Plan Your Trip to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon Travel Guide
Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon sit in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This area is home to giant Sequoias, waterfalls, a rushing river, meadows of wildflowers, alpine lakes, deep canyons, and black bears. This mountain range is larger than the Swiss Alps. They are 400 miles long and 60-80 miles wide with peaks over 14,000 feet tall. There are 75 clusters of Sequoia groves throughout Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon. These parks receive 3 million visitors annually. Use this travel guide to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon to plan your visit.
You are excited to visit Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon and want to know the best time of year to visit, where to stay, what not to miss, and where to eat while there. Researching the best things to do while visiting Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon while working full time is overwhelming and you don’t have hours to spend on the internet. Save time and plan an unforgettable trip full of top activities with this Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon travel blog.
Where is Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon
Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon are located in California’s central valley 325 miles from Los Angeles, 240 miles from San Francisco, and 55 miles from Fresno. Enter Sequoia National Park on CA 198 from Visalia; enter Kings Canyon National Park on CA 180 from Fresno.
Best Time of Year to Visit Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon
Sequoia and Kings Canyon are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. June through August are the busiest months. Snow begins to fall in mid-October. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activities. Roads close and facilities have reduced hours in the winter.
Where to Stay at Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon
There are 14 campgrounds in Sequoia National Park and 7 campgrounds in Kings Canyon National Park. RV’s longer than 22 feet must enter the park through CA180. Most campgrounds are first-come, first-served during busy summer months. Campgrounds close in late September. There are also four lodges in the park: the Wuksachi Lodge, Kings Canyon John Muir Lodge, Cedar Grove Lodge, and Grant Grove Cabins. There are several campgrounds, hotels, and AirBnB options outside of the park in Visalia or Three Rivers. Permits for backcountry backpacking are available at recreation.gov.
Must-See Highlights of Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon
General Sherman Tree, view of Mt Whitley, Tunnel Log, Tokopah Falls, Moro Rock, Congress Trail, Giant Forest Museum.
Facts About Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon
Sequoia National Park is the second US National Park.
Sequoia National Park was established in 1890 to protect the large grove of sequoias.
It was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1976.
84% of the park is designated wilderness and not accessible by car.
Sequoia trees only grow on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains
The General Sherman Tree is between 2300-2700 years old. It stands 274.9 feet tall and has a base of 102.6 feet. This is the largest tree in the world by volume.
The General Grant Tree was declared the nation’s Christmas tree in 1926
Mt Whitney is the highest point in the US.
There are 38 groves of giant sequoia in the Sequoia National Forest along a 260-mile belt.
Sequoia trees are fire-resistant.
Kings Canyon National Park was established in 1940.
Kings Canyon is an 8.200-foot-deep ice-age glacier-carved canyon.
Kings Canyon is 11,000 feet deep.
Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon merged in 1943.
There are over 800 miles of trails and over 275 known caves in the parks.
Things to Do at Sequoia National Park
Eat lavender honey ice cream at Wuksachi Lodge
Hike to Tokopah Falls
Have dinner and listen to stories at Wolverton BBQ
See the world’s largest tree, the General Sherman
Get away from the crowds on the Congress Trail
Hug the third largest tree, the President Tree
Learn about Sequoias at the Giant Forest Museum
Enjoy a ranger-led walk through the Giant Forest
Wander through the Sequoias along the Big Trees Trail
Check out Auto Log
Gaze out at the Great Western Divide from Moro Rock
Climb the 400 stone steps of Moro Rock for sunset
Walk through the Tunnel Log
Drive scenic Crescent Meadow Road
Hike the Crescent Meadows Loop and have a picnic
Backpack the High Sierra Trail
Climb the 1800-foot face of Angel Wings
Explore Tharp’s Log, a fallen tree turned homestead in log meadow
Experience complete darkness at Crystal Cave
Check out the stalactites and stalagmites of Crystal Cave
Go spelunking at Crystal Cave
Cliff Jump or slide down the granite waterslide at Buckeye Flat
Check out the pictographs at Hospital Rock
Whitewater raft along the Kern River
Things to Do at Kings Canyon National Park
Drive the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
Check out the Mark Twain Stump at Big Stump Meadow
Stop by Grant Grove to see America’s official Christmas Tree, the General Grant
Walkthrough the fallen Monarch Tree
Check out the view from Panoramic Point
Mountain bike the old logging and mining road of Converse Basin
See the Boole Tree amongst the fallen giants in the Converse Basin
Kayak around Hume Lake
See the 75-foot-high Grizzly Falls
Go horseback riding at Cedar Grove
Listen to the water roar at Roaring River Falls
Walk along the Zumwalt Meadow boardwalk and enjoy the wildflowers
Hike to Mist Falls
Gaze at the stars in the dark sky
Watch for black bears
Go canyoneering or rappelling at Boyden Canyon
Explore Redwood Mountain, the largest Sequoia grove of 15,800 trees
Things to Do in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains
Walk the Trail of 100 Giants
Stay in a yurt at Redwood Meadows
Watch ice cream being made at Rosa Brothers Milk Company
Enjoy Blues, Brews, and BBQ in Visalia
Check out the murals in Exeter
Go fly fishing in the Kaweah River
Pick oranges at McKellar Family Farms
Watch cheese-making at Bravo Farm
Learn about organic farming at the Naylor Family Organic Farm
Tour an olive mill at Bari Olive Oil
Spend a morning at Project Survival Cathaven
Tips for Visiting Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon
You must purchase tickets to visit Crystal Cave at a visitor center.
There are no gas stations in the park.
Cell service is limited, be sure to download offline maps.
Public Wi-Fi is available at the Foothills Visitor Station and Grant Grove.
Pets are not allowed on trails in Kings Canyon, they are allowed on leashes in Sequoia.
The entrances back up, start early in the day.
Parking lots fill fast, Utilize the free shuttle services during summer months.
Be prepared for possible altitude sickness.
There are several delis and restaurants in the lodges.
Be sure to bring chains for winter visits.
Roads are winding, be prepared for motion sickness.
Wear layers and be prepared for temperature changes at various elevations.
Be on the lookout for poison oak and wash if you touch it.
Check yourself and your children for ticks.
Learn bear safety and use metal food storage containers when camping.
Practice Leave No Trace Principles.
Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass and keep exploring National Parks.
Check the Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon website for current events
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Plan Your Trip to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon
Sequoia National Park Travel Guide
Pick up a Sequoia National Park Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation Near Sequoia National Park California Now
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Sequoia National Park Attractions and Day Tours
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Travel Essentials
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Have a great vacation!