10 Best Things to Do in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Whether taking a walk through the biggest trees on earth or setting up camp in the high Sierras, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are, without a doubt, two of the most uniquely beautiful National Parks in the country!

For this reason, I highly recommend visiting both parks as opposed to one over the other. However, if time is a limiting factor during your visit, be sure to read through the short breakdown below, as I think it will become clear why more visitors choose to spend their time in Sequoia over Kings Canyon.

Sequoia vs. Kings Canyon

Sequoia National Park

By and large, Sequoia National Park is more popular than Kings Canyon, which I believe can be summed up in one word: accessibility.

By this, I mean that in Sequoia, there’s a very convenient shuttle system (winter hours vary) to some of the more popular stops with harder parking. But, more importantly, it’s not hard to get into the big trees with very little effort.

In fact, many of the most popular destinations require very little hiking, if at all.

In any case, for those who are willing to explore some of the less-popular areas, such as Little Baldly, I’m sure you’ll see how easy it can be to escape the crowds in an otherwise busy National Park.

Kings Canyon National Park

Compared to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon is very much the exact opposite.

Essentially, Kings Canyon National Park is, by and large, less accessible, meaning that to see Kings Canyon, the best thing to do is hiking, especially backcountry hiking!

On top of this, simply driving into Kings Canyon is a journey of its own, as the bulk of the best things to do lie at the very end of the long, windy 28-mile (45.1 km), one-way drive from Grant Grove Village to the bottom of the canyon.

In summary, I would never discourage visiting Kings Canyon simply because it’s best seen on foot, as the long, windy out-and-back drive into the canyon is truly worth the trip alone!

Sequoia National Park

Hiking Checklist - Sequoia-Kings Canyon

While the Sierra Nevadas are home to black bears, bear spray is not allowed in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, being that there has never been a reported attack within the park.

In addition, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

10 Best Things to Do in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst.

However, this does not come without saying that accessing either park requires a very long drive out of the Central Valley—meaning that if you want to make the most of your time, it’s best to arrive first thing in the morning, especially because simple things like finding parking only get more difficult as the day goes on during the busy summer travel season.

1. General Sherman Tree

The General Sherman Tree is the biggest tree in the world, so for obvious reasons, I’d say it's worth your time!

However, the General Sherman Tree is not one that you would typically go out of the way for, as the short 0.4-mile (0.6 km) hike is a great start to other slightly longer nearby trails, such as the Congress Trail.

All said, there’s a large fence around the tree to protect, so don’t expect to be able to walk right up to it.

Google Maps Directions: General Sherman Tree

General Sherman Tree

My Print - General Sherman Tree

2. Congress Trail

Distance: 2.9 miles / 4.7 km

The Congress Trail is, without a doubt, one of the most impressive trails to enjoy the big trees in all of Sequoia National Park.

Furthermore, the Sequoia trees are typically broken up into various clusters, with the Congress section on the trail being relatively short. However, there are seemingly countless different groves to see on this one trail, making the hike a really fun adventure to take your time!

For any photographers looking for good light and unique angles, I personally recommend the Congress Trail during early morning or late afternoon hours, as this generally brings out the best photo opportunities when the light breaks through the small gaps in the canopy.

AllTrails: Congress Trail

Congress Trail

3. Little Baldy Trail (Sunrise)

Distance: 3.3 miles / 5.3 km

In what can seem like such a busy National Park, the Little Baldy Trail feels like a hidden gem, as so few visitors ever choose to hike the trail.

In any case, Little Baldy is one of the most beautiful and relatively easy overlooks to hike to, making for a great adventure at both sunrise or sunset.

This photo is from sunrise.

AllTrails: Little Baldy Trail

Little Baldy Trail (Sunrise)

4. Tunnel Log

Tunnel Log is easily one of the most popular destinations within Sequoia National Park, so for obvious reasons, photos such as this are fairly hard to come by!

In fact, I spent about an hour and a half until the very last bus in the evening just to wait out the crowds in order to get this shot.

That being said, I’d say it was worth the wait, especially because the hill was so fun to ride!

In any case, many people like the idea of standing on the tree for a photo, but know that you can’t drive through the Tunnel Log. It’s much shorter than it may appear.

Google Maps Directions: Tunnel Log

Tunnel Log

5. Moro Rock Trail

Distance: 0.5 miles / 0.8 km

The Moro Rock Trail is one of the easiest hikes in Sequoia National Park, but because this is the case, it’s also one of the most popular!

Therefore, my advice for visiting Moro Rock is to go at sunset for the best colors and explore the areas off to the side of the main trail, as there are equally beautiful viewpoints that don’t see nearly the same amount of traffic.

AllTrails: Moro Rock Trail

Moro Rock

6. Sunset Rock Trail

Distance: 1.6 miles / 2.6 km

For obvious reasons, the Sunset Rock Trail is one of the most beautiful places in Sequoia National Park to end the day.

In my opinion, Sunset Rock is the type of trail to bring a blanket and a bottle of wine, as the hike ends on a beautiful open granite clearing where you can sit and enjoy the sunset over the ridge in front of you!

AllTrails: Sunset Rock Trail

Sunset Rock

7. Tharp’s Log Trail

Distance: 1.7 miles / 2.7 km

The Tharp's Log Trail is one of the most unique hikes in Sequoia National Park.

In summary, Tharp’s Log is a hand-built, one-of-a-kind cabin made by a man named Hale Tharp in the 1860s, which is located on the site where he grazed cattle.

To this day, the log and all its contents are beautifully preserved inside the fallen Sequoia.

All said, the Tharp’s Log Trail can be hiked as an out-and-back adventure, or you can continue further on a one-way loop with the Crescent Meadow Trail, ending at the same trailhead where the Tharp’s Log Trail began.

AllTrails: Tharp’s Log Trail

Tharp’s Log

8. Don Cecil Trail (Lookout Peak)

Distance: 10.4 miles / 16.7 km

When compared with other more involved Kings Canyon trails, the 10.4-mile (16.7 km) out-and-back Don Cecil Trail is pretty moderate in terms of an all-day hike.

I say this because, as mentioned previously, Kings Canyon National Park is very much a backcountry destination, meaning day hikes within the most visited parts of Kings Canyon are relatively few and far between compared to the nearby Sequoia.

That being said, the official Don Cecil Trail to Lookout Peak can be a bit confusing if you were to simply follow the AllTrails, but that’s because the true trail ends at the National Park boundary.

Therefore, the remaining hike up to Lookout Peak from this area has no trail, meaning if you want to see the best views, like the photo below, you will have to scramble up the ridge, as there are no views at the official trail terminus, located in the forest.

AllTrails: Don Cecil Trail

Don Cecil Trail (Lookout Peak)

9. Mist Falls Trail

Distance: 7.8 miles / 12.6 km

The Mist Falls Trail is one of the most popular day hikes in Kings Canyon National Park.

That being said, saying a hike is busy or popular does not mean the same thing when comparing Sequoia to Kings Canyon, as far fewer people visit Kings Canyon.

In any case, the Mist Falls Trail hikes up the beautiful South Fork of the Kings River to the massive cascade that is Mist Falls.

Therefore, don’t expect to walk right up next to the falls, as it is not that type of waterfall. Rather, Mist Falls is more of a raging cascading river that could easily sweep someone away from the sheer volume of water during heavy snowmelt.

AllTrails: Mist Falls Trail

Mist Falls Trail

10. Hotel Creek Trail (Cedar Grove Overlook)

Distance: 4.4 miles / 7.1 km

Typically speaking, most people don’t see the Hotel Creek Trail as a sunset hike, but in my opinion, sunset is the best way to go!

I say this because the Cedar Grove Overlook, which is the end of the Hotel Creek Trail, is an expansive west-facing viewpoint that looks out of Kings Canyon directly toward sunset!

AllTrails: Hotel Creek Trail

Cedar Grove Overlook

Additional Early Season Gear

Depending on the winter snowpack, trails can be covered in snow well into June, July, and even August in the high Sierras.

For this reason, micro-spikes are a must on many upper-elevation trails, as conditions can be particularly hazardous if the snow is melting during the day and freezing at night.

Many hikers miss out on trails that they could have done simply for this reason alone, which is why I recommend coming prepared, should you expect conditions like this.

I personally use the Yaktrax below.

Where is There Free Camping Near Sequoia-Kings Canyon?

For visitors looking to car camp or camp in a nearby campground, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are two very fortunate parks to be surrounded and somewhat divided by the Sequoia National Forest, where camping is much easier to come by.

By this, I mean that visitors looking to stay near either park only have to make short drives outside of the park boundaries, which is surprisingly very convenient in both of the main parts of Sequoia and even the deepest parts within Kings Canyon.

To learn more, I recommend looking over the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park map to see where the park boundaries are located. Furthermore, if you want to know more about this type of camping and why it’s legal, do a quick Google search for 'national forest dispersed camping'.

Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon National Park

@noahawaii

Hi,

Iʻm a self-taught adventure photographer living on the island of Oʻahu.

@noahawaii

https://noahlangphotography.com/
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