Planning a trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon? This guide shares the complete 3-day itinerary for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks that my husband and I followed on a trip last summer. It includes attractions that don’t require much walking, as well as longer hikes, and lodging and camping recommendations.
While Sequoia and Kings Canyon are technically two separate national parks, they are often visited together because they’re right next door to each other. I recommend spending three full days in Sequoia and Kings Canyon to really immerse yourself in the parks and complete the full itinerary, but if you’re planning a weekend trip or are short on time the first two days of this guide hit the highlights.
Table of Contents
- Getting to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
- Recreating Responsibly in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
- How to Spend 3 Days in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks:
- Where to Stay When Visiting Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks:
- What to Pack When Hiking in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
*Visiting U.S. National Parks in 2025*
National parks in the United States are facing unprecedented risks, including major losses to staffing and funding. These cuts may impact your experience when visiting. Learn more about how to recreate responsibly when visiting national parks and other U.S. public lands in 2025.
Getting to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
My husband and I visited Sequoia and Kings Canyon as part of a longer California road trip that we took out of Los Angeles. If you’re visiting California with the primary purpose of visiting these national parks, you can fly into LA, but flying into Fresno (FAT) is going to be more convenient.
This itinerary begins at the Ash Mountain entrance to Sequoia National Park on the south side of the park, and ends at the Big Stump Entrance on the other side of General Sherman Highway.
- Drive Time From Los Angeles to Ash Mountain Entrance: 4-4 ½ hours
- Drive Time From San Francisco to Ash Mountain Entrance: 5-5 ½ hours
Recreating Responsibly in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks see over a million visitors every year. With so many people visiting the parks and going to the same areas, it’s extremely important that everyone does their part to recreate responsibly and minimize their impact on the natural environment.
The seven Leave No Trace principles are a set of guidelines to help you make responsible choices that minimize your impact outdoors. Always remember to practice Leave No Trace when adventuring on public lands to keep these places beautiful for future generations!
Here’s a breakdown of the seven Leave No Trace principles:
1. Plan ahead and prepare.
Even though hiking trails within Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are well-maintained and heavily trafficked, it’s still important to be prepared. Research the trail ahead of time, check the weather before heading out, carry a map and the other 10 essentials, and make sure you have the proper gear for the conditions. I included a packing list for hiking at the end of this article.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
Stick to developed trails when hiking in national parks. Never hike through wildflower fields or meadows. Camping is prohibited outside of developed campgrounds within the parks.
3. Properly dispose of waste.
Remember to pack out all of your trash, including food scraps. Use the bathroom at the trailhead before heading out on a hike. If you need to go number 2 while out on the trail, dig a cathole to bury your waste at least 200 ft. from trails and water sources, or consider packing it out in a WAG bag. Always pack out your toilet paper, otherwise wildlife will likely get into it before it has time to decompose.
4. Leave what you find.
It is illegal to take natural or cultural items from U.S. national parks. This includes picking wildflowers, collecting rocks or pinecones, or taking archaeological resources like arrowheads.
5. Minimize campfire impacts.
You should only have campfires in a developed fire ring at a campground. Always check for fire restrictions before starting a campfire (your campground host will likely share this information). Make sure that campfires are completely extinguished before you leave, which means the ashes are cool to the touch.
6. Respect wildlife.
Wildlife is abundant in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, including black bears, mountain lions, deer, and more. Always maintain a safe distance from wildlife. This means staying at least 100 yards away from predators and 25 yards from other wildlife. Never feed wildlife. This causes animals to become dependent on humans and leads to negative human-wildlife interactions. Be aware that possessing bear spray is illegal in Sequoia and Kings Canyon.
7. Be considerate of other visitors.
Always pack your patience when visiting a national park. Uphill hikers have the right of way on singletrack trails. Please don’t blast music on the trail. It ruins the experience for others!
