Muir Grove Trail

The Muir Grove Trailhead is located in the Dorst Creek Campground within the campsites 193 through 218. There is very limited parking available at the trailhead. There are a few spots along the General Grant Highway near the entrance to the campground. Parking here will add another 2 miles onto the hike. Buses are offered during the summer months and represent a better option. Flush toilets and potable water are located at the trailhead. This is a moderately difficult 4-mile trail, and the trail continually climbs and descends as hikers leave the Dorst Creek Valley and walk along the ridge of the Dorst Creek Canyon.

The trail has two beautiful creeks, unusual granite boulders, old-growth forests, and two excellent overlooks, with the best around the halfway point.  Veering off the trail to the right hikers can walk out onto the granite saddle overlooking the Dorst Creek Canyon. To the west, the iconic canopy of the sequoia grove can just be seen. However, the true gem of the trail lies at the very end. After climbing the final hill, hikers are presented with a massive sequoia tree just off the trail to the left. With fewer crowds, visitors will have a more up-close and personal interaction with these historic trees. From here the trail essentially vanishes, but the well used area makes for an easy short exploration through this grove. While other areas of the park offer large trees, this area makes up for its smaller trees with smaller crowds.

This trail makes an excellent day trip for campers already staying at the Dorst Creek Campground. The campground is typically open from June into early November, with dates fluctuating due to snow conditions.  For those with limited time in the park, it would be hard to pass up the Giant Forest Area for this hike.