This was my first time in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. It’s one next to each other, so it’s really easy to visit both of them at the same time. If you are planning a trip here, this Sequoia and Kings Canyon travel guide will cover everything you need to know.
Information about Sequoia and Kings Canyon
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours a day, all year-round.
Fee: Day pass fee is $35 per car or $20 per individual on foot and they are valid for 7 days. You can also buy an annual pass or visit during a “free” day.
Address: 47050 Generals Highway. Three Rivers, CA 93271
Tips to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon
I always like to do a little research before I travel to a new place so I go prepared. Here are my top tips for you:
There is no service in the park. Before you go, download the park’s app so you can have access to their map and all information offline. You don’t want to get lost.
Plan your itinerary in advance. The park is really big, you don’t want to move to the next place and then realized you missed a cool spot way behind.
Be careful with your food. You are probably going to be there for hours, you can go to one of the few restaurants or have a picnic. If you decide to have a picnic or bring snacks, be aware that there are bears in the park and they can smell the food. Don’t leave food in your car, place all garbage in the bear-proof dumpsters and store your food in the metal storage boxes provided.
Fill your car gas tank before you enter. There are no gas stations in the park and going from one side to the other one can take you more than 2 hours.
Go early to avoid crowds.
Things to do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon
Giant Forest and General Sherman
The Giant Forest is the heart of Sequoia. This place is impressive. The trees are so large that it makes you feel tiny. It is also the home of General Sherman, the largest tree in the world and Sequoia’s main attraction. To access General Sherman, park on Wolverton Road and take the Main Trail (1/2 mile). The path is paved with stairs and it passes through the Giant Forest. If you want to explore more into the forest, take Congress Loop a 2 miles trail.
Tunnel Log
When you visit Sequoia, don’t forget to stop by Tunnel Log. This spot is located along the Crescent Meadow Road in Giant Forest and you can walk/drive through an actual sequoia tree and see the inside of it. Before, national parks used to cut tunnels through sequoia trees to popularize the parks. Today, they want to avoid human alterations and allow nature to run its course. So this is probably the last tunnel tree they cut.
Moro Rock
This hike is a classic and one of the most popular trails in Sequoia. It’s a 1/4 mile (around 400 steps) picturesque climb with a vast panoramic view at the top. Even when it’s short, it’s a little steep, so make sure to stop if you feel like you need to.
Zumwalt Meadow
This 1.5 mile loop trail goes around the meadow. If you start at the parking lot, follow the trail along the river to a large suspension bridge. Once you cross the bridge, turn left and continue through the woods until you reach the trail loop. Turn right, the trail will undulate over a rocky slope at the foot of the cliffs. Then, it descends to the meadow and runs near the river for a stretch. At the end, you will arrive at a broad walk with an incredible scenic view of the meadow with the cliffs rising above it. It’s one of the most scenic parts of the park.
Grizzly Falls
One of my favorite spots was Grizzly Falls. It’s located along Generals Highway (a highway that connects both parks). The good thing about this waterfall is that it’s next to the main road and it even has a parking area, so it’s really accessible and you don’t have to walk a lot to be able to see this beauty. There’s also a picnic area and a bathroom, so it’s great place to linger. The waterfall varies in size depending on when you go. It’s best to go in spring, when it has a high flow, compared to summer when it narrows into a thin, singular drop.
Roaring River Falls
This picturesque waterfall can be accessed through a short paved trail (1/3 mile), making it convenient for all family. The walk starts in the parking area and ends at a lookout where you can walk around the rocks to get a better view of the falls.
This Sequoia and Kings Canyon Travel Guide will help you cover all the main spots but you can always add more items if you have extra time.
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