Hi there! Are you ready to plan a remarkable trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?! This is a land of GIANTS — giant trees, giant canyons, giant waterfalls, and giant mountains.
You are sure to find something here that everyone in your group will LOVE!
Sequoia and Kings Canyon are in the same vicinity and work together to create an unforgettable experience — this will likely be somewhere you will talk about for years to come. You can enjoy so much diversity and beauty within just a short drive or hike with two parks right at your fingertips.
There is so much to do. You may have already looked at a map and been a little overwhelmed — and eager — to make sure that you don’t miss the best sights.
I’m a former park ranger, and I’ll help you plan your vacation down to the details. I’ve extensively explored Sequoia and Kings Canyon and am here to help! Whether this is your first time here, or if you are returning after many years and would like to be reintroduced to these parks, this list of 10 things is for you.
What You Need to Know About Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks are open year-round. Roads may be temporarily closed during the winter due to snow. For more information on the park’s operating hours and seasons, click here.
- Plan on seeing both parks while you are here! The entire area consists of the national parks and national forests — it all runs together. The Generals Highway connects the two parks making it easy to see it all.
- There are 14 NPS campgrounds in the two parks, with the majority of the campsites being first-come, first-served. You can learn more about camping in the park here. Four lodges operate within the parks, two of which are open year-round. The national forest land also has lodging options, and you can take a look at them here.
- Numerous hiking trails converge and overlap in this park, so you don’t want to be caught hiking without a map. This is the map I use and recommend for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
- If you’re driving a vehicle longer than 22 feet, you’ll need to enter the parks via Kings Canyon {the Big Stump Entrance} along Highway 180. Do not try to enter from the town of Three Rivers! Gas is not available within the national park boundaries, but there is a station at Stony Creek in the forest service land between the two parks.
I’ll make sure that you don’t miss the sights that make these parks so famous, but I also want to provide a few treasures that are off the beaten path as well. Let the adventure begin!
Click NEXT to see this exciting list of 10 things you can’t miss on your first visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks!
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All 4 lodges are booked inside Sequoia park. Suggestions for lodging near ?!
We purchased your Yosemite itinerary!
If you can’t get anything in the national park or national forest, then you’ll need to go down the mountain to Three Rivers, Pinehurst, or Yokuts Valley. But be sure to check the lodging options in the national forest (like Stony Creek or Montecito) because a lot of people don’t realize those are options right up there!
Hi Ash, my wife and I are doing Yosemite to Canyon Land with stops in Kings Canyon/ Sequoia, drive thru Death Valley, stops in Zion, Bryce, drive tru rte 12, Capital Reef, stops inArches and canyon land in a 2 weeks timeframe (May7 to the 21st). Does that seem reasonable?
Yeah, you can do all of those in 2 weeks if you move quick!
Hi Ash,
Do you have an itinerary yet for Sequioa and Kings Canyon? I saw you were planning on writing one but I wanted to double check! Thanks!
I don’t yet :( I was going to write one in 2020, but Covid shut everything down and things are still getting back to normal in that park. I’m waiting for them to solidify their shuttles, opening/closing dates, and to open up some activities that have been closed before I write it!
Hi, thank you for all this information. If I want to see everything that you recommend in Sequoia Park, how long will it take?
I’d give yourself at least 3 days to get through this list. Enjoy!
What time of year would you say is the best time to visit?
July – September!
I noticed on your Yosemite articles that waterfalls were dried up in sept/October. Is this true for sequoia/kings canyon?
They may not dry up completely, but they will be significantly smaller than they are earlier in the summer!
Would love an itinerary for Sequoia! Hoping to squeeze it all in.
It’s on my list of itineraries to write, but I am going to go back to the park this summer before I write it. I hope you have a great time on your trip, though!
Hi Ash,
I have purchased your itineraries for several parks – Zion, Arches, Grand Tetons, etc. I was looking over your top things to do/see for Sequoia-Kings Canyon. We were thinking about traveling at end of February-2023. Do you think this is a good time to visit? I did notice you mentioned some areas are closed in winter. We want to be able to do and see all ten activities you mentioned – is this possible during the end of February? We were trying to visit before peak season and when it is a little cooler. Suggestions?
