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15 Amazing Things to Do in Sequoia National Park + Kings Canyon

Looking for things to do in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon? Don’t miss these spots!

Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are home to natural giants. These two parks are connected, which makes it easy to see two National Parks on one trip! Most people end up doing both. During our visit, we camped one night in Sequoia and one night in Kings Canyon.

15 Incredible Things to Do in Sequoia National Park CaliforniaPin

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Last Updated: January 3, 2024

What You Need to Know Before You Go

  • Pick up an America the Beautiful National Park Pass to save money on multiple park visits.
  • The five visitor service areas are Grant Grove, Giant Forest, Foothills, Cedar Grove, and Mineral King. Cedar Grove and Mineral King are open from late spring to early fall, while the others are open year-round.
  • Cell service is limited in the park. You can find free public WiFi at Kings Canyon Visitor Center or Foothills Visitor Center.
  • Bring layers. Elevation and weather vary throughout the park. While you may find flowers blooming in the foothills, there can be snow at higher elevations, which limits access to certain parts of the park. Check the park’s website to see what the current conditions are.
  • You must have tire chains in certain parts of the park during the cooler seasons.
  • Wildlife – There are black bears in the park, and they can break into cars that contain food. Learn how to properly store food here.
  • Free shuttles run through the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas during the summer.
  • Check yourself for ticks after. Ticks are common in the foothill and Kings Canyon grasses.
  • Poison Oak is expected up to 5000 feet in elevation. If you touch any part, wash your skin and clothes immediately.
  • Stay inside a large building or vehicle if you see dark clouds or lightning. Do not stand under trees, in shallow caves, or on high points like Moro Rock.
  • They recently had some massive wildfires go through the park. Fortunately, none of the significant trees were destroyed, but it did change the landscape quite a bit.
  • Alltrails+ is helpful if you’re doing hikes where you need the trail maps offline. I’ve used the free version with the map open before, but sometimes it crashes on me mid-hike.

15 Amazing Things to Do in Sequoia National Park + Kings Canyon

1. General Sherman and the Giant Forest →

36.581705, -118.751431, map

The Giant Forest is precisely like it sounds. When you walk amongst these giant trees, you’ll feel tiny. On this trail, you will find the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world by volume, weighing 1,385 tons! 

Also, check out the President Tree (the 3rd largest tree) and the 2-mile Congress Trail that takes you on a pleasant stroll away from the crowds.

See More: 11 Most Beautiful Trees in the World to Put On Your Bucket List

general sherman tree + 15 Amazing Things to Do in Sequoia National ParkPin

2. Climb the Steps of Moro Rock

Trailhead Coordinates: 36.546869, -118.765593, map

Rising above the Giant Forest, you can climb 400 stone steps to the summit of the granite dome to get some of the park’s best views. Watch as you drive through the park to get views of it from a distance.

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3. Mineral King

Coordinates: 36.450084, -118.593040, map

Only open in the summer, this is the only car-accessible backcountry in the park. There are plenty of hikes, and it’s worth the 28-mile windy road trek.

See More: Complete List of National Parks by State

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4. Drive or Walk Through the Tunnel Log

36.5525706,-118.7635707, map

This fallen sequoia is the only tree you can drive through in this national park (as long as your vehicle isn’t over 8 feet tall)! Also, make a quick pit stop at Auto Log. You can’t drive over it anymore but can hop out to take photos.

Tunnel Log SequoiaPin

5. Summit Mount Whitney

36.5875618,-118.245369, map

Mt. Whitney is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states and sits between Sequoia National Park and Inyo National Forest. If you’re looking to climb the mountain, you’ll need to get a permit. Although there are trail options from the Sequoia National Park side, most people go from Whitney Portal in Inyo National Forest. Find more information here.

6. Crystal Cave

36.5874504,-118.8325747, map

Purchase tickets for a tour of this beautiful cave at the Foothills Visitor Center or Lodgepole. The cave is only open in the summer but is worth checking out for anyone into stalactites and stalagmites.

Pro Tip: They recommend purchasing tickets online at least two days before and earlier for weekend or holiday tours. If you’re already at the park, you can purchase tickets at visitor centers (not at the cave).

Crystal Cave Sequoia ParkPin

7. Buck Rock Lookout

36.7372813,-118.8628677, map

This fire lookout gives you amazing views of the area. Climb the 172 metal steps and chat with the folks up top.

Note: Hold onto your stuff; it can get windy up there.

