Every year, millions of people flock to National Parks throughout the United States. Each park is unique, boasting incredible natural wonders, and California’s national parks are no exception. While Yosemite is one of the most well-known parks near San Francisco, one of the nation’s oldest parks is also within driving distance.
In 1872, Yellowstone became the first of what would eventually become many National Parks. Less than 20 years later, in 1890, Sequoia National Park was established, approximately four hours outside of San Francisco. The park was created to protect the ancient sequoias from logging, and a week later, the General Grant National Park was established, which would eventually become part of what is now known as Kings Canyon National Park.
A national park with trees over 2,000 years old
Sequoia National Park is known for its towering sequoias and has been fittingly described as the Land of Giants for their massive size. The park was created to protect the ancient trees from logging, and soldiers were deployed to guard the land in the early years. In 1916, the National Park Service was created, putting civilians in charge of the parks rather than the military.
Understandably, the park’s main attraction is the towering forest. There are approximately 40 giant sequoia groves in the park, with one notable grove called the Giant Forest. The grove contains a high number of exceptionally large sequoias and has an extensive network of hiking trails.
The park is also home to the largest tree by volume in the world, named The General Sherman Tree. The tree has a volume of 52,500 cubic ft and reaches almost 275 feet tall. To put that in perspective, wood from the tree could build approximately 120 houses, and the weight of the trunk is equal to 15 adult blue whales. The most recent estimate for the General Sherman Tree’s age is approximately 2,200 years old.
Today, the park offers many amenities and activities for visitors, with hiking trails, camping, and even horseback riding. It’s a wonderful way to escape into nature. Before heading to the park, we recommend checking the national park website to stay updated on any road closures or necessary advisories.
