Hiking the Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park
Distance (From Giant Forest Museum): 1.4 miles / 2.3 km
The Big Trees Trail, also called the Big Trees Loop Trail, is one of the best and most beautiful day hikes in the Giant Forest District of Sequoia National Park!
That being said, the Big Trees Trail, like the General Sherman Tree, should be considered a must-do if it’s your first time visiting the park, as it’s one of the easiest and most accessible adventures throughout Giant Forest.
Furthermore, the Big Trees Trail is the best day hike to learn about why Sequoias do what they do and why they grow where they grow, which is why I highly recommend hiking the loop in the direction shown below.
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Big Trees Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Big Trees Trail is located at either the Giant Forest Museum, or there is handicap accessible parking adjacent to the start of the loop off Generals Highway.
That being said, know that the Giant Forest Museum is one of the most popular trailheads in Sequoia National Park, meaning that it may be easiest to find parking elsewhere and ride the free Sequoia shuttle to the museum to begin the hike to the Big Trees Loop.
Google Maps Directions: Giant Forest Museum / Big Trees Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Sequoia-Kings Canyon
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
That being said, bear spray is purposefully excluded from this list because, while the Sierra Nevadas are home to a large black bear population, bear spray is not allowed in either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Big Trees Trail
Since the most common parking area for the Big Trees Trail is located at the Giant Forest Museum, the route shown below begins here, about 0.25 miles (0.4 km) away from the start of the loop.
Big Trees-Sunset Rock Junction
Following the Giant Forest Museum, go right to begin the Big Trees Trail, which is located about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) away from this split on the far side of Generals Highway.
On a different note, the trail to the left leads to Sunset Rock and the return loop for the Big Trees Trail, which is the route I recommend hiking back at the end.
Read My Separate Posts: Sunset Rock Trail
Big Trees-Bear Hill Junction
About halfway between the Giant Forest Museum and the start of the Big Trees Loop, the Bear Hill Trail branches off to the right.
At this split, go straight on the paved path to continue toward the Big Trees Trail, but if you’re interested in hiking the Bear Hill Trail from the museum to the popular Moro Rock/ Hanging Rock Trail, I recommend checking out my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Bear Hill Trail
Big Trees-Hazelwood Nature Loop Connector Junction
Next, the Big Trees Trail meets the connector for the Hazelwood Loop Trail.
That being said, I don’t recommend beginning the Hazelwood Nature Loop from the Giant Forest Museum because the Hazelwood Loop is one of a few trails in Giant Forest where there is a small but designated parking area off Generals Highway to begin the hike.
Read My Separate Post: Hazelwood Nature Loop Trail
After crossing Generals Highway, the Big Trees Trail passes by the handicap-accessible parking area, which is the closest lot to the loop for those who need it.
Big Trees Loop Trail
Shortly after the handicap-accessible parking lot, the Big Trees Trail splits into a loop that makes its way around Round Meadow.
Here, the Big Trees Trail is most commonly hiked in the counterclockwise direction, which is the direction I recommend hiking, so you can follow along with the signs placed along the trail to learn more about why Sequoias do what they do and grow where they grow!
Given the considerations mentioned above, I chose to go right around the Big Trees Trail.
Personally, I recommend hiking slow and reading the interpretive signs along the Big Trees Trail.
It is here that you can learn about why Sequoias grow best in Giant Forest over anywhere else in the world!
Know that if you hike the Big Trees Trail in the late evening, you have the best chance of seeing Black Bears, as they tend to gravitate toward the meadows in Giant Forest during this time of day.
Some of my favorite angles for photos on the Big Trees Trail are located along the far northern end of the loop.
Once back at the beginning of the loop, the Big Trees Trail passes by a restroom and a place to refill water if needed.
This can be very useful if you plan to continue on to the nearby Hazelwood Nature Loop Trail from the connector on the far side Generals Highway shown above.
Big Trees Loop Junction
After the restroom, the 0.7-mile (1.1 km) loop returns to the beginning.
Here, I recommend going right on the alternative route back to the Giant Forest Museum, as shown below.
This is the alternative route back to the Giant Forest Museum, which also links up with the short connector trail to Sunset Rock.
Big Trees-Sunset Rock Connector Junction
This split in the trail is the short connector between the Big Trees Loop Trail and the Sunset Rock Trail.
At this junction, go left to return to the Giant Forest Museum.
Read My Separate Post: Sunset Rock Trail
Then, go left again to follow Generals Highway back to the beginning.
Finally, go left one last time to cross Generals Highway to return to the Giant Forest Museum Trailhead.
More Sequoia-Kings Canyon Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Sequoia National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
Most importantly, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is bear country, and while hiking in black bear territory generally presents less of a risk as opposed to hiking with grizzlies, it‘s important to never get complacent.
That being said, bear spray is not allowed within either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park, but storing your food properly, both on your person and in your vehicle, is not only necessary but required. For this reason, always keep your food and trash with you, and follow these basic rules from the NPS with regards to food in your vehicle.
On a different note, there is one venomous snake found in both parks known as the Western Rattlesnake, and surprisingly, I have encountered it many times, both in dry landscapes and in the meadows of both parks.
Finally, during winter months, you may be required to carry tire chains or have them on your vehicle before entering either park. In addition, micro-spikes may be necessary to stay safe on certain trails, such as Little Baldy and many others during the early and late summer season.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park website.
National Park Service: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
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