Visit Sequoia National Park - Activities & Advice

Most visitors use the same adjectives to describe Sequoia National Park, including awe-inspiring and a must-see. In most instances, the visitors refer to the massive sequoia trees that grow only on these western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, California. 

Standing or camping at the foot of these age-old giants is among the best things to do in Sequoia National Park. But this wonderland is home to other unforgettable sights and experiences in diverse landscapes across all seasons. 

Whether you’re interested in cascading waterfalls, scenic drives, or backpacking in California, fun and adventure await you in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. 

Key Takeaways

• Sequoia National Park is in California near Visalia (45 minutes) and Fresno (1.5 hours). 
• Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are known for their giant sequoia trees. The General Sherman tree in Sequoia National Park is about 2200 years old, 275 feet tall, and 37 feet wide at the base. The General Grant is in Kings Canyon National Park and is estimated to be around 1650 years old. 
• You only need one ticket for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. 
• The best time to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is summer when there are few rainy days and all the attractions are open. 
• 2-3 days are enough to experience the top Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park attractions. 

Visiting Sequoia National Park

Where is Sequoia National Park?

Sequoia National Park is in Tulare County, California. This national park is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, about 45 minutes east of Visalia and 1.5 hours southeast of Fresno. Sequoia National Park is roughly four hours away from San Jose and Los Angeles. 

Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are connected by the General’s Highway- a scenic route that puts them roughly 50 miles away from each other. 

Note that these two are separate national parks. However, they are administered as one by the National Park Service (NPS), meaning a single ticket allows entry into both parks. 

Best Time to Visit Sequoia National Park

The best time to visit Sequoia National Park is in summer, from mid-June through August. This is when the weather is stable, and the entire park is open for exploration. 

But being all open also means summer is the busiest time in Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Be ready for large crowds and reserve your Sequoia National Park lodging and camping spots well in advance. 

If you want to avoid the crowds but want to avoid visiting during winter, the other best time to go to Sequoia National Park is in September after Labor Day.

Winter is also a great time to visit the giant trees in Sequoia National Park. As the fresh snow blankets cover Sequoia’s dusty hiking trails, they open up new playgrounds for well-bundled visitors. If you’re a snowshoeing, sledding, or cross-country skiing fan, visiting Sequoia National Park during winter should be on your to-do list. 

Sequoia National Park Lodging

There are lodging, cabin, and camping options inside Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Here are some of your options based on where exactly you want to base your stay:

Sequoia Giant Forest Accommodations

• Wuksachi Lodge
• Lodgepole Campground Upper Loop
• Dorst Creek Campground

Sequoia National Forest Accommodations

• Montecito Sequoia Lodge
• Stony Creek Lodge

Sequoia Wilderness Accommodations

• Bearpaw High Sierra Camp
• Sequoia High Sierra Camp

Kings Canyon Grant Grove Accommodations

• John Muir Lodge
• Grant Grove Cabins
• Azalea Campground
• Sunset Campground
• Crystal Springs Campground

Cedar Grove Accommodations 

• Cedar Grove Lodge
• Canyon View Campground
• Sentinel Campground
• Sheep Creek Campground
• Moraine Campground

Mineral King Area Lodging

• Silver City Mountain Resort
• Atwell Mill Campground
• Cold Springs Campground

Sequoia Foothills Lodging

• Charming House Inside Sequoia National Park
• Buckeye Flat Campground
• Potwisha Campground
• South Fork Campground

Montecito Sequoia Lodge and Grant Grove Cabins are popular accommodation options because they sit between Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Check out Azalea, Sunset, and Crystal Springs Campgrounds for campgrounds between the two parks. 

If all the best places to stay in Sequoia are sold out, the magical village of Three Rivers- just 10 minutes from the park’s south entrance- is a great alternative. The neighboring cities of Visalia and Fresno have other options, ranging from hotels to motels, resorts, inns, and private homes. 

Sequoia National Park Itinerary

How many days do you need in Sequoia National Park? 

