Sequoia National Park – Plan Your 1-3 Days Visit

on July 01, 2024

Introduction:

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, located in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, are protecting a huge area including large forests and the Sierra Mountain ridge. At the hurt of the park, you can find the largest groves of the magnificence towering sequoias trees, and within them you can see up close the largest living trees by volume on Earth, General Sherman Tree.

Sequoia National Park is the second-oldest national park in the country after Yellowstone, it was stablished on September 25, 1890.

Sequoia National Park includes the Foothills, Giant Forest, Lodgepole, Wuksachi, and Mineral King areas. Probably the most popular features in the park are General Sherman Tree, Giant Forest, Crescent Meadow, and Moro Rock.

The connected Kings Canyon National Park includes Grant Grove and Cedar Grove areas.

Grant Grove and Giant Forest are the home of the largest sequoia groves.

The giant sequoias trees and the high mountain alpine area are recognized as the two primary features of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

About 93% of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks size (865,964 acres) is designated wilderness so practically all park visitors are visiting only small section of the park along the only road that crosses the park south-north.

Over 1.2 million people visit the park every year, mainly around the summer months.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offers endless opportunities for nature lovers, if it is hiking (all levels of difficulties), backpacking, rock climbing, or simply visit the easy to go path and see the amazing Sequoia Trees, admire nature and their immense size.

This is one of the most amazing National Park and in my blog below I will try to write and provide as much information as I can provide from all my park many visits.

I hope you will find this information helpful.

I also have many dedicated blogs on specific park attractions, hikes and location I did during my park visits.

At the last section of the blog, I offer help and direction on visit planning for one day, 2-3 or 5 days.

During my park visits I saw Black Bears:

Links to my Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Blogs:

Where? :

Sequoia National Park is in the heart of California central Sierra mountains, adjusted South of Kings Canyon National Park.

It is about six hours to drive north from Los Angeles and six hours to drive southeast from San Francisco.

North Entrance (Big Stump Entrance):

To reach the main park entrance (Big Stump Entrance) near Kings Canyon National Park is by driving east on highway 180.

From the large city of Fresno, it is about 1 hour driving up to the park area. Driving time is depending on the traffic load and driving behind a slow-moving vehicle in the steep winding road section. From Kings Canyon entrance it is about 15 minutes to drive to and one hour drive to get to General Sherman Tree Parking lot

South Entrance (Ash Mountain Entrance):

From the city of Visalia (located near highway 99) follow highway 198 east, pass the shore of Lake Kaweah Reservoir, the road name changed into Sierra Dr. here the road follow Kaweah River, pass few small towns and get into the park.at the park the road changed it name into Generals Highway.

After about 6 miles the road leave the canyon and start to climb the mountains to the north.

The next 10 miles of the road climb steeply the mountain side with a series of sharp curves and impressive switchbacks. Although only 10 miles expect to drive very slow in the section and plan that it will take you at least 30 minutes without viewing point stops. There are several viewing points along this road section (on the side of the cars that are going down) with roadside small parking.

On this road there is a vehicle-length advisory for vehicles 22 feet and over from Potwisha Campground to Giant Forest Museum. If your vehicle is longer than 22 feet, use the Big Stump entrance (highway 180). This main highway is closed occasionally during and after snowstorms for plowing or removal of debris. In winter, tire chains are often required.

When? :

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National parks are open year-round although not all roads are clear of snow during winter (see below). The best time to visit here is during the summer months, from May to September.

Summer month can introduce hot days even in high elevation. At mid-late summer you can have forest fires and smoke that cover the view during that season.

During the summer month you may start your day with clear blue skies, but weather conditions can change quickly and by midday, you may find yourself in a strong summer storm with wind, rain and thunderstorm.

Lightning activity in the Sierra during summer months is common (can cause forest fire). Thunder clouds buildup seen far off in the distance can be an indicator of incoming lightning activity, you should evaluate your location and if you are in high and expose area you need to seek shelter or lower ground.

During the summer month that also known as fire season you can have large forest fires inside or near the park.

