Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park (2026 hiking guide)

The Big Trees Trail is one of the most scenic and family-friendly walks in Sequoia National Park. Located in the heart of the Giant Forest, this easy loop is accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities. 😍

The trail is flat and mostly paved, with a few boardwalk sections, benches for resting, and informative displays that help you understand the incredible giant sequoia ecosystem.

Along the way, you’ll pass highlights like the Giant Forest Museum, Sentinel Tree, Clara Barton Tree, and the Round Meadow. Keep your eyes open for wildlife too, such as yellow-bellied marmots, black bears, and deer!

With minimal elevation gain, it’s an easy and beautiful walk I always recommend for first-time visitors, along with General Sherman Tree, Congress Trail, and Moro Rock.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about hiking the Big Trees Trail. 🌳

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Big Trees Trail Stats and Map

Big Trees Trail Stats

Big Trees Trail Map

Sequoia National Park Entrance Fee

Entrance to Sequoia National Park costs $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. However, if you have the America the Beautiful Annual Pass, your entry is free!

For those who love exploring national parks, investing in the Annual Pass is a smart choice. At just $80, it grants you access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country!

FEE UPDATES! Beginning January 1, 2026, non-U.S. residents (without an annual pass) will pay a $100 per person in addition to the standard entrance fee. The Annual Pass for non-US. residents will cost $250.

Big Trees Trailhead and Parking

🥾 Big Trees Trailhead:

The Big Trees Trailhead is located just down the road from the Giant Forest Museum in the Giant Forest. The trailhead sits near Round Meadow and is easy to reach via a short paved path from the main parking area.

Because the trail is flat, paved, and features a few boardwalk sections, it’s one of the most accessible hikes in the park.

🅿️ Big Trees Main Parking Area at Giant Forest Museum:

The main parking area for the Big Trees Trail is the large lot located across the street from the Giant Forest Museum.

During summer, vault toilets and a drinking fountain are available near the museum. From the parking lot, it’s an easy 0.3-mile paved walk to reach the Big Trees Trailhead.

🅿️ Big Trees Accessible Parking Area:

There is also a small parking lot located right at the trailhead with six designated accessible parking spaces.

In summer, this lot is reserved for visitors with accessible parking placards. However, if you need to park closer to the trailhead and don’t have a placard, temporary permits may be available at visitor centers.

Vault toilets and drinking water are available at the trailhead, near this parking lot.

In winter, this lot is open to everyone. Keep in mind that the drinking fountain and restrooms may be closed during the winter season.

🚌 Taking the Shuttle:

During the busy season (typically late May through early September), the free shuttle system is often the easiest way to access the Giant Forest area.

Even though the parking lot near the Giant Forest Museum is fairly large, it can still fill up quickly on busy days. If that happens, you can park at the large lot at the end of Wolverton Road or at the main parking lot near the General Sherman Tree and hop on the shuttle from there.

Route 1 (Green) stops at the Giant Forest Museum. Route 4 (Orange) stops at the General Sherman accessible parking area, where you can transfer to Route 1 to reach the museum.

If you’re planning to spend the day exploring the Giant Forest, it’s usually best to find a good parking spot early in the morning and use the shuttle to get around. It saves you the hassle of trying to move your car between busy trailheads and parking lots.

Best Time to Hike the Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park

🌷 Spring (March – May): Spring in the Giant Forest is unpredictable but beautiful. Expect temperatures between 50–70°F and the possibility of lingering snow, especially in March and April.

Wildflowers begin to bloom, and the trails are less crowded than in summer. You might still need traction gear early in the season, but by late spring, the Big Trees Trail is usually free of snow.

☀️ Summer (June – August): Summer is the most popular time to visit Sequoia National Park. Days are warm (usually between 70–80°F) and the Big Trees Trail is fully accessible and snow-free.

It’s a great time for hiking, but it’s also the busiest season. To avoid the biggest crowds and score a good parking spot, plan to hit the trail early in the morning.

Late summer can sometimes bring wildfire smoke, so keep an eye on air quality conditions before you go. If you’re not a fan of busy trailheads, consider using the free park shuttles to avoid the hassle of finding parking.

🍂 Fall (September – November): Fall is a great time to hike the Big Trees Trail. Temperatures range from 40–70°F, the summer crowds start to fade, and the crisp air and golden light give the forest a peaceful, magical feel.

While giant sequoias stay green year-round, you’ll still spot some colorful foliage from dogwoods and other nearby trees.

September usually still feels like summer, while October and November start to cool off, especially in the mornings and evenings. Be aware that early winter storms can happen in the fall so be prepared and check the weather forecast!

