Positioned within the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, Sequoia Nationwide Park options 631 sq. miles — or 1,351 sq. miles in the event you embrace the adjoining Kings Canyon Nationwide Park — of expansive meadows, alpine lakes, excessive peaks, beautiful waterfalls, and big sequoia timber.
Just lately, I used to be lucky sufficient to go to this California nationwide park and had an unimaginable time. Not solely did I see beautiful surroundings and do among the finest hikes I’ve ever finished, however I realized loads about how one can finest discover the park — which I’ll share within the information beneath!
Particularly, you’ll discover options for how one can spend a day in Sequoia Nationwide Park whereas nonetheless seeing loads and having an unimaginable time.
The start of this information will cowl logistical info. From there, we’ll dive into two choices to your Sequoia Nationwide Park in the future itinerary. Lastly, we’ll finish by going over some vital suggestions in addition to steadily requested questions in regards to the park.
What Kind Of Hiker Are You? [Free Quiz]
However first, earlier than we dive into how one can spend 1 day in Sequoia Nationwide Park, I need to share a free character quiz I believe you’ll love:
Uncover your mountain climbing persona on this enjoyable and quick hiker character quiz, which additionally shares path options based mostly in your outcomes.
When you’ve grabbed the quiz, let’s create your good plan for a in the future journey to Sequoia Nationwide Park, with two itinerary choices to select from. You may as well add in among the prime Sequoia points of interest listed beneath to customise your schedule.
Get excited, as visiting the park is without doubt one of the prime California journey experiences — particularly because it’s house to among the finest mountain climbing trails on the planet!
Getting To Sequoia Nationwide Park
Sequoia Nationwide Park is positioned in California, with the closest airports being Fresno Yosemite Worldwide Airport (about 1 hour and quarter-hour away) and Visalia Municipal Airport (about 1 hour away). That being stated, there are a lot of different airports which might be just some hours away by automotive.
Having your individual car is beneficial, because it offers you flexibility in terms of creating your itinerary for Sequoia and means that you can discover by yourself time.
When you’d favor to take public transportation, your choices embrace:
Bus: You may take a Greyhound bus to Visalia after which swap to a park shuttle bus or the native V-Line bus. Simply observe that each of those choices function in summer time solely.
In any other case, you may take a Greyhound bus to Visalia or Fresno and hire a automotive from there.
From Visalia, you may as well take Tulare County Space Transit to the city of Three Rivers to attach with a guided tour. Simply ensure to pre-book your tour so you realize when and the place to satisfy your information.
Prepare: Amtrak goes to Fresno, the place you may hire a automotive.
Moreover, it goes to Hanford the place you may connect with an Amtrak bus to Visalia. From right here, you may hire a automotive or, in summer time, join with a park shuttle.
Tall timber in Sequoia Nationwide Park. Picture through Jessie Festa.
Getting Round Sequoia Nationwide Park
Renting A Automobile For Sequoia Nationwide Park
Sequoia Nationwide Park is large, and also you’ll positively desire a automotive to discover the various trails and websites.
If it is advisable hire a automotive, I extremely advocate utilizing Uncover Automobiles to shortly evaluate your rental choices.
Their comparability instrument does the homework for you, so there’s no have to have 10+ tabs up making an attempt to determine which firm is probably the most reasonably priced. Truly, it can save you as much as 70% utilizing their instrument!
Sequoia Nationwide Park Shuttle & Buses
Your different choice for getting round Sequoia Nationwide Park is the free park shuttle service. Many individuals truly drive to the park after which use the free shuttle to get round.
You could find full info on routes and schedules right here.
Mountain climbing across the well-known large timber of Sequoia Nationwide Park. Picture through Jessie Festa.
Greatest Time To Go to Sequoia Nationwide Park
Whereas Sequoia Nationwide Park is open year-round, not each season presents the identical expertise. Listed here are some issues when selecting when to go to Sequoia Nationwide Park.
Summer season. In my view, that is one of the best time to go to. Not solely is the climate extra dependable than different occasions of yr, however there are additionally extra shuttles and programming — to not point out all the park areas are sometimes open (until, for instance, a wildfire closes it down).
Fall. Whereas stunning, the climate could be unpredictable. That is additionally while you’ll see much less programming and shuttle service in addition to the closure of the park’s Mineral King and Cedar Grove areas for the season.
Love festivals? Between August and September is the annual Darkish Sky Pageant, which includes audio system, stargazing and astrology occasions, nighttime pictures classes, and extra!