Not only the large fires introduce smoke that impact breathing and dramatically reduce visibility, they may also close area and roads in and near the park.

Make sure you are aware on nearby fires as they may cause you to change your plans.

Please review the park current conditions page for up to date information.

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/current_fires.htm

Winter months are very cold and stormy, and the area and trails are covered by snow. Tire chains may be required on park roads any time it snows, usually late fall, winter, and through spring.

The recommended and safe enter to the park during winter, when the roads are covered with snow and ice is via highway 180 coming up from Fresno.

Winter roads closer:

· General Highway coming from the south (coming from Visalia, CA) in it steep and narrow switchbacks section can be close.

· Highway 180 road in heading down into Kings Canyon is closed during winter month when deep snow covers the road, usually between Jan to March.

· Crescent Meadow Rd leading to Moro Rock is close during the winter months.

Driving and Park Shuttles Service:

As describe above the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks has 2 main entrances.

From Fresno to the park entrance (north entrance), driving on highway 180, it is 53 miles (1 hour and 15 minutes’ drive). If you are coming at late morning hours there can be a long line of cars waiting before the park entrance.

From Visalia to the park entrance, it is 35 miles (about 45 min drive) but than you need to add another 10 miles (40 minutes’ drive) climbing to the mountains and main park section. The road between Hospital Rock Picnic Area and Giant Forest Museum is very curvy and narrow and close to vehicles 22 feet and over.

From the north entrance near Kings Canyon to General Sherman parking lot it is 30-miles, plan for at least one hour drive.

From General Sherman parking to the Giant Forest Museum it is about 4-mile drive, plan for 15-20 minutes’ drive.

If you are visiting the far end of Kings Canyon Park, you need to take highway 180 all the way to it end. The drive from Grant Grove Village and Visitor Center to the direction of Cedar Grove and the end of Highway 180 road (Bubbs Creek and Rae Lakes Loop Trailhead) is 34 mile long.

Plan for at least an hour driving down this road without any stop, you need to drive back up at the end of your visit.

This road is open seasonally, generally beginning at end of April and closing mid-November. They close Highway 180 just beyond the junction with Hume Lake Road, 6 miles northeast of Grant Grove Village. Hume Lake remains accessible year-round.

All park roads are in good conditions with good clear sings and directions. The roads are one lane roads with not a lot of passing opportunities, so plan for slower drive in the park roads. Also, when you are driving you will have a lot of places for side road parking for viewing points, do not miss them, on a busy traffic it is not easy or safe to do a U turn.

All in all, plan for a longer driving time than milage distance between locations.

Gas station:

There are no gas stations within the national parks. Be sure to fill your tanks before you enter the park or ensure that you have enough gas to reach one of the two gas stations in the neighboring national forest:

· You can find gas stations on highway 180 before entering the park

· Hume Lake (open year-round)

· On the road leading to Sequoia National Park at Stony Creek Resort & Gas Station (open summer only).

· In Three Rivers not so far from Visalia.

There are no charging stations for electric vehicles.

Driving in Winter:

Access to park roads varies by season. The park main road is plowed of snow but in the heart of a snowstorm conditions may be impossible or too dangerous for driving.

Tire chains may be required on park roads any time it snows, usually late fall, winter, and through spring.

Weather and chain control advisories can change rapidly, often multiple times per day.

Traffic Congestion:

Record numbers of vehicles have been entering the Sequoia parks. During spring summer and fall on weekends and holidays long lines of cars can be at the park entrance stations. On a few of the busiest days, cars have waited over an hour just to get through.

Some of the busiest times include Spring break (late March-early April), Summer (June- August), Memorial Day Weekend, Fourth of July Weekend, Veteran's Day Weekend, Thanksgiving Week, and Christmas Week.

Traffic leading into the parks and in the parks roads is slow.

All roads are one lane roads with not a lot of passing opportunities. RVs are driving slower, along the drive cars are getting out and into the main road from viewing and stopping platforms.