You won’t be able to get to everything on this list in February. If you’re wanting to go before it gets too crowded, you can go toward the end of May right before Memorial Day or in September after Labor Day. But last time I was there in May, we got snowed on so you never know :)
Hi Ash,
Question: The last item on this list, #10…I’ll be in an RV, so are there any suggestions on places to park and shuttles to take (or paths to hike) or do I just need to skip this site?
You’ll just need to skip this one. Have fun!
Ash,
We are planning a trip to Yosemite and Sequoia in June 2023. When is the best time to purchase permits and how /where do we purchase these? We will most likely be staying in a hotel or Airbnbs nearby.
Thanks so much
Hey Marne, not sure what permits you’re referring to? You can contact me if you want to provide more details so I can answer your question!
Love this, we are coming from FL on Oct. 3-10 any weather related tips?
That time of year is pretty unpredictable — it could be sunny or snowy! I would pack layers (including a waterproof outer shell) so that you can adjust based on the weather!
You can purchase permits for Yosemite at Recreation.gov. Permits are not needed so far at Sequoia and Kings Canyon. I purchased mine permits 6 months in advance. It costs $2 per permit and permits last for three days for Yosemite.
I visited Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon just three weeks ago.
If I am coming from Yosemite, should I hit Kings first and then Sequoia? IM trying to map it out but it’s not showing me a distance to go all the way inside the park.
Yes, but a huge portion of Kings Canyon is closed this year, so plan on spending more time in Sequoia!
Hi Ash,
We are going in July 2023, do we need to make reservations to visit Sequoia or Yosemite Forest? Are there any covid restrictions? We are not hikers, what is a must have for beginners hikers?
Thank you
No extra reservations are needed for those parks this year. Have fun!
Hi Ash-thank you so much for this article. My husband and I are planning to visit Sequoia and Kings in mid-October to celebrate our anniversary. Do you have an itinerary that can be purchased? We were thinking of staying in Visalia-any thoughts? We have one week to visit (coming from Asheville, NC). Any advise is greatly appreciated.
Sequoia is currently closed due to a large wildfire, so you’ll want to check the most current updates before you go. I don’t offer an itinerary for those parks at this time, but thanks for asking!
Any chance you have an itinerary made up for this yet? I’ve become too dependent on you. :)
We’re planning to visit at the end of August/beginning of September. Do you happen to know if any of the waterfalls will still be flowing by then? I’m thinking three days. Does that sound like enough? There doesn’t seem to be any park lodging available; where would you stay?
I don’t have an itinerary for this one yet, but have a great time!
Hi ash
We bought the Yosemite itinerary and it was great you’re recommendations. Since there are no shuttles running this year we rented some bikes and it was easy and fast being from one place to another. Will leave Tomorrow to the sequioa park. Do you have an itinerary for one day visit ? Thanks
I’m glad you enjoyed Yosemite! I don’t have an itinerary for Sequoia Kings at this time, but I hope you have an amazing time!
Thanks so much for this! Do you remember which trail that first picture (the one that has a couple of people walking down the dirt path next to that massive tree) was taken on?
That was the Congress Trail!
Hi Ash. I love all of your guides! Would I be able to get a PDF copy of this one for Sequoia and Kings Canyon? Thank you!!
Hi Bridget! Please contact me to arrange it.
I’m planning on tent camping in one of the Cedar Grove campgrounds June 3rd through the 10th of 2021. Do you think there will be any first come, first serve opening in any of the three campgrounds then?
No, it’s looking like they are requiring reservations in all of their campgrounds this year. Safe travels!
Hi Ash, I got lucky to find some weekend spots open at the lodgepole campground on the May 15th weekend, your list is amazing and became my main plan already. I have few concerns about whether about that time, we are visiting with 2 kids (4 and 9) and we are staying in the tent. Do night temperatures are on 2nd week of may bearable or it may be severe for the kids, what do you think? We camped before with them but it was mostly in summer or early fall. Thanks in advance
You’ll definitely want to pack for cold nighttime temps that time of year!
Hey Ash! Thanks for all the info! I really do appreciate it. My girlfriend and I will be staying down there for 3 nights and 4 days in Three Rivers. But we are really close the the beginning of the park entrance (from that side of course!). Do you think we’ll be able to hit all the things on this list? And are there any hidden gems to find along the way? Don’t get me wrong, this is an awesome list, just trying to pick your brain since you seem to know a LOT about these places. Thanks again for posting all this and have great day!
P.S. Great name! Definitely a perfect fit for an adventurer like you
4 days is a good amount of time for working through this list, even if you’re staying in Three Rivers! Have a great time!
