Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park
Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Sequoia National Park…the Summer crowds begin to fade and the weather becomes crisp & mild. Join me today for a can’t-miss hike along Big Trees Trail!
FAST FACTS
• Distance: > 1 mile loop
• Elevation Change: 50 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park
Giant sequoia along Big Trees Trail
Location
Located along Generals Highway, less than 1/2 a mile from the Giant Forest Museum, Big Trees Trail gently circles along the edge of Round Meadow. The Giant Forest is one of the largest giant sequoia groves in the world, and it’s centrally located and easily reached inside the park. Parking is available at the trailhead for those with disability placards. If you don't have a placard you can park at the Giant Forest Museum parking area and walk the paved path to the trailhead.
Big Trees Trail circling Round Meadow in the Giant Forest
Bench along the Big Trees Trail boardwalk
Trail
The 3/4 mile loop trail is a mix of paved cement walkways and wooden boardwalks. While this trail is rather short at under one mile, it packs an incredible sequoia punch as mature giants line the outside of the path right from the trailhead. Numerous information panels dot the trail sharing fascinating facts and detailed information on the history of this area. Big Trees Trail is a partially shaded easy and flat walk, meaning you can easily complete this hike in under 30 minutes…but why would you want to do that? Multiple benches can be found along the way and they make for a great place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature here. Interestingly, almost all of the giants found here are circling the outside of the path because the lower meadow is filled with too much moisture for sequoias to properly root. However the foliage inside the meadow is stunning, rich with ferns and even flowers in Spring.
Giant sequoia growing out of a boulder
Ned by Ed Trees along Big Trees Trail
Trail Highlights
You are greeted with many noteworthy giants along this hike, including one seemingly growing out of a giant house-sized boulder. Because sequoias take so long to decompose, one of the incredible sights you see as you circle this grove is the fallen giants up along the path’s edge. Probably the most popular highlight along the trail is the Ned by Ed Trees. Named by John and James Jordan in 1906, these twin giant sequoias grew up so close to one another that their bases joined together. Along the boardwalk you can even see a stoned outline of how big their base actually is.
Other nearby giants are the Clara Barton Tree, which can be found along the path just west of the Big Trees Trail loop, and the Sentinel Tree, which stands towering next to the Giant Forest Museum. And of course, any trip to Sequoia National Park isn’t complete without a hike to the General Sherman Tree, which is only 2 miles up the highway.
Clara Barton Tree near Big Trees Trail in the Giant Forest
Sentinel Tree at the Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park
History
In 1916, donations from the National Geographic Society made it possible for Round Meadow to be purchased and incorporated with the rest of Sequoia National Park. However, development continued around the meadow until the 1970s when cabins, a campground, a restaurant, and other utilities began to be removed to help protect the giant sequoias.
The Big Trees Trail was dedicated to John Palmer, who was the Chief Park Interpreter from 1969 to 1987. Palmer’s vision was “a Giant Forest preserved for the sequoias and the people who want to experience them.”
Ned by Ed Trees in the Giant Forest
Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park
Know Before You Go
• Wildlife is abundant here – from birds, deer, yellow-bellied marmots, and black bears…so never leave food out or unattended.
• Big Trees Trail is one of Sequoia National Park’s most popular trails due to its central location, even terrain and close-up giant sequoia views…so if you hope to enjoy this walk without large park crowds, consider visiting for sunrise (like I did for this post) or visit on a weekday outside of the busy Summer season.
• After taking this trail, consider walking the Hazelwood Meadow Nature Trail just across the road. While slightly longer and more challenging than Big Trees Trail, it’s often much quieter and lacking in the crowds you tend to see here.
• Please remember the Leave No Trace Principles to keep this place wild and wonderful. You can get close enough to nearly touch some of the giants along the trail, but please don’t wander off or leave the designated path to “hug” these trees and stand up on the base of their roots. The roots systems are very shallow and can be easily damaged.
• If you don't have a placard but need to park closer to the trailhead, temporary placards may available at visitor centers.
• Vault toilets and drinking fountain my be available near the trailhead in Summer…otherwise the closest location is Giant Forest Museum.
Massive boulders along Big Trees Trail
In Summary
Thank you so much for joining me this week in Sequoia National Park. For a virtual visit along Big Trees Trail, make sure to watch this week’s Behind the Blog YouTube video at the top of this post. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go! 🌲🌲🌲
…and check out these IG Reels below for more Sequoia views!
Giant Sequoia along Big Trees Trail
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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.