Winter. On the optimistic facet, there are winter showshoe walks — plus seeing the sequoia timber blanketed in snow is beautiful; nonetheless, some areas of the park could also be closed for the season or attributable to snow. Moreover, chances are you’ll want tire chains. Observe: There are not any winter shuttles in Kings Canyon Nationwide Park.
Spring. Visiting in late spring is one other good choice, particularly because the summer time shuttles run from late Might by means of mid-September. Furthermore, seeing the park come alive with wildflowers and birds provides a fascinating power to the park.
Professional tip:
It doesn’t matter what season you resolve to go to Sequoia Nationwide Park, verify their Present Circumstances web page for closures and updates so that you’re completely ready.
A stupendous sundown in Sequoia Nationwide Park. Picture through Sasha Freemind for Unsplash.
Map Of Sequoia Nationwide Park
Earlier than visiting, it’s beneficial to print out a map of Sequoia Nationwide Park. That is one among my prime solo mountain climbing suggestions, although it’s additionally vital in the event you’re in a bunch.
You may click on right here to do this.
Observe: You’ll get a paper Sequoia map when coming into the park and there are maps posted in every single place (proven beneath) so that you can simply take a photograph of along with your telephone.
Sequoia Nationwide Park mountain climbing map. Picture through Jessie Festa.
Sequoia Nationwide Park Logistics (Entrance Charges, Permits & Closures)
Sequoia Nationwide Park charge: $35/car (legitimate for seven days)
Low cost Passes: You should buy a Sequoia & Kings Canyon Annual Go for $70 or an America the Stunning—Nationwide Parks and Federal Leisure Lands Annual Go for $80. The latter is nice in the event you plan to go to a number of nationwide parks inside a yr.
Park Sections: Sequoia and Kings Canyon are adjoining nationwide parks that showcase 5 particular sections you may discover, together with:
- Foothills (Sequoia)
- Mineral King (Sequoia)
- Big Forest & Lodgepole (Sequoia)
- Grant Grove (Kings Canyon)
- Cedar Grove (Kings Canyon)
Entrances: To maximise time along with your Sequoia Nationwide Park in the future itinerary, it’s smart to map out your route beforehand and know which entrance is finest to return in by means of. Choices embrace:
- Ash Mountain Entrance into Sequoia Nationwide Park through Freeway 198 in Three Rivers
- Large Stump Entrance into Kings Canyon Nationwide Park through Freeway 180 in Fresno
- Lookout Level Entrance to the distant Mineral King Space in Sequoia Nationwide Park through the junction of Mineral King Highway with Freeway 198 in Three Rivers
Wilderness Permits:
- Throughout Quota Season (about late Might to mid-September) there are a restricted variety of wilderness permits accessible every day for a charge
- Throughout Non-Quota Season (about mid-September to late Might) permits are free, self-issued, and are usually not restricted every day
You could find full details about wilderness permits right here.
Meals/Drink: There are a variety of locations to purchase meals inside Sequoia Nationwide Park, from fast grab-and-go spots to nicer eating places just like the Peaks Restaurant at Wuksachi Lodge.
Fuel: There are not any gasoline stations inside Sequoia Nationwide Park.
Sequoia Closures: Test the Sequoia Nationwide Park web site for updates on any path or facility closures. You may view present circumstances right here.
You’ll additionally see fallen large timber with monumental trunks whereas mountain climbing round Sequoia Nationwide Park. Picture through Jessie Festa.
The place To Keep In Sequoia Nationwide Park
As a result of Sequoia Nationwide Park is so massive, the nearer you may keep to the park, the higher.
If you wish to keep straight inside the park, some prime choices embrace:
Wuksachi Lodge. Positioned in Sequoia’s Big Forest space, the lodge presents modern lodging in addition to an onsite restaurant, lounge, and present store.
John Muir Lodge. Positioned in Kings Canyon’s Grant Grove Village, this comfy lodge additionally has an onsite restaurant.
Grant Grove Cabins. When you’d favor cabin-style lodging, these are additionally positioned in Kings Canyon’s Grant Grove space.
Cedar Grove Lodge. Open from spring by means of fall, this lodging is positioned in Kings Canyon’s Cedar Grove space and options comfy rooms in addition to an onsite snack bar, market, and present store.
Observe that there’s additionally wilderness lodging onsite, in addition to lodges exterior of Sequoia Nationwide Park which might be very close by, like these Three Rivers lodging that are as little as one minute from the park’s Ash Mountain Entrance.
Wish to peruse different choices for native lodging?
Click on right here for a full checklist of lodges close to Sequoia Nationwide Park!
Choose self-contained stays?
Click on right here to view distinctive native leases!
