Trail Run Project Logo

Sequoia National Forest

loading
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

Overview

Made up of three districts (Hume Lake, Western Divide, and Kern River), Sequoia National Forest is nestled between the Central Valley to the west, Yosemite National Park and Sierra National Forest to the north, Owens Valley and US 395 to the east, and Lake Isabella to the south.

Named after the giant sequoia tree, this National Forest is home to dozens of tree groves, like those found in Giant Sequoia National Monument. Due to recent fire activity in 2020 and 2021, many giant sequoias were damaged or destroyed, with estimates between 10-15% of the total population. Beware of forest closures that have also been a result of the fires.

At around 314,000 acres of wilderness and close to 1,200 miles of trail, this forest attracts hikers, backpackers, trail runners, and mountain bikers from near and far, coming to explore the vastness of the southern Sierra Nevada mountains. Elevation is anywhere from 1,000 feet to over 10,000 feet above sea level with numerous microclimates, plant and animal species, and geological formations.

Easy hikes:

  • Trail of 100 Giants
  • Isabella Peak Out-and-Back
  • The Stairs
  • Fox Meadow Trailhead to Weaver Lake
  • Intermediate hikes:

  • Whiskey Flat Out-and-Back
  • Forks of the Kern (33E20)
  • Unal Interpretive Trail
  • Difficult hikes:

  • The Needles Lookout
  • Heart of the Domelands
  • Bear Creek Trail
  • Mill Creek Trail Out-and-Back
  • Visiting Tips

    With a couple exceptions, like the Trail of 100 Giants, parking and access to Sequoia National Forest are free.

    Leashed dogs are also allowed throughout most of Sequoia National Forest and if you aren't near any water for them, plan on bringing around 1 ounce per pound that the dog weighs (40 lb dog = 40 ounces or 1.2 liters of water) for an average day hike.

    Camping & Lodging

    Lots of tent, car, and backcountry camping options to choose from. The National Forest offers 52 developed campgrounds that are run by Rocky Mountain Recreation Company and reservations can be made at Recreation.gov. Make sure to check for seasonal or fire closures, though some sites are available year-round.

    Check out these camping options as a place to start:
  • Hungry Gulch Campground (Open May - September)
  • Breckenridge Campground
  • Headquarters Campground
  • Food & Drink

    McNally's Burgers are a must for any drive on Mountain Hwy 99, north of Kernville, just 10 minutes south of the Johnsondale Bridge.

    Other Activities

    Whether you're looking to plan a multi-sport adventure or another way to experience this unique landscape, there's lots of activities to choose from. Rock climbing, mountain biking, fly fishing, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding are some of the most popular options.

    Gems in Sequoia National Forest - 1

    Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Gems

    gem Favorite Boole Tree

    Boole Tree

    (1) Squaw V…, CA

    Recommended Routes in Sequoia National Forest - 10

    Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

    Favorite Bull Run Creek 1/2 mile in on Whiskey Flat Trail
    Intermediate Intermediate

    Whiskey Flat Out-and-Back

    12.4 mi 19.9 km 903' Up 275.35 m Up 903' Down 275.32 m Down

    Kernville, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Giant Sequoias
    Easy Easy

    Trail of 100 Giants

    1.3 mi 2.1 km 130' Up 39.48 m Up 130' Down 39.49 m Down

    Alta Si…, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Weaver Lake
    Intermediate Intermediate

    Fox Meadow Trailhead to Weaver Lake

    4.1 mi 6.6 km 780' Up 237.69 m Up 779' Down 237.36 m Down

    Three R…, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite On the trail looking NE.
    Intermediate Intermediate

    The Needles Lookout

    9.9 mi 16.0 km 1,659' Up 505.69 m Up 1,659' Down 505.67 m Down

    Alta Si…, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite No Photos
    Intermediate Intermediate

    Unal Interpretive Trail

    3.8 mi 6.1 km 730' Up 222.55 m Up 730' Down 222.45 m Down

    Alta Si…, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Southern Sierras 39
    Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

    Isabella Peak Out-and-Back

    2.2 mi 3.5 km 376' Up 114.61 m Up 376' Down 114.57 m Down

    Wofford…, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Church Dome, although "Church Spires" might be a better name. The highest Pinnacle is Class 5 via the easiest route. The pinnacle on the left is Class 5.5. Climbers have given names to twelve of the formations in this picture.
    Difficult Difficult

