National Park Service removes thousands of illegally grown marijuana plants from California’s Sequoia National Park

The National Park Service (NPS) announced Thursday that crews eradicated 2,377 fully grown marijuana plants and hauled out roughly 2,000 pounds of trash and infrastructure that had damaged about 13 acres of protected land. Much of the debris, including toxic chemicals, had to be airlifted by helicopter.

Officials said the cultivation site is believed to be linked to organized drug-trafficking operations, which have plagued Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for nearly two decades.

“These cultivation sites cause major damage to the parks’ natural resources and are a threat to public and staff safety,” NPS said in a press release. “In the last 20 years, nearly 300,000 plants with a value of almost $850 million have been eradicated in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.”

The marijuana farm was first discovered in 2024, but not entirely removed until this year due to the presence of dangerous chemicals. Crews found a pistol, makeshift campsites with kitchens, and a gallon of the pesticide Methamidophos, which has been prohibited in the United States since 2009.

Additionally, rangers found evidence of poaching, the clearing of natural vegetation, nearly two miles of illegal trails, carved terraces for grow plots, and pits used to store creek water diverted for cultivation. NPS warned that runoff contaminated by pesticides may threaten wildlife and park visitors.

Officials emphasized the strain large marijuana farms place on the environment, noting that each plant consumes six to eight gallons of water daily. This water would otherwise support natural vegetation and wildlife in California’s Central Valley.

No arrests have been made, and NPS is asking the public to report any information about the illegal cultivation in the park.