Sequoia National Forest

Overview

Made up of three districts (Hume Lake, Western Divide, and Kern River), Sequoia National Forest is nestled between the Central Valley to the west, Yosemite National Park and Sierra National Forest to the north, Owens Valley and US 395 to the east, and Lake Isabella to the south.

Named after the giant sequoia tree, this National Forest is home to dozens of tree groves, like those found in Giant Sequoia National Monument. Due to recent fire activity in 2020 and 2021, many giant sequoias were damaged or destroyed, with estimates between 10-15% of the total population. Beware of forest closures that have also been a result of the fires.

At around 314,000 acres of wilderness and close to 1,200 miles of trail, this forest attracts hikers, backpackers, trail runners, and mountain bikers from near and far, coming to explore the vastness of the southern Sierra Nevada mountains. Elevation is anywhere from 1,000 feet to over 10,000 feet above sea level with numerous microclimates, plant and animal species, and geological formations.

Easy hikes:

Intermediate hikes:

Difficult hikes:

Local Info

The summer months can be dangerously hot so water and sun protection are key. When it's hot, plan on bringing at least 1-2 liters of water for every hour you expect to hike (average casual pace is 2 miles/hour, depending on elevation and other conditions).

Visiting Tips

With a couple exceptions, like the Trail of 100 Giants, parking and access to Sequoia National Forest are free.

Leashed dogs are also allowed throughout most of Sequoia National Forest and if you aren't near any water for them, plan on bringing around 1 ounce per pound that the dog weighs (40 lb dog = 40 ounces or 1.2 liters of water) for an average day hike.

Camping & Lodging

Lots of tent, car, and backcountry camping options to choose from. The National Forest offers 52 developed campgrounds that are run by Rocky Mountain Recreation Company and reservations can be made at Recreation.gov. Make sure to check for seasonal or fire closures, though some sites are available year-round.

Check out these camping options as a place to start:

Hungry Gulch Campground (Open May - September)

Breckenridge Campground

Headquarters Campground

Food & Drink

McNally's Burgers are a must for any drive on Mountain Hwy 99, north of Kernville, just 10 minutes south of the Johnsondale Bridge.

Other Activities

Whether you're looking to plan a multi-sport adventure or another way to experience this unique landscape, there's lots of activities to choose from. Rock climbing, mountain biking, fly fishing, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding are some of the most popular options.