SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are two incredible parks that I highly recommend visiting. They aren't as crowded as other scenic areas in California, like Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, but they boast an incredible amount of beauty. This page is split into four sections, one for each region of the park. If you live close by, like in Fresno or Bakersfield, I recommend staying for a weekend (or longer) and focusing on one section of the park. If you live farther away, like in southern California, I recommend staying at one centrally located campground, like Princess or Stony Creek, and seeing the sights in many regions of the park.

Campsite Photos! Type in the campground and see photos of the campsites!

Giant Forest

Giant forest is home to the largest tree on earth, the General Sherman. It is also home to the Giant Forest Museum, Moro Rock, Tunnel Log, Crescent Meadow, and. Tharp's Log. It can get very crowded here, so I recommend visiting on a weekday if you can. It is about 45 minutes from Grant Grove, two hours from Cedar Grove, and three hours from Mineral King.

CAMPGROUNDS

Lodgepole Campground

This is a great campground if you want to be very close to the sights of the Giant Forest, and don't mind being closer to your neighbors. Although some of the campsites have peaceful settings along the river, the majority of them are a bit close together.

Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking water, showers, laundry, general store, on-site visitors center, wheelchair accessible

Price: $22 per night, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

Stony Creek Campground

Stony Creek Campground is situated right in between Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, which makes for a great location to stay a while and see all the sights. The campsites here are OK in size, and there are some nice ones along Stony Creek. Overall this is a good campground.

Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water, (showers, general store and laundry located nearby)

Price: $32 per night, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

Upper Stony Creek Campground

Upper Stony Creek is right across the street from Stony Creek Campground, and is more spacious. Most of the very large and private sites are right along Stony Creek. Unfortunately, the campground road isn't paved, but this is still an awesome campground.

Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water, (showers, general store and laundry located nearby)

Price: $32 per night, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

SIGHTS AND HIKES

Giant Forest Museum

The Giant Forest Museum has hands-on displays that teach you about giant sequoias.

General Sherman Tree

This is the largest tree on earth. You can access this spectacular tree by a free shuttle from the Giant Forest Museum, or a steep, half mile hike down from the parking lot. People with disabilities can park very close to the tree.

Moro Rock

This rock has incredible views of the Giant Forest. You can access it by 380 stairs going straight up the rock.

Note: You can drive to the parking lot at the bottom of the rock on weekdays, but on Saturday and Sunday, you have to take the free shuttle from the Giant Forest Museum

Tunnel Log

This fallen sequoia log has a tunnel carved into it and you can drive through it.

Note: It is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Big Trees Trail

This 1-mile, wheelchair accessible hike encircles Round Meadow and has informative signs that tell you about sequoias. The hike starts from the Giant Forest Museum.

Congress Trail

This 2-mile, wheelchair accessible hike starts at the General Sherman Tree and takes you to some of the best sequoia trees, including the House and Senate groves.

Crescent Meadow and Tharp's Log

This 2-mile, partially wheelchair accessible trail starts at Crescent Meadow and takes you on a paved path Tharp's log, where Hale Tharp lived for 30 years. Then take the dirt trail around the rest of Log Meadow, back to the trailhead.

Note: You can park at the trailhead on weekdays, but on saturday and sunday you must take the shuttle from the Giant Forest Museum

Tokopah Falls Trail

This 3.5 mile moderate hike starts at Lodgepole Campground and takes you all the way to Tokopah Falls, climbing 500 feet. If it's a hot day, consider not doing the last part of the hike to the base of the falls because it is exposed, and the best view of the falls (in my opinion) is from where the forest opens up. On the way back, there are lots of spots to cool off along the river.

Little Baldy Trail

This 3.5 mile moderate hike climbs 800 feet and takes you to the top of Little Baldy. There are great views of the Giant Forest, and you can see how much taller the sequoias are than the regular trees. The trailhead is along Generals Highway between Lodgepole Campground and Stony Creek Campground.

Grant Grove

Grant Grove is more peaceful and less crowded than the Giant Forest. It is home to the second-largest tree on earth, the General Grant. There is also a village with hotels, campgrounds, a restaurant, a post office, store and gift shop. It is about 45 minutes from Giant Forest, and 1 hour from Cedar Grove.

CAMPGROUNDS

Sunset, Azalea and Crystal Springs Campgrounds

These three campgrounds are walking distance to Grant Grove village, but most of the campsites are small and crowded in together. A few of the campsites at Sunset Campground have great sunset views. Many of the campsites at Azalea Campground are larger and a bit more private. Overall, these campgrounds are nice if you want to be close to the village, but they don't have as much privacy.

