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 Good for Kids
This park's main draw, the forest of Giant Sequoias, is home to the largest living things on Earth.
1. Giant Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,714 reviews
A forest with ancient sequoia trees.
Reviewed By markpN8874JB - Denver, United States
Make sure to visit Mono Rock, Congress Trail, Sherman Tree, Grant Tree, Sentinel Tree, Tunnel Log, Auto Log, Grant Grove, all withing the Giant Forest.
2. Sequoia Sightseeing Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 393 reviews
Sequoia Sightseeing Tours offers daily tours of the largest trees on earth and deepest canyon in the United States. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are two of the most beautiful places on the planet! Our tours enable the visitor to get the most out of their time and maximize their experience. Avoid waiting in long lines, looking for parking and waiting in long shuttle lines! You will feel like a VIP. Through a fun and educational experience, each tour covers the highlights of the park plus we also get you away from the crowds to some amazing secret spots! We travel with small groups which allows us to us to visit areas few people see or would even know were there. Our exceptional guides have spent many years living, working and playing in these parks. A unique and memorable adventure awaits. Please join us!
3. Lakes Trail in Sequoia National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 159 reviews
Reviewed By Susie1028 - San Diego, United States
The Lakes Trail is between 12-14 miles and 2,800 feet of elevation gain (depending on if you take the side trails to the lake, and whether you do the Watchtower or Hump Trail). It is easily accessed from the main part of Sequoia from the Wolverton Trailhead. The hike itself is a great Sierra sampler, it starts winding through the giant forest, then and offers expansive views of deep valleys, endless Sierra granite, and 4 beautiful subalpine lakes--Heather, Aster, Emerald, and Pear. The trail can be taken as a longer day trip, or backpackers may camp at either Emerald or Pear Lakes. Permits are required for overnight travel. A great hike!
4. Congress Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 277 reviews
Reviewed By BradJill - Hong Kong, China
The Congress Trail is one of the connecting paths through the Giant Forest that starts near the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park. The trail is just under 3 miles in length and mostly paved through mostly barren forest with a few streams and lots of sequoia trees to see. We visited in April 2019 while the trail was mostly under snow, making it challenging at times to remain on the trail. Stick to the beaten paths made by previous hikers, from time to time you see asphalt so you know you are on the right path. During the hike, you pass what seems like hundreds of giant sequoias and plenty of lovely scenery. Some famous trees are seen along the trail including the McKinley, General Lee, President as well as the clusters of sequoias like The House and Senate groups. In the end, we really enjoyed the Congress Trail and seeing the sequoias in the area. Would happily repeat this hike the next time we're in the national park.
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. Crescent Meadow Loop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 244 reviews
Easy hiking trail that takes you past the Chimney Tree and Tharp's Log.
Reviewed By roadtrip_ken_2017 - Oakland, United States
The trails around Crescent Meadow are deservedly some of the most popular in Sequoia National Park. I actually started out with a detour to the first portion of the High Sierra Trail, leading to the spectacular Eagle View. This features a great close-up view of the peaks of the Great Western Divide as well as of Moro Rock. For those who may be apprehensive of climbing Moro Rock, this fairly short and easy hike to Eagle View will provide vistas that are nearly as good, and without the Moro Rock crowds. I returned to the main Crescent Meadow trail from there. Both Crescent Meadow and nearby Log Meadow are beautiful, both ringed by large trees. Tharp's Log is near the north end of Log Meadow and is an interesting fallen tree that was turned into a small, primitive dwelling. On the return leg of the walk is Chimney Tree, a very short distance off the main trail and well worth the diversion. There are many giant sequoias along the way, though not generally as large as the ones in the Giant Forest. Besides the High Sierra Trail, the Crescent Meadow Trail connects with other trails, some of which lead to the Giant Forest. Though my hike took only about 90 minutes, you could easily spend an entire day hiking through the area. Highly recommended trail for anyone visiting Sequoia National Park.
8. Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 334 reviews
A 30-mile scenic drive between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove Village.
Reviewed By RandSand - Poway, United States
This is a beautiful drive with great hikes and incredible scenery. We went in August, though, during the heat wave--and the temperature in Kings Canyon as over 100 degrees. So, maybe consider doing this other than the peak of summer.....
9. Hume Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
A lake area offering many outdoor activities.
Reviewed By BangkokSachse - Bangkok, Thailand
The lake is beautiful and green. We stayed at John Muir Cabin. After coming back from the Roaring River Falls, we visited the lake near the campground on the north side. We got gas at Hume Lake. The Cristian Camps are on the west side of the lake and are crowded. The beach on the southeast is beautiful.
10. General Sherman Tree
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,162 reviews
An 249.9 foot ancient tree believed to be between 2,300 and 2,700 years old.
Reviewed By ELKW
you can drive to go there or take shuttle bus (in summer time), if you drive, you need to park in a more remote parking lot, and need to walk a long way to the Sherman tree, but we take the bus, can get off at the bus stop where is wheelchiar-accessible trail head, so with a short walk, you can go to the Sherman tree. It's the biggest tree (by volume) in the world, so worth to take a look. by the way, there is a fallen tree truck with a hole, so you can walk through the tunnel, it's quite interesting, and both adults and kids love to go through it. It's a point of interest besides the Sherman tree, so if you go to this National park, it's a MUST to walk this trail and to take a look to the Sherman tree, also there are several giant red wood trees can be seen in this trail
