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 Kings 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.

Sentinal Tree

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.

Giant Forest Museum

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 views of the Kaweah River Valley. Just past Moro Rock is Crescent Meadow where you can hike to Tharp’s Log, where Hale Tharp, the parks first inhabitant other than the Yokuts, built a cabin out of a fallen Sequoia.

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.

Use the map below to create your own directions:

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Hikes in the Giant Forest

	General Sherman Tree This one-mile hike visits the world’s biggest tree, a 275-foot tall Giant Sequoia that is 36.5 feet across at the base.
	Congress Loop This easy paved two mile loop visits the forth and fifth tallest Sequoias in the world (among others).
	Sunset Rock This 2-mile hike visits a large granite dome with great views to the west, possibly the best place to end your day in the Giant Forest.
	Beetle Rock This short walk from the Giant Forest Museum to Beetle Rock visits a granite dome with great views and stunning sunsets.
	Crescent Meadow This level 1.6-mile loop visits a Sequoia you can stand inside (Chimney Tree) and another that someone used to live in (Tharp’s Log).
	Moro Rock This 0.6 mile hike sports panoramic views and should be considered a mandatory hike for first time visitors to Sequoia National Park.
	More trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Explore other destinations in Sequoia National Park and the rest of the range.