Driving: The drive to Sequoia National Park from Los Angeles is about 5 hours without traffic. For those entering on the Three Rivers/Sequoia side, Wolverton Meadows is the best option. Speeds are generally in the 35 mph range, so allow appropriate travel time. Take exit 96 onto CA-198 E towards Visalia. For visitors arriving on the Kings Canyon side of the park, head to Big Stump for sledding. The best time to visit Sequoia National Park is June through August, when the weather is the most stable. I would say yes, but hopefully you have an experienced driver. We entered the park through the Ash Mountain Entrance through Three Rivers up the winding road of stunning views. Learn how your comment data is processed. Explore a trail frequented by black bears and learn why they're not nearly as scary as they might sound. There are no roads in these parks that cross the Sierra Nevada mountain range. On the second Sunday of December, you can Trek to the Tree, an annual Christmas celebration in the park. In this itinerary, the most crowded spots will be the General Sherman Tree, the General Grant Tree, and Moro Rock. USA ROAD TRIPS: Planning your next big adventure in the USA? Time: 4 hours, 15 minutes Try climbing up there in the middle of winter! Explore Kings Canyon. However, road closures due to snow will limit access to several areas of the park from October through May. If there is snow falling or fresh powder, considering bringing ski goggles as well to keep your eyes clear during sledding! The park is divided into three general zones: low-elevation foothills, mid-elevation montane forests nad high-elevation alpine mountains. Huacachina Oasis & Mini-Galapagos! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available at The Peaks restaurant at the Wuksachi Lodge, and they also provide box lunches. Continue driving south for two miles to the Quail Flat junction. Another place to consider is Three Rivers. After you read the following, check current park conditions. Sequoia National Park is one of our favorite national parks during the busy summer months, but now that we have visited in winter we are even more in love. This is a gorgeous place to visit and for those who want to explore the backcountry of Kings Canyon, this area is the jumping off point. Grab panoramic photos from the phenomenal overlook. They are useful to test how deep snow is, to keep your balance and to help you from sliding around. One Day Itinerary for Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks Winter conditions may exist at higher elevations between November and June; roads occasionally close for plowing and chains may be required at any time. The John Muir Lodge is the only hotel on the Kings Canyon side of the park. Time: 6 hours, 30 minutes We took a couple of stops along the way to catch our breath. Stand at the base of the largest tree in the entire world and learn all about it. The Giant Forest is a must-do trail and where people go to truly experience Sequoia National Park. Winter in Sequoia NP is a completely different story, with temperatures near freezing and lots of snow. Note, the hotel is the furthest spot on the Generals Highway, right before the road closure begins. Distance: 310 mi/499 km As we learned during our visit, General Sherman is the largest tree in the world only by weight and volume, not height. From the entrance of Kings Canyon National Park, you take the Generals' Highway (if it is open) south to Sequoia National Park and the Wuksach Lodge. Driving Mountain Roads - Sequoia & Kings Canyon - National Park Service Hike to a powerful waterfall that's off the beaten path. Read more about our tour experience below. Snowshoe the Road to Auto Log & Moro Rock. Experience astonishing views at this commanding overlook as you exit Sequoia National Park. You dont need to get all fancy and order Sorel boots (but you can if you want! Take exit 133B onto CA-180 E. Continue to the Big Stump entrance of Kings Canyon National Park. It is a beautiful drive in good weather but slow, especially when there is much traffic. Seems to me the best time would be in the morning before the heat begins to create the haze that sometimes comes in. Warm Under Layers: Under your waterproof outer layers, make sure to have your wool thermals, wool socks and perhaps a sweater or fleece depending on the temperatures. Read all of our articles about California in our. Watch the kids carefully to see you need to descend a bit. In Sacramento, take CA-99S. It's a heck of a lot better than driving through Lion's Trail or taking the road up to Johnsondale. It takes about 30 minutes of driving round trip to get to this point and enjoy the view. Driving in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Roads here are steep, winding, and narrow. You can buy online or at the entrance. Regardless, this record holding tree is spectacular and worth waiting in line to see. If you suffer from motion sickness, make sure you take your Dramamine or anti-nausea medication before starting this drive. Great guides. The road winds along the mountains, descending down into Kings Canyon. Layers, layers, layers is what everyone always says for any winter destination and Sequoia is no different. Get pointers for a quick snack break if you're hungry. The hike up Moro Rock is a classic, composed of over 350 steps in a picturesque quarter mile climb. More than 1 million visitors come to take in the sights and experience the sequoia groves each year. If views are what you are going for, this one is fantastic and I don't regret the ride. Time: 4 hours These giant trees attract quite the crowd. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Hi Julie As always, thank you for the amazing, informative posts!!!! The Best Sequoia National Park Itinerary - Ready, Set, PTO Curves and switchbacks often lead to surprise wildlife encounters. Bean to Bar Chocolate Workshop in Puerto Vallarta. While Moro Rock, one of the most famous hikes in the park is closed during winter, you can still hike along the road in search of Auto Log and Tunnel Log. To get to Sequoia National Park from Kings Canyon, drive south past Grant Grove and follow the signs for Sequoia National Park. Continue onto CA-14S. Take exit 96 onto CA-198 E towards Visalia. National Park, CA 93262, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Temporary Closures -, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park Scenic Drives. Check our our USA Road Trip Guide for travel ideas and sample itineraries. Uncover more about the formation of this landscape at another excellent overlook. With an area of 629 square miles of forest in the Sierra Nevada region of California, Sequoia National Park is adjoined by Kings Canyon National Park to the north/northeast, with the eastern boundary being at Mount Whitney (the highest mountain in the lower 48 states at 14,949 feet). Not much of a hiker, but your article and pictures are inspiring me to go for it, Your email address will not be published. To visit Crystal Cave, you can only do so on a tour. Here is an affiliate link to Booking.com to look at properties in Three Rivers. Yesterday, 2-9-16, was the clearest and most pristine day we can remember where we live about 20 miles SE of Fresno. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: The Complete Guide - TripSavvy To save time at the entrance, you can purchase your ticket online in advance. Distance: 217 mi/349 km Then youll reach Kings Canyon Overlook, a breathtaking first look at the canyon from afar. We skipped Crystal Cave. So glad we skipped the Twin Cities route, which is said to be even worse. Dont worry; there are stairs! Visalia is a good-sized Californian town with lots of options for accommodations and restaurants. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it also houses a gift shop. GetYourGuide offers an audio tour of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Parking is limited in the small lot, so plan to arrive early or wait around for a spot during busy times. Take in stunning views of valleys, foothills, and granite peaks from this fabulous overlook. The main campgrounds open year round include: Potwisha Campground in the Foothills of Sequoia and Azalea Campground in Grant Grove. Next, youll come to the Four Guardsmen, which will serve as your introduction to the natural wonders this park has to offer. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Lodgepole is also the turn-off for Tokopah Falls, your next stop on your one-day Sequoia National Park itinerary. The road is well maintained, especially during winter, but as you enter Sequoia NP the many switchbacks can give some kids (and adults!) The Absolute Best Time to Visit Sequoia National Park There are areas to stop along the way, but this hike might be best for families with older kids. Otherwise you will have to drive to Grants Grove in Kings Canyon NP to the next restaurant (25 miles north of Wuksachi). As the road goes through national parks and monuments, the highway is primarily maintained by the federal government instead of a California State Highway controlled by Caltrans.It is named after two of the largest and most famous Giant Sequoia trees, the General Sherman and General Grant trees. We did not get to drive Kings Canyon itself or explore the southern end of Sequoia. An audio guide, map, and tour book all in one! The transit was nice because of the big windows; everyone got a great view, and we even took pics out of the windows. The delay of five or more vehicles is prohibited by California state law. Drive along paved roads, and stop to hike and enjoy a picnic lunch in the greatest of the great outdoors. During the summer months, expect to share the views with lots of people. How scary are the roads in KCNP and SNP? - Sequoia and - Tripadvisor Distance: 400 mi/644 km However, we suggest you download the tour on WiFi at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc., before heading out for a completely immersive experience. Going further into Kings Canyon National Park will add about an hour or so to your drive time. A first time for us here on the ranch. San Diego Area Cross-Country Skiing Scenic Drives Where to Camp Where to Stay Nearby How to Get There Accessibility Tips for Your Visit Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks - Headquarters Address 47050 Generals Hwy, Three Rivers, CA 93271, USA Phone +1 559-565-3341 Web Visit website Overall, we had the best time at Sequoia National Park. For maps, detailed descriptions and driving itineraries, see the National Park Service's Sequoia & Kings Canyon website, and navigate to its Summer Drives and Viewpoints pages. In addition, there are also big trees to visit and snow play areas available on both sides of the park. Generals Highway, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park: Address, Phone Number, Generals Highway Reviews: 4.5/5. Take US-50 E/CA-99 S towards Fresno. At this time sequoias can be seen in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park. Opportunities to pass are few and far between, and the road is so winding you cant go fast in any case; although going slow and enjoying the scenery is a plus. Here you can visit the General Grant tree. Across the highway is the trailhead for the hike to Buena Vista Peak (one mile).The drive continues southeast, reaching Stony Creek Lodge in seven miles (groceries and gas available). Highway 198. Sequoia National Park Travel Guide | U.S. News Travel Wow! Time: 4 hours This is a great place to get out, stretch your legs and start your magical journey into the world of the giant sequoias! In Fresno, take exit 133B onto CA-180 E. Continue to the Big Stump entrance of Kings Canyon National Park. Learn more about the immense trees which dominate this park. The Generals Highway is a highway that connects State Route 180 and State Route 198 through Sequoia National Park, Giant Sequoia National Monument, and Kings. One of the best drives in the NPS. In Bakersfield, continue onto CA-99 N toward Fresno. As you noted, well miss things in Kings Canyon/Sequoia (and Yosemite) due to the weather. We definitely hope to camp at Sequoia eventually though!
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