This is a list of giant sequoia groves. All naturally occurring giant sequoia groves are located in the moist, unglaciated ridges and valleys of the western slope of the Sierra Nevada range in California, United States. They can be found at elevations between .
While many groves are within national park boundaries, such as Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park, most of the giant sequoia groves are under the care of the United States Forest Service, placing them outside the legislative mandate that excludes commercial timber harvest. Logging of non-sequoia timber continued as recently as the 1980, especially old-growth ponderosa and sugar pine, which have been logged almost to extinction amongst the groves.
Groves in the northern half of the range (north of the Kings River) are widely scattered and host smaller collections of giant sequoias than groves found within and south of the Kings River watershed. The total area of all the groves combined is approximately . The groves are listed from north to south in the list below.
This list is based on five different sources, with slightly varying views on what constitutes a discrete grove; the differing interpretations are noted in italics. The lists of groves were compiled by Rundel (1972; recognizing 75 groves), Flint (1987; recognizing 65 groves), Willard (1994; recognizing 65 groves), the Giant Sequoia National Monument Visitor's Guide (2003), and the Draft Giant Sequoia National Monument Plan 2010. Currently, the U.S. National Park Service cites Rundel's total of 75 groves in its visitor publications. The updated lists from Willard and Flint are now known to be more accurate, therefore some of Rundel's 75 groves have been removed from this list. Below compiles a list of 81 giant sequoia groves.
North of the Kings River The 7 groves north of the Kings River watershed are in Tahoe National Forest, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Yosemite National Park, or Sierra National Forest (listed north to south): NameLocationCoordinates Elevation Comments(m)(ft)Placer County Big Trees GroveTahoe National ForestPlacer CountyThe northernmost grove, with only six trees, the largest being in diameter. The grove is also the furthest removed from all other giant sequoia groves. Part of the American River watershed.North Calaveras GroveCalaveras Big Trees State ParkCalaveras CountyThe first giant sequoia grove to be visited by Europeans (1833), as well as the first to be documented (1852). Part of the Calaveras River watershed.South Calaveras GroveCalaveras Big Trees State ParkTuolumne CountyThe lowest average elevation of any giant sequoia grove. Includes the Louis Agassiz tree, one of the largest giant sequoias in the world. Part of the Stanislaus River watershed.Tuolumne GroveYosemite National ParkTuolumne CountyThe grove features about six visible giant sequoias amongst a dense understory of dogwood. Includes the "Dead Giant", a fallen giant sequoia with a stagecoach-sized tunnel cut through it. Part of the Tuolumne River watershed.Merced GroveYosemite National ParkMariposa CountyThe grove features about 20 large trees. Part of the Merced River watershed.Mariposa GroveYosemite National ParkMariposa CountyIncludes the 'Grizzly Giant' and many other famous trees. Part of the Merced River watershed.Nelder GroveSierra National ForestMadera CountyThree units, partially logged; site of the Shadow of the Giants National Recreation Trail. This grove was heavily impacted by the Railroad Fire in 2017. Part of the Fresno River watershed.
Kings River watershed The 18 groves in the Kings River watershed are in Kings Canyon National Park, the northern section of Giant Sequoia National Monument, or Sequoia National Forest, in southern Fresno County and northern Tulare County (listed north to south):
NameLocationCoordinates Elevation Comments(m)(ft)McKinley GroveSierra National ForestFresno CountyThe grove features between 150 and 200 large trees.Converse Basin GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National ForestThe grove was the second-largest giant sequoia grove before being heavily logged in the 1890s. Despite this, nearly 100 widely scattered old-growth trees remain and has experienced significant regrowth. The grove is also the home of the Boole Tree, the 6th largest giant sequoia in the world. It is also the home of the Chicago Stump, the remnant of what was once the General Noble tree which was the second largest tree in the grove. This grove was significantly impacted by the Rough Fire in 2015.Indian Basin GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National ForestA mid-size grove that was logged between 1901 and 1907. The grove contains many young sequoias approaching diameters of up to .Lockwood GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National Forest Part of the Evans Complex. The grove was heavily impacted by the Rough Fire in 2015, which killed 14 trees with diameters of at least .Monarch GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National ForestImmediately north of the Agnew Grove, near Monarch Wilderness boundary. On Forest Service GSNM map. Despite its close proximity to Agnew Grove, this grove was not significantly impacted by the Rough Fire in 2015.Agnew GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National ForestThis grove was heavily impacted by the Rough Fire in 2015.Deer Meadow GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National ForestThis grove was heavily impacted by the Rough Fire in 2015.Cherry Gap GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National ForestLogged. Located between Converse Basin Grove and General Grant Grove, near McGee Overlook. This grove was significantly impacted by the Rough Fire in 2015.Evans GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National Forest Heavily logged before 1920. Part of Evans Grove Complex. This grove was heavily impacted by the Rough Fire in 2015.Abbott Creek GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National ForestListed by Rundel and Flint; very small (largely logged); too few trees to qualify as a grove according to Willard.Kennedy GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentKings Canyon National ParkSequoia National Forest Home of 'Ishi Giant'. Part of Evans Complex. This grove was heavily impacted by the Rough Fire in 2015.Little Boulder Creek GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National ForestThis grove features about 20 large trees scattered along an old logging road. Part of Evans Complex. This grove was heavily impacted by the Rough Fire in 2015.Bearskin GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National ForestThe grove was the first to be affected by the clearcutting of giant sequoia groves by U.S. Forest Service in the 1980s. Features many large giant sequoias along road 13S98A, which runs through the heart of the grove.Boulder Creek GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National ForestPart of Evans Complex. This grove was heavily impacted by the Rough Fire in 2015.General Grant GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentKings Canyon National ParkSequoia National Forest Includes the General Grant Tree. This grove was significantly impacted by the Rough Fire in 2015.Landslide GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentSequoia National ForestSequoia Creek GroveKings Canyon National ParkBig Stump GroveGiant Sequoia National MonumentKings Canyon National ParkSequoia National ForestIncludes the Burnt Monarch, the remains of which are larger than any living tree.
Kaweah River watershed The 31 groves in the Kaweah River watershed are all in Sequoia National Park or in mixed BLM and private ownership, except the northernmost in Sequoia National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park (listed north to south):