You may as well peruse the map beneath. It’s set to Three Rivers, the closest city to Sequoia’s Ash Mountain Entrance, however you may simply change the vacation spot based mostly on the place you’d like to remain.
Prime Sequoia Nationwide Park Sights
Questioning what to do in Sequoia Nationwide Park with in the future?
Listed here are among the prime points of interest in Sequoia Nationwide Park that you could be need to add to your in the future itinerary, separated by park part.
This checklist additionally contains one of the best trails in Sequoia Nationwide Park in case you need to go mountain climbing — which you must!
Foothills
Tunnel Rock. One in every of Sequoia Nationwide Park’s wheelchair-accessible points of interest, Tunnel Rock is a huge piece of granite that varieties an arch or gateway by resting on a neighboring rock. It’s a fantastic spot for attention-grabbing images.
Marble Falls Path. This moderate-hard 7.4-mile out-and-back path takes you to a gorgeous waterfall.
Hospital Rock Picnic Space. Right here you may see rock work and consider displays on the Native People who as soon as inhabited these lands. Moreover, you may take a brief hike to a waterfall.
Paradise Creek Path. This simple 5.5-mile out-and-back path is fairly in spring when you may see wildflowers and waterfalls.
Mineral King
Chilly Springs Nature Path. From Chilly Springs Campground, hike about 1 mile by means of beautiful meadows and aspen groves.
Eagle Lake. This troublesome 6.5-mile out-and-back path showcases a stunning alpine lake and Excessive Sierra surroundings.
Paradise Ridge. This stunning hike takes you thru the park’s well-known sequoias to a ridge showcasing beautiful vistas of the Nice Western Divide.
Atwell-Hocket to Deer Creek Hike. On this path, cross sequoias, an previous noticed mill, and a waterfall. After 1.5 miles, you’ll attain Deer Creek, which is an efficient time to show again. In any other case, you may preserve mountain climbing into the wilderness.
Monarch Lakes. One of many park’s extra stunning hikes, this troublesome 8.4-mile out-and-back path options beautiful mountain surroundings and the Decrease and Higher Monarch Lakes.
Views of the Large Bushes Path in Sequoia Nationwide Park. Picture through Jessie Festa.
Big Forest and Lodgepole
Crystal Cave. This is without doubt one of the finest elements of Sequoia Nationwide Park! Open in summer time solely, guests can go into a surprising marble karst cave. It’s beneficial to buy (obligatory) tickets to the cave not less than 36 hours prematurely.
Basic Sherman Tree. Basic Sherman is the most important tree on the planet by quantity. You have got two choices for mountain climbing trails to succeed in this iconic Sequoia Nationwide Park spotlight, one among which is wheelchair-accessible.
Moro Rock Path. This reasonable 0.5-mile out-and-back path includes climbing a steep staircase as much as a granite dome providing one among Sequoia Nationwide Park’s finest views. Observe that this hike is off Cresecent Meadow Highway, which can be closed to autos on weekends and holidays.
Tunnel Log. In 1937, a 21-foot-wide sequoia tree fell throughout the highway. Because it was too heavy to maneuver, a gap was minimize by means of it to create an arch you may drive by means of — therefore the title Tunnel Log.
Alta Peak Path. Love journey journey? This strenuous 14.9-mile out-and-back path presents among the finest views within the park. In reality, chances are you’ll get the urge to climb Mount Whitney, as you may see this excessive peak — the best mountain within the contiguous United States — from the highest.
Large Bushes Path. This beautiful 1-mile loop takes you round a meadow (referred to as Spherical Meadow) framed by big sequoias. It’s paved and wheelchair-accessible.
Tokopah Falls. This reasonable 4-mile out-and-back path takes you to a gorgeous (seasonal) waterfall. Even when the waterfall is dried up, it’s a stunning path.
Beetle Rock. This simple, paved 0.5-mile path takes you to Beetle Rock for stunning views of the western fringe of Sequoia NP and the San Joaquin Valley beneath. The Beetle Rock path is technically wheelchair-accessible although it might be powerful for some because it slopes in sure areas.
Little Baldy. This reasonable 3.3-mile out-and-back path is understood for its stunning wildflowers and beautiful 360-degree views from the highest — with out the crowds.
The Lakes Path. This troublesome 12.2-mile path introduces you to 3 beautiful mountain lakes.
Panther Hole. This 6-mile hike presents beautiful views from the highest! You’ll take the above-mentioned Lakes Path earlier than switching paths and mountain climbing up 1,000 toes to Panther Hole.
Sundown Rock. This simple 2-mile out-and-back path takes you to a granite dome providing panoramic views which might be good for sundown.
