Los Angeles To Sequoia National Park Road Trip: Best Route, Stops, & Itinerary
I have spent the last few years traveling full time in my campervan. One of my favorite road trips to date was from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park with my mom! She flew into LAX and we drove up to Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and then explored Yosemite together.
Luckily, I have some California based nomad friends who gave me all the best recommendations for this road trip from LA to Sequoia, so I’m rounding up the best recommendations and sharing my trip itinerary with you.
In this article I’ll cover:
- The best route from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park
- Things to do along the way
- Free road trip map
- Sequoia National Park itinerary
- Kings Canyon National Park itinerary
- Where to stay
Distance from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park
The distance from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park is just over 200 miles, and takes at least 4 hours to drive (but typically closer to 5 to 5 and a half hours with traffic).
We got lucky and left first thing Saturday morning from LA to Sequoia and it only took 4.5 hours to drive. I would recommend avoiding rush hour at all costs because… it’s LA.
The drive itself is really pretty. My mom loved the miles upon miles of orange groves when we drove through Bakersfield, and I loved the smell of pine trees and the steep mountain roads as we got closer to Sequoia National Park.
Planning A Trip From Los Angeles To Sequoia National Park
If you’re heading to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon, then LAX is a perfect airport to fly into. There are lots of flight options, and you can usually find reasonably priced tickets.
Los Angeles is also a great place to pick-up a rental car, or if you’re feeling adventurous I highly recommend renting a camper van for your National Park road trip!
Get the best LAX flight prices here.
Map: Los Angeles To Sequoia National Park And Kings Canyon
Use this road trip map to plan your itinerary from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park! I’ve labeled items by park (noted by color) as well as by activity type (noted by icon).
Tip: Open this map in your browser, then click the star icon on the left-side bar. This saves the map to your google maps app on your phone so you can easily reference it during your trip. Locate this map in Google Maps by selecting ‘you’ at the bottom of the app and then scroll down and click ‘maps’ to find your saved trip maps
Los Angeles To Sequoia National Park Road Trip
The most direct route from LA to Sequoia National Park is route 5. You’ll pass Santa Clarita and Six Flags Magic Mountain before exiting to route 99 which takes you up through Bakersfield.
Even though route 5 can be a bit of a nightmare, I recommend this as the best route *unless* your road trip is in the spring. More on that below.
Be prepared for limited cell service and amenities after you exit RT-99 and head up the mountain.
There are gas stations and grocery stores, but they’re going to cost you a lot more than if you fill up and grab all your last minute needs before leaving Bakersfield.
Los Angeles To Sequoia National park – Spring Detour to Antelope Valley
If your road trip from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park is around March through May, then I recommend a detour on your route!
This is the perfect time to stop by Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve and see some incredible rolling hills exploding with red poppy flowers.
It’s a tad bit out of the way so check the live camera footage to see whether or not it’s worth a detour.
Unfortunately, my trip was the second week of March and the poppy’s weren’t blooming yet, so we skipped it.
Itinerary: Road Trip From Los Angeles To Sequoia National Park
I think the perfect itinerary for a road trip from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park has a heavy focus on the park. It’s the best part of the whole trip!
With that said, there’s still a few stops along the way you might consider.
Santa Clarita is only 35-minutes from LA and is a fun town to spend an afternoon.
You can taste wines at vineyards like Agua Dulce Winery, enjoy a hike at Placerita Canyon Nature Center or check out the neat rock formations at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area.
Six Flags Magic Mountain is just past Santa Clarita and is a popular theme park.
Rides like Twisted Colossus, Goliath, and X2 are fan favorites.
Bakersfield is a little less exciting, in my opinion.
Consider stopping by Murray Family Farms for delicious fresh fruit. Depending on the time of year, you can pick your own fruit, attend a pumpkin or sunflower festival, or Christmas At The Farm.
If you only have a weekend in Sequoia National Park, I recommend skipping the towns along the route and getting straight to the park. But, if you have a week or more, then I’d make a quick stop in Santa Clarita and Bakersfield.
And then, it’s on to the star of the show: Sequoia National Park!
Sequoia National Park Itinerary
Personally, I think 2 days is the perfect amount of time for a Sequoia National Park itinerary. I would also spend 1 day in Kings Canyon National Park.
If you have more time, I would add a detour up to Yosemite for 3-4 days. For our trip, this is what we did! My mom flew into LA, we saw Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite, and then she flew out of San Francisco – it worked perfectly.