At the summer month road construction projects may be done, this will introduce additional delay on your drive. It will be good to check in advance on any road closer or road work.

Parking in popular areas, like General Sherman, Moro Rock, Giant Forest Museum, and Grant Grove, has also become crowded and you may need to wait for open parking spot.

Accessibility:

In most of the popular locations you can find accessible parking that are available for people who have limited mobility.

The main park attraction like General Sherman and Grant Grove has accessible paved trails.

Free shuttle buses operating in the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas in summer and during holiday periods are wheelchair accessible. Some buses kneel and others have mechanical lifts.

The best way to overcome the slow driving and minimal parking is to come as early as you can, sunrise is also the best time to see wildlife and enjoy the solitude of the park, at noontime it me be overcrowded.

Another good option is to use the park shuttle service, see below section.

Park Shuttles Service:

Because of the load, both on the roads and in the parking lots many people prefer to use the extensive shuttle system that is running in the Sequoia National Park during the summer months.

There is a special, more limited in routs, shuttle service also during winter months.

Shuttle information, schedule and operational hours is subject to change, please check the official park web page for up-to-date information:

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/parktransit.htm

Shuttles ONLY operate within Sequoia National Park; there are no shuttles in Kings Canyon National Park.

When riding the shuttle, you can use the larger parking areas at Lodgepole Campground and Wolverton. The parking area at Giant Forest Museum is often full by mid-morning on weekends and holidays (look for available parking lots in the lower far section of the parking).

Remove all food and scented items from your car or campsite and store them in one of the many bear-resistant food storage boxes. Learn about bears and required food storage before you come to the parks.

Signs at each stop provide details about bus times and areas of interest at each stop.

Ask the driver for the time of the last pickup to be sure you make it back to your stop in time. The best is to take the shuttle to your destination and walk back to your vehicle, eliminate the risk of missing the last shuttle of the day.

When using shuttle system, it is recommended to pack a small backpack with what you need for the day: park newspaper and map, snacks, water, extra clothing, and money.

At summer month there are 4 shuttle routs within the park and one shuttle that is connecting to Visalia (need a reservation and fee).

See the detailed map of summer month shuttle routs:

Route 1 (green): Begins at the Giant Forest Museum with stops at the General Sherman Tree Trailhead, Lodgepole Campground, and Lodgepole Visitor Center & Market.

Route 2 (gray): Begins at the Giant Forest Museum with stops at Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow.

Route 3 (purple): Begins at Lodgepole Campground with stops at Lodgepole Visitor Center & Market and Wuksachi Lodge.

Route 4 (orange): Begins at the General Sherman Tree Trailhead with stops at the General Sherman Tree Parking Lot and Wolverton.

Visalia-Sequoia Shuttle (blue): Connects the cities of Visalia and Three Rivers to the Giant Forest Museum. This shuttle requires advanced reservations and a fee.

Fall and specific Winter Holidays days shuttle service is available, check exact availability day when they run from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm.

Accommodation options in the parks:

Wuksachi Lodge:

The lodge located in the Giant Forest area of Sequoia National Park. This modern lodge offers 102 guest rooms, a full-service restaurant, cocktail lounge, and a gift shop. The lodge is located two miles from Lodgepole Village and four miles from Giant Forest Museum. At an elevation of 7,050 feet (1,980 m), it's snowy in winter. Chains may be required to reach the lodge during winter storms.

John Muir Lodge:

The lodge located in Kings Canyon National Park.

Usually open spring through fall.

John Muir Lodge, in Grant Grove Village in the Grant Grove area offers 36 hotel rooms and a restaurant. The lodge is one-half mile from a sequoia grove, visitor center, market, restaurant, gift shop, and post office. At an elevation of 6,500 feet (1,980 m), this area is snowy in winter. Tire chains may be needed during winter storms.

Grant Grove Cabins:

Generally open year-round.

