Sequoia National Park Travel Guide

 
by ahwahneeliz
 
  •   Sequoia National Park
    by ahwahneeliz
  • Bears
      Bears
    by Jim_Eliason
  • Bears
      Bears
    by Jim_Eliason
  • Bears
      Bears
    by Jim_Eliason
  • Bears
      Bears
    by Jim_Eliason
 

Pro

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 Beautiful scenery, giant sequoias, sparse crowds 


Con

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 Hordes of tourists on the holiday weekends 


In a nutshell

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 A perfect mountain get away without the tourist crowds of Yosemite 

 

Explore Sequoia National Park

Things to Do  

Moro Rock

Moro Rock, Sequoia National Park

 10 Reviews  Moro Rock is well worth the climb for its views over the park and the high Sierra's in the distance. To get there you can either take a shuttle from the Giant forest Museum or take a 1 1/2 mile hike. Once at the trail hed its 600 stes up to the peak. 

Crystal Cave Trail

Crystal Cave Trail, Sequoia National Park

 5 Reviews  The narrow and winding Crystal Cave Road is only 7 miles long, but has over 100 turns as it twists its way through forest and foothills to the entrance of Crystal Cave. There are a multitude of viewpoints and other things along the road; at one spot, there is an excellent and beautiful view of the... 

Tunnel Log

Tunnel Log, Sequoia National Park

 6 Reviews  If you are looking for the Tunnel Tree in either Sequoia, King's Canyon or even Yosemite, you are out of luck. That poor creature who had its base tunneled through for tourism was never in fact in any of the parks but well within the general area. It fell in 1969 due obviously to weakening its base... 

Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park, Sequoia National Park

 7 Reviews  There are many miles of hiking trails in Sequoia National Park. I was not able to hike very much outside the Foothills Area because when I got to the higher elevations there was too much snow and I did not have any snowshoes. I will describe the trails in more detail in the Sports Tips. 

Sherman Tree

Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park

 4 Reviews  The General Sherman Tree is considered the largest living tree by volume. It is neither the tallest or widest but if you combine its 275 foot height with its 102 foot ground circumference, it is a whopping 2.7 million pounds! It sounds big and it is but really until you stand next to it, it's hard... 

King's Canyon National Park

King's Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park

 6 Reviews  Though the Grant Grove Trail is located in King's Canyon National Park, it fits more into the mold of walks in Sequoia National Park. This half mile loop is wheel chair accessible and brings visitors into close contact with a host of giants including the massive General Grant, the third largest tree... 

Congress Trail

Congress Trail, Sequoia National Park

 2 Reviews  The Congress Trail starts at the General Sherman Tree and is probably the most popular in the park. For this reason, try to get on this trail early to not only get a parking spot but also to enjoy the walk with less people on it. This 2 mile loop picks up 200 feet and passes many big sequoias that... 

Hospital Rock

Hospital Rock, Sequoia National Park

 3 Reviews  Hospital Rock is located just outside the entrance to Buckeye Flat campground on the southern end of Generals Highway. There's a small picnic area here, and plenty of parking, then you can cross the highway to view the rock. Here, you can see the drawings (pictographs) believed to have been left by... 

Tokopah Falls

Tokopah Falls, Sequoia National Park

 1 Review  Deep inside the park, surrounded by mountains, are the Tokopah Falls. The hiking trail to these falls winds through some of the lovliest parts of the park. It's of moderate length, and mildly strenuous at most. 

Lake Kaweah

Lake Kaweah, Sequoia National Park

 2 Reviews  This resevoir on the Kaweah River outside the park would probably fall under Lemon Cove or Three Rivers, but I'm putting it here. The lake is surrounded by the foothills of the Sierra, and there is one area where you can get a really good view of the lake backed by snow-capped Alta Peak. A lot of... 

General Sherman Tree

General Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park

 2 Reviews  There are 34 groves of the giant sequoia tree - earth's largest species. General Sherman is the largest, making it the largest living thing in the entire world! Named in 1879 by admirers of the Civil War General, standing by its huge girth it is impossible not to be overwhelmed by the fact that... 

Crescent Meadow

Crescent Meadow, Sequoia National Park

 2 Reviews  Crescent Meadow is a lovely area that you can walk around in a 1.8 mile loop that picks up 190 feet. Though you are walking in the forest, it circles a nice lush open area that is great for spotting wildflowers in season and wildlife if lucky. 

McKinley Tree

McKinley Tree, Sequoia National Park

 1 Review  If you've wanted to photograph a monarch giant sequoia from base to crown, but haven't been able to, try visiting the McKinley Tree, on the Congress Trail. From the base of the tree, a trail leads to a "viewpoint" about 100 yards or so away, where you'll be able to capture the entire tree in one... 

Hazelwood Nature Trail

Hazelwood Nature Trail, Sequoia National Park

 1 Review  This is a good 1-mile (some signs say 3/4-mile) loop that leads through the Giant Forest, explaining the history of the park and showcasing many giant sequoias. Though it's not the best trail for sequoias, it is a nice hike. Definitely worth it if you have the time. It is a very easy hike, though it... 

Beetle Rock

Beetle Rock, Sequoia National Park

 1 Review  Beetle Rock is nothing spectacular: it's basically a tiny granite dome with a nice view of the Middle Fork Canyon and the Foothills. You can't see any snowcapped peaks or lakes from here, but the 200-yard or so walk from the Giant Forest Museum Parking Area is easy and accessible for just about... 

Tokopah Valley Trail

Tokopah Valley Trail, Sequoia National Park

 1 Review  There is no reason to miss this trail: it's only 3.5 miles round trip, and it leads to a beautiful view. From the Trailhead, the trail leads through slightly rocky terrain and alternating forest and clearings. On the way, you waill get a few good views of the Marble Fork Kaweah River as well as the... 

Sierra Trail

Sierra Trail, Sequoia National Park

 1 Review  If I knew how beautiful this trail would be, I would've alloted way more time on it. From Crescent Meadow, the trail begins by climbing gently through sequoias in Giant Forest. While hiking this trail, you'll notice a distinct line where the sequoias end- it's puzzling, that the sequoias can grow in... 

Hotels  

Wuksachi Lodge & Village

 4 Reviews and 580 Opinions  The lodge in beautiful. The only problem I can see is getting to your room. It is set back away from... 

Restaurants  

Various: Dining In and Near the Park

Various: Dining In and Near the Park, Sequoia National Park

 Basaic Says:  There are a variety of food options available in Sequoia National Park: The Watchtower Deli and a snack bar in the Lodgepole Area (I had some pretty good chili at the snack bar); and at the Wolverton BBQ in the Wolverton Area. There are more options in Kings Canyon National... 

Transportation  

Driving through the park

Driving through the park, Sequoia National Park

 KaiM Says:  The roads within the park border are well-paved. The main highway leading through it is Highway 198. It passes by all major attractions like the Giant Forest and other Sequoia coves. Also along the road are many picknick and recreation sites. For most of its way the road... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Keep food from bears

Keep food from bears, Sequoia National Park

 mmyerspa Says:  Everyone needs to do their part to keep food from the bears. I don't know exactly how it is in Sequoia, but in Yosemite, there are 500-1000 incidents of bears breaking into cars every year! The park provides bear-proof metal cabinets at many of the parking areas for any... 

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Map of Sequoia National Park