Sequoia National Forest vacation rentals

There’s no better way to put things in perspective than to stand among the largest trees in the world at Sequoia National Forest. The biggest sequoia trees tower as tall as a 26-story building, and their gnarled bases are wider than a city street. Many are more than 3,400 years old. The 1.1 million-acre Sequoia National Forest is home to 33 groves of these astounding trees. (Don’t confuse it with Sequoia National Park, which borders the forest, alongside Kings Canyon National Park.) You could spend your entire trip pondering the absurd majesty of these ancient giants, but there’s a lot more to do here. Within the boundaries of Sequoia National Forest you’ll also find granite monoliths, canyons carved by ancient glaciers, more than 200 miles of wild rivers dotted with roaring rapids, and rugged mountain peaks that loft more than 12,000 feet into the high country. The park’s untrammeled wilderness offers more than 1,147 miles of trails, including 47 miles of the vaunted Pacific Coast Trail that stretches from Canada to Mexico. Sequoia National Forest is an unparalleled outdoor playground, and biking, horseback riding, fishing, mountain climbing, boating, and snow sports are all possible here.

Here in the high country, it’s a good idea to plan for all kinds of weather year-round. Summer is an ideal time to book one of the area’s cabins if you’re into hiking and boating, although temperatures sometimes soar and there are occasional thunderstorms. Fall brings rain — but also spectacular foliage as the leaves turn color. It snows in winter, and temperatures can fall below freezing. The forest tempts skiers and snowshoers, as well as those who simply want to see the massive sequoias blanketed in white.

Giant Sequoia National Monument

Sprawling over 328,000 acres, this swath of forest is home to 33 groves of towering sequoias. The Trail of 100 Giants is a well-maintained walking path appointed with benches, restrooms, and interpretive signs that will carry you past several arboreal highlights, including fallen sequoias. Converse Basin Grove is home to the 269-foot Boole Tree, the sixth-largest tree in the world. It’s also home to the Chicago Stump, all that remains of a massive tree that was cut down and reassembled for crowds at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

The Needles

A 2.5-mile trail will transport you to the Needles, a cluster of impressive granite rock spires that tower over the landscape. The hike ends with a series of wooden staircases that lead onto a dizzying catwalk. Visitors are rewarded with sweeping views of the forest valley and Mount Whitney.

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

This 50-mile road threads through Sequoia National Forest, the Sierra Nevada Foothills, and Kings Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the country. The two-to-three-hour drive will carry you past jaw-dropping scenery, and allows for an easy side trip to see the 275-foot-tall General Sherman, the world’s largest tree.