Standing in front of a giant sequoia changes your idea of what a tree can be: reddish trunks as wide as a house, rising straight up until they disappear into the branches. Sequoia National Park, in California's Sierra Nevada, is home to the General Sherman, considered the largest tree in the world by volume, according to the National Park Service. The park, established in 1890, is managed jointly with its neighbor, Kings Canyon, and together they hold giant forests, deep canyons and, on their eastern edge, Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous 48 states. This guide explains how to visit Sequoia: what entry costs with the surcharge for international visitors, what to see, how to get there from Los Angeles or San Francisco, when to go and how to plan one or two days. Last checked November 6, 2026.
Quick facts
- Where it is. In California's Sierra Nevada, between Los Angeles and San Francisco, about four hours from each.
- Entrance. $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle and $20 per person, valid for up to 7 days, according to the NPS.
- One pass, two parks. The same ticket covers Sequoia and Kings Canyon.
- International visitors. A $100 surcharge per person aged 16 or older.
How much does it cost to enter Sequoia?
According to the National Park Service, entry costs $35 per private vehicle with all its passengers, $30 per motorcycle and $20 per person arriving on foot or by bike, valid for one to seven days. The good news: that one payment covers both parks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, which share the same road. The bad news: Sequoia and Kings Canyon are among the eleven parks that charge each nonresident visitor aged 16 or older a $100 surcharge.
Do the math before you go. A foreign couple in a car would pay $35 for entry and $200 in surcharges, $235 in total, almost the same as the $250 nonresident annual pass, which waives the surcharge and covers the vehicle for a year. If you're also visiting Yosemite on the same trip, which charges the surcharge too, the annual pass is clearly cheaper. All the details are in US national parks for international visitors.
The General Sherman: the largest tree in the world
It's the stop no one skips. The General Sherman isn't the tallest or the widest tree, but it has the greatest volume of wood on the planet, according to the NPS. It stands in the Giant Forest, the area with the most sequoias in the park, and you reach it on a paved trail that goes downhill from the parking lot; the return is uphill and, because of the altitude, more tiring than it looks. There is a shorter accessible route for people with limited mobility. Go early or late in the afternoon: at midday in summer the trail is crowded and it's hard to get a photo without people.
What to see in Sequoia
- The Giant Forest and its museum. Hundreds of enormous sequoias and a small museum that explains how they grow and why fire is part of their life cycle.
- Moro Rock. A granite dome with a staircase carved into the rock leading to a viewpoint over the Sierra Nevada. Some stretches are exposed; it's not for anyone afraid of heights.
- Tunnel Log. A fallen sequoia with a tunnel cut through the trunk for the road. The park's classic photo.
- Crystal Cave. A marble cave with formations, visited only on guided tours in season. Check the park website to see whether it's open and how tickets are booked.
- Kings Canyon. To the north, with the General Grant, another giant sequoia, and a deep canyon reached by a scenic road in summer.
What about Mount Whitney?
Mount Whitney marks the park's eastern boundary and is the highest summit in the contiguous 48 states, but you can't see it or reach it from the sequoia area. No road crosses the Sierra Nevada inside the park: to get near Whitney you have to go around to the east side of the range, through the town of Lone Pine. Climbing it requires a lottery permit and serious preparation, so for most travelers it remains a fun fact.
How to get to Sequoia
The main entrance is east of Visalia, a city in California's Central Valley. From Los Angeles it's about four hours by car; from San Francisco, four to five. The other entrance, for Kings Canyon, is reached from Fresno, which has a regional airport. Inside the park, the mountain road has lots of curves and slow stretches: allow more time than the map suggests between stops. In summer a shuttle service usually runs from Visalia; check whether it operates on your dates. If you're renting a car, read renting a car in the US.
When is the best time to visit Sequoia?
From June to September all roads and services are open, and that's when crowds peak. May and October are very good: fewer visitors and pleasant temperatures among the trees, although some higher roads may still be closed. In winter, snow covers the Giant Forest and the scenery is gorgeous, but tire chains may be required depending on conditions and several areas close. Keep the contrast in mind: the entrance is low and very hot in summer, while the trees are at high elevation, where it's cool.
Sequoia in one or two days
One day: enter early, drive up to the Giant Forest, walk to the General Sherman, visit the museum, drive through Tunnel Log and end by climbing Moro Rock to watch the sunset over the Sierra. Two days: add Kings Canyon, with the General Grant and, in summer, the drive down into the canyon. If your trip continues north, Sequoia fits nicely before or after Yosemite.
Sequoia with kids
Few parks wow children like this one. Holding hands around a sequoia trunk, driving through the tunnel in a fallen tree and spotting squirrels and deer among the giants tend to create memories that last for years. The trail to the General Sherman is paved, and the Giant Forest museum has easy-to-follow exhibits. Moro Rock, on the other hand, has railings but stretches with drop-offs on both sides: with young children, think it over before climbing. Bring layers, because it gets cool among the trees late in the day, and plenty of food, because options inside the park are few and expensive.
Where to stay
Inside the park there are lodges and several campgrounds, booked many months in advance. Outside, the town of Three Rivers, by the main entrance, has cabins and motels, and Visalia offers cheaper chain hotels about an hour away. Staying close lets you get in early, before the parking lots fill up.
Practical tips
- Fuel. There are no gas stations in the main areas of the park: fill up before you drive up.
- Bears. Black bears live here: store food in the metal lockers and never leave it visible in your car.
- Winding road. The road has tight curves; if you get carsick, take precautions.
- Cell service. There's almost no coverage; download your maps before you go in.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Sequoia National Park?
$35 per vehicle, valid for one to seven days, according to the NPS. If you're a foreign visitor aged 16 or older, add a $100 surcharge, which you don't pay if you have the nonresident annual pass.
Does the Sequoia entrance fee cover Kings Canyon?
Yes. One payment covers both parks.
Where is the largest tree in the world?
In Sequoia National Park: it's the General Sherman, the largest by volume, according to the NPS.
How far is Sequoia from Los Angeles?
About four hours by car to the main entrance, near Visalia.
Can you visit Sequoia in winter?
Yes, with snow and beautiful scenery, but chains may be required and some areas close.
How many days do you need in Sequoia?
One day covers the essentials; with two you can add Kings Canyon.