8. Hume Lake

36.7907137,-118.9112774, map

This beautiful lake between Grant Grove and Kings Canyon was initially built as a water supply for a flume. Now it’s a recreation area where you can swim or paddleboat.

Hume Lake SequoiaPin

9. Crescent Meadow Loop

Coordinates: 36.5541654,-118.7705703, map

This treeless meadow seems out of place amidst all the giant sequoias. Here you can take a walk, picnic, or rest and enjoy the views.

crescent meadow loop trailPin

10. High Sierra Trail

Coordinates: 36.5548094,-118.7511753, map

For serious hikers, Sequoia National Park is the start of the High Sierra Trail. If you want to trek to Mount Whitney, the park suggests taking six days (10 miles a day) to enjoy all the views.

See More: 15 Best Day Hikes in the US

high sierra trail sequoia national parkPin

11. Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

Coordinates: 36.7663785,-118.957835, map

This scenic 50-mile drive has gorgeous views of the river and mountain ranges. There are plenty of pit stops.

See More: 21 Epic Road Trips in America

12. General Grant Tree

Coordinates: 36.7482726,-118.9733441, map

The General Grant Tree is the second-largest tree in the world, and it makes its home in Grant Grove. It is also the nation’s official Christmas tree (not to be confused with the National Christmas Tree in DC). There is an easily accessible trail that takes you to see the settler’s cabin and the Fallen Giant as well.

general grant treePin

13. Boyden Cavern

36.8157115,-118.8203523, map

This is a privately-owned cavern but offers tours that leave every hour. They also have canyoneering and rappelling tours if you want a more adventurous activity.

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14. Grizzly Falls

Coordinates: 36.8031164,-118.7459739, map

This 75-foot waterfall is a short hike off the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. The best time to visit is spring when it’s at its full force.

grizzly falls kings canyonPin

15. Road’s End

Coordinates: 36.8013543,-118.5951105, map

This is the starting point if you’re looking to cross the Sierra and the endpoint if you’re doing the scenic bypass. You can also enjoy the river, and there’s a spot where you can jump in.

Sequoia National Park Map to Help You Get Around

More Things to DO in Sequoia NP + Kings Canyon NP

  • Generals Highway
  • Junction View, Sequoia
  • Muir Grove, Sequoia
  • Grant Grove Tree, Kings Canyon
  • Zumwalt Meadow, Kings Canyon
  • Buy a baby Sequoia tree to plant somewhere
Baby Sequoia Tree + 15 Incredible Things to Do in Sequoia National ParkPin

Sequoia National Park Hikes (From Easy to Difficult)

  • Big Trees Trail (1.3 mi loop, 121 ft △, easy)
  • Congress Trail (3.2 mi RT, 498 ft △, easy)
  • Crescent and Log Meadows (1.8 mi RT, 206 ft △, easy)
  • General Sherman Tree (.8 mi RT, 154 ft △, easy)
  • Giant Forest Loop Trail (7 mi loop, 1,282 ft △, easy)
  • Big Baldy Ridge (5.5 mi loop, 1,391 ft △, moderate)
  • Crystal Cave Trail (0.8 mi RT, 291 ft △, moderate)
  • Crystal Lake (3.1 mi RT, 833 ft △, moderate)
  • Lady Bug Trail (7.2 mi RT, 1,952 ft △, moderate)
  • Moro Rock (0.4 mi RT, 187 ft △, moderate)
  • Marble Falls Trail (7.4 mi RT, 1,627 ft △, moderate)
  • Tokopah Falls (4 mi RT, 639 ft △, moderate)
  • Alta Peak Trail (14.9 mi RT, 4,064 ft △, strenuous)
  • Eagle and Mosquito Lakes (10.8 mi RT, 3,097 ft △, strenuous) 
  • Franklin Lakes (11.2 mi RT, 3,458 △, strenuous)
  • Garfield Grove Trail (13.6 mi RT, 5,019 ft △, strenuous)
  • Heather Lake, Emerald Lake, and Pearl Lake (11.8 mi RT, 2913 ft △, strenuous)
  • Lakes Trail Hike (12.2 mi round trip, 2792 ft elevation, moderate to difficult)
  • Middle Fork Kaweah Falls (9.1 RT, 1,627 ft △, strenuous)
  • Monarch Lakes (8.4 mi RT, 2,650 ft △, strenuous)
  • Timber Gap (9.8 mi RT, 4,110 ft △, strenuous)
  • Twin Lakes Trail (13.1 mi RT, 3,238 ft △, strenuous)
  • White Chief Trail (7.1 mi RT, 2,230 ft △, strenuous)
Visiting Sequoia National ParkPin

