Sequoia National Park Itinerary (1-3 Days + Kings Canyon)

I recently took a girls trip with my mom to see the California National Parks. It was one of my favorite road trips to date, and so nice to share the experience with my mom. We spent 3 days in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon. In this article I’m sharing our perfect Sequoia National Park itinerary.

Depending on whether you have more or less time, I’ve also included some additional recommendations for your Sequoia National Park vacation.

In this article:

• 1, 2 and 3 Days In Sequoia National Park Itinerary
• 1 and 2 Day Kings Canyon National Park Itinerary
• Recommendations For Combined Sequoia Kings Canyon Itinerary
• Downloadable Map Of Sequoia National Park Road Trip
• Where To Stay On A Sequoia National Park Vacation
• Tips For Planning A Trip To Sequoia National Park

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How To Get To Sequoia National Park

The best way to get to Sequoia National Park is to fly into Fresno (FAT) or San Francisco (SFO) and rent a car.

Fresno is much closer to Sequoia, but San Francisco tends to have better flight prices and more direct flights.

LAX is another option. Although it’s at least 4 hours from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park (usually more because of LA traffic), LAX can have great flight deals, too.

Airports Near Sequoia National Park
Distance from San Francisco to Sequoia National Park: 4.5 hours
Distance from Fresno to Sequoia National Park: 1.5 hour
Distance from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park: 4 hours

Map Of Sequoia National Park

To get the general lay of the land, I have pinned the best things to do to this map of Sequoia National Park.

There are 5 areas within Sequoia:

• Foothills
• Giant Forest
• Lodgepole
• Wuksachi
• Mineral King

Use this map to plan your Sequoia National Park itinerary! I’ve labeled items by activity type (noted by icon).

Foothills just past the main entrance to Sequoia National Park (near Three Rivers). It’s the lowest elevation, and therefore it tends to be the warmest part of the park. Since it doesn’t get much snow it stays open year-round.

Past Foothills, along Generals Highway is Giant Forest, Lodgepole and Wuksachi. If you continue on Generals Highway you’ll eventually cross into Kings Canyon National Park.

The Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park is located farther south, and has its own entrance separate from the other areas of the park. The road in is 25 miles, steep, and winding. For that reason it’s only open from late May through October. This area is less visited and not part of this Sequoia National Park vacation itinerary.

This Sequoia itinerary covers all but Mineral King, which is far more remote and hard to access.

Day 1: Sequoia National Park Itinerary

Our road trip started at LAX, where my mom flew in and I picked her up before starting the 4-5 hour drive early in the morning and arriving in Sequoia by early afternoon.

There are two entrances to Sequoia National Park: Ash Mountain and Lookout Point Entrance. Lookout Point takes you to Mineral King, and does not connect with the rest of the park – don’t go there.

If you put Foothills Visitor Center into your GPS it’ll take you to the correct entrance, just past Visalia and Three Rivers along RT-198.

If you only have one day in Sequoia National Park this is the itinerary I would follow:

1. Stop By Foothills Visitor Center

You have to drive right past Foothills Visitor Center on your way into the park anyway, so it’s definitely worth a stop.

2. See Tunnel Rock

There’s one primary road that runs through Sequoia – Generals Highway. You’ll take this farther into the park and one of the first stops you’ll come to is Tunnel Rock.

It’s a quick stop right off the road. Tunnel Rock used to be part of Generals Highway and you could drive right under it!

However, as cars got larger they no longer fit under the rock and the highway was rerouted around it.

3. Amphitheater Point Viewpoint

Amphitheater Point Viewpoint is another quick stop right off the highway, as you continue up the mountain. It’s worth pulling off because of the stunning views of the Sierras.

If you’re lucky you may even spot a bear or a fox in the distance.

4. Moro Rock

Moro Rock is a large granite dome that you can hike up to with stunning panoramic views from the summit.

This hike can be strenuous because it has over 350 steps to the top. Luckily, it’s just a quarter mile to the top, so it’s manageable if you go at your own pace.

It’s not recommended to hike this trail in the winter or in rain because of how slippery it can become in combination with the steep drop-offs.

5. Tunnel Log

Tunnel Log is next on this Sequoia National Park itinerary, on the way to Crescent Meadow Road in Giant Forest. You can drive through the fallen sequoia if your vehicle is under 8 feet tall (my campervan is, unfortunately, not.)

The tree died of natural causes and fell across Crescent Meadow Road in late 1937. The following year it was carved out so cars could pass through.

