Sequoia National Forest

The Giant Sequoia National Monument was designated by President William Jefferson Clinton in April 2000. The Monument now encompasses 353,000 acres. The Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron Giganteum) is the world's largest tree. It occurs naturally only in a narrow 60-mile band of mixed conifer forest generally between 5,000-8,000 ft. elevation on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada. There are 65-75 groves of sequoias in the Sierra, depending upon how the groves are defined.

There are 33 sequoia groves in the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Featured are 6 giant sequoia groves to explore which will provide you a rich, exciting and varied experience for your visit. Three groves are featured in the northern portion of the Monument on the Hume Lake Ranger District, nearby Dunlap, California, and three groves are featured on the southern portion of the Monument on the Western Divide Ranger District just east of Springville, California.

Amazing, giant sequoia is one of the largest organisms on earth and grows from a seed less than half an inch long! When fully grown, the sequoia pushes its craggy tree top more than 250 feet into the sky. A few rare specimens have grown taller than 300 feet. But it is the sequoia’s huge girth that sets it apart from all other trees. Sequoias are commonly more than 20 feet in diameter and at least one has grown to 35 feet across. Six people would have to lay head-to-toe to match this distance.

Northern Section: In the late 1800s, privately owned logging operations took place in Converse Basin. By 1908, they had thoroughly logged the area. Visitors can see remnants of this logging operation today and learn how entire groves were cut down before it was realized that cutting these magnificent trees bore no major financial gain.

One of the famous giants, the General Noble tree, was cut, and sections were reassembled at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Today, visitors can view the remaining 20-foot “Chicago Stump” in Converse Basin. The trail to the stump is universally accessible.

The Boole Tree is the last of the huge giant sequoias that had grown until the 1890’s in Converse Basin. It is the largest tree on National Forest System land and is recognized as one of the largest trees in the world.

Indian Basin Grove is one of the few groves with a campground in it. Princess Campground has three campground loops - Shining Cloud, Yellow Moon, and Morning Star. It has the greatest number of huge, old Sequoia tree stumps and young Sequoia trees along with a pleasant variety of conifers. Shade is good throughout the campground; privacy between camp sites is fair to good. Princess Campground lies in the middle of Indian Basin Grove beside Indian Basin Meadow and Creek. Campfire talks and guided hikes occur most weekends from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. (This campground is currently under construction, so check when it will be open.)

Southern Section: The Trail of a Hundred Giants across from Redwood Meadow Campground on the Western Divide Highway provides interpretation about life among the giant sequoias. This self-guided trail is about one-half mile long and is fully accessible. In April, 2000, President Bill Clinton signed a Presidential Proclamation at this site establishing the Giant Sequoia National Monument.

The Belknap Grove is a complex formed from multiple groves. Belknap campground lies within this grove. Beautiful trails through old-growth sequoias meander along Bear Creek and the Tule River. This grove is fairly easy to get to by driving paved roads in your car. You can visit this grove year round, but there may be snow and ice on the roads in winter so check in advance and bring your tire chains.

The Freeman Grove is the easternmost grove of giant sequoias and contains the President George H.W. Bush Tree. In 1992, President Bush signed a Presidential Proclamation here, providing management direction for all national forest giant sequoia groves.

Past History: For centuries, the sequoia was known only by the Native Americans, and was not seen by European descendants until the mid-1800’s. Since then, these ancient giants have known a history of logging and renewal, of common use and veneration, and of human conquering and legal patronage. Wide-spread logging before the turn-of-the-century inspired the public to clamor for this protection. Three National Forests, three National Parks, and various state holdings have met that demand.

Present Day: The Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument manage 33 giant sequoia groves for their protection, restoration, and preservation. Following massive mapping efforts, grove boundary signs and designations were placed around the groves’ perimeters. The 33 giant sequoia groves in the monument are: Alder Creek, Abbot Creek, Agnew, Bearskin, Belknap Complex (Belknap, Wheel, McIntyre), Black Mountain, Burro Creek, Big Stump, Cherry Gap, Converse Basin, Cunningham, Deer Creek, Deer Meadow, Dillionwood, Evans Complex (Evans, Lockwood, Kennedy), Freeman Creek, Grant, Long Meadow, Indian Basin, Landslide, Maggie Mountain, Middle Tule, Monarch, Mountain Home, Packsaddle (Packsaddle, Powderhorn), Peyrone, Red Hill, Redwood Mountain, Silver Creek, South Peyrone, Starvation Complex, Upper Tule, and Wishon.

Select a location from the map below to learn more...

Road access is subject to snow closures during winter months.
Mountain bikes are still allowed on all the designated trails in the Monument.