The member-driven Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. This copyrighted information has been reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
National Park Itinerary: 3 Days in Sequoia and Kings Canyon
Day 1 in Sequoia National Park
Drive Into Sequoia National Park
We began our 3-day trip to Sequoia National Park at the Ash Mountain entrance located along Highway 198. I recommend stopping at the Foothills Visitor Center shortly after the entrance booth to get up to date information about trail conditions and closures (it’s also a good place to go to the bathroom). The gift shop here is pretty small and you’ll have time to visit some of the bigger gift shops later in your trip.
The drive into Sequoia National Park from this entrance station is incredibly scenic, but not recommended for oversized vehicles because the road is narrow and windy. We were fine in the camper van we rented for the trip, but wouldn’t have wanted to bring our Hiker Trailer that we usually travel in.
Hanging Rock, Moro Rock, & Tunnel Log
Our first big stop in Sequoia National Park was Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow. The road up to this area of the park closes during the winter. It also closes to private vehicles on weekends during the summer, so you’ll need to take a shuttle from the Giant Forest Museum unless you visit during the week, which is when we visited.
While Moro Rock is the main attraction in this area, there’s also a short trail up to Hanging Rock, which provides scenic views of Moro Rock. The hike up to Moro Rock has 350 steps built into the granite and is steep. At this point in our trip I was tired, so we opted to skip the climb up Moro Rock and just checked out Hanging Rock instead. We had climbed Mt. Whitney 2 days earlier (the summit is actually located within Sequoia National Park) and I was definitely still recovering!
After seeing Hanging Rock we hopped back in the car and drove up to Crescent Meadow passing through Tunnel Log along the way. This is an iconic photo spot in Sequoia National Park, but it was packed when we visited and I didn’t have the patience to stop. Instead we continued up the road to a grove of giant sequoias and explored the trees for a bit.
See the Giant Forest Museum + Hike the Big Tree Loop
Our next stop was the Giant Forest Museum, which is a short drive from Crescent Meadow once you get back on the Generals Highway. I highly recommend popping into the museum to check out the interpretive exhibits and learn more about the trees and Sequoia National Park’s rich history.
After checking out the museum, we went across the street to hike the Big Trees Trail. This is a great easy hike that loops around a meadow in the middle of a grove of giant sequoias. The trail is paved or follows a boardwalk the entire way, so it’s accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Distance: 1.2 mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 100 ft.
- Difficulty: Very easy (1-2/10)
- AllTrails Link
Check Into Lodgepole Campground (Optional)
We spent the first night of our trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon at the Lodgepole Campground (more info below). It’s located right in the heart of Sequoia National Park next to the Lodgepole Market & Grill, which has a restaurant, ice cream, general store, laundry, and showers. It also provides access to a few different hiking trails.
After hiking the Big Trees Trail, my husband and I checked into our campsite, showered, and ate dinner before going on a sunset hike to General Sherman.
Sunset at General Sherman & The Congress Trail
General Sherman is considered to be the largest tree in the world, by volume, and can’t be missed when visiting Sequoia National Park. We decided to hike to General Sherman at sunset in order to beat some of the crowds, and were able to take in the tree’s grandeur without anyone else around for a few minutes. You can either drive over to the trailhead for General Sherman or hike from the Lodgepole Campground.
The trail down to General Sherman is paved, but steep (aka prepare for a solid climb out!). After visiting General Sherman I recommend continuing to hike the Congress Trail. This will take you through a scenic grove of giant sequoias, and if you visit at sunset you probably won’t see too many people.
Day 2 in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
Hike to Tokopah Falls
We started day 2 in Sequoia National Park with a hike up to Tokopah Falls. If you camp at the Lodgepole Campground you can walk directly to the trailhead, otherwise there’s some parking available in the overflow lot next to the campground.
The trail takes you along a river and through the forest as you make your way up to the waterfall. The elevation gain is fairly gradual throughout the hike, and there are some boulders near the waterfall that you need to navigate around to get a good view. This is a popular hike, so expect to have some company.
