Hikes in Sequoia National Forest

Sequoia National Forest preserves 1.2 million acres of the Sierra. Within the national forest there are 328,000 acres and 33 giant sequoia groves that receive extra protection as part of Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Highlights of Sequoia National Forest

  • This 0.1-mile stroll at Grizzly Falls Picnic Area in Sequoia National Forest reaches the base of an 80-foot waterfall along the Generals Highway near the Cedar Grove Area of Kings Canyon National Park.
  • This 5-mile hike visits a fire tower with unbeatable views over Giant Sequoia National Monument.
  • This 1-mile hike visits a refreshing natural water slide on the eastern side of the Great Western Divide in Giant Sequoia National Monument.
  • This 0.5-mile hike just off Western Divide Highway in Giant Sequoia National Monument provides a great view of the valley below.
  • This 0.5 to 1.3-mile loop visits a grove of Giant Sequoias alongside Western Divide Highway in Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument

Sequoia National Forest Map - Courtesy USDASequoia National Forest is split into three ranger districts. The southernmost district is the Kern River District, followed by the Western Divide Ranger District, which borders Sequoia National Park to the north and is the largest piece of the Giant Sequoia National Monument. The third ranger district, Hume Lake Ranger District, is located north of Sequoia National Park on the west side of Kings Canyon National Park. Kings Canyon is actual split into two pieces and to drive between them you have to pass through this very scenic park of Sequoia National Forest (also protected as part of Giant Sequoia National Monument).

The Western Divide Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest is a great place to visit. It is located on the west side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains south of Sequoia National Park. On holiday weekends, when the national parks fill, you can escape the crowds and come to Sequoia National Forest, sacrificing a bit of notoriety for Sierra serenity. Western Divide Ranger District offers visitors access to striking mountains, meadows, and sequoia groves. car camping is available along Western Divide Highway. With the exception of Trail of 100 Giants, hiking in this area of Sequoia National Forest is free.

Sequoia National Forest Hiking

This collection of trails in Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument lists the hikes from north to south. The table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you select your next trek. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, GPS maps, directions, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these trails. Below the table is an interactive map showing the location of each hike.

Trail
Description
Distance
Location
Grizzly Falls Sequoia National Forest260Grizzly Falls
This stroll at Grizzly Falls Picnic Area reaches the base of an 80-foot waterfall along the Generals Highway near the Cedar Grove Area of Kings Canyon National Park.
0.1 miles
10 feet
36.802979,
-118.743561
Needles Lookout800Needles Lookout
This out and back hike visits a fire tower with unbeatable views of the region.
5 miles
500 feet
36.1198,
-118.5084
Dome Rock830Dome Rock
This short out and back hike just off Western Divide Highway provides a great view of the valley below.
0.5 miles
75 feet
36.068,
-118.532
Sierra Waterslide860Natural Water Slide
This out and back hike visits a refreshing natural water slide on the eastern side of the Great Western Divide.
1.5 mile
150 feet
36.02745,
-118.5153
Trail of 100 Giants900Trail of 100 Giants
This paved loop explores a grove of giant sequoias alongside Western Divide Highway.
1.3 miles
80 feet
35.97733,
-118.59399
View Sierra Nevada trails and campground in a larger map
Or explore hikes around Sequoia National Forest on the Hike Finder Map
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Fallen Leaf Lake Moraine Trail Lake Tahoe Basin South Lake Tahoe Hike
What's better than hiking by a lovely creek - maybe hiking by a lovely lake. You can do both on Moraine Trail, visiting Fallen Leaf Lake and Taylor Creek in the Lake Tahoe Basin National Forest Lands near South Lake Tahoe. This easy and level loop is 1.1 miles long, including a short side trail to Fallen Leaf Lake Dam. The mountain-cradled Fallen Leaf Lake is located just south of Lake... Read more.
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Tagged with · Free Trails · Lake Tahoe Basin National Forest Lands · Lakes · South Lake Tahoe
Distance: 1.1 miles · Elevation change: 35 feet
By: Published: Last updated: July 26, 2023
Way of the Mono Trail Sierra National Forest Bass Lake View Hike Oakhurst California
Interpretive trails are usually good places to appreciate the finer features of a forest, but they tend to lack grand vistas. This is not the case with Way of the Mono Trail, which rises to a splendid view over Bass Lake, a beauty in the Sierra Nevada Mountains south of Yosemite National Park. Way of the Mono Trail is a 0.6-mile loop with 140 feet of elevation change. Panels along this... Read more.
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Tagged with · Bass Lake · Free Trails · Lakes · Morteros · Native American Heritage · Nature Trails · Oakhurst
Distance: 0.6 miles · Elevation change: 140 feet
By: Published: Last updated: June 30, 2021
Chimney Beach Trail Lake Tahoe Nevada Chimney Beach Hike Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Before your visit to Lake Tahoe goes up in smoke, take a hike to Chimney Beach - where a standing-on-its-own fireplace and chimney serve as an unsual landmark for a lovely little cove. The brick chimney is all that's left of an old cabin built in the sand between boulder-strewn points on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. If curiosity about the chimney draws you to Chimney Beach, the beautiful... Read more.
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Tagged with · Beaches · Carson City · Free Trails · Ruins · South Lake Tahoe
Distance: 1.1 miles · Elevation change: 215 feet
By: Published: Last updated: July 26, 2023
Cave Rock Trail Lake Tahoe Nevada Overlook Hike
Gaze out from Route 50 as it travels along the southeast side of Lake Tahoe and you'll find nice views of the lakeshore and its surrounding mountains. Seven miles up from the state border in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada Route 50 slips through a tunnel in a tall pointed ridge of volcanic rock. The road itself is scenic, but the sight of Cave Rock should have you speculating how superb things must... Read more.
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Tagged with · Free Trails · Glenbrook · South Lake Tahoe · Summits
Distance: 0.9 miles · Elevation change: 165 feet
By: Published: Last updated: July 26, 2023
Columbia Rock Yosemite National Park Columbia Rock Viewpoint Yosemite Falls Trail Hike Yosemite Valley California
Yosemite Valley looks great from the bottom up, the top down, and even the middle out. For this neither-up-nor-down view over Yosemite Valley, visit Columbia Rock, a viewpoint on Yosemite Falls Trail perched about thousand feet up the north wall of Yosemite Valley. The hike from Camp 4 up to Columbia Rock is 2.2 miles round trip with 985 feet of elevation change. Of course, continuing up... Read more.
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Tagged with · National Parks · Yosemite Valley
Distance: 2.2 miles · Elevation change: 985 feet
By: Published: Last updated: January 31, 2018