Things To See And Best Hikes In Sequoia
There’s a lot of fun and easy hikes in Sequoia National Park, and even the drive through the park is breathtaking.
Foothills Visitor Center
Stop at the Foothills Visitor Center first! It’s one of the first things you’ll come to when you enter Sequoia, and it’s a great opportunity to ask the ranger on duty about important information, like trail closures, wildlife activity, and ranger programs.
Moro Rock Trail
Moro Rock Trail is great for sunrise or sunset. If you get to the park early I recommend stopping here on your way up to General Sherman so you can continue farther into the park without retracing your steps.
Moro Rock Trail is an easy 20-minute hike and you’ll have panoramic views from the summit.
General Sherman Tree + Congress Trail
Next, head on to General Sherman Tree and Congress Trail. This area of the park can get extremely busy, so I recommend trying to get here as early in the day as possible to avoid crowds and find parking.
General Sherman is the largest known tree on the planet (by volume) and still growing. It’s 275 feet tall and believed to be 2,200-2,700 years old! It blows my mind to think that something living today was also alive in BC times.
The full Congress Trail is just under 3 miles and takes a little over an hour to hike. The first giant sequoia you come to is General Sherman.
If you’d prefer a shorter hike you can hike in to see General Sherman and then back out, which is just 1.2 miles total.
I really liked the Congress Trail. It’s an easier hike with a well maintained trail, so it felt more like a wander through the woods than a full hike.
Even in the off season the trail was really busy, so be prepared for limited parking and lots of kids running around.
A love note about AllTrails
The trail links in this article take you to the detailed trail guides on AllTrails. I love this app and use it on every single hike I take. There’s a free and a pro version (AllTrails+).
Free version: Allows you to view trail details and save trails to curated lists. I have a list for each National Park and I save the hikes I’m planning in there so I can easily find them while traveling.
AllTrails+: $2.99 per month allows you to live share your activity with friends or family, download offline maps so you’re able to access them without cell service (great for National Parks) and will send you alerts when you deviate from the trail so you don’t get lost.
I have been using the AllTrails+ for many years. I love the added safety features, especially as a solo hiker.
Tokopah Falls
Finally, head farther up the mountain to Tokopah Falls. This is a moderate hike just under 4 miles with a little more than 600 feet in elevation gain. It ends at Tokopah Falls.
Unfortunately, the falls can run dry towards the end of the summer so I recommend talking with a ranger ahead of time if you’re unsure whether this trail is worth doing during your trip.
Watchtower Trail
If you’re spending two days in Sequoia National Park I recommend adding Watchtower Trail to your itinerary. It’s a moderate hike with some significant elevation gain and takes about 5 hours to complete.
The views along the hike are stunning, including lakes and panoramic views. It’s less popular than the trails in the sequoia groves so you can escape the crowds a bit.
Where To Stay At Sequoia National Park
Wuksachi Lodge is the only hotel accommodation located inside of Sequoia National Park. It’s a beautiful and very conveniently located lodge, but it books up quickly so you want to make reservations far in advance.
If you can get a reservation at Wuksachi Lodge I highly recommend spending a night here. You can’t beat the convenience of staying inside the park.
Just outside the park, there are many great hotels in nearby Visalia, CA.
The Wyndham is conveniently located in town and is pet-friendly, and the Darling is a great luxury choice.
Or, you can stay right outside the park entrance at this 2-bedroom vacation rental.
It’s also possible to camp in Sequoia National Park. In total there are 6 campgrounds.
Foothills Area Campgrounds: Potwisha and Buckeye Flat
Lodgepole & Giant Forest Area Campgrounds: Dorst Creek and Lodgepole
Mineral King Area Campgrounds: Cold Springs and Atwell Mill
All of the Sequoia National Park campgrounds require advanced reservations which can be made on the recreation.gov website.
I stayed at Potwisha campgrounds in Sequoia, which is the only campground open during the winter.
It’s close to the Foothills entrance, which is at lower elevation so it’s much warmer than the campgrounds farther up the mountain.
I enjoyed this campground, but like most National Park campsites the spots are clustered together without much privacy. Come prepared for noisy neighbors and early morning activity.
Pro tip! If you need a bear can you can rent one from the visitor center for $5 for 3 nights, and $2 per additional night.
Kings Canyon National Park Itinerary
If you’re able to add another day onto your LA to Sequoia road trip itinerary, I highly recommend spending it at Kings Canyon.
I really loved this park, and it’s conveniently located right next to Sequoia so it’s worth a trip.
Things To See And Best Hikes In Kings Canyon
Did you know that Kings Canyon is one of the biggest canyons in the US, and it’s even deeper than the Grand Canyon?! The park is really massive, and it’s divided into two sections: Grant Grove and Cedar Grove.
Most people visit the western section (Grant Grove), which is has the most infrastructure and is the easiest to access.
Grant Grove Village & Visitor Center
On your way into the park I recommend stopping in Grant Grove Village. It’s a quaint little village with a gift shop, amenities and the visitors center.
I always make it a priority to stop at the visitor center when I get to a National Park.
There are rangers on duty who have great information on current trail closures, wildlife activity and ranger programming.
I also ask for their advice on the best trails to hike based on my interests and they never disappoint!
General Grant Tree
General Grant Tree is considered to be 1,300 years old! It’s located in Grant Grove inside of Kings Canyon and you can see it by taking a short 0.7 mile loop hike.
You’ll also be able to see other giant sequoias in the grove and centennial stump (which is massive).
Big Stump Loop
Big Stump Loop is an easy 1.6 mile loop that takes you to the stump of the Mark Twain tree located in Grant Grove.
Mark Twain giant sequoia was cut down in 1891 after reaching a diameter of 16 feet across.
By who? The US military.
Why? Because no one believed that trees that big really existed, so the Army cut it down and hauled it off to display in NYC, London, and around the world. Turns out, people still thought it was a hoax.
Panoramic Point Overlook
Panoramic Point Overlook is located along Panoramic Pt road, which is a scenic winding road past Grant Grove Village.
It’s an easy half mile loop with views of the High Sierra peaks, and the glacial gorge of Kings Canyon. It’s truly breathtaking.
Hume Lake
If you have more than one day in Kings Canyon I recommend exploring the Cedar Grove area as well.
You’ll take the beautiful Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, which connects Grant Grove (west) with Cedar Grove (east).
The byway is not open during the snowy season, so plan accordingly.
Along the way, stop at Hume Lake. This is technically part of Sequoia National Forest and is not on National Park property, but it’s still a fun visit to stretch your legs and walk around the lake.
Hume Lake is the farthest point you can reach along Kings Canyon Scenic Byway in the winter.
It’s also dog friendly! My mom and I drove out here in March and I loved that I could take my dog on the hike, too. Van life with a dog isn’t always this easy at most National Parks.
The trailhead for the lake starts in a small village that looks like it’s a fun bustling summer camp during the warmer season.
The trail is under 3 miles, mostly flat, has great views of the lake, and is a loop. Halfway around the lake is a nice beach, which is a perfect stop for a picnic lunch or a hiking snack.
You can also find gas and groceries at Hume Lake. It’s a good spot to refill your tank because there aren’t many other options in this area.
Roaring River Falls
Roaring River Falls is located in Cedar Grove, which is part of the eastern section of Kings Canyon National Park.
If you have more than one day in Kings Canyon I recommend you explore this area as well.
This hike is an easy 10-minute hike to the falls. It’s a really unique and beautiful waterfall, but it’s also quite crowded so I recommend coming early in the day to find some peace (and parking).
Mist Falls
Mist Falls is located in Cedar Grove. It’s an out-and-back trail just under 8 miles with approximately 900 feet of elevation gain that leads to one of the biggest waterfalls in Kings Canyon National Park.
It’s one of the best day hikes in Kings Canyon, and many people say it resembles Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park.
Where To Stay In Kings Canyon National park
There are 3 hotels located inside Kings Canyon National Park. The next closest option are vacation rentals just outside the park, and the closest city for hotels is Fresno (about an hour from the entrance).
If you can snag reservations for John Muir Lodge or one of the Grant Grove Cabins I recommend these options because they’re the most convenient!
John Muir Lodge is a relatively newer National Park hotel (built in 1998) so it has more amenities than you can usually expect from park lodging. The lobby great room has games, puzzles, and books for guests to enjoy, open-beam ceilings and a cozy stone fireplace.
Grant Grove Cabins are perfectly located within walking distance to everything in Grant Grove Village, including the General Grant Tree, market, and visitors center.
There are tent and timber cabins available to rent. I recommend you book cabin 9 “Honeymoon Cabin” if it’s available. It was built in 1910, it’s the oldest structure still standing in Grant Grove Village!
