Overview
Sequoia National Forest is a national forest surrounding Sequoia National Park in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. The forest contains many groves of giant sequoias, the largest living things in the world, along with many other gems.
6 sights · 3 things to do · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Sequoia National Forest
Buck Rock Lookout
A neat lookout way out on the top of a rock. Near Hume Lake, east of General Grant tree.
Delilah Lookout
A fire lookout that is 60 feet above the ground.
Chicago Stump
Was a healthy 2000-year old sequoia until it was logged. Some of its pieces were sent to Chicago, where easterners called it a hoax, thinking that no tree could possibly be that wide. The stump is now about 20 feet tall …
The Needles
A bunch of sharp peaks, one of which holds a fire lookout with a fantastic view.
Dome Rock
Neat place to visit, even if you're not a rock climber. There's a great view of The Needles.
Trail of 100 Giants
Northeast of Johnsondale, is popular for its many giant sequoias.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Oct. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 25°F. Wettest: Jan and Mar. (climate data from nearby Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BFL Meadows Field, Bakersfield — 52 mi away. Directions
- FAT Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno — 85 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Buck Rock Lookout, Chicago Stump, Dome Rock
- Afternoon Dome Rock and the Needles, Greenhorn Cave and Packsaddle Cave
Day 2
- Morning Delilah Lookout, The Needles
- Afternoon Trail of 100 Giants, Kennedy Meadows OHV area
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Sequoia NF is divided into two sections, a northern and a southern, with Sequoia National Park in between.
Much of the forest was, in 2000, made into the new Giant Sequoia National Monument.
See
Northern Section
See Chicago Stump
Was a healthy 2000-year old sequoia until it was logged. Some of its pieces were sent to Chicago, where easterners called it a hoax, thinking that no tree could possibly be that wide. The stump is now about 20 feet tall and 25 feet in diameter. It's just north of the General Grant tree.
Southern Section
See Dome Rock
Neat place to visit, even if you're not a rock climber. There's a great view of The Needles.
Do
- Southern Section
Buy
Shop Kennedy Meadows General Store
General store and major resupply point; accepts resupply packages ($2 fee, send 2 or more weeks ahead).
Sleep
- Buck Rock Campground (free)
- Quaking Aspen Campground
Stay Upper Peppermint Campground
Go next
- Sierra National Forest and Inyo National Forest border Sequoia.
- Sequoia National Park is surrounded by part of the forest.
- Kings Canyon National Park is also a nice place to start Sierran hikes from (including Whitney).
- Kernville is a small town on the Kern River.
Nearby
Kernville
City / town · 5 listings · 20 mi away
Porterville
City / town · 3 listings · 29 mi away
Olancha-Cartago
City / town · 2 listings · 32 mi away
Three Rivers
City / town · 20 listings · 36 mi away
Mount Whitney
Park · 3 listings · 39 mi away
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Park · 39 listings · 39 mi away
Exeter
City / town · 12 listings · 40 mi away
Pixley
City / town · 7 listings · 44 mi away
My experience
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