Things to do & places to visit in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California, United States

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park cover image

This park's main draw, the forest of Giant Sequoias, is home to the largest living things on Earth.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park national park in California, United States. Timezone: America/Los_Angeles, current date and time: Friday, May 03, 2024, 22:27.

Top things to do (14)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Giant Forest (1.722 reviews)
- The Biggest Grove and the Biggest Trees
Forests

A forest with ancient sequoia trees. See more..
5.0 Moro Rock Trail (1.568 reviews)
- Great Experience
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Hiking Trails • Geologic Formations

A challenging walk up 400 steps to a spectacular view. See more..
5.0 Boyden Cavern (340 reviews)
- Intriguing Cavern
Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Caverns & Caves

Boyden Cavern is now open under new management! After 3 seasons of closure from the 2015 Rough Fire, we are excited to again offer tours of this magnificent marble cavern. Visit our website for tour times, tickets, and more information! See more..
5.0 Congress Trail (290 reviews)
- The Reason You Come to Sequoia National Park
Hiking Trails

This is the premier trail in the sequoias of the Giant's Forest. It starts at the foot of the biggest tree, General Sherman and goes off across a brook into the woods. When we went, the trail was partially packed snow and ice which made the walk much longer so we turned back before finishing the loop. However, we got to experience what is like walking in the presence of the biggest trees in the world. It is so unique and amazing whatever the conditions. It is the reason you come to Sequoia NP. See more..
5.0 Lakes Trail in Sequoia National Park (159 reviews)
- Great trail, beautiful lakes (especially Pear Lake)!
Hiking Trails

I have hiked on this trail twice, the last time, staying overnight at Pear Lake. It's a great hike. But if you are not in shape, then don't try it. It's a little tough. Uneven rocks on trail, consistent elevation climb, etc. ****PLEASE OBEY THE PARK RULES! Don't break trees to burn, pick up all litter in your campsite (even if it's not yours), never litter, never vandalize rocks or trees, never feed wildlife, don't approach wildlife, pack everything out that you brought in, no music (or very very low...I'm mean there is a reason you wanted to be in nature...not to listen to the same music you can listen to all the time!), and be quiet after 9 pm (others might be backpacking very early and it's respectful to be quiet)!! Thanks! See more..
5.0 Mineral King Valley (54 reviews)
- Yosemite without the crowds
Valleys

A good hiking and backpacking area. See more..
5.0 Mount Whitney (51 reviews)
- Practice, Practice, Practice
Hiking Trails

The most climbed peak in the Sierra Nevada, and the highest. See more..
5.0 Little Baldy Trail (29 reviews)
- Amazing phenomenon
Spent 2-3 hours Hiking Trails

I am planning another trip to Sequoia ten years after my first visit in 2007. At that time, I hiked Little Baldy and experienced the most amazing phenomenon - as I stood at the peak, I noticed clouds rolling in BELOW me. A patient wait and soon I was all alone above the clouds. It was an amazing September morning and one I will never forget! See accompanying photo..... See more..
4.5 General Sherman Tree (2.197 reviews)
- The Biggest Tree in the World - MUST SEE
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

An 249.9 foot ancient tree believed to be between 2,300 and 2,700 years old. See more..
4.5 Kings Canyon (956 reviews)
- Circular walk is spectacular but only for the fit and don’t attempt after 7am on hot days
National Parks • Canyons

Kings Canyon National Park is named for this large canyon, perfect for hiking. See more..
4.5 General Grant Tree Trail (760 reviews)
- Well worth the drive
Hiking Trails

Nice short hike from the parking lot. Multiple things to see on the trail including a cabin , a tree that you can walk through and the General Grant of course. The only drawback at this time was that the drive between general Sherman and General Grant is about 33 files properly and on top of that there is roadwork being done. Going to the General Grant We had a delay of 30 minutes in coming back there was a delay of an hour. It looks like they’ll be Repaving the road for quite some time. You could be one of the lucky ones to squeeze by before they stop you. See more..
4.5 Generals Highway (436 reviews)
- One of the Most Beautiful Drives in the NPS
Spent < 1 hour Scenic Drives

A 30-mile scenic drive at 7,000 feet. See more..
4.5 Grant Grove (367 reviews)
- Small grove..but still impressive
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests

