Sequoia National Forest, Porterville: Photos, Reviews & Location

Vast, iconic mountain wilderness known for conserved giant sequoia tree groves & trails.

At a glance

#1 of 4 Tourist attractions in Porterville

LocalGuideWorld score: 4.80

56.5 km from the center of Porterville

Rating breakdown

5 ★87%
4 ★10%
3 ★2%
2 ★1%
1 ★1%

Porterville, CA

fs.usda.gov

(760) 379-5646

Photos of Sequoia National Forest (81)

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Sequoia National Forest, Porterville – photo 1

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Sequoia National Forest, Porterville – photo 12

Quick facts

What is the rating of Sequoia National Forest?: Sequoia National Forest is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 5,448 reviews.
How does Sequoia National Forest rank in Porterville?: Sequoia National Forest is #1 of 4 Tourist attractions in Porterville by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
Where is Sequoia National Forest located?: Porterville, CA — 56.5 km from the center of Porterville.
How can I contact Sequoia National Forest?: Phone: (760) 379-5646 · Website: fs.usda.gov

Reviews (8)

Clément Muth 2023 Nov 08

My visit to Sequoia National Forest was filled with awe at the majesty of these towering trees. The sheer size and age of the giant sequoias are a sight to behold. However, I was a bit disappointed when I visited, as a significant number of trees had been charred due to recent fires. While this was disheartening, it also serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preserving these natural wonders. Despite the damage, the forest remains a place of great beauty and reverence.

Reviews By Nitra 2023 Oct 23

Beautiful setup for ease of navigating the forest to see the giant sequoias. What I like about the forest is that you can bring your dogs with you and there are quite a few other dogs, so I recommend well behaved dogs only. I brought a stroller for one of my dogs that seem to get tired after a while. It’s a 1.3ish mile walk but you stop and take photos and read signs so it took us about 2.5-3hours just to gander around and enjoy the scenery. The path is paved but it’s a bit narrow. The stroller I brought pretty much took up all the path but that’s good to know because if you have a wheelchair you’ll fit. There was parking and someone working it to tell you where to park and taking payment of $12 cash. We parked at the first parking lot we came across but the maps show another lot south. There’s two park entrances to the forest- you’ll come up on the north one first but if you keep going a bit you’ll come across the south entrance and parking lot. There are bathrooms but they are the most outside indoor bathrooms I’ve ever used. No light, no running water just a portalet toilet inside of a room that looks like a building- there was toilet paper. Bring some hand sanitizer and wipes for after use.

The drive there… 55 minutes before you get there you start the willldddd drive up there. The roads are very curvy with switchbacks. If you are sensitive to getting carsick, I would recommend taking your necessary precautions for this drive.

Audrey Wilson 2023 Oct 03

Beautiful and less populated than Yosemite, so thankfully it was less crowded, more fun & a hands-on experience for the kids with less designated pathways and fences.

Kosha Vora 2023 Sep 17

Sequoia National Park is inspired by the beauty of nature and the power of nature.The redwood trees are so tall they make you feel small. My fav trail is Moro rock! The top of the mountain experienced incredible! Don't skip to climb up till the top!!

Nestor Baez 2023 Aug 30

I did the lower keyesville loop hike near lake isabella and wasn't really impressed. Recommend people stay near the actual forest as the trees there are much more massive and grand looking. It gets really really sunny around this area so make sure you bring sun screen and go during the early day of the hour to beat the heat.

Laddawan D 2023 Jul 17

We like Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is beautiful and easy access. There are many areas closed due to winter storm. Please check the website before you travel there. We visited in mid July so the temperature at the park is nice not cold. We like the Hume lake; there are many activities over there but, it’s a little bit difficult finding a parking space near the Sandy Cove so we park near the camp ground area by the lake. The largest Sherman tree is very interesting as well.

Angel Taylor 2023 Jul 03

Beautiful, once in a lifetime experience.
We spent one day in late June seeing General Grant and hiking a nearby trail. We wished we had several days to spend there. The weather was beautiful, the air smelled like flowers. You could see where the fires came through in areas. There is a long, steep ride into the mountains once you get closer to the park entrance. If you like outdoors, I would dedicate a few days to this park and area. There’s so much to see here we didn’t have time for but, if you’ve never seen the sequoias, even a quick trip is worth it. We are so glad we went.
Side note, GPS signal can be sketchy in the mountains. Make sure you pay attention to how you get in and out of the park since you may not have service until getting down the mountain some. They also have maps available at the welcome centers.

Michael Miller 2023 Jun 17

The road is closed due to a landslide. You can only go into the park a few miles, and you can't see any giant sequoias. You have to drive over 2 hours to Kings Canyon to see the sequoias. The GPS will take you on a winding little pig trail that floods in the spring. Follow the map they give you at the park. There are still some beautiful views of the river.