We’d recommend no less than two days to enjoy the iconic spots in the two parks. But if you have more time, there are plenty of things to see in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon for over a week. 

This 2-day Sequoia National Park itinerary assumes you’re entering the park through the Ash Mountain Entrance Station. 

Day 1: Sequoia National Park

Foothills Visitor Center

The Foothills Visitor Center is about a mile north of the Ash Mountain Entrance Station on Highway 198/Sierra Drive/General’s Highway. Plan to stop here for information about the condition of the road ahead, pick up some maps, buy gifts/souvenirs, or get advice related to your interests in the park. 

The visitor center also has exhibits about the flora and fauna and general history of Sequoia National Park Foothills. You can also refill your bottles and use the restrooms here. Foothills Visitor Center is open year-round from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. 

Tunnel Rock

Tunnel Rock is a four-minute drive past the Foothills Visitor Center along General’s Highway. Here, you’ll find a flat granite boulder balancing above a tunnel dug by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC Boys) almost a century ago. Nowadays, vehicles are not allowed to pass through Tunnel Rock. But visitors can walk beneath the rock, take photos, and even scramble to the top of the massive boulder. From the top, you’ll enjoy views of the surrounding landscape, including the valley and even Moro Rock from a distance. 

Amphitheater Point Viewpoint

The General’s Highway has multiple overlooks and viewpoints for photo ops and rest. One that should not be missed is the Amphitheater Point Viewpoint, roughly 8.5 miles from Tunnel Rock. This is a great place to pull over, get out of your vehicle, and snap photos of the river below, the alpine peaks, and Moro Rock. If you're lucky, you may also spot some birds and small animals, such as deer and foxes. 

Giant Forest Museum

The Giant Forest Museum is the best place to visit in Sequoia National Park if you want to learn more about the history of giant sequoias and their life stages. This museum is about 17 miles from Ash Mountains Entrance and only 16 minutes from Amphitheater Point Viewpoint.

The museum is housed in a 1920s building and features interactive exhibits, ranger programs, fully accessible restrooms, a payphone, first aid, and books and maps for sale. During peak season, the museum acts as Sequoia National Park shuttle hub. The shuttles offer free rides between Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas of Sequoia National Park. 

The Giant Forest Museum is free and opens daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. 

General Sherman Tree

A photo at the General Sherman Tree is more or less a stamp that you’ve made a trip to Sequoia National Park. This gigantic tree is six minutes from the Giant Forest Museum and about 21 miles from the Ash Mountain Entrance. 

The General Sherman Tree is estimated to be 2200-2700 years old. This is the world's largest single-stem tree, at a staggering 52,508 cubic feet. It’s difficult to comprehend its sheer size until you stand before it. But be advised that the area can be crowded. Plan to arrive early and be patient if you wish to take photos by the tree. 

Moro Rock Trail and Tunnel Log

You'll see a sizable dome from a distance when you enter Sequoia National Park from its south entrance. That’s Moro Rock and should top your list of Sequoia National Park things to do. 

The turn-off for Moro Rock Trail is at the Giant Forest Museum area. The distance from the museum to the Moro Rock trail is 1.6 miles, and there are parking spots right at the trailhead. If you choose to hike from the museum, it’s about 40 minutes to the trailhead. 

Moro Rock trail is fairly short at 0.25 miles (one-way). However, there are 350 steps to get to the top. Plus, you’ll be starting at 6500 feet of elevation, which makes it moderately challenging for visitors coming from the sea level. At the top of Moro Rock, you’ll be greeted by breathtaking 360-degree views of the western half of Sequoia Park, California. 

If you still have more time, check out Tunnel Log. This is another popular Sequoia National Park attraction, only five minutes from the Moro Rock trail parking lot. Tunnel Log is a massive sequoia tree that fell across the road due to natural causes in 1937. Instead of removing it, the CCC cut a tunnel through it, forming the famous attraction.