6. Crescent Meadow

Crescent Meadow, referred to as the “gem of the Sierra’s” by John Muir, is a great place for a picnic lunch and is the trailhead for several hikes.

After lunch, hike around Crescent Meadow Loop. Along the path you’ll see Cleveland and Chimney Tree.

From the Crescent Meadow Loop trail you can take a short detour to Tharps Log – a cabin built inside of a downed sequoia tree in 1861. It’s really incredible that a tree which fell over 100 years ago is still inhabitable.

By now, it’s getting late in the afternoon of your first day in Sequoia National Park, so I recommend one final sight before heading back to your campgrounds or hotel for the night.

7. General Sherman Tree

The General Sherman Tree is something you must see if you only have one day in Sequoia National Park. You can complete the full Congress Trail (2.9 miles) or just the section that takes you to the General Sherman tree (1.2 miles).

By this point, you’re fairly far into Sequoia National Park. I recommend staying at Wuksachi Lodge for the evening – it’s just up the road.

Otherwise, the next best option is to backtrack to Three Rivers, just outside of the park entrance (about 1 hours drive). Check out the Where To Stay In Sequoia section below for more details.

Day 2: Sequoia National Park Itinerary

On day 2 of your Sequoia National Park vacation you’re going to explore the park more deeply! I recommend getting an early start before the crowds pick up.

1. Crystal Cave

The first stop on day two in Sequoia National Park is Crystal Cave, a marble cavern!

The only way to see this cave is with a guided tour. It’s a 50-minute tour which you must book in advance (no tickets are available at the Crystal Cave entrance).

Tickets can be purchased 2 months in advance (recommended), and as late as 36 hours ahead via the Sequoia Parks Conservancy website.

2. Giant Forest Museum

Giant Forest Museum is a fun stop to learn more about giant Sequoia trees and the history of the park land.

There are self-guided interpretive trails leading from the museum to the Round Meadow and Hazelwood areas nearby.

3. Big Trees Trail

The next stop on day 2 is Big Trees Trail. This is a 1.3 mile trail that’s rated as easy and loops through giant sequoias with many informational plaques along the way. The trail is paved and very accessible.

When I hiked this trail with my mom it was covered in several feet of snow and felt magical.

It’s amazing to me that the giant sequoia trees are so massive that the bottom 4 feet of their trunks can be buried in snow and they still look like giant trees. I highly recommend this hike!

4. Tokopah Falls Loop Trail

Next, head farther into Sequoia National Park and hike the Tokopah Falls trail. The trail follows the Kaweah River and through a boulder field before arriving at Tokopah Falls.

It’s not uncommon to spot Pika and Marmots along the path, but towards the end of a dry summer the falls may be dry or only a small trickle of water.

5. Explore Lodgepole Village

Head into Lodgepole Village for lunch. There is a market with grab-and-go food or you can dine in at the Lodgepole Grill.

There are some picnic areas in Lodgepole, or you can drive a little farther down General’s Highway (4 miles) to Halstead Meadow Picnic area to avoid the crowds.

6. Little Baldy Trail

Just past Halstead Meadow is Little Baldy Trail. It’s a 3.3 mile hike with 360 degree views and the opportunity to spot wildlife. It’s also the perfect place to watch the sunset in Sequoia National Park.

Have dinner and spend the night at Wuksachi Lodge. This avoids the need to backtrack south out of the park towards Three Rivers or Visalia.

Day 3: Sequoia National Park Itinerary

If you have a third day to spend in Sequoia National Park I recommend exploring the park more extensively with a longer day hike.

Did you know that less than 5% of Sequoia and Kings Canyon is accessible by vehicle? The rest is designated wilderness and the only way to experience it is to hike in!

I recommend one of these day hikes for day 3 in Sequoia National Park:

• Watchtower Trail
• Alta Peak Trail

1. Watchtower Trail

Watchtower Trail is an 8.3 mile out-and-back trail to Watchtower (a massive granite rock formation) and Heather Lake. It takes 4-5 hours to complete and has some significant elevation changes so it’s rated as moderate. There are stunning views along the entire trail.

If you’re looking for a longer hike you can extend this to Pear Lake for an 11.9 mile trail.

2. Alta Peak Trail

If you’re looking for an even more challenging hike then I recommend Alta Peak Trail. It’s a 13.5 mile out-and-back with almost 4,000 feet of elevation gain (so it’s rated as hard).

The last two miles are the hardest, but the views are stunning.

