Just under 5 hours from San Francisco, is Sequoia National Park, which is home to the majestic giants, the sequoia trees that live over 3000 years. You will most definitely feel like a dwarf when you’re exploring the park. This 3-day itinerary packs in the best of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, from towering sequoias to breathtaking canyons and some other gems that you may not have seen before.
Best Time to Go to Sequoia National Park
- For the best weather and access to all areas: Summer (June-August)
- For fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures: Shoulder seasons (May & September)
- For a unique winter experience: Winter (November-April)
Ultimately, the best time to visit Sequoia National Park is the time that best suits your preferences and priorities. Consider what activities you want to do, your tolerance for crowds and weather conditions, and whether you’re comfortable driving in snow if you plan to visit in winter.
How Far is Kings Canyon from Sequoia?
The distance between Sequoia and Kings Canyon is about 50 miles, but can take up to 2 hours to drive due to the nature of the roads.
How to Get to Sequoia and Kings Canyon
You can drive from SFO in under 5 hours. OR you can fly into SFO, Oakland, Fresno Yosemite and Visalia. From the airport, you will have quite a bit of a drive so you will have to reserve a car to pick up at the airport.
READ MORE: We’ve been on so many San Francisco Getaways. Check out our favorites!
Getting Around Sequoia and Kings Canyon
To experience the beauty of both Sequoia and Kings Canyon, drive the Generals Highway connecting Lodgepole and Grant Grove.
If you prefer not to drive, The Sequoia Shuttle operates during peak season, providing roundtrip transportation from Sequoia to nearby towns like Visalia and Three Rivers, plus stops within the park.
And if you want to join a unique guided tour, check out these highly rated guided tours to Sequoia National Park.
Day 1: Sequoia National Park
As with all national parks, it can get pretty crowded, and you may experience delays no matter how timely you are. Plan to get an early start while you’re here, especially if you’re traveling in the summer.
READ MORE: Short and Sweet Hiking Checklist for Sequoia National Park
If you want to stop at a visitor center and grab a map before you get going, your options are:
- Foothills Visitor Center: located near the park’s entrance on the western side(ash mountain entrace)
- Lodgepole Visitor Center: located in the Lodgepole area
- Cedar Grove Visitor Center in the Cedar Grove area
- Kings Canyon Visitor Center: located in Grant Grove (shared with Sequoia)
Stop 1: General Sherman Tree
Fun fact about the General Sherman Tree: It’s estimated to be between 2,300 and 2,700 years old!
The General Sherman Tree Trail is an easy out and back trail about 1 mile long. It’s a nice light introduction to the parks and the surrounding areas. Although beautiful, I would absolutely not make it your main attraction
Stop 2: Congress Trail
The nearby Congress Trail offers an easy and highly recommended stroll through a stunning sequoia grove. It is a paved 2.9 mile loop that meanders through a stunning grove of giant sequoias. You’ll see impressive giants like the President, McKinley, Congress, and Senate Trees— No other trail in the park has so many large sequoia clusters in such a short distance.
Stop 3: Big Trees Trail
The Big Trees Trail is an easy, paved loop through a beautiful grove of sequoias. On this trail, you will also get a chance to see the second-largest grove of giant sequoia trees in the world and be able to see the Round Meadow, one of the best meadows in the Giant Forest.
Stop 4: Crescent Meadow
Crescent Meadow is a beautiful meadow surrounded by giant sequoias. It feels like you are walking into some sort of green screen. It is so serene and peaceful and while it may be crowded, there are spaces to just veer off and have some time to yourself.
Stop 5: Tunnel Log
The next stop is the quirky Tunnel Log, a fallen giant sequoia that you can drive through! It’s a fun photo opportunity to send to your family and friends. And how often in your lifetime do you get to drive through a tree log?
Stop 6: Moro Rock at Sunset
The grand finale of Day 1 is sunset. Moro Rock offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Great Western Divide. While it is just a 0.4 mile trail, you will feel it. The climb up is 400+ steps and it can be strenuous for some. But the views make it all worth it.
If you’re not up for the climb, consider Beetle Rock, a more accessible option with beautiful sunset views.
Or alternatively, find a quiet spot along the Generals Highway with a westward-facing view.
Pro Tip: Pack a picnic to enjoy as you watch the sun paint the sky with vibrant colors.
Day 2: Sequoia National Park
Hopefully by the second day, you have gotten acclimated to the altitude and hopefully caught up on your sleep. Make yourself some fresh coffee and get ready to explore more of the park.
Stop 1: Marble Falls Trail
The Marble Falls Trail is a 7.2-mile roundtrip hike located near the Canyon View area. It descends steeply into the canyon to a beautiful waterfall. The trail can be strenuous due to the elevation change and exposed sections. Allow 4-6 hours for this hike. If you choose this option, you might need to skip the next stop, Tokopah Falls or just wake up really early.
