5. Tokopah Falls
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 530 feet
- Time Required: 1 – 2 hours
Hiking the Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, albeit seasonally more spectacular after spring runoff. The trail to Tokopah Falls is one of the best hikes in Sequoia National Park for that reason alone. Also, it’s an easy trail to the beautiful, 1,200-foot cascading sheet of water. At the same time, you get a truly gorgeous, glacially scooped trough to view. That’s the U-shaped canyon of the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River’s Tokopah Valley.
It’s the sort of place that’s lovely enough, and enjoyed without overly exerting oneself, that you don’t mind the busy trail. You’ll set off from the Tokopah Falls Trailhead near Lodgepole Campground and meander along Tokopah Valley’s soaring granite walls. Be on the lookout for the great spire called the Watchtower, which broods to the south.
Time your walk for early summer, if possible, to enjoy the tall, streaming tumble of Tokopah Falls at its fullest flow.
4. Alta Peak
The Big Trees Trail is perhaps the quintessential Sequoia National Park hike. This trail loops around a stunning grove of giant sequoias and gives you a rare perspective to observe these gentle sentinels from a bit of a distance.
- Distance: 13.8 miles
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Elevation Gain: 3,920 feet
- Time Required: All day
Hiking to Alta Peak in Sequoia National Park
If you’ve got the mettle, namely, lungs and legs accustomed to the rigors of the High Sierra and several thousand feet of elevation gain, one of the most sublime views you’re likely to relish in a lifetime awaits at the summit of Alta Peak.
It’s one of the best hikes in Sequoia National Park for altitude lovers, as the mountain soars to 11,204 feet between the Pear and Emerald Lake basins to the north and Alta Meadow to the south. It’s easiest to make the climb as a one- or two-night backpack (camping, for example, at Mehrten Meadows or Alta Meadow). Although, strong hikers can certainly tackle this as one of the most grueling, but also glorious, day hikes in Sequoia National Park.
A good starting point is Wolverton, taking the Lakes Trail up to Panther Gap and then the Alta Trail to the peak. You’ll rise from glorious midslope Sierra mixed-conifer forest, including extensive towering red firs, into timberline country scattered with stout, nobly battered-looking foxtail pines, a high-elevation member of the bristlecone-pine clan found in a wacky, disjointed range.
The panoramic summit views include some of the most jaw-dropping alpine terrain in the country, including the Kings-Kaweah Divide, Great Western Divide, Kaweah Peaks, and the huge granite barrens of the Tableland. Beyond the Great Western Divide, you can nab a coveted glimpse of Mount Whitney. Westward and southwestward, gaze down the foothills to the San Joaquin Valley lowlands.
3. Congress Trail
- Distance: 2.7 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 470 feet
- Time Required: 1 hour
Hiking the Congress Trail in Sequoia National Park
For any tree lover, the Congress Trail is a must-do. It definitely ranks among the best trails in Sequoia National Park, given it shows off some of the most glorious members of the Giant Forest, and, therefore, some of the most incredible arboreal hulks on the planet!
Picked up near the General Sherman Tree, this paved lollipop loop leads you through the ginormous, rusty-red columns of the Giant Forest Grove, including the clustered huddles of sequoias known as the House and Senate groups (which give the trail its name).
You also pass by one of the biggest and oldest of all sequoias: the President Tree, better than 3,240 years old and calculated (in 2012) to hold more wood than the General Grant Tree (in Kings Canyon National Park). Unquestionably, it is the second most massive of its kind known after General Sherman.
2. Big Trees Trail
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Time Required: 30 minutes
Hiking the Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park
If you’re looking for photo opportunities this is one of the best hikes in Sequoia National Park to snap a shot of hikers on the boardwalk set against the massive trees.
The trail features an ADA-friendly boardwalk as well making it great for everyone.
