A small vehicle fee is charged to help maintain and improve facilities at the grove, the most recent of which was the construction of a wooden boardwalk that was completed in 2018.

On April 15, 2000, then president Bill Clinton proclaimed the establishment of the Giant Sequoia National Monument from beneath what is now called the Proclamation Tree.

[1][2] After the winter of 2003-2004, approximately 200 dead trees (none of which were giant sequoias) threatened the safety of visitors and forced the closure of the trail.

Sequoia National Forest personnel felled the hazard trees and removed debris that could increase fire danger.

Some logs were left to provide ecological benefits, some were chipped, and over 300 cords (over 1,087 cubic meters) of wood were made available to the public purchasing personal use firewood permits.