General Grant Tree

About This Trail

The General Grant Tree is Earth's second-largest living organism, and this paved 0.5-mile loop puts you face-to-face with it. Don't let the easy rating fool you—steep sections on pavement demand traction, especially when wet or icy. Walk through a fallen 200-foot sequoia (Fallen Monarch), glimpse history at Gamlin Cabin, and understand why this tree earned the title Nation's Christmas Tree and the country's only living national shrine. Most hikers finish in 45 minutes but linger for the payoff.

Highlights

Insider Tips

• Arrive by 8 AM weekends to secure main lot; overflow is your backup if main fills • The Fallen Monarch walk-through is worth the stairs—don't skip it • Snowshoe rental at Grant Grove Gift Shop (check availability before visit) • Winter-ready hikers often find this trail less crowded than Giant Forest with equal spectacle • Wayside exhibits are bilingual (English/Spanish); read them—context amplifies the awe • Winter conditions make the paved trail tricky; micros or microspikes beat snowshoes for grip on ice

Best Season to Hike

Year-round; winter accessible if park roads open and you carry snowshoes or microspikes

Family Info

Excellent for families. Paved and only 0.5 miles—manageable for young children. Benches allow rest breaks. Hand-hold during steep sections. The Fallen Monarch walk-through is optional if stairs pose a challenge. Wayside exhibits engage children. Restrooms at trailhead.

What Hikers Say

Hikers often underestimate this easy loop because it's short and paved. Reality: steep sections on pavement demand respect, and standing before Earth's second-largest tree commands your full attention. Most complete the 0.5 miles in 45 minutes but linger far longer. Winter is viable with snowshoes; crowds are real on weekends.