Sunset Rock Trail Sequoia National Park Hike

Sunset Rock offers fine westerly views across Sequoia National Park. After walking amongst the giant sequoias or hiking more serious trails in the Sierra, a stroll out to Sunset Rock may be the best way to end the day.

Across the road from the Giant Forest Museum, start down a paved trail that descends to a wooden bridge over Little Deer Creek. Cross the footpath that follows the stream and take the dirt path rising up the bank in front of you. If you turned right here, you would reach Big Trees Trail, an easy, beautiful, and educational trail through the giant sequoias along Round Meadow.

Proceed straight on Sunset Rock Trail. After a mile on the easy forest trail, step out of the trees onto a large granite dome. This rock clearing sports views down Deep Canyon, which has been picturesquely carved by the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River. Below and somewhere out of sight is Marble Falls, but there is plenty to see from Sunset Rock. If you arrive at the prescribed time of day, have a seat and watch the sun go to rest over the ridge of pines to the west. You are in for a treat!

Sunset Rock Sequoia
Sunset Rock

It may be a good idea to have a flashlight on hand for the hike back. This easy 2-mile round trip trail can be completed by hikers of all abilities. For a similar view with an even shorter (or no) hike, visit Beetle Rock on the other side of the Giant Forest Museum parking lot.

Sunset Rock Sequoia
Enjoying the view from Sunset Rock

To get to the trailhead: Park in the lot across the Generals Highway from the Giant Forest Museum. The trail starts near the north end of the parking lot.

Trailhead address: Generals Highway (California 198), Sequoia National Park, CA 93262
Trailhead coordinates: 36.5657, -118.7724 (36° 33′ 56.5″N 118° 46′ 20.6″W)

Trail Map
View Sequoia National Park in a larger map
Elevation Profile
Click or hover over any spot on this elevation profile to see the distance from the start and elevation above sea level at that location, which will be highlighted on the map.

You may also view a regional map of surrounding Sierra Nevada trails and campgrounds.

Photos

Sunset Rock Hike SequoiaSunset Rock Hike SequoiaSunset Rock Trail SequoiaSunset Rock Hike SequoiaSunset Rock Hike SequoiaSunset Rock Trail SequoiaSunset Rock Views SequoiaSunset Rock SequoiaSunset Rock Views SequoiaSunset Rock Views Sequoia

These photos were taken in April of 2009. Click to enlarge.
Nearby Trails
Big Trees Trail sequoia Big Trees Trail
This 1.4-mile stroll explores giant sequoias around Round Meadow on a paved nature trail that is easy, educational, and beautiful.
hiking trails sequoia Beetle Rock
This short walk from the Giant Forest Museum to Beetle Rock visits a granite dome with great views and stunning sunsets.
Hanging Rock trail Sequoia National Park Hanging Rock Trail
This short 0.35-mile hike passes views of Moro Rock en route to a balancing boulder on a canyon rim at the edge of the Giant Forest.
hiking trails sequoia 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.
hiking trails sequoia 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.
hiking trails sequoia Congress Loop
This easy paved two mile loop visits the fourth and fifth tallest Sequoias in the world (among others).
hiking trails sequoia 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).
Sugar Pine Trail and Bobcat Point Loop sequoia Sugar Pine Trail and Bobcat Point Trail Loop
This short but diverse 1.5-mile loop peaks at Bobcat Point, which presents a fierce perspective of Moro Rock and a massive canyon.
Tokopah Falls sequoia Tokopah Falls
This 4.2-mile hike reaches the base of the tallest waterfall in Sequoia National Park.
hiking trails sequoia Marble Falls
This 8-mile hike takes a flower-lined path up a mountain canyon to a powerful waterfall.
hiking trails sequoia Paradise Creek
This short stroll leaves Buckeye Flat Campground to visit the perfect swimming hole for a hot summer day in the Sierra.
hiking trails sequoia Panther Creek
This 6-mile hike follows the Middle Fork Trail to a 100 foot waterfall that drops into the Middle Fork of Kaweah River.
hiking trails sequoia More trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Explore other destinations in Sequoia National Park and the rest of the range.
Camping
Sequoia Campgrounds Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Campgrounds
There are 14 campgrounds with over 1,000 total sites spread throughout the park to facilitate your visit.
OK! Add to trails I’ve hiked
OK! Add to trails I want to hike
Tagged with · Domes · Giant Forest · National Parks
Distance: 2 miles · Elevation change: 50 feet

2 Comments on Sunset Rock in Sequoia National Park

  1. […] a black bear and lots of adorable golden-mantled ground squirrels.  Then we drove and hiked to Sunset Rock for incredible views of the sun setting over the mountains. On our way back out of Three Rivers, […]

  2. RNGR wrote:

    Thank you so much for the detailed hiking and backcountry camping options. I have some great ideas for my next camping trips. This is a great resource!

Ask a question or share your experience

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Go the extra miles...
Submit a rating of this hike to go with your comment. Contribute to the average trail rating.