The General Sherman Tree — 274 feet tall, 102-foot base circumference, 52,508 cubic feet of volume — is the world's largest living tree, reached by a half-mile paved walk through Sequoia's Giant Forest. The trail descends from the parking area to the tree, then climbs roughly 200 feet back up on the return, though a summer shuttle runs every 15-20 minutes if you'd rather skip the climb. Open year-round and fully paved, it's one of the few trails in the park accessible to nearly everyone.
Trail Details
- 🏃Activities
- Hiking
- 📊Difficulty
- Easy
- 🔁Trail Type
- out and back
- 📏Distance
- 0.5 miles
- ⬆️Elevation Gain
- 200 ft
- 🪨Surface
- paved
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, october, november, december
- 📍Location
- CA
- 🐕Dogs Allowed
- No
- 💵Fee
- Free
Overview
The General Sherman Tree is a biological superlative you can actually visit. At 52,508 cubic feet of volume, it's the largest living tree on Earth by that measure — not the tallest (that's a coast redwood in Humboldt), not the widest, but the combination of height (274 feet), girth (102-foot base circumference), and age (estimated at 2,200 years) puts it in a category of its own. The NPS manages it as a living tree, not a monument; the bark still splits and the branches still grow.
The trail is 0.5 miles from the Sherman Tree parking area to the base. It's paved throughout, runs at around 6,400 feet elevation, and can be completed by nearly anyone. The descent to the tree is gradual; the 200-foot return climb is noticeable at altitude but not difficult.
What to Expect
The trail begins at the Sherman Tree parking area off Wolverton Road, about 2 miles north of the Giant Forest Museum. You descend through a grove that includes not just the Sherman Tree but dozens of its large neighbors — the scale becomes apparent before you reach the main attraction.
The tree is surrounded by a low fence to protect its shallow root system. Walk the full perimeter and get close enough to touch the bark. The base diameter is 36 feet. Interpretive signs and educational exhibits line the route, with benches at the base if you want to sit with it for a while.
In summer, the free Sequoia Shuttle stops at the Sherman Tree parking area every 15-20 minutes — useful if you parked at the Giant Forest Museum or want to skip the return climb. In winter, the paved surface can ice over; trekking poles and shoe traction devices are worth having.
Tips & Logistics
The Sherman Tree parking area fills quickly on summer mornings. The shuttle from the Giant Forest Museum or Lodgepole Visitor Center is often faster than circling for a spot. Accessible parking is available at the main lot (5 spaces) and at a separate closer entry about 0.5 miles away with a shorter, fully ADA-compliant path.
Open year-round, though snow is possible between November and April. No water at the trailhead. No permit required; standard park entrance fee applies.