Planning a trip to Sequoia National Park can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How many days do you need? Which trails are worth your time? You’re not alone in asking these questions.
This guide breaks down exactly how to plan your Sequoia itinerary. You’ll get practical day-by-day plans, must-see spots, and realistic timing for each activity. No fluff, just what works based on real visits to the park.
I’ve spent years helping families and solo travelers make the most of their national park trips. This isn’t about seeing everything. It’s about seeing the right things for the time you have. You’ll leave with a solid plan that fits your schedule and interests. Let’s get your Sequoia trip sorted out.
Understanding Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Sequoia and Kings Canyon are actually two separate parks. But they sit right next to each other. The Generals Highway connects them, it’s a 30-mile scenic road. You enter Sequoia through Ash Mountain near Three Rivers.
Kings Canyon’s main gate is Big Stump from the west. Plan for about 90 minutes of driving between the furthest points. The parks are managed as one unit, so your entrance pass works for both.
General Sherman Tree. Moro Rock’s granite dome with 360-degree views. The Giant Forest, where I spend most of my time.
Crescent Meadow for easy walking. Tokopah Falls if you want a longer hike. Kings Canyon offers different scenery. Grant Grove has more massive trees. Zumwalt Meadow sits in a deep canyon with river views. Mist Falls requires more effort but pays off.
Sequoia has the iconic landmarks you’ve seen in photos. That’s where you get your “wow” moments with the giant sequoias.
Kings Canyon adds variety, deeper canyons, better waterfall hikes, and way fewer people on the trails. You drove all this way. Why not see both? They’re already connected.
Best Time to Visit
Timing matters more than you think. Each season gives you a completely different park experience. I’ve visited every season, and honestly? They’re all worth it for different reasons.
- Spring (April-June): Waterfalls run strong from snowmelt. Wildflowers cover the meadows. Roads start opening up as the snow clears. Some higher areas stay closed until late May or June.
- Summer (July-August): Everything’s open and accessible. This is also when everyone shows up. Expect full parking lots by 10 a.m. Perfect weather for hiking, though.
- Fall (September-October): My favorite time to visit. Temperatures drop to a comfortable level. Crowds thin out after Labor Day. Most facilities still operate. You get the best of both worlds.
- Winter (November-March): The Generals Highway often closes. Heavy snow limits where you can go. But snowshoeing through the Giant Forest? Magical. Just check road conditions before you leave home.
The Foothills entrance sits at 1,700 feet. It can hit 100°F in summer. Drive up to Giant Forest at 6,400 feet, and it’s 70°F.
Bring layers no matter when you visit. The Generals Highway closes during winter storms, sometimes for days. Shuttles run only in the summer peak season. Check the park website the morning you plan to enter.
How to Get to Sequoia National Park?
Getting there is easier than most people expect. You have three main options depending on where you’re starting from. I’ll break down what actually works best.
- By Air: Fresno Yosemite International is your closest option at 1.5 hours away. Rent a car there and drive straight to the park. Los Angeles is 4 hours south. San Francisco sits 4.5 hours northwest. Both work if you’re already in those cities. Fresno makes the most sense for fly-in visitors.
- By Car: Highway 198 enters through Ash Mountain from Visalia and Three Rivers. This is the main southern entrance most people use. Highway 180 brings you into Kings Canyon from Fresno, better if you want to see Grant Grove first. From LA, take Highway 99 north to Visalia, then follow 198 east. San Francisco visitors should take Highway 99 south through Fresno.
- Stop right there. Don’t assume you need your own car. The Visalia-Sequoia Shuttle runs seasonally from late May through September. You book in advance online. It drops you at the Giant Forest Museum. Inside the park, free shuttles connect major spots during the summer. They run from Lodgepole to Moro Rock and everywhere between.
Most visitors drive their own vehicles. Parking fills up fast at popular trailheads between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The shuttles help, but they don’t reach everything. If you fly in, rent a car. You’ll want that flexibility for early mornings and sunset stops.
