California · Hiking · Near Silver City

Sunset Rock Trailhead

Sunset Rock Trailhead
0.8 mi
round trip
55 ft
climb
6,422 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Is Sunset Rock Trailhead open right now?

No closures listed

The National Park Service lists no closures for Sequoia National Park.

As of · Source: NPS · Sequoia National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The trail to Sunset Rock offers a great path for wandering through the Giant Forest, even if you only go a short way. Peaceful spots along the way provide spots to relax. Families with small children may enjoy spending time here. If you go all the way to Sunset Rock, you'll be rewarded with views that extend into the foothills and beyond.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Buckeye Flats Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 3.0 mi from the trail
  • If it rainsDavid Fulmer, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Giant Forest Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 1 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: David Fulmer, CC BY 2.0 (commons)

More in Silver City

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Sunset Rock Trailhead

    Best months: June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      39° / 17°

      9 wet · 8 snow

    2. Feb

      41° / 18°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      45° / 22°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 26°

      8 wet · 5 snow

    5. May

      58° / 33°

      5 wet · 2 snow

    6. Jun

      68° / 40°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 46°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      76° / 44°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 39°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 31°

      4 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      47° / 23°

      6 wet · 4 snow

    12. Dec

      37° / 17°

      8 wet · 6 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lodgepole, CA, 3.5 mi away at 6,735 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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Giant Forest Museum Trail Center

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Trails from here can lead you past the giant trees and lush meadows in this sequoia grove, whether you are an experienced hiker who wants to see miles of the parks or you would just like a gentle half-hour walk. Trails in this area can be confusing. We recommend purchasing a…

Big TreesPhoto: Harald Hoyer from Schwerin, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Big Trees

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Crescent Mdw-BearpawPhoto: Juhele_CZ, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

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How's the View?

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This wayside exhibit, titled "How's the View?," shows the weather patterns that cause pollution in the valley.

Beetle RockPhoto: Dennis Heller, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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0.53-mile out-and-back trail in California with 11 ft elevation gain.

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Hot Spots

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This wayside exhibit, titled "Hot Spots," shows how fire helps giant sequoias grow.

Bear HillPhoto: KELE118, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bear Hill

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1.61-mile out-and-back trail in California with 287 ft gain and 6,679 ft max elevation.

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Inheritance

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This outdoor exhibit, titled "Inheritance," shows why fallen trees create good conditions for sequoias to thrive.

Old Bear Hill RoadPhoto: KELE118, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Old Bear Hill Road

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0.84-mile out-and-back trail in California with 190 ft elevation gain.

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Just Enough Soil

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This wayside exhibit, titled "Just Enough Soil," shows why sequoias have shallow roots.

Route details

Distance
0.8 mi round trip
Climbing
About 55 ft
Summit
6,401 ft
Difficulty
Easy

Season

Season: Summer, fall.

Questions about this route

How long is the Sunset Rock Trailhead on Sunset Rock?

About 0.8 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the Sunset Rock Trailhead?

About 55 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Sunset Rock Trailhead?

It is rated easy.

When is the best time for the Sunset Rock Trailhead?

Summer, fall.

Conditions and forecast on Sunset Rock

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.