Inside Kings Canyon National Park is this grove of giant Sequoias. See more..
4.5 Crystal Cave (363 reviews)
- 6 Tips to Help You Make The Most of Your Tour
Spent 1-2 hours Caverns & Caves

This Place is Temporarily Closed. Crystal Cave is a marble cave with a wide variety of stalactites, stalagmites, and other geologic features and cave-adapted wildlife that add to its popularity with visitors and scientists from around the world. There is a wide variety of tour options and experiences that appeal to adults, families, and the wild caver. Crystal Cave is open early May-late November, weather and conditions permitting. Advance reservations are online. Please review the physical fitness precautions before purchasing tickets. No pets. See more..
4.5 Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (345 reviews)
- YOU HAVE TO GO!!!!! Will NOT be disappointed.
Scenic Drives

A 30-mile scenic drive between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove Village. See more..
4.5 Crescent Meadow Loop (251 reviews)
- Quiet and Peaceful
Hiking Trails

Easy hiking trail that takes you past the Chimney Tree and Tharp's Log. See more..
4.5 Hume Lake (202 reviews)
- Must go
Bodies of Water

A lake area offering many outdoor activities. See more..
4.5 Kings Canyon Visitor Center (180 reviews)
- Informative and kid friendly
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Visitor Centers

The Grant Grove Visitor Center is right in Grant Grove Village in Kings Canyon National Park. Throughout the day it features a film on Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park which was released in 2007 (so it doesn't look like one of those old science films from the 1960s). There is also a bookstore and "Discovery Room" with kid-friendly activities. The bookstore has a good selection of books, cards, and souvenirs to keep the little travelers happy. It (and the other visitor centers in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks) offers a Junior Ranger Program in which children 6 and up can fill out an activity booklet, participate in activities, and earn a Junior Ranger badge. This program keeps my 8-year old interested in the National Parks and makes her look forward to visiting them on our vacations. Across the parking lot from the Visitor center is Grant Grove VIllage (complete with store, post office, lodging, and a restaurant). See more..
4.5 Zumwalt Meadow Trail (165 reviews)
- The breathtaking view resembling Yosemite
Hiking Trails

For some reason, Sequoia park is more popular and more visitors than Kings Canyon. If I have to choose either of these two parks, I will pick the Kings Canyon, and Zumwalt Meadow is one of the reasons. It reminds me the scenery in Yosemite! We just went to the trail head that is only 0.3 miles from the parking lot. You can take several postcard-quality photos there! Unfortunately, the trail was heavily covered with wild flowers (= weeds), and thus we decided not to complete the trail. From this trail head, you can also hike for 2 miles (one way) to the roaring river fall, which we actually did. See more..
4.5 Panoramic Point (164 reviews)
- You could easily miss this-but don't.
Hiking Trails

Turn right just before you get to John Muir Lodge, down a little paved, unmarked road, that you wonder whether or not is the right road. The winding road takes you to Panoramic Point-an almost complete view of the mountains and valley-a true panorama. Nice picnic tables (we had lunch) rest rooms, newer paved trails to the top. (kinda steep but with switchbacks). And a beautiful view in front of you. We went during the day, but I'm betting this would be a great place to see the sunset or the stars. Kinda out of the way, but worth the time to find it. See more..
4.5 Roaring River Falls (135 reviews)
- great place for a quick selfie!
Waterfalls

Nice, quick stop. You will get a huge bang for your buck, in that it is a short hike, which usually you are hiking miles to get to a waterfall like this. This is a short jaunt, and is perfect for taking a couple of selfies, and moving on down the road! See more..
4.5 Big Trees Trail (106 reviews)
- A must - the must - in this park
Hiking Trails

This is the quintessential Sequoia trail. It should be number one, and even the only one if you are hurrying through the park. You follow a short, paved path around a loop with fascinating examples of what this park is all about. Because it is paved, and because of adjacent accessible parking, anyone might be able to do this short hike. The NPS has done an excellent job of providing informative signage along the trail The tree specimens are up close and the meadow it surrounds seems to accentuate their size against the field and sky. As an added bonus, the Giant Forest Museum is adjacent, several trails, Beetle Rock are all within a couple hundred yards of one starting point. See more..
4.5 Grizzly Falls (84 reviews)
- Go Early
Spent < 1 hour Waterfalls

