Sequoia National Park was established on September 25, 1890, by legislation signed by President Benjamin Harrison. The park was created with the specific purpose of protecting the giant sequoia tree, known scientifically as Sequoiadendron giganteum. Just a week after its creation, the park was expanded through additional legislation signed by President Harrison. For the first 23 years of its existence, the park was guarded by U.S. Army Calvary troops and administered by the military. In 1914, Walter Fry became the first civilian administrator of the park.
Accessing Sequoia National Park was initially challenging, with only a pack road serving as an entryway. However, under the leadership of Captain Charles Young, the only Black commissioned officer in the U.S. Army at the time, a road to the Giant Forest was completed in August 1903, allowing wagons to reach the park. The construction of the Generals Highway in 1926 further increased visitation to the park as automobiles became more popular. To accommodate the growing number of visitors, the National Park Service began work on amenities, including the construction of the first steps to the summit of Moro Rock in 1917.
In March 1940, Kings Canyon National Park was established, adjacent to Sequoia National Park. Formerly known as General Grant National Park, the area is now jointly administered with Sequoia National Park. Together, the two parks contain about a third of all naturally growing sequoia trees, staying true to the original mission of protecting these majestic trees. As of 2022, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks receive approximately 1.5 million visitors each year, showcasing the beauty and grandeur of these natural wonders to a wide audience.
