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Sequoia National Park and King’s Canyon National Park, in mountainous central California, are remote bastions of snow-capped Sierra peaks, marble caverns, and glittering alpine lakes. Sequoiadendrum giganteum, or giant sequoias as they’re commonly called, are the largest trees on the planet, and these parks are among the best places in the world to see the skyscraper-sized wooly-barked marvels.
These two tracts of public land, designated as national parks in 1890 and 1940, respectively, are now jointly administered like one park unit—though each has unique offerings that make them both worthy of a visit. Sequoia is more auto-friendly, with winding scenic drives through chaparral-strewn foothills, between towering trees, and through steep river-carved ravines. Meanwhile, over 93 percent of Kings Canyon is designated as wilderness, creating uncrowded, rustic conditions for hikers, cabin-seekers, and backpackers in search of serenity. These rich lands have a long human history too: They are the ancestral home of the Mono/Monache, Yukut, Tübatulabal, Paiute, and Western Shoshone peoples, and many descendents continue to live nearby and tend to the lands now demarcated by park bounds.
Keep reading for our favorite things to do in Sequoia & Kings Canyon—plus, where to stay and the best time to visit.
[Editor's note: Because of the record-breaking winter storms that California has experienced, access to the Giant Forest via Hwy 180 through the Big Stump Entrance Station is estimated to open between May 26 and June 16. Access via Hwy 198 through the Ash Mountain Entrance will open in June or July 2023. Mineral King is expected to open in June 2023. Giant sequoias may still be viewed in Grant Grove.]
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The best time to visit Sequoia & King's Canyon
Summer is the high season for both Sequoia & Kings Canyon. Though the parks get a combined visitation that’s a fraction of nearby Yosemite, expect crowds on popular trails near sequoia trees and in the Giant Forest area. With warm days, snow mostly melted, and wilderness trails open, it’s an excellent time for scenic drives, car camping, long hikes, and fishing.
Spring hits at vastly different times in these parks, due to their huge range of elevations and biozones. In the Foothills, look for bright bursts of wildflowers (like yellow fiddlenecks and harlequin lupine) in April and May. In June, expect to see pops of color parading across the high alpine.
In autumn, the family crowds begin to disperse and evenings become chilly, but hiking and backpacking are still very much on the menu (if you don’t mind snuggling up in a loftier sleeping bag). Wildfires have become a major issue in this part of California, emboldened by climate change, and campfire restrictions will most likely be in effect during this season.
Like many of California’s mountainous parks, much of Sequoia & Kings Canyon shuts down when winter snows hit hard, though a few areas stay blissfully open for kids to enjoy the fluffy white stuff. Pack your snow chains and head for Grant Grove or the Wolverton Snowplay Area if you’re visiting from December through March. Wuksachi Lodge also rents cross-country skis and snowshoes for intrepid travelers who’d like to explore further.
How to get to there
The closest airports to Sequoia & Kings Canyon are Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Visalia Municipal Airport. In summer months, the $20 Sequoia Shuttle runs to and from the Visalia Transit Center. Once inside the park, shuttle riders can hop on and off a variety of in-park routes to top sights like Moro Rock and Lodgepole.
Still, most visitors will want to road trip out or rent a car, for the freedom to explore (and stay late for sunset). Just be prepared for winding mountain roads and vehicle length restrictions for rigs over 22 feet. Coming from the north? Enter via Big Stump from Highway 180. Driving up from sunny SoCal? Head towards the tiny gateway town of Three Rivers (and don’t forget to grab a scoop of Reimer’s ice cream) on Highway 198 and cruise through the Ash Mountain Entrance.
Best things to do in Sequoia & Kings Canyon national parks
Admire the trees
By far, the top attraction at both Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks is witnessing the sheer grandeur of giant sequoia groves up close and personal. The good news is that the National Park Service has gone to great lengths to ensure that these natural wonders are accessible for many ages and mobility levels, paving wheelchair-friendly trails through some of the best old growth woodlands in the country. Check out the General Grant Tree Trail, the General Sherman Tree, and the Big Trees Trail for mellow meanders through ancient conifers.
Hiking and backpacking
Adventurous hikers who’d rather rough it in search of less-traveled sequoia groves can find them by hiking the 2.7-mile Congress Trail or the 4.8-mile Atwell Grove Trail, in far-flung Mineral King. There’s also the option to grab a backpacking permit, don a pack, and shuffle 13 miles along the Middle Fork Trail to Redwood Meadow to pitch a tent for the night.
