One Day in Sequoia National Park Itinerary: What Not to Miss
Ready to walk amongst giants on a day trip to Sequoia National Park?
Filled with mammoth trees and epic landscapes, Sequoia National Park is one of the few places left on Earth where you can see some of the worldās biggest trees, the Sequoias.
Having lived in Los Angeles for three years, Sequoia is a camping favorite amongst locals and my friends. But there are good things to know before you go, like winter road closures, terrible wildfires, and how not to get attacked by a wild bear. So, to take the stress out of planning and make the most of your day trip, I’ve got the perfect one day in Sequoia national park itinerary for you.
This guide is a carefully curated itinerary detailing where to go, what to see, and how to make the most of your time in the park. A single day is plenty of time for Sequoia, so much so, you can even combine it with a visit to nearby Kings Canyon National Park.
Sample One Day in Sequoia Itinerary
Got everything in one scroll! Here’s a day trip itinerary for you with the option to tack on King’s Canyon in the afternoon.
Morning:
- Start your day early to make the most of your visit or to combine your trip with next-door neighbor King’s Canyon National Park.
- Begin your adventure at the Foothills Visitor Center. On Generals Highway, stop at overlooks and under Tunnel Rock.
- Hike up to Moro Rock (for the sunrise) or just a panoramic view from this granite dome.
- Drive Through Tunnel Log, a fallen sequoia.
- Head up the road to the decorated Crystal Cave (Reservations required!)
- Visit the Giant Forest Museum to learn about giant sequoias.
- Take an easy walk on the Big Trees Trail to see some of the park’s largest trees.
- Gaze up at the General Sherman Tree, the world’s largest tree by volume.
Afternoon:
You can either spend the latter part of the afternoon heading north to King’s Canyon or going for an afternoon hike in Sequoia.
- Recommended Places in Sequoia: Crescent Meadow, Tokopah Falls, and the Giant Forest.
- Recommended Places in King’s Canyon: Grant Grove (for more giant sequoias), Buena Vista Peak, or Mist Falls.
Recommended Places to Stay in Sequoia
Quick Facts to Visiting Sequoia
Did you know some Sequoia National Park trees are over 3,000 years old? The park also hosts the world’s largest tree by volume, the General Sherman Tree! Stretching over 631 square miles in the southern Sierra Nevada, Sequoia National Park is a land of massive mountains, deep canyons, and colossal trees.
Sure, here’s a handy table with some quick facts about Sequoia National Park:
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Entrance Fee | $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days) or 80$ for the America the Beautiful Annual Pass |
| Operating Hours | Open 24 hours a day, all year round |
| Visitor Centers | Foothills Visitor Center, Giant Forest Museum, Kings Canyon Visitor Center |
| Park Entrances | Ash Mountain (South) and Big Stump (North) |
| Main Activities | Hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, stargazing |
| Number of Campgrounds | 14 campgrounds |
| Hotels | Wuksachi Lodge, John Muir Lodge, Cedar Grove Lodge |
| Best Time to Visit | June to October |
| Nearest Cities | Fresno (approx. 80 miles), Visalia (approx. 36 miles) Use DiscoverCars to find rental car deals |
| Nearest Airports | Fresno Yosemite International Airport (approx. 80 miles) Los Angeles International Airport (approx. 220 miles) Use Expedia to find the best flight prices. |
Things to Know Before you Go!
- Know Your Roads: Use Highway 198 to enter Sequoia National Park and Highway 180 to reach Kings Canyon National Park.
- Fuel Up: There are no gasoline stations within the park!
- Seasonal Access: Some areas, like the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, are only open from mid-May through mid-October.
| MY FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES |
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