The Grant Grove Cabins are in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park, one-half mile (.8 km) from a sequoia grove, visitor center, market, restaurant, gift shop, and post office. Guests can choose from six types of cabins, some of which are available year-round. At an elevation of 6,500 feet (1,980 m), this area is snowy in winter. Tire chains may be needed during winter storms.

Cedar Grove Lodge:

The Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park is open from spring through fall. Cedar Grove Lodge is located deep in Kings Canyon Park canyon at an elevation of 4,600 feet (1402 m). The lodge offers 21 hotel rooms, a snack bar, market, and gift shop.

Camping:

There are fourteen campgrounds in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National parks.

Two of them are open during all year and the rest are summer only (depending on snow).

Tent campsites hold up to six people. Each has a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and a metal food-storage box.

Check in advance if there is Fire Restrictions in Place, if it is than you are prohibited from making wood and charcoal fires at all campgrounds and picnic areas.

All campgrounds require advance reservations in Recreation.gov.

As in Yosemite sites for weekends and holidays fill quickly so plan your trip in advance.

Park campground information page:

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

If all park campgrounds are full, you can do the following:

Find campground in the nearby Sequoia National Forest. There are several official campsites on the Ten Mile Road leading to Hume Lake. There are many disperse camping along Big Meadows Road (FR 14S11), mid-way between Kings Canyon to Sequoia Parks.

Last resort can be at Kings Canyon Rv Resort & Campground, halfway down into the South Fork Kings River Canyon on highway 180.

Restaurant options:

There are few restaurant options in the parks, but I do recommend to carry with you your day food (light food, sandwiches, fruit, snacks,…) so you can have a break in one of the many picnic areas and not wase major time of your day looking for a restaurant.

Near Lodgepole Visitor Center you can find Lodgepole Market & Grill, the Wuksachi Lodge offers pizza and sandwiches with outdoor seating.

You can find food at Kings Canyon Grant Grove Village.

There are simple food and supply stores in the gas stations (see above).

In Hume Lake you can find Hume Supply store in the gas station and nearby you can eat at Pondy Pizza & Pizookie or Ponderosa Dining commons.

You can find drinking water in many main park locations but I do recommend to carry with you extra water.

Due note 1:

I’m writing my blogs only on locations I actually visit myself and not just read about them somewhere.

I did not cover in my blogs many more locations in the large area of the parks that I did not visit, places like:

· Mineral King large area

· The park Foothills

· Crystal Cave

· Big Stump

· Converse Basin Grove and Chicago Stump

· Big Baldy

· Alta Peak

· Marble Falls

· Rae Lakes Loop - I did this hike few years ago but did not post a blog about it.

And many more ….

Due note 2:

This is in a national park, so it requires an America the Beautiful yearly pass (80$ per year for all National Parks) or paying the $35 entrance fee, which is valid for up to seven days.

Due note 3:

There are restroom facilities and drinking water in many parking lots and in the park’s visitor centers.

Due note 4:

Pets are prohibited on all trails in the park. This includes paved trails, such as the General Sherman Tree Trail, Big Trees Trail, Grant Tree Trail, and others. This prohibits include Emotional support, comfort, or companion animals.

Official Service Dogs are welcome in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, including trails, facilities, and programs.

Due note 5:

Cell phone service is very spotty in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

I recommend downloading your maps offline having with you a brochure/map from the park’s visitor center.

Giant Sequoia Trees:

Giant sequoias grow only on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in California, between 4,000 and 8,000 feet (1219 and 2438 m) in elevation.

Unlike their massive tree size, they start their long journey from tiny pinecones average about 2 inches. These cones require fire to open-up and spread the seeds around.

Giant Sequoias can live up to 3,000 years and part of their survivor strategy is to grow thick bark and accumulate protective tannic acids. The combination of this with the fact that tree branch grow high far above the lower grass fire reach help make the trees to battle against beetle, fire and fungus.

Bears:

Black bears, though not always black, are found throughout Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Their natural foods is mainly based on digging up roots in meadows, ripping apart logs, and peering into tree cavities for food as well as berries and grass.

Unlike grizzly-bear Black bears do not hunt for their food. They do not consider, if you keep a safe distance, to be harmful for people.

