Hiking the General Sherman Tree Trail in Sequoia National Park: How to See the World’s Largest Tree

Article Summary: General Sherman Tree Trail in Sequoia National Park

One of the most popular attractions in Sequoia National Park is the General Sherman Tree, the world’s largest tree (by volume). Millions of visitors walk the General Sherman Tree Trail each year. When I lived in Three Rivers, I visited the tree often, humbled even more every time by its sheer size.

Your visit to the tree will look very different depending on the time of year. In this post, I’ll talk about how to visit the General Sherman Tree in summer and in winter. This article will cover all the trail logistics you need to know (and more!), such as shuttle routes, two hiking trails, and parking.

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Fun Facts About the General Sherman Tree

What makes the General Sherman Tree the largest on the planet? Here are some Sherman Tree statistics to help put its gigantic size into perspective.

Height: 274.9 feet (83.8 meters)

Base Circumference: 102.6 feet (31.1 meters)

Maximum Base Diameter: 36.5 feet (11.1 meters)

Diameter 60ft/18.3m Above Base: 17.5 feet (5.3 meters)

Diameter 180ft/54.9m Above Base: 14 feet (4.3 meters)

Age: At least 2,200 years old

Weight: 1,385 tons

Volume: 52,500 cubic feet (1,486.6 cubic meters)

Named For: Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman

Where to Park to See the General Sherman Tree

IMPORTANT NOTE: Getting to the Giant Forest, where the General Sherman Tree is located, will take at least one hour from the town of Three Rivers or Kings Canyon National Park. The Generals Highway from Three Rivers to the Giant Forest is extremely windy, with numerous hairpin turns up a mountainside. Plan ahead if you get carsick, fear heights, or drive a large vehicle.

There are two parking lots for the General Sherman Tree Trail. Your choice will depend on the time of year and your needs.

The main parking area is off Wolverton Road, two miles north of the Giant Forest Museum. In the summer, most visitors park here to hike the General Sherman Tree Trail, which begins there and descends to the tree.

Main Parking Lot GPS Coordinates: 36.584831, -118.749665

If you have a disability placard or license plate, you can also park in the winter parking lot on the main road (the Generals Highway). From here, the walk to the tree is much shorter and wheelchair-accessible. The shuttle will drop you off here if the main trail is too much for you (the next section will cover shuttle logistics).

Accessible/Winter Parking Lot GPS Coordinates: 36.580363, -118.751918

PARKS EXPERT TIP: If someone in your group has accessibility needs but doesn’t have a placard, you can ask for a temporary one at any visitor center in Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Parks.

This is also the winter parking lot for the general public. The main trail is not plowed in the winter. The lot is incredibly small, but park rangers will try to fit up to fifty cars there in the winter.

Parking in another lot and taking the shuttle is much easier than getting a spot in this small parking area. For more, read my guide to visiting Sequoia in the winter.

Taking the Sequoia Shuttle to the General Sherman Tree

When the Sequoia Shuttle is running, it’s the best way to get to the General Sherman Tree Trail. The shuttle will take visitors from larger parking areas, such as the Wuksachi Lodge, Lodgepole, and Giant Forest Museum parking lots, to the General Sherman Tree lot on the Generals Highway. This also means you’ll have a shorter walk!

In the summer, this relieves many headaches as parking is extremely limited compared to the amount of visitors who come to Sequoia National Park.

The shuttle typically runs on winter holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is an extremely busy time to visit the park, and depending on winter weather conditions, several parking lots and roads may be closed. The shuttle is the perfect way to avoid confusion and see your top Sequoia attractions, including Moro Rock.

PARKS EXPERT TIP: If you don’t want to take the shuttle, plan to arrive in the Giant Forest before 8 a.m. in the summer and before 7 a.m. on holiday weekends. If you arrive later, parking areas will be full. Even if you arrive early to park, you’ll need to take the shuttle if you stay in the Giant Forest all day. Once you park your car, leave it parked and take the shuttle. Trust me, it’s so much easier!

General Sherman Tree Trail Overview

Now that you know how to get to the trailhead, let’s review the trail itself.

The overview below is for the General Sherman Tree Trail from the main parking lot to the General Sherman Tree. The trail is much shorter and easier from the winter/accessible parking lot.

DID YOU KNOW: I love the General Sherman Tree Trail so much that I named it one of the best trails in Sequoia National Park!

Distance: 0.4 miles (700 meters) one-way

Elevation Change: 212 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Time to Complete: At least 30 minutes

Stroller and Wheelchair Accessible: No

Pets: Not permitted

Bicycles: Not permitted

Restrooms: Located at the top and bottom of the trail (in the main and accessible parking lots)

Hiking the General Sherman Tree Trail from the Main Parking Lot

This is easily the more difficult section of the General Sherman Tree Trail. You will descend to the General Sherman Tree on a steep, paved path with some stairs. The walk back to your car is entirely uphill (if it’s operating, take the shuttle from the accessible lot to avoid the climb).