You can literally see the falls from the parking lot. Waterfall viewing doesn't get any easier than this, as I've hiked many more miles in other locations to see waterfalls less than half as beautiful. That said, it's a picnic area and people will linger. We arrived at 9:45am on a Tuesday to a completely empty parking lot. We had the waterfall to ourselves, wandered around taking photos up on the rocks, and left. When we drove past the area later in the afternoon, the parking lot was completely packed and there were people EVERYWHERE. See more..
4.5 Big Stump Basin (71 reviews)
- Why…. It’s a great contrast to its living neighbor, General Grant
Hiking Trails

Although not as grand and impressive, it offers a interesting contrast to the General Grant Tree. A few miles prior to Grant Grove Village is a turnoff into a decent sized parking lot. From there it’s a pretty easy/flat hike to get to the Big Stump…. aka “Mark Twain stump”. Along the way you’ll see other several other stumps as well as giant redwoods. Then, in the middle of a large clearing/meadow is the giant stump. It was fun to climb and appreciate how big/wide these redwoods get….. especially for the younger kids. However, we actually saw the General Grant prior to Big Stump. For all of us, to see such a huge majestic tree (General Grant), and then see what’s left of a giant sequoia (Big Stump). It was sad and humbling, yet educational and impactful at the same time. Advice: Don’t forget the bug spray See more..
4.5 Redwood Canyon Trail (31 reviews)
- Spectacular hiking
Hiking Trails

If you do the loop you need to be in decent shape. There are so steep areas and it is over 7 miles. You can do part and still enjoy the view and hike. You are hiking in the forest. The road to the trail head is gravel and very rough. There are places where you can pull over to let another car pass. See more..
4.5 The Fallen Monarch (13 reviews)
- Hallowed fallen giant sequoia in the Grant Grove
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

One of the interesting attractions to see in the Grant Grove of Kings Canyon National Park is the Fallen Monarch. This is a fallen giant sequoia with a large hollowed out space that has been used over the centuries by Native Americans and early pioneers as a shelter, hotel and even a saloon during the late 19th century. You'll find the Fallen Monarch along the walking trail that makes way through the Grant Grove. You can walk through the open trunk of the ancient tree through its middle and out the opening 20 metres away. The Fallen Monarch is a unique experience and something well worth making a few minutes to enjoy when spending time in he Grant Grove area of the national park. See more..
4.0 Giant Forest Museum (365 reviews)
- Explains sequoias in ways kids can easily understand
Visitor Centers

The Giant Forest Museum answers questions about the sequoias in ways children can easily understand. For example, one display shows the size of the General Sherman Tree compared to a stack of elephants, the space shuttle, the tallest giant redwood, the Titanic, and the giant tule cypress in Mexico. A giant ruler outside the museum shows how long the tree would be if it were laid horizontally. Dioramas explain why sequoias can only grow in certain areas, and a giant spinning wheel demonstrates how much chance in involved in sequoia seeds germinating and growing into mature trees. My 8-year old was determined to keep spinning the wheel until it landed on the spot where a tree grew to maturity, but I think the odds were one in 100 or so. The museum is open year round (the Lodgepole Visitors Center in Sequoia and the Cedar Grove Visitors Center in Kings Canyon are both closed in the winter). See more..
4.0 Tunnel Log (263 reviews)
- Neat stop!
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

If you can, drive the bypass road and loop around so that the nose of your car is pointing to the camera. Plus, if you get out of your car and walk down a bit, taller people can climb onto the top of the log where it's a little closer to the ground. Really neat photo op on the way to Crescent Meadow! Go early so there's no line. We went immediately after an early hike of Moro Rock. See more..
4.0 Hospital Rock (60 reviews)
- Picnic plus history
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Picnic area in Sequoia National park Shaded picnic area, restrooms What makes this a nice spot ate educational displays regarding the importance of the site to Native Americans. There are pictographs also easily accessible. While there is access to river, many signs warn of danger swimming there. See more..
4.0 Mineral King Road (50 reviews)
- The best in Central California
Scenic Drives

A challenging scenic road. See more..