Visit the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park
This week we’re heading out to California’s oldest national park and visiting the largest tree in the world. Join me for a hike inside Sequoia National Park to the General Sherman tree.
FAST FACTS
• Distance: 1 mile
• Elevation Change: 200 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
General Sherman Tree path in Sequoia National Park
General Sherman Tree main viewing spot with General Sherman sign
Tree History
Sequoia National Park was established on Sept. 25th 1890, but it is believed that the General Sherman Tree was named before that in 1879 by naturalist James Wolverton. He served under Union General William Tecumseh Sherman during the Civil War. In 1931 General Sherman was first identified as the largest tree in the world. It stands at over 275 ft tall and 100 feet in circumference at the base. This giant is believed to be over 2,000 years old and still growing at nearly 1/3 an inch in diameter each year. In 2006 one of its large branches broke off and crashed to the ground, creating a small crater near the base of the tree. This branch measured in at nearly 98 feet long…and even after that loss, General Sherman still has a whopping volume of over 52,000 cubic feet. Interestingly, while General Sherman is the largest tree in the world, it’s not the oldest – that honor belongs to an ancient bristlecone pine tree in California’s Inyo National Forest. For more information on the Ancient Bristlecone Pines, see my full blog post here.
Fallen branch along the General Sherman Tree path
Path that circles the General Sherman Tree
Location
General Sherman is located 6,000 feee above sea level near the north end of the Giant Forest, which is the most accessible of all the park’s giant sequoia groves. This forest is home to dozens of hiking trails and countless giants sequoias, including half a dozen of the largest trees on earth…and General Sherman is the forest’s crown jewel. In fact, in 2021 firefighters wrapped the base of this giant tree in protective foil to help protect it from the devastating KNP Complex Fire, which burned over 88,000 acres and destroyed more than 2,000 mature giant sequoias in the area.
General Sherman Tree seen from viewing platform
Hike
Parking for the main General Sherman Trail is located just off Generals Highway. The paved path descends down 1/2 a mile with nearly 200 in elevation change (with many steps), so while this is a short and easy trail, the trek back up to your car is a bit more of a challenge. Halfway down the trail there’s a large view platform with an outline on the ground of the General Sherman Tree circumference. There are multiple benches for you to enjoy along the way down to the tree as well. Information panels along trail share fascinating details, explaining the history of this area and the giant sequoias. A wooden fence surrounds General Sherman, and it is imperative to stay on the paved path to protect the shallow root system of this giant. The official viewing area has a large wooden sign marking this record breaking tree (although there is no chance you’d miss it without the sign), and this is a great spot to snap a photo…just be ready to pan WAY up!
Viewing platform with General Sherman Tree circumference
Additional Hiking
There are a few other giant sequoias sprinkled around General Sherman that you can visit, but I would strongly encourage you to keep an eye out for the Congress Trail sign located at the base of the General Sherman Trail. This is not only my favorite hike inside Sequoia National Park, but it is home to some of the most spectacular giant sequoia groups in the entire park, including The House and The Senate groups. No other hike inside this park has so many large sequoia clusters in such a short distance. From Congress Trail you can also access the Alta Trail and Circle Meadow Loop. For detailed information on Congress Trail, see my full blog post here.
The Senate Group along the Congress Trail
Know Before You Go
• A small disability/handicap parking lot is located along the edge of the Generals Highway for those with government issued parking placards/license plates. From there, a short wheelchair-accessible trail leads to General Sherman. In the Summer you can also ride park shuttles during shuttle season. Once the main parking area off the Wolverton Road closes due to snow in the Winter, the accessible parking area on the Generals Highway becomes available for all. From there you can walk, snowshoe or cross country ski to the tree.
• Restrooms, picnic tables and water can be found at the top of the General Sherman Trail just past the parking lot.
• Never leave food unattended (either in your vehicle or backpack), as this is active black bear territory. Maintain a safe distance from wildlife and never feed the animals you might see, such as squirrels or deer.
• Dogs are not allowed at General Sherman. In fact, pets are prohibited on all trails inside Sequoia National Park (service animal are of course exempt from this rule).
• Please join me in remembering the Leave No Trace Principles on your visit here, so others may enjoy this natural wonder for years to come.
Top 10 Sequoia Highlights
Tunnel Log
General Sherman Tree
Big Trees Trail
Crystal Cave (reopens 2023)
Paradise Creek Trail
Beetle Rock
General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park
In Summary & Free Travel Guide
Thanks so much for joining me today in Sequoia National Park. For a virtual visit, make sure to check out my Behind the Blog YouTube video at the top of this post. If you’re planning a visit in the near future, you can download my FREE Sequoia & Kings Canyon Top 10 Guide here, which includes detailed map and trail information, as well as links to Google and Apple Map pin locations. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go!
General Sherman Tree surrounded be a forest of giant sequoia trees
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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Located inside Sequoia National Park directly off Generals Highway, Hazelwood Nature Loop is an easy, family friendly hike that comes in at under 1.5 miles with 50 feet in elevation change. The trail begins past a fallen sequoia tunnel log and it circles for just over half a mile with minimal elevation gain through one of the most lush yet intimate trails in the Giant Forest.