Sequoia National Park is a national park within the Sierra Nevada mountain range, located east of the city Visalia, California. It is famous for its giant sequoia trees and is home to the world’s biggest tree, the General Sherman tree. With a size of 404,000 acres, the park stretches over almost 13,000 feet vertically and comprises the highest point in the contiguous U.S.: Mount Whitney (14,500 ft; 4,400m).
Due to the range of elevation levels, temperature and weather, conditions in Sequoia National Park can vary substantially. The average annual temperature at the Lodgepole Visitor Center (6700 ft / 2042 m) measures about 42.2°F (5.7°C). In spring, the weather is cool and days are very humid with snowfall occurring until May. The summer months bring warmer and more pleasant temperatures to the park, with highs up to 76°F (24°C) and very little rain. In fall, temperatures are cooling off again, and despite low precipitation levels, snowfall is possible. Winter usually brings a lot of snow to Sequoia National Park, as well as cold temperatures, with lows down to 16°F (-9°C).
Best Time to Visit Sequoia National Park
The best time for you to visit Sequoia National Park depends on what you are looking for during your trip. In summer, temperatures are warm and pleasant, offering nice weather conditions for outdoor activities at the park like hiking, fishing or even swimming. In addition to that, all facilities are open and shuttle services are available. Thus, June to September might be the best time for your visit.
However, summer is the most popular season and a lot of tourists are visiting. If you prefer to avoid crowds, late spring or early fall might be a better choice. But be aware that snowfall is still possible at this time. For absolute fans of snow and winter sports, December to February is clearly the best time to visit Sequoia National Park. During winter months, a lot of snow can be expected, offering fantastic opportunities for outdoor activities like snowshoe walking, skiing or snowplay. But keep in mind that snow chains might be required to enter the park.
Things to know about Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park was founded in 1890 with the aim of protecting mountainous land. Many years ago, the area of the park was home to Native Americans. Today, the park encompasses about 404,000 acres (1,600 km²) and is a popular destination with around 1.2 million visitors per year.
One of the highlights of this park are the sequoia trees, which are giant in their size. Located here is the biggest currently living tree of the world volume-wise, the General Sherman tree, with a volume of almost 1,500 m³ and an age of about 2,500 years. Another peculiarity is that the park encompasses five different types of climate: Tundra and Subarctic climate contribute to the cold and frosty weather in higher elevations during the entire year, whereas the Warm- and Hot-summer Mediterranean climates bring warm and dry summers and mild and wet winters to lower elevations. In between is the Humid continental climate, constituting a mix of warm summers and cold winters in medium-elevated areas.
Here are some must sees and tips on how to spend your time at Sequoia National Park:
- Moro Rock: a viewpoint sitting between Crescent Meadow and Giant Forest. A 350-step stairway leads you to the top of the rock, where you can enjoy an amazing view over large parts of the park.
- Tunnel Log: a famous attraction to drive through. The log is a sequoia tree that has fallen in 1937 due to natural causes. Instead of removing the fallen tree, workers decided to build a tunnel, creating a nice photo scene. The tree measures 280 feet (85m) in length and 20 feet (6m) in diameter.
- Hospital Rock: a picnic area with exhibits, providing information about Native Americans that once lived at this place. The rock is located just next to the Generals Highway and is therefore easily accessible
- Mineral King: a subalpine valley popular among hikers and explorers. This valley has the highest elevations within the park that are accessible by car. Here are a few lovely hiking routes to explore this part of the park.
- Tokopah Falls: the tallest waterfall in the park, cascading down over a distance of 1,200 foot (370m). Due to melting snow, it is most spectacular in spring and early summer. To access the falls, a short hike is necessary: The Tokopah Falls trail is about 1.7 miles (2.7km) long and heads along the picturesque Marble Fork of the Kaweah River.
Crescent Meadow: a meadow located in between the giant sequoias, accessible through a short 1.5 mile (2.4km) hike that starts at the Crescent Meadow parking lot and loops around the meadow. Besides hiking, the meadow is a wonderful place for picnics and photography, especially due to the contrasting colors of the meadow and its surrounding sequoia trees.
- Mount Whitney: is the highest mountain (14,500 ft; 4,400m) within the contiguous USA, sitting on the eastern border of Sequoia National Park. As the Great Western Divide mountain range blocks the view to Mt. Whitney from the rest of the park, the best place to see it is at the Interagency Visitor Center, south to Lone Pine. If you plan on hiking at Mt. Whitney, be aware that permits are required.
Wuksachi Lodge: the only hotel within Sequoia National Park. Offering over 100 guest rooms, an all-in service restaurant and event rooms, it is definitely worth a stay. Sitting at the center of the park, it also has the top location to start your visit and explore all parts of the park.
Sherman Tree Trail: a route with a length of about 0.8 miles (1.3km), leading from the parking area through the Giant Forest sequoia grove to the famous General Sherman tree. Along the path you will find several exhibits with information about the sequoia trees that you are walking through.
The town closest to Sequoia National Park is Three Rivers, located to the southwest of the park. For visitors of the park who are looking for additional adventures, the town offers some spectacular activities: whitewater rafting, swimming, kayaking, boating, and hiking.
Moreover, you can learn more about the area, its culture and its history at the Three Rivers Historical Museum. There are also some charming hotels and lodges located in Three Rivers, which offer pleasant sleeping accommodations for your visit at Sequoia National Park.