Sequoia National Park 3-Day Itinerary
This is your complete plan. I’ve mapped out what to do each day based on what actually works in the park. You can follow this exactly or adjust based on your interests and energy levels.
Day 1: Highlights of Sequoia National Park
Start at the Foothills Visitor Center when you enter. Grab a map. Ask rangers about current trail conditions and closures. They’ll tell you what’s actually open that day. This saves you from driving to closed areas.
- Moro Rock: Climb 350 steps up a half-mile trail for views that cover three states on clear days. Go early before crowds arrive.
- General Sherman Tree: The world’s largest tree by volume sits here. Take the short paved path down. Connect to Congress Trail if you want to see more giant sequoias.
- Crescent Meadow: Short walk from parking to see Tharp’s Log cabin, where a pioneer lived inside a fallen tree. Stop at Tunnel Log on the way, you actually drive through a fallen sequoia.
End your day at sunset. Head back to Moro Rock or stay near General Sherman. The golden hour light on these trees hits differently. I’ve watched the sunset here dozens of times, and it never gets old.
Day 2: Deeper Exploration of Sequoia
Today, you go beyond the quick stops. Day 2 lets you slow down and really experience the park. Book Crystal Cave in advance, as it sells out weeks ahead in summer.
Start underground if you reserved tickets.
- Giant Forest Museum & Big Trees Trail: Learn sequoia ecology at the museum, then walk the easy 1.3-mile loop with interpretive signs. Perfect for families with young kids.
- Tokopah Falls Trail: 4-mile round trip from Lodgepole with moderate elevation gain. The waterfall runs strongest in June and early July. Bring plenty of water.
- Little Baldy Trail: 3.3 miles round trip with 360-degree mountain views at the top. Time this for late afternoon, the sunset from here is incredible.
Pace yourself today. You’re covering more miles than on Day 1. I usually pack twice the water I think I need. The lifts makes you thirstier than normal.
Day 3: Kings Canyon National Park trip
Time to see the second park. The Generals Highway connecting Sequoia and Kings Canyon is a highlight in itself. Stop at Grant Grove first, the visitor center and General Grant Tree Trail take about an hour total.
- Kings Canyon Scenic Byway: This 30-mile road drops into one of North America’s deepest canyons. Stop at Grizzly Falls (0.1-mile walk) and Roaring River Falls (0.3-mile walk).
- Zumwalt Meadow: 1.5-mile loop on flat ground with river views and granite cliffs. This is my favorite easy hike in Kings Canyon.
- Muir Rock: Swimming spot on the Kings River if you want to cool off. The water stays cold but feels great in the summer heat.
Pack a picnic lunch today. Limited food options once you’re down in the canyon. Cedar Grove has a small market, but don’t count on it for meals. The drive back up takes about an hour.
Day 4-5: Add-Ons or Extended Hiking
Got extra days? Go deeper into the backcountry. These options work for experienced hikers who want more challenges. Start early, like 6 a.m., for the big hikes. Afternoon thunderstorms can roll in quickly.
- Watchtower Trail: 8.3 miles round trip with moderate difficulty. Views of Tokopah Valley and an optional side trip to Heather Lake.
- Alta Peak Trail: 13.5 miles and definitely hard. Gains over 4,000 feet in elevation. Only attempt if you’re acclimated and fit.
- Mineral King Area: Remote section reached by a winding 25-mile road. Advanced hikers love this area for solitude and alpine lakes.
Alternative idea if hiking isn’t your thing: Skip the hard trails and do a California parks loop instead. You can combine Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite in one trip. It’s about 5 hours driving between parks. This works great if you have a week or more.
Where to Stay and What to Eat?
Finding a place to stay requires planning. The park has limited options inside, and they book up fast, sometimes a year in advance for summer dates. I always tell people to have a backup plan. Outside the park gives you more flexibility but adds driving time each day.
