25 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 (off-season hours vary) to some of the more popular stops with difficult parking.
That being said, 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 and 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!
Hiking Checklist - Sequoia-Kings Canyon
Obviously, for camping, you will need general backpacking gear. For this reason, I wrote a separate post about what backpacking gear is worth the money, from my experience, and what the best alternatives are to save you money.
Read My Separate Post: Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear
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.
That being said, bear spray is purposefully excluded from this list because, while the Sierra Nevadas are home to a large black bear population, bear spray is not allowed in either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park.
25 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.
On a different note, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
1. General Sherman Tree
Distance (Roundtrip): 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
The General Sherman Tree is the biggest tree in the world, so for obvious reasons, it’s absolutely a must-see if it’s your first time visiting Sequoia National Park!
That being said, the General Sherman Tree is really just the beginning of the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) Congress Trail, which extends beyond the Sherman Tree through some of the most pristine Sequoia groves in the world!
In any case, the Sherman Tree Trail is truly a one-of-a-kind adventure, and it goes without saying that it is easily the most popular trail in Sequoia National Park.
Therefore, I highly recommend reading my thoughts about when to visit the Sherman Tree in my separate post, as it can undoubtedly be an entirely different experience, depending on when you choose to visit during the day.
Read My Separate Post: General Sherman Tree Trail
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 beautiful trails to enjoy the Giant Sequoias in all of Sequoia National Park!
That being said, the Congress Trail is truly just an extension of the Sherman Tree Trail, as previously mentioned, meaning that it’s most common to combine both trails into one.
Furthermore, Sequoia trees are typically broken up into various clusters on the Congress Trail, with the Congress cluster being relatively short. However, there are seemingly countless different groves to see on this one amazing day hike, making the Congress Trail a really fun adventure to slow down and take your time!
On a different note, 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 forest canopy.
Read My Separate Post: Congress Trail
3. Little Baldy Trail (Sunrise & Sunset)
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 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.
That said, Little Baldy is one of the most beautiful and 'relatively easy' overlooks to hike to, making it a great all-around adventure at both sunrise and sunset.
This photo was taken at sunrise.
Read My Separate Post: Little Baldy Trail
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 all vehicle won’t fit through the Tunnel Log. It’s much shorter than it may appear.
Google Maps Directions: Tunnel Log
5. Moro Rock Trail
Distance (One Way): 0.3 - 2.1 miles / 0.5 - 3.4 km
With expansive views of the High Sierras on one side and beautiful west-facing views of the sunset on the other, the Moro Rock Trail is easily one of the best day hikes in Sequoia National Park!
That being said, the distance mentioned is so variable because it entirely depends on whether you choose to hike the entire Moro Rock Trail or just the final and most popular portion up Moro Rock itself.
To learn more about both options, I highly encourage you to check out my separate article, which includes detailed photos of the final ascent up Moro Rock, the most visited section of the entire hike.
Read My Separate Post: Moro Rock Trail
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, which, in my opinion, 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!
Read My Separate Post: Sunset Rock Trail
7. Hazelwood Nature Loop Trail
Distance: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
The Hazelwood Nature Loop Trail in Sequoia’s Giant Forest is one of my personal favorite day hikes because the quick and easy loop is not only filled with beautiful Giant Sequoias and wildflowers, but also because the Hazelwood Meadow is one of the best places to see wildlife in this typically busy area of the park!
To learn more about my experience on this day and how to improve your chances when hiking through the Giant Sequoias, I highly recommend reading more in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Hazelwood Nature Loop Trail
8. Hanging Rock Trail
Distance: 0.2 miles / 0.3 km
The Hanging Rock Trail is arguably the easiest day hike in either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park, and the sunset, which I think goes without saying, is also one of the best!
By this, I mean that the short 0.1-mile (0.2 km) Hanging Rock Trail is one of the best effort-to-reward adventures in either park, and it’s a personal favorite of mine to watch the sunset over the neighboring and much more popular Moro Rock, as far fewer visitors hike to Hanging Rock in comparison.
Read My Separate Post: Hanging Rock Trail
9. John Muir Lodge
The John Muir Lodge is the best place to stay within either Sequoia and Kings Canyon when it comes to enjoying the best of both parks.