    Heart of the Domelands

    28.3 mi 45.6 km 3,737' Up 1139.09 m Up 3,763' Down 1146.98 m Down

    Kernville, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Enjoy the view from 8200' near the top of the Bear Creek Trail looking west.
    Difficult Difficult

    Bear Creek Trail

    5.0 mi 8.0 km 3,642' Up 1110.11 m Up 5' Down 1.62 m Down

    East Po…, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Dry Creek meets the Kern River
    Difficult Difficult

    Kern River Upper to Rincon Trail

    13.8 mi 22.3 km 1,814' Up 552.8 m Up 1,821' Down 555.06 m Down

    Kernville, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Manter Meadow in the late afternoon. On the right side, there is a sideways view of the Church Dome ridge. You have to leave the trail and hike closer to the meadows for this view.
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

    Manter Meadow Loop

    9.3 mi 15.0 km 1,396' Up 425.35 m Up 1,385' Down 422.15 m Down

    Kernville, CA
    Explore in 3D

    Sequoia National Forest Running

    • 320 Miles 514 Kilometers of Trail
    • 10 Recommended Routes
    • 1 Gem Gems
    • 6 Easy Trails Easy Trails
    • 28 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
    • 18 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
    Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Share what you know about this area!

    Areas Within Sequoia National Forest

    Weather Averages


    High
     
    Low
     
    Precip
     
    Days w/
     
    J F M A M J J A S O N D

    Trails in Sequoia National Forest - 42

    Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Trails

    117.1 mi 188.4 km #1PCT: Walker Pass to Crabtree Meadow (near Mt Whitney)
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Inyokern, CA
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Inyokern, CA
    3.6 mi 5.8 km #2Stony Creek Trail
    Difficult Difficult
    Three Rivers, CA
    Difficult Difficult
    Three Rivers, CA
    16.0 mi 25.7 km #3Keyesville Road to Black Gulch 26S06
    Difficult Difficult
    Lake Isabella, CA
    Difficult Difficult
    Lake Isabella, CA
    14.4 mi 23.2 km #4Crawford Road
    Intermediate Intermediate
    East Porterville, CA
    Intermediate Intermediate
    East Porterville, CA
    2.3 mi 3.8 km #5Boole Tree Trail
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Squaw Valley, CA
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Squaw Valley, CA
    3.1 mi 5.0 km #6Hume Lake Trail
    Easy Easy
    Squaw Valley, CA
    Easy Easy
    Squaw Valley, CA
    0.7 mi 1.1 km #7Indian Basin Paved Trail
    Easy Easy
    Squaw Valley, CA
    Easy Easy
    Squaw Valley, CA
    2.4 mi 3.8 km #8Packsaddle Trail
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Kernville, CA
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Kernville, CA
    0.6 mi 0.9 km #9Indian Basin Unpaved Trail
    Easy Easy
    Squaw Valley, CA
    Easy Easy
    Squaw Valley, CA
    9.7 mi 15.6 km #10Cannell Meadow
    Difficult Difficult
    Kernville, CA
    Difficult Difficult
    Kernville, CA

    Photos of Sequoia National Forest - 77

    Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Photos

    There is great fly fishing along the Kern River.
    Apr 24, 2017 near Kernville, CA
    Enjoy the view from 8200' near the top of the Bear Creek Trail looking west.
    Jul 3, 2017 near East Po…, CA
    Church Dome, although "Church Spires" might be a better name. The highest Pinnacle is Class 5 via the easiest route. The pinnacle on the left is Class 5.5. Climbers have given names to twelve of the formations in this picture.
    Jun 18, 2019 near Weldon, CA
    Dry Creek meets the Kern River
    Jul 3, 2019 near Kernville, CA
    Overlooking Kern Canyon from the lower Remington Ridge Trail.
    Aug 28, 2021 near Bodfish, CA
    The last remnants of snow on the northeastern slope of Remington Ridge.
    Aug 28, 2021 near Bodfish, CA
    Cannell Meadows beginning of trail.
    Feb 23, 2023 near Kernville, CA
    Bull Run Creek 1/2 mile in on Whiskey Flat Trail
    Feb 28, 2023 near Kernville, CA

    Join the Community

    Create your FREE account today!
    Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

    Get Started.