1. General Sherman Tree
- Distance: 1 mile
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 200 feet
- Time Required: 30 minutes
Hiking to the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park
You couldn’t swing harder to the other end of the length/difficulty spectrum from the multi-day trek to Mount Whitney than this easy-peasy trail, but, nonetheless, its destination ensures top billing on this list as the best hike in Sequoia National Park.
Hikes in Sequoia National Park don’t come more one-of-a-kind than the short amble to General Sherman within the Giant Forest. After all, this is the heftiest single-stem tree on Earth: the giant of giant sequoias, with a basal circumference of 102.6 feet and more than 52,500 cubic feet of wood contained within its swollen trunk.
By some standards, this is the largest single organism in the world. Reckoned at between 2,300 and 2,700 years old, it’s also a genuine ancient, even if falling short in the age department of the nearby President Tree (and well short of California’s Great Basin bristlecone pines, which can live nearly 5,000 years).
The Main Trail drops down to General Sherman from Wolverton Road, offering a paved descent that incorporates some stairs. Allow yourself plenty of time to bask in the presence of this Sierran titan.
I’d recommend two days minimum and add a trip to Kings Canyon National Park, even if you just drive the scenic byway. Ideally, you can see the main attractions of both parks in 3-5 days.
Not by a long shot. Moro Rock is much smaller, and the trail isn’t nearly as long. It’s a great way to train for the Half Dome hike if that’s on your must-see list.
Yosemite is an icon, but Sequoia and Kings Canyon definitely hold their own. Even the “Father of National Parks,” John Muir, was known to love Sequoia and Kings Canyon, stating Kings Canyon was a “Rival to Yosemite.” That means the debate about which is better has been ongoing since 1873. What do you think?
Things to Know Before You Visit Sequoia National Park
Use it. Lots of it. Especially this one, which I never leave the house without because it plays nice with our dear friend, Earth 🙂
Entrance Fees
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
If you’re looking for a good insect repellent that plays nice with our good friend Earth, we recommend this one or this one if you’re a DEET person.
Guide Book
The Best Guide Book for Sequoia National Park is this one, which we’ve marked up and highlighted quite a bit.
Map
The Best Map: I like this map best for Sequoia National Park.
National Parks Checklist Map: This beautiful National Parks Checklist Map can be ordered to your house.
Framed National Parks Map: We’re a sucker for maps; this framed national parks map is the best.
Where to Stay in Sequoia National Park
Where to Stay: This is our favorite hotel in/around Sequoia National Park.
- General Sherman Tree
- Big Trees Trail
- Congress Trail
- Alta Peak
- Tokopah Falls
- Moro Rock
- Kaweah Gap
- Sawtooth Pass & Columbine Lake
- Sunset Rock
- Mount Whitney
Helpful Related Links
The General Sherman Tree: Everything You Need To Know About the World’s Largest Tree
More to Do in Sequoia National Park: 15 EPIC Things to Do in Sequoia National Park (Helpful Tips)
Sequoia Facts: 15 AMAZING Facts About Sequoia National Park
Sequoia & Kings Canyon: 15 (GIANT) Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
National Parks Near Bakersfield, CA: 7 Surprising National Parks Near Bakersfield
California National Parks: All 9 California National Parks Ranked Best to Worst
Yosemite National Park Facts: 10 Yosemite Facts That Will Change How You Look At The Park
Redwood National Park Guide: The Ultimate Guide to Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park Things To Do: 15 Stunning Things To Do in Redwood National Park
National Parks Rankings: ALL 63 US National Parks Ranked By Experts
Most Visited National Parks: Top 10 Most Visited National Parks
Least Visited National Parks: Top 10 Least Visited National Parks
National Monuments Ranked: ALL 128 US National Monuments Ranked (Best to Worst)
Thanks for this list of hikes. Also rating the difficulty. We only have about 1 1/2 days in this park. We elected to spend multiple days and nights in Yosemite. This is an important park wanted we wanted to see the big trees and maybe a waterfall. Not in shape for a multi day back country experience. These recommendations are truly helpful.