You’ll begin at a small trail shelter with maps of the Giant Forest and the General Sherman Tree Trail displayed. You’ll start to descend almost immediately.

Along the trail, signs will compare the distance you’ve covered to the height of the General Sherman Tree. Overall, your descent of 212 feet is shorter than the tree itself.

Halfway down, there’s a footprint of the General Sherman Tree’s base. This puts the 102.6-foot circumference into perspective. Stand in the middle of the footprint to taste the tree’s enormous size.

Continuing on the trail, you’ll pass other giant sequoia trees and the start of the Congress Trail, also one of my favorite hikes in the park. The General Sherman Tree is close. If you can’t spot it based on size alone, look for the line of visitors waiting to take photos.

Other great photo opportunities include a dirt path between two sequoias, the tree tunnel, and a slice of a sequoia that showcases its tree rings.

General Sherman Tree Trail Safety

Please remember to respect the General Sherman Tree and other giant sequoias by staying on the trail. Fences surround the trees for a reason: their root systems are incredibly shallow, and walking on them could cause permanent damage. There are plenty of trees without fencing that you can walk up to if you wish.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The General Sherman Tree Trail begins at an altitude of around 7,000 feet. If you aren’t acclimated, take your time on the trail. There are benches so you can take breaks. Consider riding the shuttle back to your car to avoid the most difficult part of the trail. Even living in Three Rivers and hiking in the Giant Forest often, I found it easy to get winded on this trail.

When visiting our national parks and public lands, please practice Leave No Trace principles. Plan ahead, choose durable surfaces for camping or hiking, dispose of all waste properly, leave everything you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of other park visitors.

Sequoia National Park is bear country. Bear spray is not allowed in the park. Remember not to feed or approach any wild animals, particularly bears. Read more in my article on bear safety.

What to Bring On Your General Sherman Tree Trail Hike

If you’re hiking the General Sherman Tree Trail in the winter, you need to prepare for ice or snowy conditions. Grippers or crampons are necessary. These provide added traction to prevent slipping.

In order to save money, I would recommend purchasing a national parks pass. These cost $80 and are valid for a full calendar year (from the date of purchase) at all public lands in the United States. After you visit 3 national parks, it’ll have paid for itself. It also makes a great gift for national park enthusiasts! Learn more about park entry fees.

Of course, you’ll want to bring a camera to capture all the wonderful memories! For wildlife, I recommend a telephoto or even a long lens to capture the best photographs. Bring a standard zoom lens along for landscape and sequoia tree shots as well.

Don’t forget the ten hiking essentials!

1. Navigation systems: map, compass, and/or GPS
2. Sun protection: sunscreen and/or ballcap
3. Insulating layers: synthetic or down jacket, rain jacket, hat, gloves, and leggings
4. Illumination (flashlight or headlamp)
5. First-aid kit
6. Something to light a fire: lighter, waterproof matches, and/or fire starter
7. Repair kits and tools: pocket knife, duct tape, screwdriver, and/or scissors
8. Emergency shelter: tent, bivy, tarp, and/or space blanket
9. Nutrition: food for both meals and snacks
10. Hydration: water bottle, water treatment (LifeStraw or SteriPen), and water

Pin Our General Sherman Tree Trail Hiking Guide

Thanks for taking the time to read my post! I hope it prepared you for a grand adventure to see the world’s most giant tree. If you have any questions please drop them in the comments!

Keep reading to plan your trip to Sequoia National Park and other California national parks:

• Hiking Moro Rock Trail: A View Worth the Grueling Climb
• 13 Fun Things to Do in Kings Canyon National Park
• Alamere Falls Hike: The Ultimate Guide for Hiking to One of California’s Bucket-List Waterfalls
• Visiting Sequoia National Park in Winter
• Alcatraz Tours: Day, Night, and Behind the Scenes – Which is the Best Way to Visit The Rock?
• Yosemite Itinerary: 5 Ideas for Day-to-Day Experiences in an Iconic National Park
• 15 Best Hikes in Sequoia National Park That Will Inspire You
• Hiking the Yosemite Mist Trail: Is It Worth the Climb?
• Where to Stay: Sequoia National Park Lodging
• 8 of the Best Hikes in Yosemite National Park for Breathtaking Views
• Sequoia National Park Camping: The Best Guide to All 7 Campgrounds, Backpacking, and Camping Nearby
• Witness the Magical Yosemite Firefall: A Guide to When & How
• 8 Exciting Things to Do in Sequoia National Park