Never touch or feed ANY wild animals, especially bears.

When human food becomes available, they learn to forage for human food in place of natural food.

The best way to protect park bears is to keep them from getting human food. Please use proper food storage when you are campground and when you are going on a long hike.

Do understand that predatory attacks by black bears are very rare and have never occurred in these parks but you need to know what to do in case it happened.

Few safety tips:

· Stay together, especially with small children.

· If a bear changes its behavior because of your presence, you are too close.

· View animals at safe distances, the length of two city buses or more from animals like bears.

· Don't get between a female and her cubs.

· Give the bear escape route and if you can clear his way and walk back.

· If a bear is approaching you and you want him to stay back make noise (yell, bang pots and pans, etc.) and be assertive.

In spring bears forage in and near forest meadows and they are active especially during early morning and the afternoon. Later when there are berries available, they will go to places they can find them, along rivers and creeks.

When walking in the trail look for bear signs, like ded tree bark, bear poops, sound of a tree crash or large movement in the meadow tall grass.

During my visit to Kings Canyon and Sequoia Pars I saw several Blak bears, see my Bear blog for many pictures.

The Parks 3 main truistic locations:

General Sherman Tree and Giant Forest

General Sherman is the largest known living single-stem tree on earth by volume of wood.

General Sherman is not the tallest (Coast redwood), widest (largest cypress and largest baobab), or oldest tree on earth (Great Basin Bristlecone Pine) but in 1931 General Sherman was identified as the largest tree in the world. One result of this process was that wood volume became widely accepted as the standard for establishing and comparing the size of different trees.

General Sherman has a height of 83.8 meters (275 ft), a diameter of 7.7 m (25 ft), an estimated volume of 1,487 m3 (52,513 cu ft), and an estimated age of 2,300–2,700 years.

On September 16, 2021, the tree was threatened by the KNP Complex Fire in Sequoia National Park. Park and firefighting personnel wrapped the tree's base in a protective foil but in the end the tree and the local nearby grove was left unharmed.

Giant Forest Museum and Moro Rock

The small Giant Forest Museum provide exhibition and explanation about the sequoia trees and the park in the park south side. From here you can have a short hike to Round Meadow. This is probably one of the best short hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks that provide the closeup view of many large sequoia trees. The scenic green open meadow surrounded by towering old sequoias trees, accessible by an easy flat boardwalk trail.

Moro Rock is a visible impressive granite rock when you are driving up the winding road leading into the park from it south side. This granite domed is one of the most popular destinations in the park. A short but steep hike climbing more than 400 steps lead to the highest point.

This viewing point towering 1,000 vertical feet of exposed granite wall provide a fantastic view of the entire canyon of the Middle Fork Kaweah River below you. The cascade mountain range peaks lines above you to the east, the edge of the Giant Forest and the tall sequoia treetops are visible to the north and at sunset, an impressive view of the sun setting down at San Joaquin Valley in the west.

Important note about the road leading to Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow:

In summer when the free park shuttles are running (usually from late May to early September), the road closes to private vehicles on weekends and holidays from morning through late afternoon. You can park at Giant Forest Museum, or any other shuttle stop and ride the free park shuttle along the road.

Grant Grove

The Grant Grove area was originally General Grant National Park, created in 1890 to protect giant sequoias from logging. Today it located in Kings Canyon National Park. The General Grant Grove Trail is a half a mile easy loop trail that leads to the General Grant Tree, the second-largest tree in the world.

You can stop at the nearby Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village for exhibits and information.

Plan your visit:

This is a huge park and may be busy so I highly recommend that you will plan your visit itinerary well before you are entering the park.

Know what you want to see and where you want to visit, prepare few options if you need to make a change in your plan.

Below I will try to create a 1 day and 2-3 days itinerary for your Sequoia and Kings Canyon visit.

You can visit the park in one day and be impressed from looking from below at the giant Sequoia trees but to really enjoy what this large park has to offer I do recommend investing here at least 2 full days if not more.