- Distance: 4 miles out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: 615 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate (4.5-5.5/10)
- AllTrails Link
See General Grant Tree
After the hike we headed back onto the Generals Highway towards Kings Canyon Visitor Center and Grant Grove Village. The drive takes about 45 minutes and takes you through a forest passing burn scar from a massive wildfire complex in 2021 along the way.
Our first stop in Kings Canyon was General Grant Tree. This is another massive giant sequoia nestled amongst other giants. The trail is paved and accessible, and at one point it takes you through a fallen sequoia tree trunk, which is a really cool experience.
Drive the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
After getting our fill of giant sequoias, we hopped back in the van and drove down the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Highway 180). This scenic drive winds down the edge of a granite rock face to the bottom of Kings Canyon with breathtaking views.
We lucked out and got a last-minute campsite at the Sentinel Campground at the bottom of the canyon for the second night of our 3 day trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon. It appeared that most of the campgrounds in Kings Canyon were closed, so we were grateful we were able to get a site. We checked into our campsite and got settled before heading back out to explore the rest of the scenic byway.
See Roaring River Falls
After checking into our campsite and walking around the area for a bit we finished the drive to the end of the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, stopping at Roaring River Falls along the way. It’s a short walk along a paved path to get up to the falls. It was hot when we visited and there were people swimming in the pool at the base of the waterfall, however this is strongly discouraged by the National Park Service as the conditions can be dangerous.
Sunset Hike Along Zumwalt Meadow Trail
We ended the second day of our trip with an easy hike along the Zumwalt Meadow Trail. While the trail is short, it’s pretty rocky in areas, so make sure to wear hiking shoes. Despite it being a Friday evening in the middle of the summer, it was very quiet along the trail. We didn’t see many people, but we did see a small bear during our hike, which made for an extra memorable experience.
- Distance: ~1.5 miles out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: 150 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy (2-3/10)
- AllTrails Link
Day 3 in Kings Canyon National Park
Hike the Mist Falls Trail
Our last day in Kings Canyon National Park started with another waterfall hike to Mist Falls. The trail begins at Roads End where there’s a ranger station and plenty of parking.
The first couple of miles of trail are pretty flat and easy. Overall, the entire hike to Mist Falls isn’t super strenuous, but there is some solid elevation gain as you get close to the falls. Fortunately, this section of the trail also provides stunning mountain views that make the climb worthwhile.
This trail provides the main gateway into Kings Canyon’s backcountry, so you’ll probably see some backpackers along the way. You can keep hiking as far as you want, but Mist Falls is the main accessible attraction. Make sure to practice Leave No Trace and pack out all of your trash, including food scraps, on the trail!
- Distance: ~8 miles out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: 875 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate-difficult (6-7/10)
- AllTrails Link
After our hike to Mist Falls we hung out by the river near the parking lot before driving out of the park. We drove out via Highway 180 down to Fresno towards our next road trip destination.
I hope this itinerary provided some inspiration for your trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks!
Where to Stay When Visiting Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Hotels
There are 4 lodges located within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Your best lodging options for the purposes of this itinerary are the Wuksachi Lodge on night one, and the Cedar Grove Lodge on night 2. The Woksachi lodge is pet-friendly and nestled right in sequoia forest, which provides an immersive and rustic experience. The Cedar Grove Lodge is located near the Sentinel Campground at the bottom of Kings Canyon.
There are also nearby hotels located outside of the Ash Mountain entrance of Sequoia National Park in Three Rivers. Popular lodging options include AutoCamp and The Comfort Inn & Suites.
Camping
For the purposes of this itinerary I recommend spending 1 night at the Lodgepole Campground in Sequoia National Park, and 1 night at the Sentinel Campground in Kings Canyon National Park. Both campgrounds can be reserved in advance on rec.gov. Since camping in the parks is fairly limited, try to make your reservation as soon as you know your travel dates. I was able to snag campsites fairly last-minute, but I definitely got lucky!
