Tharp's Log

Tharp's Log is a shelter built from a hollowed giant sequoia log in the Giant Forest section of Sequoia National Park. The structure includes windows, a door, and a fireplace installed within the natural tree trunk to create a livable space.

Settler Hale Tharp built this dwelling in 1861, establishing the first non-indigenous settlement within what is now Sequoia National Park. This construction marked the start of European-American settlement in this protected forest area.

The cabin reflects how settlers used their surroundings and shaped their relationship with the forest. You can observe how people lived and worked in this mountain environment more than 150 years ago.

You can reach this location via the Congress Trail in the Giant Forest area of the park, and you should be prepared for seasonal access changes. Weather and snow conditions can significantly affect your visit.

This building is the only surviving pioneer dwelling in the Sierra Nevada constructed directly from a fallen giant sequoia. This resourceful adaptation shows how early settlers creatively used natural materials for shelter.

Location: Tulare County

Inception: 1861

Architectural style: rustic architecture

GPS coordinates: 36.56048,-118.74277

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:48