Kings Canyon National Park Hikes (From Easy to Difficult)

  • Big Stump Trail (1.8 mi loop, 236 ft △, easy)
  • Buena Vista Peak (2 mi RT, 413 ft △, easy)
  • General Grant Tree Trail (0.5 mi loop, 29 ft △, easy)
  • Grizzly Falls (0.1 mi loop, 19 ft △, easy)
  • North Grove Loop (2.8 mi RT, 449 ft △, easy)
  • Road’s End to Bailey Bridge (4.4 mi loop, 209 ft △, easy)
  • Roaring River Falls (0.3 mi RT, 26 ft △, easy)
  • Zumwalt Meadow (1.5 mi loop, 134 ft △, easy)
  • Hart Tree, Fallen Goliath, Redwood Creek (7.1 mi loop, 1,354 ft △, moderate)
  • Hotel Creek Trail (3.8 mi RT, 1,614 ft △, moderate)
  • Mist Falls (8.1 mi loop, 889 ft △, moderate)
  • Paradise Valley (17.1 mi RT, 2,972 ft △, moderate)
  • Redwood Canyon (10.9 mi loop, 2,185 ft △, moderate)
  • Don Cecil Trail (9.3 mi RT, 3,339 ft △, strenuous)
  • Lookout Peak (13 mi RT, 4000 ft △, strenuous)

Sequoia National Park Camping

There are fourteen campgrounds in the two parks, three open year-round. Most of them are first-come, first-served sites, with reservable sites at Potwisha, Buckeye Flat, Lodgepole, Dorst Creek, Sunset, and Sentinel campgrounds.

Campgrounds are usually full on weekends during the summer (Jun – Aug), so arrive early or make reservations where possible. Here is a quick overview of the campsites:

Sequoia National Park

  • Lodgepole Campground – 214 sites for tents, RVs, and trailers
  • Dorst Creek Campground – 218 sites for tents, RVs, and trailers
  • Potwisha Campground (open year-round) – 42 sites for tents, RVs, and trailers
  • Buckeye Flat Campground – 28 sites for tents
  • South Fork Campground (open year-round) – 10 sites for tents
  • Atwell Mill Campground – 21 sites for tents
  • Cold Springs Campground – 40 sites for tents

Kings Canyon National Park

  • Azalea Campground (open year-round) – 110 sites for tents, RVs, and trailers
  • Crystal Springs Campground – 36 sites for tents, RVs, and trailers
  • Sunset Campground – 157 sites for tents, RVs, and trailers
  • Sentinel Campground – 82 sites for tents, RVs, and trailers
  • Sheep Creek Campground – 111 sites for tents, RVs, and trailers
  • Moraine Campground – 121 sites for tents, RVs, and trailers
  • Canyon View Campground – group sites only

To find more details on campgrounds, visit this page.

best camping in sequoia national parkPin

Best Places to Stay in Sequoia National Park + Kings Canyon

What’s Nearby

Planning Checklist

How many of these things in Sequoia National Park have you done? What is the next National Park that you want to visit?

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Esther and JacobPin

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.

This Post Has 9 Comments

  1. Rashmi K

    Hi Esther & Jacob, Both Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park look amazingly beautiful. Though I haven’t been there yet. I am just curious what kind of wildlife did you see there?

    1. jacob

      All kinds! Here are just a few of them: gray fox, bobcat, black bear, mule deer, mountain lion, marmot, and pika.

  2. Megan

    When did you visit and where did you camp? Looking to do a camping trip out there in the middle of May and want to make sure these places are open!
    Also, your list looks awesome and has motivated me to do this trip even more!

  3. Janice

    How long would you recommend for a camping/driving trip to see Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemeti?

    1. jacob

      Depends on how much you want to see in each place! We could spend a week in Yosemite alone, but you could see the highlights of all of them in a week as well. Hope that helps!

  4. Stu

    This weekend, we are headed to Mammoth and Sequoia. Your blog was very helpful. Thanks

    1. Esther JuLee

      Thanks for stopping by, Stu. Hope you have a great trip! I still need to visit Mammoth.

  5. Alex s

    Yosemite is definitely a gorgeous place to visit and this list is off the hook. A lot of these places are amazing during the winter as well if you’re willing to put in the effort via a pair of ski. Typically, we visit the National Park right when the gates open from the east side to access some of the best spring skiing on the planet. Great name for your website by the way! :-)

  6. Robert

    2 Amazing Destinations! Always on the hunt for new exciting camping destinations, these look stunning! Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos and travel inspiration!

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