Both John Muir Lodge and Grant Grove Cabins are conveniently located in the Grant Grove area of the park. They both allow dogs ($25/night).
Cedar Grove Lodge is the third hotel located in Kings Canyon National Park, but it’s in the Cedar Grove area of the park – less convenient, especially if you’re only spending one day in Kings Canyon.
There are many vacation rentals just outside of Kings Canyon, which are conveniently located with easy access to the park. I recommend Sequoia Glen or Wonder Valley Ranch Resort.
If you prefer hotels, the closest town to Kings Canyon is Fresno, which is about an hour from the Grant Grove section of the park. There are many hotel options in Fresno, such as Fairfield Inn & Suites or Hampton Inn & Suites.
There are also 7 campgrounds in Kings Canyon National Park.
All of the campgrounds require advanced reservation. The only exception to this is Azalea Campground which operates on a first-come, first-served basis during the winter.
Reservations can be made in advance at the recreation.gov website.
My mom and I stayed at Azalea Campgrounds in March and it was nice, even with several feet of snow. At least the bathrooms were heated!
Grant Grove Campgrounds: Azalea, Crystal Springs, Sunset
Cedar Grove Campgrounds: Sentinel, Canyon View, Moraine, Sheep Creek
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park History & Map
Sequoia National Park was established in 1890 as a refuge for the giant Sequoia trees, including General Sherman Tree.
Congress passed the act to create Sequoia National Park as a way to stop logging that was destroying the natural habitat.
Sequoia is the second oldest National Park, the first is Yellowstone. Since it’s conception, the park has been expanded several times.
In 1940, Kings Canyon also became a National Park, bordering Sequoia.
The land was originally home to the Yokuts and Western Mono tribes.
It’s also home to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, with an elevation of 14,505 feet.
While there is a road that connects the two parks, it’s not open during the winter months due to snow and unsafe driving conditions.
From the map above, you can see where the road trip from Los Angeles to Sequoia enters the park near the Foothills Visitor Center (southwest part of the park).
From there you can take the road north through Sequoia and cross over into Kings Canyon (unless it’s winter, when the road is partially closed). This closure happened during my trip in March, so I had to backtrack and head into Kings Canyon from the west entrance by way of Fresno, which takes a few hours.
Interestingly, Kings Canyon is not contiguous. The more popular section of the park is attached to the top northwest corner of Sequoia (called Grants Grove).
To access the eastern section of Kings Canyon (called Cedar Grove), you must take Kings Canyon Scenic Byway through Sequoia National Forest – this byway is partially closed during the winter, though, which cuts off the eastern section of the park when it snows.
Best Time For A Trip From Los Angeles To Sequoia National park & Kings Canyon
The best time to visit Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park from Los Angeles is during the summer, when you can access all areas of the parks. However, you should expect more crowds.
I visited in early March, and with so much snow still on the ground most of the secondary roads are closed, as are most of the campgrounds in the parks. While this worked well for us from a scheduling perspective, it did limit us from fully enjoying the parks.
Driving In Sequoia And Kings Canyon National Park
Overall, you’ll really need a car or campervan rental in order to get from LA to Sequoia National Park.
There aren’t many public transportation options from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park, and within the parks the shuttle options are limited. In fact, Kings Canyon has no shuttle at all.
Sequoia offers a shuttle which run from late May until early September. The shuttle connects the Giant Forest Museum all the way up to the Wuksachi Lodge.
You can find detailed information about the shuttle schedule and stops on the NPS website.
Entrance Fees
The entrance fee for Sequoia and Kings Canyon is $35 per vehicle, good for up to 7 days. Unlike other National Parks, this weekly pass grants you access to both parks so you don’t need to pay twice.
Luckily, there are no timed-entry requirements for either park like the vehicle reservation systems in Arches or Glacier National Park’s Going-To-The-Sun-Road.
If you plan to visit more than two national parks this year, consider getting the annual America The Beautiful park pass. I’ve had this pass for several years and love it. It’s $80 and good for a full year, which means you’ll save money when you visit your third national park.
More Ideas For A Los Angeles To Sequoia National Park Road Trip
If you have more time, I highly recommend you add Yosemite National Park to your Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park road trip itinerary. Even just one day in Yosemite is still worth the drive time (about 2.5 hours).
My mom and I also made a day trip to Pinnacles National Park on our way back to San Francisco. It’s a newer National Park (established in 2013) and is fairly small, making it easy to see with just a few hours.
Here are some additional planning resources for your trip:
