5 Min Read

I’ve been dreaming of visiting Sequoia National Park in central California for years, which is home to the world’s largest Redwoods and Giant Sequoia trees. Seeing photos of people standing next to these enormous beings, I was in awe. Out of all the national parks I’ve visited, Sequoia National Park is among the most unique and unbelievable. While I tried my best to photograph its beauty, it’s something to be experienced. It’s no surprise that in 1875 people called it the ‘California Hoax’ when pieces of this giant forest were put on display at the Missouri State Fair.

Sequoia National Park is a 5 hour drive from San Francisco, with tons to see I would recommend it as a weekend trip! Spontaneously though, I rallied a few of my favorite people @realnoice and @lauriesmooz on a Friday evening, we set out for a 24 hour road trip the next morning starting at 4 AM. Due to COVID-19, there were no available campgrounds within the park. Since we only had one day, we were determined to hit the highlights. Here’s everything we did in 24 hours.

things to do in SEQUOIA National Park

General Sherman Tree

Stopped for a quick photo with my iPhone!

We managed to arrive at the park by 10:30 AM and our first stop was the General Sherman tree. The General Sherman Tree is the world's largest tree. It stands 275 feet (83 m) tall, and is over 36 feet (11 m) in diameter at the base. Almost as big as the Statue of Liberty or Big Ben! There are multiple other attractions along this trail such as the Sequoia Tunnel that allows you to walk through a tree tunnel and the start of Congress Trail! As one of the parks top highlights, expect crowds on the trail or long lines especially if you plan to get a picture in front of the sign.

How to Get There?

There is a parking lot that starts next to the trail which is 0.8 miles out and back, located near Three Rivers, California. Enter in your GPS “General Sherman Tree Car Park.”

Congress Trail

After we walked around the General Sherman tree and grabbed our photo, we started down the Congress Trail. This trail was the highlight of the trip for me! I spent so much time taking photos with the trees, standing at the base and looking up felt extraordinary. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy the quietness and peacefulness of the forest without the crowds. Some of the trees are almost as large as the General Sherman, allowing you to appreciate the trees and take photos without the hassle. For three miles you’ll pass through clusters of colossal Sequoias, hilariously named such as The President, The House, and The Senate.

How to Get There?

Congress Trail is a 3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Three Rivers, California. This popular trail begins at the General Sherman Tree and takes you among the giants into the heart of the Giant Forest. Enter in your GPS “General Sherman Tree Car Park.”

Lodgepole Market & Grill

After we spent a few hours enjoying the Sequoia trees, it was time to eat! The park has limited services available but we were lucky to come across Lodgepole Market & Grill, only 10 mins down the road from the General Sherman parking lot. It’s a full service grocery store for grab and go meals, supplies, and souvenirs. I like to get a sticker from every national park I’ve visited to put on my Hydro flask or laptop! Unfortunately the grill area wasn’t available during our visit.

Lodgepole Market & Grill is open daily from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Tunnel log

After we filled up with some delicious sandwiches and snacks from Lodgepole, we squeezed in a short one hour nap. When we woke up, we headed towards Tunnel Log to drive our car through the famous fallen sequoia tree. Upon arriving, there was a long line of cars. People would drive through the tree tunnel, get out, and take their photo but I wanted something different! Instead, we parked our car on the side of the road and stood in line. When it was our turn, @realnoice and @lauriesmooz ran out under the tree and we had a blast taking photos! Check out what I captured!

How to Get There?

Enter in your GPS “Sequoia National Park's Tunnel Log” for directions! Be aware if you visit during peak times, you’ll have to wait for a chance to take a photo. It’s best combined when visiting Moro Rock, as the two are next door.

Moro Rock (Sunset)

Finally it was time to catch sunset and we made our way towards our final stop of the day, Moro Rock. To reach the peak, you’ll have to climb 400 steps with 187 feet of elevation gain, its worth every step. Once you reach the summit, you’ll be standing on top of the granite dome with your head above the trees and able to take in 360 degree spectacular sweeping views of the valley. We caught the most incredible sunset, as the sky exploded with a spectrum of fiery colors. Blessed with incredible lighting, I had such a blast shooting a few portraits.

How to Get There?

If you decide to walk from Tunne Log to Moro Rock, it is a 0.75-mile walk one way and should take about 15 minutes. Moro Rock also has its own parking lot to easily access this hike. Enter in your GPS “Moro Rock Trail”, to drive directly to the parking lot which starts the trail head.

Goodnight Sun

After I said goodnight to the sun from the top of Moro Rock, I waved goodbye and we started our trek back to San Francisco. Gulping energy drinks and coffee on the way home, I managed to find myself back in bed by 4 AM; completing our 24 hour road trip. This was my first visit to Sequoia National Park and I had an amazing time. I’m thankful during these times to live in such an incredible place and encourage others to explore your own backyard more often! If you decide to visit Sequoia National Park and need any tips feel free to direct message me on Instagram @nickfjord!