Lodgepole Campground
- Cost: $32/night
- Season: May 21-December 2, 2025
Sentinel Campground
- Cost: $32/night
- Season: May 9-October 26, 2025
What to Pack When Hiking in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
This section contains affiliate links, which means if you click a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Backpack:
Carrying a backpack is essential when hiking, but the right pack is going to be a matter of personal preference. I typically carry a 24L pack, which I find to be the perfect size backpack for long day hikes.
Recommendation: Osprey Sirrus 24L pack (Read my complete review of this day pack!)
Water Bladder:
Water is one of the most important things to bring with you on a hike in order to stay hydrated. While you don’t have to carry a water bladder, I prefer it over a water bottle for easy access while moving on the trail.
Recommendation: Osprey 3L water bladder
Snacks:
It’s important to carry snacks on your hike to keep yourself fueled up. Ideally you want to carry more snacks than you think you’ll need in case your hike goes longer than expected. Protein bars, trail mix, pb&j sandwiches, dried fruit, and jerky are all great hiking snack options.
Extra Layers:
I encountered rain and sunshine during my trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon, so I was really glad I brought a jacket. I didn’t need a warm jacket in the middle of the summer, but weather can change quickly in the mountains, so it’s always a good idea to carry extra layers on your hike.
Recommendations:
Hiking Poles:
While hiking poles aren’t 100% necessary they can be helpful on long, steep hikes, like Mist Falls. There are a lot of benefits to using hiking poles, including taking pressure off of your knees and providing extra momentum when hiking uphill.
Recommendation: Trekology Hiking Poles
Headlamp:
Carrying illumination is one of the 10 essentials. Whether you’re getting a pre-dawn start, or your hike takes longer than expected, carrying a headlamp is essential to help you navigate the trail in the dark.
Recommendation: Black Diamond Cosmo 350 Headlamp
First-Aid Kit
A first-aid kit is another one of the 10 essentials. You never know what might happen on a hike and carrying one can come in handy in a variety of situations, from cuts, to sprains, to headaches.
Recommendation: Adventure Medical Kit
Map & Compass:
While all of the trail suggestions in this itinerary are heavily trafficked and maintained, you should always carry a map & compass in the event you get lost. If you’re going to rely on a downloaded map on your phone, also make sure to carry a portable battery charger in case your phone dies.
Emergency Bivvy:
Carrying shelter, like an emergency bivvy, can help save your life in the event you have to spend an unexpected night in the backcountry. While you hopefully won’t need it, it’s a lightweight piece of gear, so it doesn’t hurt to carry one.
Recommendation: SOL Emergency Bivvy
Emergency GPS:
Cell service is extremely limited in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Carrying an emergency GPS that provides satellite communications allows you to get in touch with officials ASAP in the event of an emergency.
Recommendation: Garmin inReach mini 2
Sun Protection:
Sun protection is incredibly important when hiking, even when you’re in the forest. Wear sunscreen and opt for clothing with sun protection, like the Black Diamond Alpenglow hoody (check out my complete review!).
Recommendation: Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Sunscreen
Extra Socks:
One of the most underrated pieces of gear to carry while hiking is an extra pair of socks. If your feet get wet or overly sweaty, having an extra pair of socks can help keep your feet dry and healthy. Read my comparison of Smartwool vs. Darn Tough hiking socks.
Recommendation: Smartwool low-cut hiking socks
Camera:
If you want to memorialize your hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, make sure to pack your camera. While a phone camera will get the job done, I find it’s always nice to have higher quality photos as well. Most of the photos in this post were taken on my Sony a7iii.
Recommendation: Sony Alpha a7iii
Other National Park Itineraries You May Enjoy:
- 3 Days in Glacier National Park
- 3 Days in North Cascades National Park
- 3 Days in Zion National Park
- 3 Days in Death Valley National Park
- 2 Days in Grand Teton National Park
- 24 Hours in Yosemite National Park
Pin it For Later:
