Read all of our articles about California in our. Lots of overlooks to enjoy the amazing scenery: sequoia groves or sheer canyons. Most reviewed company in Peru! Junior Ranger Remember to pick up a Junior Ranger booklet for kids ages 5 and older to complete during your time in the park for a Junior Ranger Badge. Had we needed to continue on we would have probably put on chains just to be safe. Hello do you need a wilderness permit to hike to Moro Rock? Planning a visit to the US national parks? This fee includes both Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park and is valid for up to 7 days. If you want to visit both sides of the park, we suggest staying 1 or 2 nights near Squaw Valley or inside the park and 2-3 nights in Three Rivers or on the Sequoia side of the park to maximize your visit. We do not provide car rental services. Here, a tunnel has been carved through a fallen sequoia, and its big enough to drive most cars through! Gaze up at the second largest tree in the world and find out just how old it actually is. Not much of a hiker, but your article and pictures are inspiring me to go for it, Your email address will not be published. We were there in September, 2017 and stayed at the Montecito Sequoia Lodge and Family Camp and loved it. In addition, there are also big trees to visit and snow play areas available on both sides of the park. Drive from Three Rivers Museum to Sequoia National Forest. This one aspect that makes visiting in winter so majestic is also the part that makes it scary and dangerous! I learned the hard way by sinking in several feet of snow at every step off trail! P.O. How is Moro Rock accessed: by car or only by shuttle?If shuttle, what are shuttle times? When going downhill, downshift to a lower gear (2, 1, or L). It was mainly the length of this road and 180 that was tiring. Hike to a couple of historic structures hidden away in the wilderness. Get acquainted with Kings Canyon, the sister park to Sequoia. The hotel has been closed on/off during COVID, but is currently reopened. Would it be possible to drive a 12 or 15 seater Van like ford transit through this? Something like everyone must be off Moro Rock by sunset or 8pm or whatever? More than 1 million visitors come to take in the sights and experience the sequoia groves each year. Visit General Sherman. Visalia These clusters of giant sequoias are mesmerizing and filled with absolute magic. Find out why obsidian has been so important to archaeologists working in the Sierra Nevada. Park roads and facilities will be gradually re-opening over the coming months. We were here on a Saturday so we had to take the shuttle. There are cheaper options, but I have used these for more than 5 years from hiking the Narrows in Zion to the Andes in Ecuador. Subscribe to our newsletter below. Thank you for your continued support. Sequoia National Park preserves most of the remaining groves of big trees or giant sequoias not already federally protected. Waterproof Outer Layers: If you plan on doing any winter hiking, or snow play, you will want waterproof hiking pants (these are also great) and a waterproof jacket. As you tour this jaw-dropping primeval forest, you'll learn about the area's early inhabitants, from the Paiute tribe to . 93271, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Do the road gradient increase drastically ? Generals Highway connects the two parks, and their two celebrated stands of giant sequoia groves. Overall, we had the best time at Sequoia National Park. If you are driving slowly or stopping to view the scenery, pull into the paved turnout areas and let other vehicles pass. No gas in the Parks Gasoline is not sold within park boundaries. In other years, you can rent snowshoes from the Lodgepole Market or the Grant Grove Gift Shop on the Kings Canyon side. We skipped Crystal Cave. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Up next on the Sequoia National Park, youll find one of the parks main attractions: the General Sherman Tree. more, #11 of 68 things to do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour, Private Guided Hiking Tours - Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Sequoia National Park Adventure from Tulare, Jeep 4 X 4 Yosemite Park Tour with Hotel Pickup, Full-Day Small Group Hiking Tour of Yosemite High Country and Mariposa Grove, Semi Private Tour to Sequoia National Park with Lunch, Private Yosemite & Glacier Point SUV / Van Tour Including Hotel Pickup, Half Day Tour to Kings Canyon National Park, Full-Day Private Tour and Hike in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Semi Private Yosemite Valley Tour with Hotel Pick Up and Lunch, Devils Peak Yosemite Sunset 4x4 Jeep Tour. USA ROAD TRIPS: Planning your next big adventure in the USA? This is one of the best scenic drives in the entire country. Parking is limited in the small lot, so plan to arrive early or wait around for a spot during busy times. The main campgrounds open year round include: Potwisha Campground in the Foothills of Sequoia and Azalea Campground in Grant Grove. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. It was almost instant motion sickness as I read about so I came prepared and gave us and the kids gum, which helps mitigate that issue. Continuing southward, the highway enters Giant Forest. Having binoculars made the experience even more exciting for the kids. Gasoline is available at two locations within the surrounding Sequoia National Forest at Hume Lake and Stony Creek. Your Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks tour begins at the southern end of Sequoia National Park, near the visitor center. If you are prone to altitude sickness (or even motion sickness), come prepared with the medication or gear you need. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Learn where the Paiute are today and how they have persevered. Your tour begins at the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Headquarters just south of the parks. Hear about a group of idealists who tried to set up a utopian society here during the 1800s. The cost per vehicle is $35. From South Lake Tahoe take US-50 W towards Sacramento. A first time for us here on the ranch. Saw a very unique and beautiful red colored sunset over city lights on our way down on 180, leaving Kings Canyon though. The Majestic Mountain Loop is a new route created from existing highways that sets up a three-day driving itinerary of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, as well as Yosemite National Park. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Each area of the park has varied weather, things to do and plenty of distance between top destinations. My tip: start your day as early as possible! Check our our USA Road Trip Guide for travel ideas and sample itineraries. Its a very small town with limited options for accommodations and restaurants, but it is close to the park entrance. Arrive early to avoid crowds. Learn more about the shuttle service here. Park rangers will turn guests away once the park reaches capacity, so it is advised to go early especially on weekends or holidays. Thus, it is best to check on current conditions before planning your adventure. This is also the site of the Congress Trail for hikers looking for more of the parks biggest trees. how to cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge. Stop for a picnic alongside a lovely meadow and watch for local wildlife. If you cannot get a reservation inside the park or prefer to stay outside, we highly recommend staying in Three Rivers. The earlier you get here, the more you can do crowd-free. During our visit, we managed to walk about 3.7 miles total. The actual park entrance is about 4 hours away, but it takes about 1 hour of driving through the park to get to the central area where most of the campgrounds/sites are. It is a beautiful drive in good weather but slow, especially when there is much traffic. Visit the famous Mark Twain stump and learn why it was named after the iconic author. Need recommendation for housing for 3 nights near Sequoia NP in early October; not to break the bank. This self-guided driving tour takes you through enormous, ancient groves at Sequoia National Park. Christmas at Universal Studios and Harry Potter World Hollywood, The Best Guide for One Day at Great Wolf Lodge SoCal, Go Ahead, Feel Good About Visiting SeaWorld. Distance: 365 mi/587 km Take I-15 S towards Los Angeles. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Spot a seemingly impossible rock balanced at the edge of a cliff and find out how it stays there. Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov. They stop at Lodgepole, General Sherman, and the Giant Forest Museum. Uncover more about the formation of this landscape at another excellent overlook. Required fields are marked *. Otherwise you will have to drive to Grants Grove in Kings Canyon NP to the next restaurant (25 miles north of Wuksachi). Time: 6 hours, 30 minutes We stayed in Visalia at a Holiday Inn Express, which is about an hour drive from Sequoia National Park. At Commissary Cove, a side road descends 6.5 miles to Crystal Cave (get cave tour tickets in advance at the Lodgepole or Foothills Visitor Centers). It follows along a portion of Highway 180 and stretches for about 50 miles as it winds its way from the Sierra Nevada foothills before zig zagging deep into Kings Canyon. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it also houses a gift shop. Reno Its beautiful, quiet and the perfect place to socially distance! Its a bit of a drive from the main parts of the park, but it adds much more convenience to your overall trip in these times of social distancing. Filled with alpine peaks, deep canyons, and the largest trees in the world, you could spend several days here. This is another large area great for snowshoeing and sledding. Were planning a trip to Pinnacles, Kings Canyon/Sequoia, Yosemite, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree this spring very late March to early April. Listen to the story of the remarkable man who became the first ever Black superintendent of a national park. Hi, I am looking for a road trip from San Jose, CA for about 4 days during Feb 20- Feb 24. Maybe it was pretty, but I had my eyes shut half the time. Drink plenty of water the day before your visit and stay well hydrated while there too. For road conditions outside of the park, please call 800-427-7623 or visit these CalTrans webpages: Highway 180. Time: 4 hours 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 To avoid the worst of the crowds, especially during the summer months, it helps to get an early start to the day (7 am is ideal). Julie Last updated: December 22, 2022 United States 73 Comments. This is the only way to drive from Sequoia to Kings canyon, no matter it's good or not, you have to drive thru' it unless you just go to either one park, not both of them. I would like to fly out West from NC rent a car, and see the giant Sequoias. Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are open 24 hours a day 365 days per year. Listen to some pointers about hiking and camping safety in the park. Long, scary winding road that never seemed to end and we took the less scary route. Learn about the wildlife you might find in the park, both great and small. Subscribe to our newsletter belowcoupon code on the next screen. The lodge fills up quickly, so plan your stay long in advance or check for cancellations closer to the dates you wish to travel. We visited Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park on a road trip through California. Listen to the dramatic tale of the Paiute people who refused to be forced off their land. I guess [], [] Helpful website:http://www.hikespeak.com/trails/moro-rock-sequoia/ [], If I want to see the giant Sequoias (General Sherman)first which road do I go to to see and climb, Moro Rock and the tunnel tree?Thank you. It is 275 feet tall (almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty) and has been growing for 2,300 to 2,700 years. Walk the 0.3-mile loop and feel tiny as you stand next to these giants. This tree used to hold the record for the second largest tree in the world by width, but I believe that has been overtaken by The President which can be found on the Congress Trail mentioned above. The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is Highway 180. Learn more about staying safe while driving in the mountains. However, stay on the trail because the snow can get deep! Below are our top picks on places to stay inside the park as well as in Three Rivers near the Sequoia side of the park. 