Day 4: Kings Canyon Itinerary

After your trip to Sequoia National Park I highly recommend at lease one day in Kings Canyon National Park. It’s right next to Sequoia and you can see most of the park in just one day.

On your drive into Kings Canyon from Sequoia National Park be sure to stop at Kings Canyon Overlook and Redwood Mountain Overlook for some incredible panoramic views.

Grant Grove Village is located just inside Kings Canyon, near Big Stump entrance. Here you’ll find the visitors center and a market, as well as wifi if you need it.

With just one day in Kings Canyon this is what I would do (it looks like a lot, but each thing is fairly short):

1. General Grant Tree

The General Grant Tree is just past Grant Grove Village. It’s a 0.7 mile paved loop to the tree, and you’ll also see Gamlin Cabin, the Fallen Monarch, and the Centennial Stump along the way.

This area can get really busy, so I would do this hike early in the day. If it’s already packed when you arrive you could check it out at the end of the day on your way out of the park instead.

2. Panoramic Point

Next, stop at Panoramic Point Trail, located along Panoramic Point Road, which is a scenic and winding road just past Grant Grove Village.

This hike in Kings Canyon is an easy half mile loop with views of the High Sierra peaks, and the glacial gorge of Kings Canyon.

After, drive along Kings Canyon Highway which connects the west (Grant Grove) and east (Cedar Grove) sections of Kings Canyon National Park and travels through Sequoia National Forest.

NOTE: The western half of Kings Canyon is referred to as Grant Grove and the eastern half is referred to as Cedar Grove. The park is not contiguous, and these two sections do not share a border.

It takes about an hour to drive between the two sections of Kings Canyon National Park. This road is only open during the summer months and it’s a very scenic drive.

3. Hume Lake

Hume Lake is not technically part of the National Parks system, but it’s a beautiful lake hike along Kings Canyon Highway. During the winter, this is as far as you’re able to travel on the scenic road.

My mom and I hiked Hume Lake and really loved it. It follows the lake shore and is fairly flat with a path that’s easy to follow.

It takes about an hour to complete this hike and is a perfect place to stretch your legs before continuing to the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon.

Depending on timing, it’s possible to skip this on the way into Cedar Grove and do it on your way back, instead.

Pro Tip: Hume Lake is also a good place to get gas. There are no gas stations located inside of Kings Canyon National Park. There is also a small grocery store with some grab-and-go lunch options in Hume. You can have lunch by the lake, or take it with you to the next stop – Grizzly Falls.

4. Grizzly Falls

Grizzly Falls is located just before the entrance to Cedar Grove.

It’s technically not on National Park land, but it’s a perfect short hike (0.1 miles) to some waterfalls (you can even jump in if you’re brave!) and a nice place for a picnic lunch.

5. Cedar Grove Village

Cedar Grove Village is the perfect jumping-off point to exploring the eastern half of Kings Canyon.

Here you can get basic groceries, dine in or get take-away food, and find several lodging options.

As always, I recommend popping into the Visitor Center to see whether there are any recently posted trails (posted or closed due to bear or other wildlife activity) and get recommendations for the best trails which match your experience level and interest.

Past Cedar Grove Village there’s only one road, and you’ll have to double back which means you can complete all of the things to do on this list in any order.

It might be worth skipping around if parking is more challenging at one of these sites and coming back to it when things calm down.

6. Knapps Cabin

Knapps Cabin was built in 1925 by George O. Knapp, a wealthy businessman from Santa Barbara who frequented the Kings Canyon area for fishing and camping trips.

Today, it’s a historic structure that you can visit.

7. Roaring River Falls And Zumwalt Meadow

Roaring River Falls is an easy 0.3 mile hike to the 40-foot waterfall.

From there, you can choose an optional hike to Zumwalt Meadow (1.5 miles round-trip) along an easy, paved trail.

There are two trailheads with parking, and they’re both really close together.

Depending on how full one lot is, I recommend starting from either Roaring River Trailhead or Zumwalt Meadow Trailhead – your mileage won’t change by much from either starting point.

8. Swim At Muir Rock

Just past Zumwalt Meadow is Muir Rock, which is also a great swimming hole during the summer.

Keep in mind, this is a river and conditions can change so always be cautious when getting in any body of water.

The parking for Muir Rock is located at Roads End and there’s an easy 0.1 mile path to the river.

From here, you can also take some longer hikes like Mist Falls (7.8 miles) or Road’s End To Bailey Bridge (4.6 mile loop).

Alt Option: 2 Day Sequoia Kings Canyon Itinerary

If you only have 2 days in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park I recommend this abbreviated weekend itinerary for your trip.

