Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: The Land of Giant Sequoia Trees

Two of the oldest National Parks in the United States, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are located in the southern Sierra Nevada’s and are home to the largest peak in the lower 48 (Mount Whitney) and the largest living things on planet Earth (Sequoia trees). The parks are operated by the same administrative staff and total almost a million acres of land, a majority of which is wilderness and can only be accessed on foot or horseback. The most visited areas of the park are within “Front Country,” where scenic roads through old growth forests, lush river valleys, meadows, and foothills are shadowed by towering mountains lead to the visitor centers, popular sites, and trailheads.

Travel Tip: The most popular entrance to the park is in Three Rivers, California. To reduce your wait time at the park entrance, purchase a digital entrance pass online prior to visiting the park.

Park Sights & Experiences

• Visit the Giant Forest Grove, the location of five of the ten largest trees by volume on earth, including the General Sherman Tree – The World’s Largest Living Thing. Standing 274.9 feet tall, 102 feet in circumference, and estimated to be over 3,000 years old – it’s impressive!!!
• During the summer months, take a guided tour of Crystal Cave, a subterranean world with marble walls and impressive geological features, including stalactites and stalagmites.
• Head to Owens Valley for amazing views of Mount Whitney. The highest peak in the lower 48 states is 14,494 feet tall. For the accomplished hiker, this is easily one of the top ten hikes in the United States and can be completed in one day (professional guides recommended).
• Take a multi-day guided rafting adventure down the Kaweah River, considered one of the most exciting rafting trips in the United States with Class IV+ rapids. (guided tours are highly recommended)
• Have a soak in the natural hot springs along the Kern River. There are plenty of places along the lower section of the river to enjoy the thermal waters, two of the most popular are Miracle Hot Springs and Remington Hot Springs.
• Set up camp among the ancient Sequoia trees, with amazing views of the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountain range in the distance. Reserve your campsite in advance, especially during the peak summer months.
• Visit the Giant Forest Museum where exhibits and a self-guided interpretive trail both educate and provide insight into these natural wonders.

Wildlife

While visiting the park, expect to see an abundance of wildlife, including pika, mule deer, ground squirrels, foxes, bobcats, black bears, and various types of reptiles. There are over 200 species of birds in the park, depending upon the elevation and time of year. A few of the rarely seen species in the park are mountain lions, northern pygmy owl, California condors, and Sierra Nevada Big Horn Sheep.

Lodging

During the peak season, there are four lodges operated by DNC Parks and Resorts within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (only two are open during the off-season). There are also two wilderness lodges— Bearpaw High Sierra Camp should be on any avid hiker’s bucket list, while Pear Lake Winter Hut is used by Nordic skiers during the winter months.