Hi Ash! Thank you for the information, we’re roadtrippin’ to Sequoia soon and we’ll make sure hit these top ten! We also heard about Crystal Cave Tours! Are those worthwhile? We love hiking and trees, but we’re trying to switch some things up as well! If so, where would you recommend checking for camp sites?
Thank you so much!
Crystal Cave is cool, but it does take a good chunk of your day to drive there and go on the tour. If you have a lot of time in the park, then it’s a fun diversion. But if you only have a day or two, I think the time is better spent with the hikes and viewpoints listed. Have fun!
Hi,
We are planning to visit next weekend but we can’t find any places to stay. can anyone suggest some inn/lodge or hotels? we also looked for some camping places but most of them are booked and remaining are first come first serve. so we take the risk or not?
We will be visiting both Kings canyon and sequoia NP.
Any suggestion would help.
Thanks
I was able to find a very secluded camp spot near the parks using hipcamp.com.
Could you please tell me which hipcamp spot this is? I am looking for a place to stay in October, and would love to find some place secluded
Hi there. I have purchased your Utah trip Itineraries in the past. I don’t see a trip itinerary for Kings Canyon and Sequoia, but I do see the “Things You Can’t Miss.” How can I get a copy of the “Things You Can’t Miss” list? Thank you.
I don’t currently have an itinerary for Sequoia Kings, though it is in the works for next summer. If you’d like a nice PDF of this article to print out and take with you, I do offer those for a very small fee. You can email me at ash(at)dirtinmyshoes(dot)com to request one. Have a great trip!
Deanna, did you get the PDF of this article?
Was it worhtwhile?
We are headed out to the park next week and I am looking for a good resource to guide us through it.
This is a spectacular list! I just wanted to send a few updates for visitors in 2020 – due to COVID-19 the parks’ will not be offering first-come, first-served campsites at all, instead reservations must be made using Recreation.gov. Secondly, the park shuttle buses will unfortunately not be running at all during 2020. For the most up to date information check out the Sequoia and Kings NPS website [www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/currentconditions.htm]. Best of luck to you Ash, your mission to share the wonders of the natural is worth admiration! Keep up the great work!
-Krista, Sequoia Guides
Thanks for pointing that out. Things change so fast, it’s always best to check the official NPS site for the most up-to-date info. Happy trails!
Hi Ash!! How much time would we need to cover this list? I’m sorry if you’ve already covered this 😬 We will be following your Yosemite plan and wondered how many days to tack on, to cover this list as well…they’re so close!!
Thanks!!
Jackie Hollander
I would aim for three extra days to get through this list…four if you can :)
Hi Ash, we are planning our trip to Sequoia and kings canyon and will hit your top 10 list.
We have a week and is it better to stay at one lodge for the entire time or split our lodging up at two locations to make the travel easier in the park?
We ordered maps and maybe it will be easier to plan out once we see them but your thoughts on this will be helpful so we can get our lodging booked.
thank you
I personally prefer to stay in two different spots when I visit Sequoia Kings. I split it up by staying a few nights near General Sherman/Big Trees and a few nights near Grant Grove or down in Kings Canyon by the Cedar Grove Visitor Center if I plan to complete some longer trails. That helps break up the driving and makes it more enjoyable in my opinion. Have fun!
Great article. My family and I are visiting Sequoia for the first time next week for three days. I am going to use your article as an itinerary for our trip. I have heard that there are places that you can slide down natural rock slides. I heard Hume Lake might have some slides but not sure. Do you recommend anywhere to cool off?
Thank you!
Maybe the one at Buckeye Flat?
I am heading out there in two weeks as a last minute trip. We are flying in from Fresno airport. Can you suggest a neutral area to book a hotel in?
If there are any rooms available inside Sequoia-Kings, I’d go there first. Otherwise, the small towns along Highways 180 or 198 will have some lodging options. If you stay out there, you’ll have a decent amount of driving to get to the various sections of the parks. Have fun!
This is great! We are planning our third trip to the park, and we still haven’t seen everything on your list. I’ll be using this as a guide :)
Awesome! Have a great time!
We have purchased several of your itineraries and are planning a trip to Yosemite next year with one of your itineraries also. I realize there is no itinerary for sequoia, but how many days would you suggest to see you “must see” places in the park?
I would aim for 3 if you can!