Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon Travel Guide

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

Getaway 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.

Be sure to 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

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Book Your Accommodation Near Sequoia National Park California Now

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Sequoia National Park Attractions and Day Tours

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Have a great vacation!