Cahoon Meadow. This reasonable 5-mile out-and-back path takes you alongside the Twin Lakes Path to a stunning tucked away meadow.
Bear Hill Path. This simple 1.9-mile loop path is understood for its wildlife recognizing alternatives — significantly deer and bear. Hold an eye fixed out for bear claw marks on the timber.
Keep in mind, too, that there are additionally trails and websites in Kings Canyon Nationwide Park at Grant Grove and Cedar Grove. Whereas I received’t go over all of these right here, I’ll level out one significantly stunning path in Cedar Grove, Mist Falls.
To not be confused with the Mist Path in Yosemite Nationwide Park, Sequoia’s Mist Falls is a 9-mile out-and-back path with an elevation acquire of 800 toes that takes you to one of many largest waterfalls within the park.
Furthermore, the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is a surprising drive — particularly in the event you’re making a California highway journey itinerary.
When you’re questioning what to do in Sequoia Nationwide Park, the above checklist of concepts ought to actually preserve you occupied for some time!
How large are these sequoia tree trunks?! Picture through Jessie Festa.
2 Unforgettable Itineraries For One Day In Sequoia Nationwide Park
Now we’ll take a look at some choices for precisely how one can spend in the future at Sequoia Nationwide Park. Be at liberty to mix-and-match the choices to finest fit your pursuits or add in among the points of interest talked about above.
Bear in mind, merely driving by means of the park and staring up on the big sequoia timber is a deal with.
When you don’t must drive, I recommnd having your digicam able to file movies of the attractive surroundings — and wildlife! I truly noticed a bear up on a hill on the facet of the highway inside 20 minutes of coming into the park.
One Day In Sequoia Nationwide Park (Straightforward-to-Average Itinerary)
Greatest Sequoia Entrance: Ash Mountain Entrance
At present we’ll be spending the day within the Big Forest and Lodgepole space of the park, recognized for its large timber. In reality, right here you’ll discover the world’s largest tree in addition to the largest unlogged sequoia tree on the globe.
Fortunately, there are a lot of trails and points of interest right here that make for the right in the future itinerary in Sequoia Nationwide Park, together with:
1) Go to the Basic Sherman Tree.
That is the world’s largest tree by quantity, and one of many prime points of interest in Sequoia Nationwide Park. A number of enjoyable information in regards to the Basic Sherman Tree embrace:
- 52,500 cubic toes in quantity
- 2,200 years previous
- 1,385 tons in weight
- 275 toes tall
- 102-foot circumference on the floor
- Its branches are nearly 7 toes in diameter
Even with simply in the future in Sequoia Nationwide Park, you will need to go to the Basic Sherman tree! Picture through Jessie Festa.
To achieve the well-known tree, you’ve received two choices:
A 1-mile-round journey path down and again up a set of paved stairs. Whereas the best way down is straightforward, the best way up is steep and could be difficult.
Fortunately, your different choice is a delicate wheelchair-access path that’s just some hundred toes from an accessible parking space.
As soon as at Basic Sherman, pose for some images — both by ready within the lengthy line or heading to the less-crowded again of the tree.
Apparently, Basic Sherman is connected to a brief loop that takes you to different attention-grabbing timber, like two sequoias that seem like dancing. There’s a signal that calls them “powerful twins” as they function big fireplace scars so large you may truly stroll into one of many trunks!
The “powerful twins” timber of Sequoia Nationwide Park. Picture through Jessie Festa.
There are lots of different trails round right here, too. In reality, in the event you’ve nonetheless received some power you may proceed on the Congress Path, a brief 2-mile loop showcasing big sequoia timber.
2) Get conversant in Sequoia Nationwide Park on the Big Forest Museum.
After assembly the well-known Basic Sherman and exploring the large sequoias close by, drive over to the Big Forest Museum to see displays on the park. It’s a fantastic place to get an understanding of what precisely you’re as you hike and discover.
Furthermore, there’s a present store promoting books, maps, and postcards, in addition to a schedule of occasions in case you’d like to participate in a ranger-led program or hike.
Proper exterior of the museum there are additionally just a few pure landmarks — like Sentinel Tree, a large sequoia that’s the twenty first largest tree in Sequoia Nationwide Park.
Sentinel is one among Sequoia Nationwide Park’s most well-known sequoias! Picture through Jessie Festa.
Truly, in line with park signage, this tree is consdered common for a sequoia — even supposing it weighs 700 tons!
Throughout the road you’ll additionally see the Three Graces, a bunch of three big sequoias which might be extraordinarily shut collectively.
3) Hike the Large Bushes Path.
