Sequoia National Forest

Sequoia National Forest is a U.S. national forest located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It is named for the majestic Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) trees which populate 38 distinct groves within its boundaries. Part of the natural area is old-growth forest and recognized by the Old-Growth Forest Network.

The Giant Sequoia National Monument is located in the national forest. Other notable features include glacier-carved landscapes and impressive granite monoliths. The Needles are a series of granite spires atop a narrow ridge above the Kern River. Forest Service headquarters are located in Porterville, California. There are local ranger district offices in Dunlap, Kernville, Lake Isabella, and Springville.

The Sequoia National Forest covers 1,193,315 acres (1,864.555 sq mi; 4,829.17 km²), and ranges in elevation from 1,000 feet (300 m) in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to over 12,000 feet (3,700 m). Its giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) groves are part of its 196,000 acres (790 km²) of old growth forests. Other tree species include:

The National Forest contains over 2,500 miles (4,000 km) of road and 850 miles (1,370 km) of trails, and hosts a number of camping and recreational facilities. The forest is adjacent to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

There are six wilderness areas within Sequoia NF that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Some of these extend into neighboring National Forests, as indicated. Two of them also extend into land that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

On April 15, 2000, President Bill Clinton proclaimed 328,000-acre (1,330 km²) of the Sequoia National Forest as the Giant Sequoia National Monument by Presidential Proclamation 7295, published in the Federal Register, Tuesday, April 25, 2000, Vol. 65, No. 80.

The monument is in two sections. The northern section surrounds General Grant Grove and other parts of Kings Canyon National Park and is administered by the Hume Lake Ranger District. The southern section is directly south of Sequoia National Park and is administered by the Western Divide Ranger District, surrounding the eastern half of the Tule River Indian Reservation.

The Needles are a series of granite spires atop a narrow ridge above the Kern River.(36.1214°N 118.5044°W) The Needles Lookout trail, which takes you up to the rock formation, is 2.5 miles long. The Needles Fire Lookout Tower, which sat on top of a spire referred to as “The Magician” was destroyed in a structure fire on July 28, 2011.