Stop 2: Tokopah Falls
With a total length of about 1,200 feet, Tokopah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Sequoia National Park. It is another popular waterfall hike in Sequoia, and is 1.7 miles out and back. If you are there during early summer, it is not recommended to swim. However, later in the season when the volume of water starts to decrease, Tokopah Falls would be a great place to cool off and swim.
Stop 3: Sunset Rock
The last stop of the day has to include watching the sunset over the canyons, right? Sunset Rock is an easy 1.6-mile trail that takes you to one of the most popular sunset spots in Sequoia. The route begins at the Giant Forest Museum, with stops along the way to offer a place to relax.
Day 3: Kings Canyon National Park
Sequoia NP and Kings Canyon NP are kind of a two-in-one National Park. Your daily entrance fee covers both, and there is a beautiful scenic road between the two – Kings Canyon Scenic Byway.
Edit: Be mindful that the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway may still be closed when you visit (road damage), which would limit your access to Kings Canyon. Check for road closures here.
The drive can take up to two hours. This winding road descends into the canyon, offering spectacular views at every turn. If you are prone to motion sickness, make sure to have some motion sickness remedies on hand.
Pro-Tip: Don’t sleep on Kings Canyon. The scenery is quite different between these two parks even though they are sitting side by side. So, I definitely encourage you to check out both parks. You will be surprised by knowing how many people just visit Sequoia and leave .
Stop 1: Junction View
Make your first stop along the byway at Junction View, a viewpoint that provides a stunning panorama of the canyon’s immense depth. You will see canyon after canyon that stretches as far as the eye could see. The byway is 50 miles long, and there are many scenic viewpoints to stop along the way.
Some other stops on the byway are: Grizzly Falls, Kings Canyon Sign, Roaring River Falls and Zumwalt Meadow.
Stop 2: Zumwalt Meadows
Continue along the scenic byway to Zumwalt Meadow. This beautiful, flat meadow is accessed by hiking a half mile trail that takes you over an impressive suspension bridge.
Afterward, prepare for the highlight of the day: the hike to Mist Falls. This 6-mile round trip hike follows the Kings River and ends with a spectacular waterfall. It’s a moderately strenuous hike with some elevation gain, but the views and the waterfall are definitely worth the effort. Pack plenty of water and snacks, you are going to need it.
Stop 3: General Grant Tree
Return back to Grant Grover and visit the General Grant Tree, the world’s second largest tree and also known as the “Nation’s Christmas Tree.”
Stop 4: Panorama Point
Like, I mentioned before, no day is complete without watching the sunset. So our last stop will be Panorama Point to watch the Sierra skies turn from pink to purple. It is an easy 0.5 mile trail to get the most beautiful views. If you need some snacks and other picnic supplies, stop at Grant Grove Market.
Where to Stay in Sequoia and Kings Canyon
Choosing a spot to stay is entirely dependent on your preferences.
Inside the Parks
Wuksachi Lodge is the only lodging inside Sequoia. It’s convenient but books up far in advance and can be pricey. Camping is another option within the parks, but reservations are essential, especially during peak season.
Other lodging very close to the entrance of Sequoia park:
- Comfort Inn and Suites – Book Here
- Buckeye Tree Lodge and Cabins- Book Here
- Sequoia Lodge- Book Here
- One of 14 Campgrounds in the Park – Book Here
- Sequoia Creek Campground (in the middle of Sequoia and Kings Canyon) – Book Here
In Kings Canyon, some options are:
Closest Towns
Three Rivers is the closest town to the parks’ entrance and offers the most variety of lodging. It’s great because it is close to both national parks and has a range of hotels, motels, and vacation rentals available. It’s a good central base for exploring both parks.
Other towns include Visalia (larger, more amenities, further drive), Grant Grove/Wilsonia (closer to the Grant Grove area, but fewer options), and smaller towns like Dunlap. These might be suitable depending on your priorities, but they are generally further from the main attractions.
Considerations
- Booking lodging well in advance, especially if traveling during peak season
- Driving distances are important to consider, as even towns that seem close can involve significant travel time due to winding mountain roads
- Access to food options is also a factor, with Three Rivers offering more choices than smaller, more remote towns
- Sometimes it’s just more enjoyable to stay IN the parks. Waking up at 5AM to have to deal with an hour or so of 15mph hairpin turns every morning may not be in the cards for you
My 2 Cents…
Driving to Sequoia and through Kings Canyon involves winding roads with steep drop-offs. I, personally, would not enjoy the drive up and down multiple times a day, nor would I want to do those drives in the dark. So staying inside the park would be my best option. You could avoid the frequent trips up the mountain and be able to enjoy the park’s quieter times (early morning and evenings), and be able to escape the daytime crowds (which is heavy during peak season).
Once inside the park, utilize the shuttle system to get around, but be aware that parking at shuttle pick-up points can still fill up quickly, so arrive early.