With less time, I’ve designed this Sequoia & Kings Canyon itinerary to hit all of the highlights while also efficiently using your time, avoiding crowds and unnecessary drive time.

I recommend you start from the south end of Sequoia National Park (near the Foothills Visitor Center) and head north to Kings Canyon. Each stop is in order, based on where it falls along the route so you won’t be retracing your steps and adding unnecessary time driving.

Day 1: Sequoia Kings Canyon Itinerary

Drop by the Foothills Visitor Center after entering Sequoia National Park through the Ash Mountain Entrance (in Three Rivers along RT-198).

This is a great place to get printed maps, ask about recent trail closures or postings, and get a custom itinerary recommended to you by a park ranger based on your specific interests and timeline.

Just past the visitors center, pull off and see Tunnel Rock – this used to be how cars traveled on Generals Highway before they became too large to fit under the tunnel and the road had to be rerouted around it.

After, head into the Giant Forest area of Sequoia National Park. On the drive, stop at Amphitheater Point Viewpoint for panoramic views of the Sierras.

Take Crescent Meadow Road to Moro Rock – a short hike with stunning panoramic views at the summit.

Next, head to Crescent Meadow. You’ll pass through Tunnel Log (a fallen sequoia tree with a tunnel caved into it) on the way. Hike to Tharp’s Log (a fallen sequoia that was turned into a cabin) or enjoy a picnic lunch in the meadow.

I recommend a quick stop to hike around Big Trees Trail. It’s an easy 1.3 mile loop through giant sequoia trees and provides several informational plaques along the path.

Of course, every trip to Sequoia National Park must include a stop at the General Sherman Tree. It’s a 1.2 mile hike, or if you have extra time you can complete the entire Congress Trail (2.9 miles).

Finally, I recommend having dinner at Wuksachi Lodge. You can book a room in the lodge, or stay at Lodgepole or Dorst Creek campgrounds.

All of these options are conveniently located close to Kings Canyon which will decrease your drive time by several hours for day 2 of your Sequoia Kings Canyon itinerary.

Day 2: Sequoia Kings Canyon Itinerary

Get an early start on day 2 of your Sequoia and Kings Canyon road trip. From Wuksachi Lodge it’s approximately a one hour drive into Grant Grove Village in Kings Canyon.

Enjoy the scenic drive along Generals Highway! There are several overlooks to stop at, including Montecito Sequoia Overlook and Kings Canyon Overlook.

Head straight to General Grant Grove when you arrive in Kings Canyon. This area gets busier as the day goes on, so it’s best to arrive early and avoid the crowds.

General Grant Tree is a 0.7 paved loop through giant sequoias. After, head into Grant Grove Village to check out the visitors center, pick up some wifi if you need, and explore the gift store.

Finally, spend an hour driving Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, which connects the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon with Cedar Grove.

Just before you arrive at Cedar Grove you’ll pass Grizzly Falls. It’s a short 10-minute walk to the waterfalls and offers a picnic area perfect for lunch.

Once you make it to Cedar Grove, head all the way in to Road’s End (literally, where the road ends). From the parking lot you can take a quick walk to the Muir Rock swimming area and hike to Zumwalt Meadows and Roaring River Falls.

I recommend spending the night back in Grant Grove Village. John Muir Lodge, Grant Grove Cabins and a Historic Cabin in Wilsonia are great lodging options conveniently located in the heart of Grant Grove.

Camping is available at Sunset, Azalea, and Crystal Springs campgrounds.

Alt Option: 3 Days In Sequoia And Kings Canyon Itinerary

If your Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Park vacation plans include a third day I would adjust your itinerary slightly to make the most of your time in the parks.

I recommend spending two days in Sequoia National Park and one day in Kings Canyon. With a second day in Sequoia you’ll be able to include a few more stops, like Crystal Cave, Tokopah Falls and Little Baldy trail.

Where To Stay In Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

You have a few options when it comes to where to stay in Sequoia National Park:

• Inside the park – convenient but can be expensive and sells-out quickly
• Three Rivers – just outside the entrance, but fairly remote with limited options
• Visalia – about 45-minutes outside of Sequoia with many hotels and restaurants

The best place to stay in Sequoia National Park is Wuksachi Lodge if you can get coveted reservations (they sell out quickly!). It’s the only lodge inside Sequoia National Park and it’s conveniently located near the Kings Canyon border which significantly decreases the time you’ll spend driving.

