in the busier summer months. There is a large parking lot across the street from the museum, and certain park shuttles run from here in the summer as well.
Learn more about the giant sequoia trees in the nearby Giant Forest Museum.
How to Get There
​
The Big Trees Trail begins at the Giant Forest Museum, one of the first structures you'll see if you're heading up the General's Highway (Route 198) into the park from the Three Rivers and Foothills region; find it just past the Crescent Meadow Road. There is accessible parking in the lot closest to the museum, and a large parking lot for everyone else across the street from it. Find the beginning of the Big Trees Trail just past the museum, heading north, where it will eventually cross the General's Highway.
The start of the trail, just past the Giant Forest Museum.
The Big Trees Trail
​
Time: 1 hour.
Distance: 1.3 miles.
If you have the time, do pop into the Giant Forest Museum to learn a little more about how these rare giants grow, survive the winters and wildfires of the Sierra Nevada range, and the difference between their cousins, the coastal redwood tree. Once you're done, exit the museum and head right towards the trailhead, marked by a large sign--but first, pay a quick look to the Sentinel Tree, an average-sized sequoia, standing right outside the museum's entrance.
The Sentinel Tree stands guard.
About Me
Hi there, I'm Dan: videographer, travel-addict, and beer-lover. I left corporate life behind to start my own video business and travel the world. Want to know more about me and Dan Treks?
Top Posts
Yosemite's most popular and perilous hike: Half Dome
​
​
​
Boost your creativity through travel
​
​
​
​
National Park Guides
Videos
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
The trail itself is paved throughout, with a few sections of wooden boardwalk, making it accessible to all. Begin the trail, passing several sequoia on your left with large burn scars on them--not an uncommon sight in the park. Despite the scars, the sequoia are actually fire resistant, and rely on forest fires to disperse their needs and create new trees. Follow this part of the trail until it takes you across the General's Highway to the proper loop, where you can choose either direction around Round Meadow.
The Big Trees Trail loops around Round Meadow.
You'll pass many sequoia, young and old along the trail. Keep an eye out for wildlife too: we were fortunate to spot a handful of marmots, as well as a black bear sow with two cubs in the open meadow. We also witnessed said-sow bluff-charge a group of people who got too close, so remember the 100 yard rule for bears.
Momma bear and one of her cubs.
Near the back of the meadow is where the trail turns into boardwalk, and where some of the largest sequoia are located. Keep an eye out for one in particular that has grown around a massive boulder--these trees really do adapt to their environment.
From here it's an easy walk back to the beginning of the loop, and then the Giant Forest Museum. One to to take a look at though as you leave the loop--right near it's end there are a handful of saplings--sequoia saplings, our guide Ranger Zoe told us. After looking at so many massive trees on the trail, it was kind of funny, but of course logical, that something so big can start out so small. The Big Trees Trail is a great introduction to Sequoia National Park, and it has countless other adventures to offer visitors. For more things to do in the park, click here.
A small sequoia sapling on the Big Trees Trail.