☃️ Winter (December – February): Hiking the Big Trees Trail in winter is a completely different experience. It’s my favorite season to visit Sequoia National Park!

Temperatures can get really cold so dress appropriately and pack plenty of layers, and the trails may be icy and slippery so bring microspikes and hiking poles.

If you’re up to a fun winter adventure, use snowshoes to explore the trail if there’s enough snow.

⛓️ Chain Requirements: From November through March, it’s common for Sequoia National Park to activate chain control zones when road conditions get snowy or icy. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, are required by state law to carry tire chains or cables when entering these zones.

Big Trees Trail in Sequoia: Step-by-Step Directions

Since most visitors begin this hike from the large parking lot near the Giant Forest Museum, we’ll start there!

Cross the street and walk toward the museum. Right away you’ll see one of the park’s most impressive trees – the Sentinel Tree. This massive giant sequoia is estimated to be over 2,000 years old and stands around 257 feet tall.

It’s one of the largest trees in the Giant Forest and a perfect introduction to the incredible sequoias you’ll see along the trail.

Continue following the paved path past the museum. You’ll soon reach a trail junction with a Big Trees Trail sign pointing to the right. Follow the sign and turn right to stay on the trail.

The path runs parallel to the road for a short distance before you reach another junction. There will be signs, but make sure to go left to remain on the Big Trees Trail.

Next, cross the road and you’ll arrive at the Big Trees Trailhead and accessible parking lot.

From here, begin the Big Trees Trail loop. Most people hike it counterclockwise, though you can go either direction. Going counterclockwise is usually best because the educational placards are arranged in a certain order.

The trail loops around the beautiful Round Meadow, where you’ll pass educational placards and young giant sequoias.

Take a moment to read the signs. They share some really interesting facts about the sequoia ecosystem and how these massive trees grow and survive.

The entire loop from the main trailhead is about 0.7 miles, making it a quick and easy walk for most visitors.

If you’re lucky, you might even spot a black bear wandering through the meadow, especially early in the morning or later in the evening when the area is quieter. Just remember to admire wildlife from a safe distance!

One of the prettiest sections of the trail is where the paved path turns into a wooden boardwalk. It’s especially beautiful in the summer when wildflowers are blooming and the meadow is a vibrant green.

Once you finish the Big Trees Trail loop, you’ll reach a junction near the restrooms. Take a right to head back toward the Giant Forest Museum. If you started from the museum parking lot, this hike is basically made up of two small loops.

Along the way you’ll pass another junction where a short side trail leads to Sunset Rock, a quick detour with beautiful views. If you’re short on time, you can skip it and continue straight.

Before finishing the hike, don’t miss the Clara Barton Tree. This giant sequoia was named after Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross.

At the end of the paved path, you can either cross the street to return to the Giant Forest Museum or turn right and head up a short set of steps back to the parking lot.

Congrats, you did it! 🥳

Tips for Hiking the Big Trees Trail

1. Start Early: Beat the crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures by starting your hike early in the morning, especially during peak season.

2. Take the Shuttle if Lots Are Full: If parking is unavailable, head to the Sherman Tree Trailhead parking area or the Wolverton parking lot and catch the free Sequoia Shuttle. It runs every 15 minutes and drops you off at the Giant Forest Museum.

3. Hiking at High Elevation: You’ll be hiking at around 6,500 feet, so don’t be surprised if you feel winded faster than usual. The elevation can make even a short walk feel more intense, so take it slow and use the benches to rest.

4. Don’t Cross Fences or Walk in the Meadow: A fence protects the shallow roots of giant sequoias. There isn’t a fence around all of them, but if you see one, don’t cross it! Also, please don’t frolic in the meadow – it’s a very sensitive ecosystem that we need to help protect and preserve.

5. Be Bear Aware: Black bears are active within Sequoia. Follow these guidelines to avoid any negative interactions with a black bear.

🐻 Note: bear spray is prohibited in Sequoia!

6. Respect Nature: Follow Leave No Trace principles – plan ahead, pack out all trash, avoid disturbing wildlife, be considerate of others, and respect the natural beauty of Sequoia National Park.

What to Bring to Sequoia National Park

🎟️ Entrance Pass – You will need to purchase an entrance pass once you reach the entrance station or you can buy the America the Beautiful Pass ahead of time and use that for the entire year.

👚 Layers of Clothing (top) – Pack a moisture-wicking base layer, a fleece mid-layer, an insulated jacket, and an outer shell to protect you from the elements, such as rain and wind. You may not need all these layers, especially in the summer months, but it’s always best to be over-prepared!