I say this because whether you’re driving into Sequoia via Three Rivers or into Kings Canyon from Fresno or Visalia, the drive into either park is long, windy, and most of all, slow!
That being said, I highly recommend spending one or a few nights at the John Muir Lodge in Grant Grove, as it makes for a great central location to enjoy the best of both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park!
John Muir Lodge
10. Tharp’s Log Trail (Log Meadow Loop)
Distance (Full Loop): 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
The Tharp’s Log Trail is one of the most unique day hikes in Sequoia National Park.
I say this because Tharp’s Log is a hand-built, one-of-a-kind cabin made by a man named Hale Tharp in the 1860s, a settler who lived among the Sequoias to graze cattle prior to the establishment of the National Park.
To this day, the log and all its contents are beautifully preserved inside the fallen Sequoia, which can be hiked as an out-and-back adventure, or you can continue further on a one-way loop around Log Meadow, ending at the same High Sierra Trailhead where the Tharp’s Log Trail began.
Read My Separate Post: Tharp’s Log Trail
11. Don Cecil Trail (Lookout Peak)
Distance (Roundtrip): 11.2 miles / 18.0 km
When compared with other, more involved Kings Canyon trails, the 11.2-mile (18.0 km) out-and-back Don Cecil Trail is on the more challenging side 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 Cedar Grove, the most visited parts of Kings Canyon, are relatively few and far between compared to Sequoia.
That being said, the Don Cecil Trail is about as long as it get before trails in Kings Canyon are then considered to be overnight adventures.
In any case, the official Don Cecil Trail to Lookout Peak can be a bit more confusing than it may initially seem. By this, I mean that Lookout Peak is actually located off-trail, just outside the park boundary in the Sequoia National Forest.
Therefore, I highly recommend checking out the my separate post to learn more about what it takes to scramble up to Lookout Peak, as there are truly no views at the official Don Cecil terminus where the National Park Service stops maintaining the trail
Read My Separate Post: Don Cecil Trail
12. Crescent Meadow Loop Trail
Distance: 1.4 miles / 2.3 km
The Crescent Meadow Loop Trail is an easy, kid-friendly day hike around one of Giant Forest’s most beautiful meadows!
Furthermore, the Crescent Meadow Loop is one of my personal favorites because it makes for a great trail to look for wildlife in the early morning and late evening hours, as the trail inevitably attracts far fewer visitors compared to other, more popular day hikes in Giant Forest, like the Congress Trail.
Read My Separate Post: Crescent Meadow Loop Trail
13. Mist Falls Trail
Distance: 8.2 miles / 13.2 km
As the trail winds its way up the stunning South Fork of the Kings River within the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness, the Mist Falls Trail is easily one of the most beautiful day hikes in the Cedar Grove District of Kings Canyon National Park!
That being said, I highly recommend reading my thoughts about the best time of day and season to hike the Mist Falls Trail, because, in my opinion, many miss seeing the waterfall when it’s most beautiful, as shown in the photo below.
Read My Separate Post: Mist Falls Trail
14. 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 the sunset!
Read My Separate Post: Hotel Creek Trail
15. Big Trees Trail
Distance (From Giant Forest Museum): 1.4 miles / 2.3 km
The Big Trees Trail is the best day hike in Sequoia National Park to learn about why Sequoias grow best in Giant Forest over anywhere else in the world.
For this reason, the Big Trees Trail is a must-see if it’s your first time visiting the park, which I recommend hiking in the direction shown in my separate article in order to best follow along with the interpretive signs along the hike.
Read My Separate Post: Big Trees Trail
16. Dead Giant Trail
Distance (One Way): 0.4 miles / 0.6 km
The Dead Giant Trail is a hidden gem in Sequoia National Park, as it’s one of the easiest adventures in the park, yet so few visitors hike the trail simply because it’s so obscure to even find.
To learn more about what I mean by this and to find out where to park, as well as my recommendations for creating a longer loop out of this easy day hike, I highly recommend reading all the details in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Dead Giant Trail
17. Buena Vista Trail
Distance: 2.0 miles / 3.2 km
The Buena Vista Trail in Kings Canyon National Park is the best sunset hike on this list, due largely to the fact that it is one of the easiest and most rewarding trails that you can hike, much like Hanging Rock in Sequoia.