Over the years I visit here for about 5-6 times (only one day visit up to 5 days) and tried to cover different locations and hikes in the park, things that can be done by a day hike or less.

I can’t say that I know the wilderness area up high in the Sierra mountains that introduce many of the most beautiful hikes in California.

I will only provide the destination name without description; I do have dedicated blog with a lot of information and pictures for most of them.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon Blogs:

What to do in One Day Visit

For one day visit I do recommend dedicating a full long day and not only few hours.

If you are driving in and out of the park start your day early as 7am so by 8am you will be at the park entrance.

My recommended trip start at Fresno early in the morning and end the day in Visalia, this will probably be in the evening/night. During summer months the days are relatively long, and you can do this trip as a one long full of activities busy day.

I did such trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks several times and if you and your party can handle long day of driving combined with relatively short walks it can be done.

One Day - Visit Planning:

Coming from Fresno right after the park entrance turn left and follow highway 180 and get into Kings canyon Visitor Center on your right. Here you can get up to date information about the park, road and trail conditions, and activities recommendation.

From the visitor center keep driving on highway 180 and after short time turn left into General Grant Grove.

Park and walk this easy trail that leads to General Grant Tree, the second largest trees on earth (this visit should take you 30-60 minutes).

From here you can drive to Panoramic Point Overlook (this is 1 hr activity) or start heading south to Sequoia National Park.

Drive on Generals Road in the direction of Sequoia National Park and after passing Wuksachi Lodge and Lodgepole Visitor Center (both are on your left) you will see a clear tun left to the direction of Wolverton Picnic Area and General Sherman Tree Car Park. After short drive up the road you will turn right and reach General Sherman Tree parking. Plan for about 1-hour drives between the parks.

Park your car and walk down the trail and visit General Sherman Grove.

If you have time, you can extend your visit here by walking part of the Congress Trail that leads to more impressive sequoia tree groves.

Plan for about 1-2 hours here,

It will probably be around the afternoon when you will be back at your car.

From General Sherman you should drive south on the main park road (Generals Highway) in the direction to Giant Forest Museum.

Here if it is still early you can hike to the nearby Big Trees Trail (1 hour activity).

If it is becoming late in the afternoon than I do recommend heading to Moro Rock. Find a parking spot and walk the steep staircase leading to the top of the granite rock. This is one of the most impressive viewpoints in the park, a best location for sunset viewing.

During summer months on weekends when there is shuttle working you must use the shuttle to get here, for that park at the Giant Forest Museum large parking lot.

Now it will be already late at the afternoon or even after sunset.

Remember that if you need to drive back to your hotel, down in the central valley (Visalia?), plan your visit schedule, accordingly, try to leave the park 1 hour before sunset.

The drive down in the dark, especially if you are heading south to Visalia using the twisting, winding and narrow road leading down, can be challenging.

What to do in 2-3 days

I will base my recommendation for 2-3 days based on the one-day visit.

Start early, find accommodation or camping in or right near the park. Driving at the end of the day out down to Fresno and back at the following day back up is waste of a lot of time.

Day 1:

At your first day drive to Sequoia National Park.

Drive on Generals Road in the direction of Sequoia National Park and after passing Wuksachi Lodge and Lodgepole Visitor Center (both are on your left) you will drive to General Sherman Tree Car Park. Walk down the trail and visit General Sherman Grove.

Here I recommend extending your visit here by walking the Congress Trail that leads to more impressive sequoia tree groves, deep in the forest. This area will be less crowded but not less beautiful.

Plan for about 2-3 hours here.

It will probably be around the afternoon when you will be back at your car.

From General Sherman you should drive south on the main park road (Generals Highway) in the direction to Giant Forest Museum.

Here if it is still early you can hike to the nearby Big Trees Trail (1 hour activity) or to drive Crescent Meadow Rd all the way to it end. Here I recommend hiking Crescent Meadow loop hike, a wonderful large open meadow surrounded by trees.

