The building that houses the Giant Forest Museum is one of only four buildings remaining of the Giant Forest Village. Formerly housing the Giant Forest market and bar, the building was renovated between 1999 and 2001 when it reopened as a museum. The other retained buildings are the ranger residence, the Beetle Rock Educational Center, and the restroom building with running water.
The park service has known since 1926 that the development of Giant Forest Village and Camp Kaweah were adversely affecting the sequoias, but did not develop a plan for relocating visitor facilities and renovating the area until 1980. It then took another 17 years before demolition began. Eventually over 300 buildings were either torn down or removed. Summer parking for about 240 vehicles is available at the former Camp Kaweah is available across the highway from the museum. A trail or shuttle bus may then be used to reach the Big Trees loop trail. The shuttle isn't needed during the winter and only a small portion of the parking areas are plowed for use by the few visitors.
The museum also serves as a visitor center and contains a gift shop and information desk along with the exhibits. Restrooms are available in an adjacent building. Giant Forest Museum is located 16.5 miles east of the Ash Mountain Entrance Station in Three Rivers.
Towering above the museum is the 2,200 year old Sentinel tree. At 28 feet in diameter, 258 feet tall, and 700 tons, the tree is just an average sequoia. We visited the museum during our March 2018 trip to California.
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| Giant Forest Museum |
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| Interior |
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| Information desk and park store |
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| Additional merchandise |
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| Exhibit area |
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| Not too high, not too low...not too wet, not too dry |
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| How sequoias use fire to propagate |
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| View from the second entrance |
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| Snow covered tree sign |
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| Sentinel Tree |
Entrance to Sequoia and/or Kings Canyon National Parks requires an entry fee of $30 per passenger vehicle for a 7-day pass. Any of the America the Beautiful passes may be used instead.
The park website is https://www.nps.gov/seki.
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