For these reasons, Buena Vista Peak is a favorite of mine, and I highly recommend visiting at this time of day, as it’s a great place to hang out and watch the sunset along the beautiful cliffs of the western Sierra!
Read My Separate Post: Buena Vista Trail
18. Cedar Grove Lodge
Visiting the Cedar Grove District at the bottom of Kings Canyon is, without a doubt, one of the best ways to experience the park!
However, this doesn’t go without saying that Cedar Grove is extremely remote, and spending a full day in the canyon with plans to stay outside of the park is very impractical.
In fact, spending a full day in Cedar Grove, with reservations to stay at the John Muir Lodge, is also less than ideal.
I say this because Cedar Grove truly is that remote, and the best way to enjoy the bottom of Kings Canyon without feeling rushed or stressed is to spend one or a few nights at the bottom.
For these reasons, I highly recommend booking the Cedar Grove Lodge to enjoy the best that the bottom of Kings Canyon has to offer!
Cedar Grove Lodge
19. Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trail
Distance: 1.6 miles / 2.6 km
The Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trail is arguably the best and easiest trail to enjoy the beautiful views among the towering granite cliffs at the bottom of Kings Canyon.
On top of this, Zumwalt Meadow, along with the River Trail that the loop shares a portion of, is one of the best places to spot Black Bears on any hike at the bottom of the canyon.
To learn more about the best places to look, the best times of day to visit Zumwalt Meadow, and the best spots for photographers to capture photos, I highly recommend checking out my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trail
20. Panoramic Point & Park Ridge Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 0.5 - 5.2 miles / 0.8 - 8.4 km
The quick and easy Panoramic Point Trail is my number one recommendation for those visiting Kings Canyon National Park who don’t have the time to make the long, windy drive down Highway 180 to the Cedar Grove District of the park.
I say this because Panoramic Point is the best viewpoint in the Grant Grove District, the most popular area within Kings Canyon, to see the canyon and the high Sierras from above!
In addition, there’s the option to hike past both lookouts on the Panoramic Point Trail to get to an active fire lookout further up the ridge.
To learn more, I highly recommend reading my separate article about the full Park Ridge Trail if you’re interested in seeing both the beginning sections up the quick and easy Panoramic Point Trail, as well as the less-trafficked sections up Park Ridge.
Read My Separate Posts: Panoramic Point Trail / Park Ridge Trail
21. Big Baldy Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 4.6 miles / 7.4 km
The Big Baldy Trail in Grant Grove is the sister hike to Little Baldy in Sequoia National Park. However, Big Baldy is more closely related to the Buena Vista Trail, just a few miles to the south.
That being said, both Big Baldy and the Buena Vista Trail are amazing Kings Canyon sunset hikes, with the biggest difference between the two being the distance.
When considering the two, know that the trail to Big Baldy Peak is slightly longer, but for this reason, the summit at sunset is almost always empty, as few are up for the 2.3-mile (3.7 km) hike back in the dark.
Read My Separate Post: Big Baldy Trail
22. Big Stump Loop Trail
Distance: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
The fight to save California’s big trees is as old as their discovery, and the Big Stump Loop Trail is the best trail across both Sequoia and Kings Canyon to truly see just how close Giant Sequoias were to being lost to the logging industry forever.
The short 2.2-mile (3.5 km) Big Stump Loop passes by a number of both named and unnamed Sequoia stumps, with the most iconic being the Mark Twain Stump.
That being said, there is a very quick and easy way to see the Mark Twain Stump without hiking the full loop, which I encourage you to learn more about in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Big Stump Loop Trail
23. Roaring River Falls
Distance: 0.4 miles / 0.6 km
The Roaring River Falls Trail is one of the easiest day hikes across both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park!
I say this because the easy 0.2-mile (0.3 km) out-and-back trail is paved, making it one of the most accessible trails, especially since the elevation change is so minimal.
Furthermore, the same can’t be said about other paved trails, like the Sherman Tree Trail, which is why I highly recommend stopping by to check out this beautiful, quick, and easy stop in Cedar Grove, with the option to hike further on the River Trail for those who are interested in a longer adventure.
Read My Separate Post: Roaring River Falls Trail
24. General Grant Tree
Distance: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
Behind only the General Sherman and the President Tree on the Congress Trail, the General Grant Tree is the third-largest tree on Earth!
