Big Trees Trail Day Hike
Sequoia National Park
Big Trees Trail makes an easy loop through groves of magnificent Giant Sequoias near Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park. The 1⅔-mile round-trip trail begins at the Giant Forest Museum and leads down to nearby Round Meadow where a series of fascinating informational panels describe Sequoia ecology.
Big Trees Trail
Big Trees Trail Trailhead
Easy
1⅔ miles
50 feet
Sequoia NP
The Big Trees Trail begins at the Giant Forest Museum, although handicapped parking is available down at the beginning of the loop in Round Meadow. Ample parking is available across Generals Highway from the museum. Restrooms and water are found next to the museum. Head north from the museum and soon encounter the Big Trees Trail sign shown above.
Summer Shuttle Bus
In the summer free shuttle buses connects Lodgepole Village and the Giant Forest Museum with stops at the General Sherman Tree. Buses run every 15 minutes. Another shuttle travels from the museum to Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow, departing every 20 minutes.
Big Trees Trail
The walk from the museum down to Round Meadow is a pleasant stroll along a paved trail with a gentle descent. Once at Round Meadow turn left to start the loop, soon passing a restroom and water fountain. Among the interesting sites around the meadow are the Ed by Ned trees, a pair of Giant Sequoias that have grown together at their base.
At a particularly wet portion of the meadow loop, the paved trail transitions to a boardwalk. Soaring trees grow in clusters all around the meadow, taking advantage of the water and sunlight.
The Big Trees Trail Loop at Round Meadow is wheelchair friendly.
Round Meadow Trail
Things to Know
- Pets and mountain bikes are not allowed on any park trails.
- Restrooms and water are available at the museum and at Round Meadow.
- In the summer a free shuttle bus runs from Giant Forest Museum to points of interest in Sequoia.
Round Meadow Trail
Nearby Sierra Day Hikes
- Crescent Meadow - visit Tharp's Tree Cabin, hike around beautiful meadows
- General Sherman Tree - walk down a paved trail with some steps to the magnificent General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world measured by volume.
- Moro Rock - climb the trail to the summit of Moro Rock for amazing panoramic views
- Tokopah Falls - hike from Lodgepole Village to the highest waterfall in Sequoia National Park.
Other Nearby Trails
The 1-mile Sunrise Rock Trail leads out of the north end of the Giant Forest Museum parking lot. Sunrise Rock is a massive expanse of glaciated granite, affording unobstructed views of Deep Canyon and, of course, the sunset.
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