Day 2: Kings Canyon National Park

Your second day will start with a scenic drive on Kings Canyon National Park Scenic Byway. This is a fifty-mile stretch of Highway 180 that takes you through one of the deepest canyons in the US. The drive is full of twists and turns but boasts numerous scenic pullouts with progressively more striking views.

Kings Canyon Visitor Center

Start your Kings Canyon National Park trip by visiting the Grant Grove visitor center. The visitor center is roughly three miles or a six-minute drive north of Big Stump Entrance on Highway 180. This is an excellent information hub where you can watch a short film about the park, chat with the rangers about Kings Canyon National Park things to do, and pick up maps, guidebooks, gifts, and souvenirs. There’s also a restaurant and a picnic area within. 

General Grant Tree and Fallen Monarch

General Grant Tree is one mile from Kings Canyon Visitor Center. A short loop trail takes you to several massive trees, including General Grant. On your way to General Grant, check out The Fallen Monarch. Also known as The Dead Monarch, this is a giant redwood log that fell and got hollowed by fire more than 300 years ago. You can walk through its hollowed trunk from one end and exit at the other to see how massive the sequoias can get. 

Junction View Scenic Overlook

Your next stop from the General Grant Tree will be Junction View. This scenic viewpoint is perched on a cliff overlooking the confluence of two forks of the Kings River. You can also see several mountain peaks from Junction View, including Spanish Mountain, Obelisk, University Peak, Crown Rock, and Mount Harrington. 

Zumwalt Meadow

We could be biased, but Zumwalt Meadow is the prettiest spot in Kings Canyon. Located in the Cedar Grove area on the canyon floor, Zumwalt Meadow combines immense cliffs, the deep and clear Kings River, and noticeably more lush woods. 

The Zumwalt Meadow hike is a mellow hike that lets you experience the meadow's beauty without breaking a sweat. This fairly easy loop trail begins and ends at the suspension bridge over the Kings River. 

Best Things to Do and See in Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park Things to Do

Camping Under Giant Sequoias 

Camping is one of the magical ways to experience Sequoia National Park trees. There are 14 campgrounds in Sequoia National Park, some of which are first-come, first-served. 

Hiking

If you enjoy exploring national parks on foot, you have an enormous wonderland awaiting you at Sequoia. Hiking is one of the most popular Sequoia National Park activities, and there are miles upon miles of trails across all levels.

These are the best hiking trails in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks:

Family-friendly Hikes

• General Sherman Tree Trail, 1.2 miles
• Big Trees Trail, 1.3 miles
• Crescent Meadow Loop Trail, 1.8 miles
• Congress Trail, 3 miles

Moderate Hikes

• Moro Rock Trail, 0.5 miles
• Little Baldy, 3.3 miles 
• Tokopah Falls Trail, 4 miles
• Giant Forest Loop, 7 miles

Challenging Hikes

• Mineral King Trail to Eagle Lake, 6.5 miles
• Franklin Lakes Trail, 11.2 miles
• Alta Peak Trail, 14.9 miles

Must-See Places to Visit in Sequoia National Park

Mount Whitney

If you want to summit the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states, you can tick off that wish in the Sequoias. With an elevation of 14,494 feet, Mount Whitney is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy challenge and inspiration. 

Tokopah Falls

Tokopah Falls is another must-see in Sequoia National Park, California. These are dramatic 1200-foot falls that cascade over many levels instead of one long drop. Tokopah Falls trail is a 4.2-mile, moderately challenging round trip. Remember to carry snacks or a little lunch to get your feet going. 

Crystal Cave

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are not lands of giants only. The two parks also boast at least 275 caves and more continue to be discovered. Crystal Cave is among the most popular caves open to the public. It’s located in the Giant Forest area, approximately one hour from the Ash Mountain Entrance. 

Final Thoughts

Awesome and mind-boggling in their sheer size, the Sequoiadendron giganteum, a.k.a giant sequoias, continues to captivate the imagination of 1.15 million visitors annually. We hope this itinerary inspires you if you have only two days for your Sequoia National Park vacation.

Featured image by: lucky-photo.