Once you’ve had enough of the parks’ enormous shaggy-barked trees, there’s still loads of other trails to explore–over 800 miles of them, to be precise. A steep, one-mile trek up the glacially-polished granite of Moro Rock features sweeping panoramas of the Great Western Divide, and, closer to Kings Canyon, a 4.4-mile out-and-back takes hikers through a wildflower-speckled forest and up Big Baldy Ridge. Want a real calf-burner? Try the 14-mile (round trip) to the jaw-droppingly gorgeous summit of Alta Peak or the eight-mile (round trip) to the roaring water of Mist Falls.
If you’re comfortable toting your own gear and pitching a tent in the backcountry, grab a permit and set off on the 12-mile loop past enormous granite fins and verdant forests, all the way to the shimmering alpine tarn of Pear Lake. If you’re interested in staying off-grid for longer, the High Sierra Trail begins in Crescent Meadow and traverses the entirety of the Great Western Divide, from west to east, before ending atop Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48.
Scenic drives
In true American national park fashion, Sequoia & Kings Canyon are also full of cliff’s-edge engineering marvels that promise great views from the comfort of a vehicle. Generals Highway is the best of the bunch, staying open year round (just check snow conditions before heading out) and maneuvering from the Foothills, through the Giant Forest, past Lodgepole, all the way to Grant Grove. Make sure to fill your tank beforehand—no gas is sold within park boundaries.
The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is another phenomenal all-day trip, swerving between the craggy canyon cliffs that give the park its name. Be sure to stop off at Grant Grove, Roaring River Falls, and Zumwalt Meadow along the way, scoping out old growth timberlands and powerful cascades.
Guided tours
Oftentimes, expert-led tours offer the ability to interact with locals, learn more about park history, and venture to places you wouldn’t feel comfortable going alone. Crystal Cave is a wonderful example of a marble cavern with loads of dripstone formations, and tour reservations are required to enter. Authentic Adventures Central California provides small group tours in both Sequoia and Kings Canyon for group-loving travelers looking to explore the Giant Forest, Moro Rock, and Grant Grove. For something more private, Sequoia Guides provides a bespoke itinerary led by a naturalist ready to bring you to the parks’ hidden gems.
Considering that over 93 percent of these parks is designated wilderness, the majority of the best sights are only found when backpacking. Wildland Trekking offers a five-day journey along the iconic High Sierra Trail, which cruises past giant sequoia trees and mind-blowing views of sky-high summits at Bearpaw Meadow. REI Adventures also hosts a stunning six-day circumnavigation of the Rae Lakes Loop, with time to dive into the chilly water against a backdrop of toothy granite spires.
Where to stay in and around Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Though a bit more rustic than the Instagram-famous places to stay in Yosemite to the north, there’s loads of excellent lodging, camping, and vacation rentals situated mere minutes from these legendary national parks.
Camping
Sequoia & Kings Canyon have a combined total of 14 different car campgrounds, spread out across a variety of different elevations and top sights. The best places to camp get you up close to the nature you came for: Potwisha Campground, in the Foothills area near the mountain hamlet of Three Rivers, is open year-round and offers picnic tables, fire rings, a dump station, and a seasonal amphitheater with ranger-led programming. Lodgepole Campground is the closest to the Giant Forest, set amongst shady conifers at a lofty elevation of 6,700 feet. Azalea Campground is open year-round and is an easy stroll away from the majestic ancient sequoias of Grant Grove.
Hotels, glamping, and vacation rentals
Of the hotel-style in-park accommodations, Wuksachi Lodge is the most luxurious, with its cobblestone lobby fireplace and well-appointed rooms (just don’t expect a spa or five-star restaurant). For nearby digs with a bit more flair, head to The Darling in Visalia, which boasts elegant, 1930s-style furnishings, and a stellar rooftop bar and restaurant, The Elderwood (try the Author’s Note if you like bourbon).
For high-quality glamping near the parks, The Sequoia is, by far, the best of the bunch, with cozy tent cabins, hot showers, and locally-sourced California cuisine (meals are included with your stay). Those bringing the whole family, and ready to kick-back in style during down time, can splurge on a sweet vacation house, like the ultra-luxe River Island (with a private yoga room, gourmet kitchen, and night sky observatory) or the Botanist Cabin, with its large soaking tub and boho décor.
Find more Sequoia National Park hotels here.