For this reason, the Grant Tree Trail is among the most popular in Grant Grove, which is why I highly recommend visiting first thing in the morning, so that you can enjoy the best this popular trail has to offer, while saving other, less crowded adventures for later in the day.
Read My Separate Post: General Grant Tree Trail
25. Tokopah Falls Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 4.0 miles / 6.4 km
With its countless different pools beneath a waterfall that cascades down roughly 1,200 ft. (365.8 m) from the High Sierra, the Marble Fork of the Kaweah and the Tokopah Falls Trail that parallels it is one of the best hikes on a hot summer day in Sequoia National Park!
This is because the Marble Fork of the Kaweah is a favorite among visitors, both camping at Lodgepole and visiting for the day, when it comes to going for a swim.
However, your ability to swim depends entirely on the time of the summer season you plan to visit Sequoia National Park, which is why I highly recommend learning more about how the Marble Fork changes by month in my separate article.
Read My Separate Post: Tokopah Falls Trail
Bonus
It didn’t feel right excluding the incredible Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness Area from this list, along with your options to book a local guide.
This is exactly where these bonus recommendations come from, and I hope it helps give the best overall picture when planning your trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon!
26. Mineral King Loop Trail
Distance: ~44.0 miles / 70.8 km
The Mineral King Loop Trail is the best of the best in the Sequoia National Park backcountry. It’s an adventure not known by many who are interested in venturing out into the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness Area, and it is for these reasons that the Mineral King Loop Trail is arguably one of the most relaxing multi-day trips one can take in the Sierra high country!
That being said, there is a lot to consider when planning the Mineral King Loop Trail, such as routes, permits, and trailheads, which is not the case for the Rae Lakes Loop on the Kings Canyon side.
Therefore, I highly recommend reading the first few sections of my separate article if the Mineral King Loop Trail is an adventure you might be interested in planning.
Read My Separate Post: Mineral King Loop Trail
27. Sequoia & Kings Canyon Private Tour Guide
I get it. It has taken me many visits over many years to truly feel like I’ve begun to see the best of both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, which is exactly why booking a local private guide may be the best option if you’re a first-time visitor to either park.
Below, there are a variety of options to consider, including those that specialize in winter trips, which I highly recommend checking out if this is when you plan to visit, as they can provide must-have gear to stay safe in these conditions!
Additional Early Season Gear
Depending on the winter snowpack, trails can be covered in snow well into June, and even July, 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 overnight.
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, and 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'.
5 Best Things to Do Near Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
1. Yosemite National Park
This recommendation should come as no surprise, as one of the most common California roadtrips is visiting all three national parks in the Sierra Nevada at once.
For this reason, I want to highlight that Yosemite Valley is only a 3-hour, 30-minute drive from Grant Grove Village in Kings Canyon National Park.
Read My Separate Post: Yosemite National Park
2. California Tacos (Dinuba, CA)
There’s no shortage of Mexican food outside of Sequoia and Kings Canyon, but these are tacos worth going out of your way for!
Located about 30 minutes south of Yokuts Valley, outside of Kings Canyon, California Tacos in Dinuba has become a go-to spot after spending a long day exploring Grant Grove.
This is especially true because they stay open later than most restaurants in the area!
Yelp: California Tacos
3. Gena’s Sierra Inn and Restaurant
The one thing that sets Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park apart from others is the long drive both in and out of either park.
That being said, finding places to stay and eat can be inconvenient—especially when staying in either park late for sunset!
This is why I love Gena’s Sierra Inn and Restaurant because not only is it one of the best and closest places to stay, but it’s also one of the best all-in-one options, as they serve great American food too!
4. Mt. Whitney (Highest Peak in California)
Yes, Mt. Whitney borders the Sequoia National Park backcountry, but the most common route to the summit is through Whitney Portal in the eastern Sierra, out of Lone Pine.
It is for this reason that I included it here, which you can learn more about in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Mt. Whitney Trail (Lone Pine)
5. Redwood National & State Parks
Redwood National Park and Sequoia National Park are not convenient to one another in terms of driving. However, aside from visiting Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks in one trip, visiting Redwood National and State Parks as part of a California 'big trees' roadtrip is one of the most common itineraries.
For this reason, I wanted to highlight that I’ve visited the California Redwoods many times, and I offer my top recommendations in this separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Redwood National & State Parks