Check out my favorite tops 👇

• Base layer: REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie (warm/mild conditions) and REI Co-op Midweight Long-Sleeve Base Layer (cooler conditions)
• Fleece mid layer: Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Full-Zip Jacket
• Down mid layer: Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket
• Outer shell: In the summer I always pack a light windbreaker, such as the Cotopaxi Teca Crop Windbreaker or the RevolutionRace Unit Light Windbreaker. Make sure to also pack a waterproof rain jacket – I like the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket.

🩳 Hiking Shorts or Pants – Pack a comfortable, durable, and stretchy pair of hiking shorts or pants. Also think about what conditions you might run into, such as warm or cold temperatures, wind and/or rain, bugs, and overgrown trails.

Check out my favorite hiking bottoms 👇

• Cotopaxi Losdos Zip-Off Pants
• RevolutionRace Breezy Ankle Outdoor Pants
• Baleaf Fleece-Lined Jogger Pants
• RevolutionRace Summit Pocket Tights
• Revolution Race Hike & Dive Shorts

🥾 Hiking Footwear – Bring a good pair of hiking boots or shoes with good traction. If I’m not expecting to hike in too much mud or snow, my go-to hiking shoes are the Altra Lone Peak trail runners. They have a wide-toe box, 0 mm heel-to-toe drop, and MaxTrac rubber outsole. Plus, they’re lightweight and so comfy!

🧦 Socks – Moisture-wicking, quick-drying socks are the way to go. My favorite pair of hiking socks are Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks. Always pack an extra pair!

🎒 Day Pack – What you plan to do (sightseeing, hiking, etc.), determines what size pack you’ll need. Here is what I typically bring based on what I’m doing that day 👇

• Short walks and sightseeing: Cotopaxi Kapai 1.5L Del Dia Hip Pack
• Short, easy to moderate day hikes: REI Co-op Flash 22L Pack
• Long, moderate to challenging day hikes: REI Co-op Trail 25L Pack or Cotopaxi Luzon Del Dia 24L Pack

🥢 Trekking Poles – Essential for stability, balance, and support when hiking trails, especially on tough, rocky, and uneven terrain. I use REI Co-op Trailmade Trekking Poles and love them!

❄️ Microspikes – Bring a pair of microspikes if you’re visiting in the winter and you’re planning to hike along icy trails. They will give you good traction to avoid slipping! I use Black Diamond Access Spike Traction Device.

🦟 Mosquito/Bug Repellants – In the warmer months, be prepared for annoying gnats, mosquitoes, and flies. Wear long-sleeve clothing, a head net, and use bug spray.

🧤 Extra Warm Layers – If you expect cooler conditions or hiking to higher elevations, make sure to pack extra layers for added warmth, such as gloves, beanie, neck gaiter, and a light jacket.

🗺️ Navigation – Carry a physical topographic map, compass, a satellite messenger (or personal locator beacon), and download offline maps to help you stay on course, find your way in unfamiliar terrain, and call for help if needed.

🔦 Headlamp/Flashlight – A reliable light source with extra batteries, in case you end up hiking in the dark or need it for emergency situations.

💧 Water – Water bottles to carry sufficient water to stay hydrated, along with a filtration system or purification tablets if you plan to refill from natural sources.

🍕 Food – Energy-rich snacks or meals to keep your energy levels up during the hike.

😎 Sun Protection – Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat to protect yourself from harmful UV rays, even when it’s cloudy. Also, polarized sunglasses are important when it’s bright outside and to reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water, snow, and roads.

🩹 First-Aid Kit – A basic first-aid kit with items like bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, and any personal medications you may need.

🥶 Emergency Shelter – Pack an emergency bivy sack or space blanket for shelter in case of sudden weather changes.

🔥 Fire – A lighter, matches, or fire starter to help you build a fire for warmth or signaling in case of emergency. Along with matches, I also carry a multi-tool carabiner that has a fire starter, utility blade, screwdriver, and bottle opener.

🗡️ Multi-Tool and Repair Kit – A versatile tool/knife and repair kit to handle any task, from preparing food to making repairs.

Conclusion

The Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park is one of the most beautiful short hikes in the park. It’s easy, scenic, and perfect for first-time visitors or anyone looking for a casual walk among ancient giant sequoias.

Pair this trail with the General Sherman Tree and the Congress Trail, and you’ll have the makings of an unforgettable day exploring the Giant Forest.

If this guide inspires you to hike the Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park, I’d love to hear about your adventure. Leave a comment and share your experience!

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