The Large Bushes Path is a 1-mile paved wheelchair-accessible loop proper close to the Big Forest Museum that’s completely beautiful. You’ll hike round Spherical Meadow, which is hugged by towering sequoia timber.
It’s additionally thought-about an academic path as there are indicators sharing attention-grabbing info alongside the best way.
A number of of the timber are knocked down, making for some fascinating surroundings. Truly, a person in entrance of me truly climbed into one of many fallen timber and out the opposite finish. I used to be afraid he would get caught, however he made it!
You’ll circle Spherical Meadow when mountain climbing the Large Bushes Path in Sequoia Nationwide Park. Picture through Jessie Festa.
4) Proceed mountain climbing to Crescent Meadow.
As I famous above within the part on Prime Sequoia Nationwide Park Sights, there are a lot of hikes and websites close to the Large Bushes Path.
The factor is that many of those are quick and sometimes crowded. So, what I like to recommend is connecting a bunch of the lesser-known trails to succeed in the beautiful Crescent Meadow, which is about 2.9 miles in complete with an elevation acquire of 748 toes (in line with my AllTrails app) and takes you away from the crowds.
Here’s a fast overview of the paths you’ll tackle this reasonable hike. This took us precisely 1 hour and 46 minutes to finish, together with time to cease and take images:
- Hazelwood Path
- Alta Path
- Huckleberry Path
- Observe indicators to Tharp’s Log & Crescent Meadow; you may take a shuttle again to Big Forest Museum from the close by Crescent Meadow Parking Lot
Stepping onto the Hazelwood Path, you’ll shortly grow to be immersed in towering sequoia timber — although typically you’ll additionally cross verdant inexperienced meadows lush with grasses and flowers that present an vital habitat for amphibians, birds, and bees.
Whereas the Basic Sherman and Large Bushes Trails are paved, this hike additionally means that you can get some filth underneath your toes and actually really feel the solitude of the forest.
My husband, Andy, mountain climbing among the many big sequoias in Sequoia Nationwide Park. Picture through Jessie Festa.
The hike is comparatively simple for a lot of the method. It isn’t till the Huckleberry Path that the flat path turns into a bit tougher because it switches between ascending and descending — although the beautiful surroundings will undoubtedly energize you to proceed.
By the best way, preserve your eyes peeled for wildlife as you hike. Alongside the best way, my husband Andy and I noticed a household of deer — two bucks and a doe — grazing.
You’ll additionally see quite a lot of man-made points of interest alongside the best way, like Squatters Cabin, a log cabin constructed within the Eighties by a person who hoped to settle the land.
Passing Squatters Cabin whereas mountain climbing in Sequoia Nationwide Park. Picture through Jessie Festa.
Sadly, after the cabin was full he discovered that the land was already settled by a person named Hale Tharp and so he was compelled to go away.
Which brings us to our subsequent attraction on the hike, Tharp’s Log, a hollowed-out sequoia tree that Mr. Tharp was a cabin! It’s actually a formidable sight.
To finish the path, you may both hike again the best way you got here or stroll the paved scenic path to the Crescent Meadow Parking Lot to take the free shuttle again to your automotive.
Crescent Meadow in Sequoia Nationwide Park. Picture through Jessie Festa.
The latter is beneficial, particularly as the trail to the parking zone presents a particular deal with:
Crescent Meadow, the namesake of the path!
Due to its excessive magnificence, writer and environmental thinker John Muir referred to as Crescent Meadow the “Gem of the Sierras”. The golden grass appears to radiate sunshine up towards the tall sequoia timber and past to the blue skies.
When you’re questioning what to do in in the future in Sequoia Nationwide Park, belief me once I say you received’t need to miss this beautiful path filled with pure magnificence and attention-grabbing points of interest!
Sequoia Nationwide Park Mountain climbing Video
Wish to higher immerse your self within the above-mentioned hike? The beneath video takes you alongside the Hazelwood, Alta, and Huckleberry Trails to Crescent Meadow:
5) See the sundown at Sundown Rock.
As soon as again close to the Big Forest Museum, it’s a few 30-minute stroll down a paved path to succeed in Sundown Rock.
You’ll hike for about 0.7 miles on a straightforward scenic path to Sundown Rock, a granite dome providing spectacular views of the foothills.
It’s the right strategy to finish the day, although in the event you’d like one thing scenic that doesn’t require a 1.4-mile-round-trip hike head to Beetle Rock, positioned on the other facet of the Big Forest Museum Parking Lot.
This includes a really quick stroll alongside a paved wheelchair-accessible path and awards you with views of Sequoia Nationwide Park’s western edge and the scenic San Joaquin Valley.