General Grant Grove Trail

Route Description for General Grant Grove Trail

The General Grant Grove Trail is a lovely nature trail that exhibits a collection of some of the world’s largest sequoias. This route is well-traveled, so you will be hard-pressed to find the path without some foot traffic, so come prepared to share! If you are seeking a more tranquil experience, we encourage you to head out after 5 PM when the crowds are often thinner—or better yet, in the off-season. Wintertime treks are more secluded, though the path is often recorded as slippery, so make sure you bring microspikes or snowshoes to safely navigate the terrain. Note there is an entrance charge to the park that costs $35USD per vehicle or $20USD per person for pedestrians or cyclists.

Those seeking a relaxing hike in the Kings Canyon National Park will enjoy this scenic route. Walkers of all skill levels and ages can manage this nature trail through a sea of sequoias to the world’s second-largest tree by volume—the General Grant Tree. Boasting the perfect excuse to get outside into the fresh air, you may be granted with sights of wildlife such as deer and bears while you meander, so make sure your camera is charged! Though the route is open and accessible year-round, we suggest you explore in the spring when the carpets of ferns and lupines bloom and the stream surges with snowmelt.

Your journey along the General Grant Grove Trail begins from the trailhead off the parking lot. Setting out from here, take the rightmost General Grant Trail, escaping into the woodlands. Soon after your departure, you will cross a footbridge over a seasonal stream to another junction. Veer left, and the General Grant Trail will redirect you north through the old-growth sequoias interspersed with redwoods and mixed-conifers and over the creek again.

At the following trail split, turn right onto the Grant Tree Loop. This path will guide to the fence that surrounds the monstrous tree. Here, keep right and wander around the immense sequoia, taking photos and reveling in the grandeur of the tree. There is a quick offshoot here you can explore or continue northward to the next juncture. Turn left, and you will be led to the Gamlin Cabin.

Explore the cabin built in 1872 that was used as a storehouse and living quarters for park rangers. After you are through touring the cabin, head south past the Centennial Stump—a sequoia stump that measures 7 m across and was cut in 1875. Follow the forested path south; you will eventually be delivered back to the trailhead, marking the end of your adventure in the General Grant Grove.

Trail Highlights

General Grant Tree

The General Grant Tree is the second largest sequoia in the world, just falling short of the General Sherman Tree. The largest tree in the General Grant Grove, this monstrous sequoia measures a circumference of 33 m at the base, looms 82 m above the soft forest floor and is estimated to be around 1,650 years of age. Named for Ulysses S. Grant, the Union Army general and the 18th President of the United States in 1867, this incredible tree is a sight to see.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the General Grant Grove Trail?

The General Grant Grove Trail is a 1.1 km circuit hike.

How tall is the General Grant Tree?

The General Grant Tree stands at 82 m.

Insider Hints for General Grant Grove Trail

• When exploring in the winter months a pair of snowshoes or microspikes are recommended
• Pack a picnic and have lunch overlooking the giant forest
• Head out after 5PM when the crowds begin to thin for a more tranquil experience
• Charge your camera, the scenery is unforgettable
• Though not necessary, the trail GPS may prove useful