Nelder Grove

Nelder Grove is a protected forest area in Sierra National Forest containing about 60 ancient Giant Sequoia trees spread across more than 1,500 acres. These trees represent the densest concentration of the species in this national forest and can be explored via five distinct trails.

A private timber company managed the area until 1928, when it transferred ownership to the U.S. Forest Service. This handover secured lasting protection for the remaining trees and their forest home.

The site shows traces of seasonal use by Mono and Miwok tribes, who processed acorns and gathered food here using stone tools. These indigenous marks remain visible in the ground today and tell the story of long human presence in this forest.

Five trails of varying lengths offer options for different fitness levels, from short walks to longer hikes through the forest. Visitors should be prepared to navigate uneven ground and wear proper hiking shoes.

A major forest fire in 2017 changed part of the grove and helped scientists study how these trees regenerate after intense burns. Research from the fire revealed that severe burning can actually trigger seedling growth in certain ways.