Note: Crystal Springs Campground does not accept reservations.

Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking water, (showers and general store located nearby), wheelchair accessible

Price: $22 per night, plus $35 per car

Reserve your Sunset campsite

Reserve your Azalea campsite

Princess Campground

This campground is located 15 minutes away from Grant Grove Village. Most of the campsites are large and more private, and the campground has a great location for exploring Grant Grove, Hume Lake, and Kings Canyon. It is 10 minutes away from Hume Lake, 15 from Grant Grove, 45 from Kings Canyon, and an hour from Giant Forest.

Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water

Price: $32 per night, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

Hume Lake Campground

This is a great campground if you want to be on the shores of Hume Lake, but keep in mind that it is a longer drive to explore the park. The sites are moderately spaced, and they fill up very quickly.

Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water

Price: $32 per night, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

Stony Creek Campground

(Also mentioned in "Giant Forest")

Stony Creek Campground is situated right in between Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, which makes for a great location to stay a while and see all the sights. The campsites here are OK in size, and some are along Stony Creek. Overall this is a good campground, but it is nothing compared to what is coming next...

Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water, (showers, general store and laundry located nearby)

Price: $32 per night, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

Upper Stony Creek Campground

(Also mentioned in "Giant Forest")

Upper Stony Creek is right across the street from Stony Creek Campground, and is so much nicer. Most of the very large and private sites are right along Stony Creek. Unfortunately, the campground road isn't paved, but this is still an awesome campground.

Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water, (showers, general store and laundry located nearby)

Price: $32 per night, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

SIGHTS AND HIKES

General Grant Tree

This is the second largest tree on earth, and it is much quieter than the General Sherman. There is a 0.3-mile paved loop trail that goes to the tree.

Panoramic Overlook

This overlook has great views of Hume Lake, Kings Canyon and Grant Grove. A paved, 0.3 mile path takes you from the parking lot to the overlook.

Note: Reaching this overlook requires a 4-mile drive that is on a very narrow, one lane paved road and is not recommended for vehicles over 15 feet long.

Kings Canyon Overlook.

This overlook along the Generals Highway is a lot easier to reach than Panoramic Overlook. Just drive up and see the view, although it isn't as good as the one from Panoramic Overlook.

North Grove Loop

This two mile moderate loop trail is the only place to see baby sequoias in the entire park. The trailhead is at the General Grant Tree.

Buena Vista Peak Trail

This two mile moderate trail takes you to the top of Buena Vista Peak. The summit has great views of the park. The trail starts at Kings Canyon Overlook.

Indian Basin Trail

This 1-2 mile, wheelchair accessible trail starts at Princess Campground and travels through a logged grove of sequoias. Even if you are not staying at Princess, you definitely want to do this hike. We went on a Friday afternoon and saw no one.

Boole Tree Loop

This 2.5-mile loop trail starts in Converse Basin where almost all of the trees were cut down in the 1890's. It takes you to the Boole Tree, the 8th largest on earth, and then travels down a hillside where there are incredible views of Kings Canyon.

Hume Lake Sandy Cove

If it's a hot afternoon, you definitely want to go here where the lake's cool water is very refreshing. When we went here, there were lots of logs floating in the lake that we pushed around!

Hume lake Trail

This is a peaceful, 2.5 mile trail that encircles Hume Lake. The trail is convenient if you are staying at Hume Lake Campground.

Mineral King

The Mineral King Valley has to be one of the most scenic places in the country. One of the reasons why is because it is so remote and undeveloped. In order to reach it, you must drive 20 miles on a very narrow road. The road has over 400 turns and takes about 90 minutes! This keeps the crowds away which just adds to the valley's beauty. Because it is so remote, there are few visitor services. There is a small visitors center and a lodge with a small store and restaurant, and that's it. Also, this valley is home to two SPECTACULAR campgrounds, one with a river and one with sequoias. It takes 2-3 hours to get here from other sections of the park.

CAMPGROUNDS

Atwell Mill Campground

This is THE ONLY campground on Earth where you can sleep among the sequoias. The sites are nicely spaced and have some privacy, and it is usually warmer at night than other places in the valley. This campground is also closer to the main roads so you don't have to drive as far to reach it.

Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water

Price: $22 per night, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

Cold Springs Campground

This has to be one of the most scenic campgrounds in the state. All the campsites are very large and private, and many are along the Kaweah River! Just beware the "walk in sites". They require a quarter-mile hike in, so just imagine taking many trips back and forth to the car. But they are bigger and are good for backpackers.

Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water

Price: $22 per night, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

SIGHTS AND HIKES

Honeymoon Cabin

This one-room cabin built in 1914 has artifacts and photos of the life of miners and their families who lived in this area starting in the late 1800s.

Black Wolf Falls

This is a pretty waterfall near Honeymoon Cabin. Access it by a quarter-mile trail from the parking lot.

Atwell Grove

This is the only giant sequoia grove in this section of the park. There is even a campground in it!

Cold Springs Nature Trail

This two mile easy hike starts at Cold Springs Campground and goes through one of the most scenic areas in Mineral King. The trail has signs along it that tell you about the plants.

Atwell-Hocket Trail

This moderate, two mile hike starts at Atwell Mill Campground and travels downhill to the East Fork Grove of giant sequoias along the river.

Eagle Lake Trail

This seven mile strenuous trail climbs over 2,000 feet to Eagle Lake. It starts near Honeymoon Cabin.

Kings Canyon

Kings Canyon is a rival to Yosemite. Here there are huge cliffs, tons of waterfalls, and unlike Yosemite Valley, seclusion. In the canyon there is the village of Cedar Grove with a visitors center, store, hotel, and restaurant. The drive into here along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is one of the best in the world. It takes about an hour to get here from Grant Grove, and two hours from Giant Forest. Unlike Yosemite, the campsites are super easy to reserve, and there are always campsites available for a last-minute weekday trip. The climate here is also like Yosemite, with summer days in the high 90s, so I recommend visiting in the late spring or early fall for the best temperatures.

CAMPGROUNDS

Sentinel Campground

Sentinel Campground is walking distance to Cedar Grove Village, and is heavily shaded, which means it's cooler but doesn't have the views of the cliffs. The campsites are pretty small without much privacy, and some are along the river. The most secluded campsites are in the northern area, along the river or the meadow.

Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking water, (showers and general store located nearby), wheelchair accessible

Cost: $22, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

Moraine Campground

This is the largest campground in Grant Grove, and it has a mix of views and shade. This campground has mid-sized campsites with some privacy, and some of them are near the river.

Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking water, (showers and general store located nearby), wheelchair accessible

Cost: $22, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

Sheep Creek Campground

This campground has large campsites, and lots of shade and some views. Some of the campsites are along the river, and the sites on the eastern side are in a sunny forest. The sites on the west side are in a thick forest with no views. Overall this is a great campground!

Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking water, (showers and general store located nearby), wheelchair accessible

Cost: $22, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

Princess Campground

(Also mentioned in "Grant Grove")

This campground is located 45 minutes away from Kings Canyon. Most of the campsites are large and more private, and the campground has a great location for exploring Grant Grove, Hume Lake, and Kings Canyon. It is 10 minutes away from Hume Lake, 15 from Grant Grove, 45 from Kings Canyon, and an hour from Giant Forest.

Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water

Price: $32 per night, plus $35 per car

Reserve your campsite

SIGHTS AND HIKES

Cedar Grove Visitors Center

This visitors center has signs telling you about Kings Canyon, and a gift shop. Rangers often host talks here.

Boyden Cavern

This cave has many cool features in it, including stalagmites and stalactites, and you can go on a 1-hour tour.

Learn more

Grizzly Falls

This is a pretty waterfall with a picnic area. You can access it from Kings Canyon Scenic Byway.

Roaring River Falls

This pretty, 40-foot high waterfall is accessed by a half-mile accessible trail. There is also a 1.5-mile dirt trail that starts here and goes to Zumwalt Meadow for a 4-mile loop hike.

Zumwalt Meadow

This is a beautiful meadow with views of the granite cliffs. If you can only do one hike in Kings Canyon, choose this one. There is a boardwalk that goes around the meadow, and the trail is mostly accessible. The whole hike is 1.5 miles.

Mist Falls

This waterfall is breathtaking, and yes, there is a lot of mist! It is a moderate, 9-mile mostly flat trail to reach this waterfall, and you can loop back on the other side of the river.

Muir Rock

This is a large boulder along the Kings River, and in the summer, people jump into it from this rock. You can access it from the Road's End parking lot.

Canyon View

This is a beautiful view that you can easily access from the road. There is a parking lot and signs describing the view.

Cedar Grove Overlook Trail

This 3-mile, moderately strenuous trail climbs 1,100 feet to the overlook of Kings Canyon. There is almost no shade on this trail, so if it is a hot day, consider hiking it in the evening.

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