- Wuksachi Lodge: Your only upscale option inside Sequoia at $300+ per night. Centrally located near Giant Forest. Book early, or you won’t get in.
- Campgrounds (Lodgepole & Dorst Creek): Perfect for hikers who want to wake up in the park. Reserve 4 months ahead on recreation.gov. Sites fill within hours of opening.
- Kings Canyon Lodging: John Muir Lodge, Grant Grove Cabins, and Cedar Grove Lodge offer mid-range pricing. Cedar Grove closes in winter, it’s seasonal only.
- Three Rivers: The Closest town at 15 minutes from the Ash Mountain entrance. Small inns, cabins, and vacation rentals. Way easier to book last-minute than park lodges.
- Visalia: 45 minutes away with chain hotels and better prices. Good backup if everything else is full. You’ll spend more time driving but save money.
Food options are limited inside the park. Peaks Restaurant at Wuksachi serves dinner. Lodgepole has a grill for burgers. Pizza Deck and Market Café work for a quick lunch. Pack coolers with sandwich supplies. Three Rivers has delis and bakeries if you need supplies.
Travel Tips
These practical tips save you from common mistakes. I learned most of these the hard way, so you don’t have to. Small things make a big difference at elevation in remote areas.
- Timing: Get to popular trailheads before 8 a.m. Parking lots fill by mid-morning in summer. Early starts also mean cooler temperatures for hiking.
- Altitude: Giant Forest sits at 6,400 feet. Some trails go above 7,000 feet. Take it slow on your first day. Drink extra water. Headaches and fatigue hit harder at elevation.
- Fuel: No gas stations inside Kings Canyon. The last chance is in Hume Lake or before you enter. I’ve seen people run out, it’s not fun.
- Connectivity: Your phone won’t work in most of the park. Download offline maps before you arrive. Google Maps lets you save areas for offline use.
- Sustainability: Pack out everything you bring in. Stay on marked trails. Don’t approach or feed wildlife, especially bears. They’re common here, and food storage rules are strict for good reason.
Conclusion
Your Sequoia National Park itinerary is ready to go. You’ve got the day-by-day breakdown, timing for each stop, and the spots that matter most. No more guessing what to see or how long things take.
Start with the Giant Forest. Hit the trails that match your fitness level. Budget enough time between stops. That’s really all it takes to have a great trip. You’re prepared now.
Got questions about your specific dates or hiking ability? Drop a comment below. I read every one and usually reply within a day. If this helped you plan your trip, share it with someone else heading to the park. Safe travels, and enjoy those giant trees.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Sequoia National Park?
A: Plan for 2-3 days minimum. One day covers the Giant Forest and the main attractions. Two days lets you add Moro Rock and Crystal Cave. Three days give you time for backcountry trails and a relaxed pace. Weekend visitors can see highlights in 1-2 days.
What is the best time to visit Sequoia National Park?
A: Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) offer the best conditions. Roads are open, crowds are smaller, and the weather is mild. Summer brings peak crowds but full access. Winter limits road access but offers snow activities and solitude.
What are the must-see spots in a Sequoia National Park itinerary?
A: General Sherman Tree is #1, the world’s largest tree. Then hit the Giant Forest Museum, Moro Rock for views, and Crescent Meadow. Tunnel Log makes a fun photo stop. These five spots cover the park’s highlights in one day.
Where should I stay near Sequoia National Park?
A: Three Rivers (20 minutes from the entrance) has hotels and vacation rentals. Lodges inside the park book months ahead. Visalia (45 minutes away) offers more budget options. Camping at Lodgepole or Dorst Creek puts you closest to attractions.
Is Sequoia National Park good for families with kids?
A: Yes, it’s very family-friendly. The Giant Forest has easy, paved trails perfect for little ones. Kids love walking through Tunnel Log and touching the massive trees. Most main attractions require minimal hiking. Plan shorter days for young children.
