Auto Log

Overview

Auto Log is a giant sequoia that toppled in 1917 and became an instant roadside sensation. You can’t drive on it anymore, but you can still scramble up and walk along the massive trunk to appreciate just how outsized these trees are. It sits along the Moro Rock / Crescent Meadow Road, making it an easy add-on to a morning around Giant Forest.

What You’ll See

A colossal fallen trunk with a convenient ramped approach, plus a wayside that ties the spot to nearby named trees (including Booker T. Washington and Colonel Charles Young). It’s a fun, fast photo stop: park, hop up, and get a sense of sequoia scale with a person for reference.

A Bit of History

Right after it fell, rangers built a trestle and later a driveway up the side so horse-drawn carriages—and then early automobiles—could pose atop the log. Time and rot ended that tradition, so it’s foot traffic only now. The tree once stood around 245 feet tall and about 21 feet wide at the base, and it was estimated to be roughly 2,750 years old when it fell.

Getting There & Logistics

Find it along Crescent Meadow Road; there’s a small parking area right at the log. No services here—plan restroom stops at Giant Forest Museum, Moro Rock, or Crescent Meadow (some facilities close in late fall). The road typically opens late spring through fall; on peak-season weekends it may close to private cars during the day, in which case you’ll use the free park shuttle or walk in. In winter, reach it by hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing.

Best Time to Visit

Go early on a weekday for easy parking and softer light under the forest canopy. If you’re visiting in summer, aim for morning or late afternoon to dodge the busier window when the road may be shuttle-only. Shoulder seasons are pleasantly quiet.

Nearby & Wildlife

Bundle this with Tunnel Log, Moro Rock, and a lap around Crescent Meadow—classic Giant Forest highlights all on the same road. Black bears are regularly seen in the Crescent Meadow area; give them space and keep food secured.