Sequoia National Park is the home of the tallest and largest trees in the world. Normally, size does not matter. This is certainly not the case in Sequoia, where trees grow up to 31 meters tall!
How to visit the sequoia trees?
The trees are scattered within the park. In order to get an impression of the forest and visit the most unique trees in the park, we suggest to hike the Congress trail.
- Level: easy
- Length: 3km
- Duration: 1.5 / 2 hours
- Walking route: good (partially paved)
- Starting point: General Sherman Tree
The Congress trail will start at the General Sherman tree. It is the largest tree in the world and is therefore the highlight for many visitors.
When you continue to walk the Congress trail, you will pass by clusters of Sequoia trees that are grouped together (e.g. the House group and the Senate group). You can have a close encounter with the trees. Other Sequoia trees allow you to stand in the tree or walk through it.
In order to capture the size of the trees in a photo, place a person next to the tree. This will give the perspective how tall and large the trees actually are.
Only then, it will give you the feeling how enormous and unique these trees are.
Can you drive through a sequoia tree?
Yes, you can actually drive through a sequoia tree! Tunnel log is a sequoia tree that fell in 1937. Hereby they simply cut a hole in the tree that allows you to drive through.
Before or after going to the tunnel, we would advise you to pop by the museum and get your Sequoia National Park passport stamp.
Wrapping it up
Sequoia National Park was one of the highlights during our USA West Coast trip. It is a must go!
If you are planning to travel through the USA west coast, read all about out it in this three week USA itinerary.