Additionally, there are several campgrounds in Sequoia (I liked Potwisha) – be sure to reserve ahead of time on the recreation.gov website.

The best places to stay in Three Rivers:

• AutoCamp Sequoia – unique Airstream glamping experience
• Comfort Inn & Suites – mid-range
• The River Inn – budget
• Soleil Luna – 2 bedroom vacation rental

The best places to stay in Visalia:

• Wyndham – conveniently located, pet-friendly, budget
• The Darling – luxury boutique hotel

There are fewer options when it comes to where to stay in Kings Canyon National Park:

• Inside the park – extremely convenient, but pricy and hard to get reservations
• Fresno – more options, but an hour outside of Grant Grove

The best places to stay inside Kings Canyon are John Muir Lodge, Grant Grove Cabins and this Historic Cabin in Wilsonia which are all conveniently located in the heart of Grant Grove.

Additionally, Sunset, Azalea, and Crystal Springs campgrounds are located in Grant Grove.

Montecito Sequoia Lodge is located along Generals Highway between Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and is another great hotel accommodation if booking late and John Muir Lodge is sold out.

Additionally, Kings Canyon is a bit unique because of how many vacation rentals are located within the park boundaries. This is one of the only National Parks where you can stay in a private home inside the park.

The best places to stay in Fresno:

• Fairfield Inn & Suites – mid-range
• Hampton Inn & Suites – pet-friendly, mid-range
• Garden Inn & Suites – pet-friendly, budget

Tips For Planning A Trip To Sequoia National Park

These are a few additional tips I’ve learned from my travels that will help you plan a smooth itinerary for your Sequoia National Park vacation!

How Many Days In Sequoia National Park

It’s very possible to spend one day in Sequoia National Park and see the highlights. However, we spent two days in Sequoia National Park and thought it was the perfect amount of time to see everything without feeling rushed.

With 3 days you can definitely see all of the highlights, take a few longer day hikes, and fully explore the park.

Note: If you’re visiting Sequoia National Park in winter I would plan 1-2 days. Many areas of the park are closed in the winter so you’ll need less time.

• 1 Day in Sequoia National Park – Good for seeing the highlights, or for visiting in winter
• 2 Days in Sequoia National Park – See the highlights and a few additional hiking trails
• 3 Days in Sequoia National Park – Thoroughly explore the park and take a day hike to more remote areas of the park

If you’re able to add a few extra days to your itinerary, I recommend including a trip to Yosemite National Park in your plans.

It’s only 2.5 hours from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park so it won’t add much drive-time, especially if you’re starting in San Francisco.

Only have time for one? I compare Yosemite vs Sequoia in this guide to help you choose!

How Many Days In Kings Canyon National Park

One day is enough time to see Kings Canyon National Park, especially if you’re visiting during the winter when Cedar Grove is closed.

With 2 days in Kings Canyon you’ll be able to more thoroughly explore the park and enjoy a more leisurely pace.

• 1 Day in Kings Canyon National Park – Good to see the highlights, or for visiting in winter
• 2 Days in Kings Canyon National Park – Ideal for exploring Grant Grove and Cedar Grove

Best Time To Visit Sequoia National Park

The best time to visit Sequoia National Park is during the summer, but it can also be a bit crowded.

Since Sequoia National Park is a quick weekend or day trip for a lot of California, Saturday’s and Sunday’s during the summer tend to be the busiest. If you can, I recommend visiting during the week.

Summer is the best time to visit Sequoia National Park because you’ll have full access to the park. Some roads and hiking trails are closed during the winter. Additionally, you’ll have longer daylight hours to enjoy.

I visited Sequoia National Park in March and enjoyed it. It was quiet and peaceful, but not all of the trails were open, and the scenic road connecting Sequoia National Park to Kings Canyon National Park was closed for the season.

Entrance Fee For Sequoia National Park

The entrance fee for Sequoia National Park is $35 per vehicle (good for 7 days) or $70 for an annual pass (which is also good for all passengers in one vehicle).

The fee is good for both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, so you don’t have to pay again if you visit Kings Canyon within 7 days or purchasing your entrance pass.

Each year, I buy an annual America The Beautiful National Parks Pass for $80. It’s good for a rolling 12 months and gets me in to every National Park for free! I’ve saved hundreds of dollars with this pass over the last few years.

If you’re planning to visit more than 2 National Parks in a 12-month period I recommend getting this pass as it’ll save you money. You only need one per vehicle.

Tips For Reservations At Sequoia National Park

You can book Wuksachi Lodge up to a year in advance. I recommend booking sooner rather than later because the number of rooms are very limited.

