Top Things to do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
What to do and see in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park: The Best Things to do Adventurous
This park's main draw, the forest of Giant Sequoias, is home to the largest living things on Earth.
1. Mount Whitney
2. Mineral King Valley
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 53 reviews
A good hiking and backpacking area.
Reviewed By G1575LKmikec
Don't go here expecting to day hike. Everything is long and steep, requiring 4 days minimum to really enjoy, and it's all at elevation, requiring further time car camping or renting lodging near the trailheads to acclimatize for most people. It's also a long, tedious drive on a winding, narow, steep road to get there at all. That said, if you have the better part of a week and the stamina to hike 30 miles and gain 9100' minimum, you'll have relative solitude and views you won't forget.
3. Moro Rock Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,545 reviews
A challenging walk up 400 steps to a spectacular view.
Reviewed By TravelingMerm - Monrovia, United States
You'll earn the view...it's 350 steps and takes you to 6725 feet elevation! It's sooo worth it! The climb up is relatively easy, even if you're moderately out of shape like me! There are sections of gradual inclines in between stairs so you get a break. There are plenty of points climbing up where you'll want to stop and take pictures also, so you can catch your breath. There were several families with babies even climbing up. Your reward is an amazing view of the national park and the Great Western Divide! It's a short hike, we were only here about 30-40 minutes. But a definite must-see while you're here!
4. Buck Rock Lookout
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By roadtrip_ken_2017 - Oakland, United States
Judging from the relatively small number of reviews, the Buck Rock Fire Lookout seems to be not well-known, but it rivals more famous Moro Rock as an essential viewpoint to visit in the Kings Canyon / Sequoia National Park area. It's located slightly outside of the national park boundaries, in Sequoia National Forest. While Buck Rock is only a few miles off the main Generals Highway route through the national parks, it does require a short (a little over 2 mile) approach along a dirt road. It's not a difficult road at all, but it will be helpful to drive it in an SUV or other higher-clearance vehicle - it was an easy drive in my Subaru Forester. There's a small area for parking not far from the base of the rock, with a short walk there. Looking up at the fire lookout on top, it seems nearly impossible that there could be a way up. Once you reach the base of the rock, you'll find a very short trail that leads up to a series of stairways which go to the lookout on top. It's exposed for sure, but all of the stairs had very good railings on both sides. The route looked much scarier from a distance than it did actually climbing up or back down - still, I wouldn't recommend it for those with a fear of heights. Once at the top, the vistas in all directions are vast and spectacular. Since this is a working fire lookout, there was a ranger at the top who lives there during fire season, and she was most helpful in identifying the many peaks within view, ranging from Mt. Goddard to Mt. Clarence King to Mt. Brewer and the Great Western Divide, and beyond. The visit to Buck Rock was one of the most memorable ones I had in the Kings Canyon / Sequoia National Park area - very highly recommended!
5. Kings Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 942 reviews
Kings Canyon National Park is named for this large canyon, perfect for hiking.
Reviewed By BangkokSachse - Bangkok, Thailand
Kings Canyon National Park is wonderful. We like the HWY 180 scenic drive, the King River, cliff overlooks, Grizzly Falls, Roaring River Falls, wild flowers, and Visitor Center. You could visit a cavern at Sequoia National Forest which is in the Kings Canyon.
6. Generals Highway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 426 reviews
A 30-mile scenic drive at 7,000 feet.
Reviewed By sdbctb - Brooklyn, United States
Incredible views on southern portion which get more amazing with every turn as you go from south to north building up excitement as you watch the terrain and trees change.
7. Crystal Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 362 reviews
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.
Reviewed By SequoiaGuides
Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park is a fun, family-friendly adventure! The cave is accessible only by guided tour but luckily tours generally run May-November and it's easy to purchase affordable tickets. About the cave Crystal Cave is a marble solution cave which means that it was naturally sculpted by water thousands of years ago and is predominantly comprised of marble, which is rare, only about 10% of caves in the world are made of marble. Expect gorgeous white sparkling calcite formations inside as well as multiple water features. The cave was discovered by accident in 1918 by two park employees and remains a popular destination, inspiring curiosity and awe. The walkable underground tour route has paved paths and is lighted by solar-power. The whole experience is both exciting and calming and is sure to be a truly memorable adventure. Tours The Family Tour is 50 minutes long and is the perfect, all-ages introduction to Crystal Cave. Other types of tours are also available for those seeking a more in depth experience. All tours are led by Sequoia Parks Conservancy Naturalists and are educational, entertaining and full of wonderful natural and human history. The tour is 2 miles round trip; 1/2 mile from the trail head parking lot where you check in using your ticket confirmation number, 1/2 mile route inside the cave on the guided tour, and 1/2 mile back up the cave trail to the parking lot. Expect to spend about 2 hours round trip. The trail to get to the cave is beautiful and you pass several waterfalls along the way. There are a few flights of stairs and narrow corridors within the cave so accessibility by wheelchair is not an option.The only items allowed inside the cave are your jacket, water bottle, flashlight and camera. No bags of any kind are allowed (including baby carriers) but they may be left unattended at the entrance of the cave during your tour. How to prepare Aim to arrive about 15 minutes prior to the time of your tour so you will be ready. There are no refunds for missed tours. Be sure to bring your own water and use the restrooms that are available in the parking lot before your tour as there are no restrooms at the cave. No food is sold here except bottles of water and small snacks but they do have souvenirs and parking is free. Temperatures inside the cave are 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) year round, so remember to bring a light jacket. Flashlights are not required but they sure do add to the fun so I recommend bringing one. You will be in active Black Bear habitat so you will need to put any food or heavily scented items from your vehicle into the free 'bear boxes' located around the parking lot. The road to get from Generals Highway to the cave parking lot takes about 20 minutes to drive and doesn't allow vehicles over 22 feet in length. The Sequoia Shuttle bus does not go to Crystal Cave. Drive slowly along the cave road as the road becomes a single lane at some points. Cave protection When visiting Crystal Cave, preservation of this irreplaceable resource is very important. Do not touch the formations or the walls of the cave as the oils in your skin can cause damage. It is also important to know about White-nose syndrome, which is a fungal disease killing millions bats in North America. Luckily the disease has not been detected in Crystal Cave but people can spread the fungus from one cave to another because it can be carried by shoes, clothing, or gear. Therefore if you have visited caves in other parts of the country, you must not wear the same clothing or equipment when visiting Crystal Cave. Thank you in advance for doing your part to protect the cave! All in all, when visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Crystal Cave is definitely a must-see! Purchase tickets 2020 Crystal Cave Tour Season: FRIDAY, MAY 22 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Purchase your tickets in advance at Recreation.gov by searching 'Crystal Cave Sequoia'
8. Boyden Cavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
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!
Reviewed By B6203HWlaurenp
Great day activity when up in kings canyon to do with our 3 and a half year old! It was a pretty easy hike once you actually get up to the cave and the staff at the gift shop and our tour guide were wonderful informative and patient with us!!! Definitely would recommend if you're looking for a daytime activity. Took about an hour to a hour and a half including the walk up and back. Definitely bring water shoes so you can walk in the creek bed on the way out!!!
