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 Trailhead

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.