This will probably be 1-1.5 hour of easy hike.

It is probably becoming late in the afternoon, and I do recommend heading back on the road and drive to Moro Rock.

Find a parking spot and walk the steep staircase leading to the top of the granite rock. This is one of the most impressive viewpoints in the park, a best location for sunset viewing.

During summer months on weekends when there is shuttle working you must use the shuttle to get here, for that park at the Giant Forest Museum large parking lot.

Day 2:

At the morning of the second day, I recommend visiting locations with short walks you did not manage to do the first day near the Giant Forest Museum area, this can be Big Trees Trail or Meadow loop hike.

Now I recommend doing one of the below long hikes, depending on your hiking abilities and what you want to see/do.

The main day activity will be one of the following hikes:

Giant Forest Hike:

This is not a specific trail but rather hike and explore the area between Giant Forest Museum, Crescent Meadow and General Sherman Grove. There are many trails covering this area, they are passing through the forests and near Sequoia groves. This trail is similar the Congress Trail but much longer and heading dipper into the forest. You can make this as 8-9 miles or even longer hike.

Tokopah Falls Trail: this is about 4 miles long hike with 600 ft elevation gain starting near Lodgepole Visitor Center and Lodgepole Campground. The trail follow the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River and reach to the base of the tall Tokopah cascading falls. This is a very popular hike, and it will take you about 2-3 hours to complete.

Pear Lake Hike: This hike is the longest and the most challenging hike as it climb up the mountain ridges and visit 4 alpine lakes nested in the mountains. The out and back hike is about 12 mile long with 3,000 ft elevation gain and it will take you 6-8 hours to complete. Although the longest of all hikes this is the most rewording hike, the view of the small alpine lakes, the canyons and the granite cascade mountain peaks is amazing.
at spring, check for trail snow conditions as it climb hike into the mountains.

Little Baldy:

This 3.5 out and back hike with climb of 800 ft to the top of a bald granite dome. The 360-degree view from the top of the dome is rewording. Plan for about 2-2.5 hours to this hike. The hike trailhead is located right on the park main road, halfway between Sequoia and kings Canyon parks.

This will probably be after noon when you will finish your hike.

If you are planning only 2 days visit than it is the time to start heading out of the park.

On your way out north (to Fresno) I do recommend stopping and visit Grant Grove located in the Kings Canyon National Park, not so far from Generals Road and highway 180 junction. Here you can see large Sequoia grove and the second largest tree on earth, Grant Tree.

Day 3:

If you have another day at the park, I do recommend to chose one of the following options:

Go and hike trails you did not manage to do in the previous day.

Expend your visit deep into Kings Canyon National Park by driving road 180 all the way to it end, this is a full day visit if not two. You have many things to do and see along this drive, including canyons vista, Boyden Cavern cave tour, forest walks and several waterfalls.

Visit and enjoy part of your day at one of the day use beaches at Hume Lake.

You can combine this with morning visit at Grant Grove and driving to the nearby (road start near the visitor center) Panoramic Point Overlook.

If you have 4x4 car you can visit Buck Rock Fire Lookout, this will be 2 hours trip.

If you are in backpacking and wilderness hikes than Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer some of the best hiking trails in all America.

This can be the legendary and amazing Rae Lakes Loop hike (4-5 days hike) or the longer High Sierra Trail that head east and pass the mountain ridges.

Summary:

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks showing the largest groves of the magnificence towering sequoias trees, and within them you can see up close the largest living trees by volume on Earth.

There is something for everyone in the parks, if you want short walks to see the tress and viewpoints or you are looking for long day (or multi-days) hikes.

The parks offers endless opportunities for nature lovers, if it is hiking (all levels of difficulties), backpacking, rock climbing, or simply visit the easy to go path and see the amazing Sequoia Trees, admire nature and their immense size.

This is one of the most amazing National Park and tried to provide as much information as I can provide from all my park many visits.

I hope you will find the above information helpful.

See my blogs on specific park attractions, hikes and location I did during my park visits.

Additional Pictures:

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