As the straightforward name implies, Dome Rock is a large dome… made of rock. The granite dome offers easy-to-reach views of Sequoia National Forest and Golden Trout Wilderness. A short dirt road ends alongside the 400-foot tall, 800-foot wide protrusion. From there, a quick trail takes hikers to the top.
Dome Rock is similar to other granite domes common the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These rocks are favorites for hikers because of the wide views their open surfaces are able to offer.
Half Dome in Yosemite National Park is probably the most well know example, but dome fans will also love Sequoia National Park, where Moro Rock, Beetle Rock, and Sunset Rock are all located in close proximity to each other.
Once atop Dome Rock, hikers may walk out as far as they dare on the eastern edge and have a look down. The granite curves away and disappears below, making the sides of Dome Rock popular with climbers. For another perspective, visit Needles Lookout. This 5-mile hike delivers even better views. South of Dome Rock, Trail of 100 Giants offers another popular and easy excursion. No fee or permit is required to visit Dome Rock, so get out and enjoy!
To get to the trailhead: From Quaking Aspen Campground, drive south for 3.5 miles and turn east off the Western Divide Highway on Forest Route 21S69. Signs for Dome Rock are posted at the intersection. Drive up the road a short distance to the parking lot at the base of the dome.
Trailhead address: Forest Route 21S70, Sequoia National Forest, Springville, CA 93265
Trailhead coordinates: 36.0680, -118.5320 (36° 04′ 04.8″N 118° 31′ 55.2″W)
You may also view a regional map of surrounding Sierra Nevada trails and campgrounds.
 | Needles Lookout This 5-mile hike visits a fire tower with unbeatable views of the region. |
 | Trail of 100 Giants This paved 0.5 to 1.3-mile loop visits a grove of giant sequoias alongside Western Divide Highway. |
 | Natural Water Slide This 1.5-mile hike visits a refreshing natural water slide on the eastern side of the Great Western Divide. |
 | More trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Explore other destinations in the Sierra including Sequoia National Park. |
 | Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park This 0.6 mile hike sports panoramic views and should be considered a mandatory hike for first time visitors to Sequoia National Park. |
 | Sunset Rock in Sequoia National Park This 2-mile hike visits a large granite dome with great views to the west, possibly the best place to end your day in the Giant Forest. |
 | Beetle Rock in Sequoia National Park This short walk from the Giant Forest Museum to Beetle Rock visits a granite dome with great views and stunning sunsets. |
 | Western Divide Ranger District Campgrounds There are ten campgrounds in Giant Sequoia National Monument within the Western Divide Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest, including the 32-site Quaking Aspen Campground. |
One can find some nice hikes up at Glacier Point that would be superb for the children. The Taft point hike was a favorite of mine when I was a kid. There are also some wonderful hikes in Toulomne meadows. By the Tioga entrance there’s a trail (Gaylor lakes I believe) Wonderful High country lakes. You can also do the mist trail within the valley for waterfall views up Yosemite falls. I’m terrible about names of trails-I’ve been hiking them all my life, but do not use the correct names!
In Yosemite, the hike up to Half Dome places you in the middle of a Giant Sequoia Grove. I cannot find any information on these trees as they do not seem to be referred to as a grove, but there are probably around 500 of them and some of them are very close to ‘Giant’ size, around 20 feet in diameter.
Why are people talking about Yosemite here? This is about Dome Rock in Sequoia National Monument.
[…] I figured we’d try something easier and headed for the Dome Rock trailhead. This was much more accessible and the trail to the top of Dome Rock was super short. On top of Dome Rock we were able to get expansive views of the forest below and distant mountains. It was such a surreal view it almost felt like looking at a large panoramic painting. […]
[…] je gelooft je ogen niet. A natural playground, cooler dan welke speeltuin ook. Ook de volgende stop Dome Rock was amazing. ‘Go there on your way back. The dirt road is rough’ zei Michal die ochtend bij het […]