Rates are usually over $300 per night during the summer, but it’s possible to find them as low as $147 during the off season.

Campgrounds in Sequoia National Park can be booked up to four months in advance.

They sell out quickly so be sure to set a reminder and make a reservation as soon as they open. All camping reservations have to be made through the recreation.gov website.

Tours From San Francisco To Sequoia National Park

There are a few great multi-day tours from San Francisco to Sequoia National Park, including stops in Kings Canyon and Yosemite before arriving in Los Angeles.

• San Francisco to Los Angeles, with stops at Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park (2 days) – Small Group Tour
• San Francisco to Los Angeles, with stops at Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park (5 days) – Small Group Tour

Los Angeles To Sequoia National Park Tour

There are several options for Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park tours, including day trips or multi-day trips.

• Day Trip to Sequoia National Park from Los Angeles, Includes Kings Canyon – Private Tour
• Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park, Includes Yosemite (2 days) – Private Tour
• LA to Sequoia National Park + Kings Canyon (2 days) – Private Tour
• LA to Sequoia National Park + Kings Canyon + Yosemite (2 days) – Group Tour

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park Self-guided Driving Tour

If group tours aren’t your thing, I highly recommend this Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park self-guided driving tour instead!

These are such a cool way to explore National Parks, and fairly inexpensive (under $20!)

All you have to do is download the guide to your phone (do it before you lose cell service!). It includes itineraries, travel tips, and (my favorite) audio guides for the park.

Once it’s downloaded, the audio guide uses GPS to know where you are and automatically plays to give you stories, history and information about the sites you’re visiting.

It’s hands-free, so once you download it and turn it on the app will keep up with your pace of travel and share prompts at the right time as you drive through the park.

What To Know About The Sequoia Shuttle

There is a free shuttle service in Sequoia National Park during the busy summer season and on specific winter holidays – typically Thanksgiving, Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr Day and Valentines Day weekends.

For a current schedule check out the NPS website.

The Sequoia Shuttle typically runs from late April through early September and connects the main areas in Sequoia National Park. There is no shuttle in Kings Canyon.

If you’re coming from Visalia or Three Forks, just outside of Sequoia National Park, there’s a fee-based shuttle which takes you into the Visitors Center and Giant Forest area of the park.

This private shuttle is $20 per person for a roundtrip ticket. They operate from late May through early September and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Within Sequoia, there are four different shuttle routes.

Route 1, the primary route, takes you to most of the popular areas of the park – from Giant Forest up to the Lodgepole area.

If you want to access Crescent Meadow, Tunnel Log, Tharp’s Log or Moro Rock you’ll need to take Route 2 from Giant Forest.

To access areas north of Lodgepole, like Wuksachi Lodge, you’ll need to switch to Route 3 from the Lodgepole Visitors Center or campground.

The Sequoia Shuttle does not take you past Wuksachi Lodge, so accessing Little Baldy or Generals Highway into Kings Canyon will require a private vehicle.

Route 4 connects General Sherman Tree area with Wolverton.

If you’re unable to find parking at the busy trailheads I recommend heading into Wolverton where there’s typically more parking available, taking the Route 4 shuttle back to General Sherman where you can pick up Route 1 and access the rest of the park.

Public Transit To Sequoia National Park & Kings Canyon

It is possible to get to Sequoia National Park by public transportation, with a few caveats:

• The shuttle to Sequoia from Visalia, and the free shuttle in Sequoia only operate during the summer months. During the winter you will need your own vehicle to get to and around Sequoia National park.
• There is no shuttle in Kings Canyon during any time of the year, so you will need a private vehicle to explore.

You can get to Sequoia National Park from Visalia by taking the Visalia-Sequoia Shuttle. Advanced reservations are required and tickets cost $20 round-trip.

If you are flying into Fresno, you’ll need to take the City of Visalia V-line bus to Visalia and transfer to the Visalia-Sequoia shuttle.

If you are taking a train or bus to Visalia you’ll transfer at the Visalia train station – the same location where the bus and train lines arrive.

There are also options for private shuttle tours from Fresno to Sequoia National Park.

More Resources For Planning A Trip To Sequoia National Park

• Los Angeles To Sequoia National Park Road Trip: Best Route, Stops, & Itinerary
• Yosemite To Sequoia National Park: An Epic Road Trip Through California
• Yosemite vs Sequoia National Park
• Ultimate Yosemite 2 Day Itinerary For First-Time Visitors