This month, Grant Grove in Kings Canyon will host the 100th Annual Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree. On December 14, assembling at 2 p.m. with the official ceremony beginning at 2:30 p.m. The event honors the General Grant Tree, the long-lived, enormous, and officially recognized “Nation’s Christmas Tree.” December 14 is also a free entrance day at Sequoia and Kings Canyon, so Grant Grove will see heavier foot traffic and limited parking. The General Grant Tree stands roughly 268 feet tall and is among the world’s oldest living trees — an apt living symbol for a national observance. President Calvin Coolidge designated it the Nation’s Christmas Tree on April 28, 1926. Congress later named it a National Shrine under Public Law 441 on March 29, 1956, and Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz dedicated the tree on November 11, 1956, as a perpetual shrine honoring the nation’s armed forces. Those layers of designation give the site ecological, historical, and commemorative weight.
Event Details
Who: Open to the public, park staff, and community participants.
When: December 14; gather at 2:00 p.m.; ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m.
Where: General Grant Tree, Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park.
Admission: Free for Sequoia and Kings Canyon on December 14.
The Trek is a formal ceremony held at the base of the General Grant Tree. The program will mark the centennial observance and include remembrances tied to the tree’s designations. Expect a respectful crowd rather than a festival atmosphere; plan on standing room only and limited nearby services.
Practical Guidance For Attendees
- Arrive early. Parking will be limited; consider parking at Grant Grove Village and walking to the tree.
- Dress for winter conditions and wear sturdy footwear — trails and grove paths can be uneven or slippery.
- Expect crowds and limited services; plan bathroom breaks and set meeting spots in advance.
- Respect the site: stay on designated paths, follow posted rules, and leave no trace.
- If you’re attending with a group, assign a rendezvous point — cellular service can be unreliable.
- Bring layers and water; the ceremony is outdoors and can be chilly.
The 100th Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree is a centennial moment that links natural history and national memory beneath one of America’s great trees. The ceremony is a chance to participate in a long-standing tradition of remembrance and stewardship. Hope to see you there!