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. Electric vehicle charging stations may be available near the parks. Hi Julie As always, thank you for the amazing, informative posts!!!! The road ends just past Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon National Park. Right after a snowstorm when snow is melting off the trees above you might get drenched! Stand at the base of the largest tree in the entire world and learn all about it. Hike the Congress Trail. This is a great place to get out, stretch your legs and start your magical journey into the world of the giant sequoias! Embark on a popular hike which leads to a truly impressive wilderness waterfall. Layers, layers, layers is what everyone always says for any winter destination and Sequoia is no different. In summer, on Fridays, Saturdays, and on holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, long lines of cars have extended from the entrance stations. Catch your first good look at the staggering vistas of Kings Canyon. Drivers will be held responsible for any hazardous conditions caused by their actions. For visitors looking for more of an adventure, check out the overnight camping option on the Pear Lake Winter hut hike. This is a great time to visit California! The section of the byway just below the turn off to Hume Lake closes for the winter so plan your tour mid-May to mid-October. When visiting Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks, you can enter from either the North (via Squaw Valley), or from the South (via Three Rivers). Our day started in Mariposa, located just outside of Yosemite National Park. You are now down in the heart of Kings Canyon, with the mountains looming overhead. See the impressive sequoias which serve as an unofficial "gateway" into the national park. Continue driving south for two miles to the Quail Flat junction. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 1,344 likes, 32 comments - Elizabeth | Adventure + Travel Blog (@elizabeth.adventures) on Instagram: "Planning to visit Sequoia National Park? Just avoiding the long lines in and out of the park daily is well worth any extra cost that you might incur staying here! This is a large area perfect for running around in the snow as well as large hills for sledding. Required fields are marked *, Notice: It seems you have Javascript disabled in your Browser. Here you can visit the General Grant tree. Tioga Pass in Yosemite will be closed no matter the weather conditions, since that usually doesnt open in late spring. There, youll find additional must-stop vistas, incredible landmarks like Boyden Cavern (a marble cave), and the self-explanatory Roaring River Falls. 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. Your email address will not be published. Tour guides lead groups through each room in the cave, explaining the history and geology of the magnificent formations. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Below are our top things to do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon in winter, however most items on the list fall more on the Sequoia side If you have limited time in the park, we highly recommend the Sequoia section of the park which has more available during the winter months. Just east of the Kings Canyon Visitor Center parking lot, Panoramic Point Road offers impressive vista points and more, before eventually leading to Hume Lake, where you can continue and return via Generals Highway. In some cases, guides might turn off flashlights so visitors can take in the peace and quiet of the cave; if this might pose a problem for someone in your family, let your tour guide know in advance. A number of popular hiking trailheads are located at selected turnouts along the way, as are overlooks to rocky ridges and sequoia groves. The Generals Highway is the main (and only) paved road running through Sequoia National Park from the north to south entrances. CA-190 W to US-395 S and turn left. Witness the giant sequoias in all their majesty, including General Sherman, the most massive living thing on the planet. The main trails tend to get packed down relatively quickly, but if you plan to be off trail at all, snowshoes will come in handy. Regulations restrict the length of vehiclesthey must not exceed 40 feet (12 m), although vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 m) are not recommended to use the road between Potwisha Campground and Giant Forest Museum.The scenic 50-mile Generals Highway was built in 1935 to connect the General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon to the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park. Walk the General Sherman Trail, a short walking trail that wanders through this grove of giant trees. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Cheers, Julie. The clearlier the air day the farther you can see. So once you've filled your belly, follow Lodgepole Road down to the Tokopah trailhead. The beauty of a winter visit means you most likely wont have to wait in line though as the park is much quieter. It takes about 30 minutes of driving round trip to get to this point and enjoy the view. The Majestic Mountain Loop is a new route created from existing highways that sets up a three-day driving itinerary of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, as well as Yosemite National Park. Often an attraction will be closed because of weather or other factors, so checking in with the rangers each day is a good idea. Crampons: This was one of our favorite purchases for our trip to Sequoia in winter. This trail is also easily accessible even for those without proper snow gear. Box 89, Sequoia For us, the thought of walking through a cave on a guided tour sounded uninteresting. Generals Highway, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park: Address, Phone Number, Generals Highway Reviews: 4.5/5. The 1.7-mile (2.7 km) trail to the water is a gentle and scenic route, passing along the Kaweah River. I dont know if it is open all the time. There is a self-serve gas station at Stoney Creek Lodge 12 miles north of the Wuksachi Lodge in the Sequoia National Forest. Seems to me the best time would be in the morning before the heat begins to create the haze that sometimes comes in. Highway 198. Since this is a driving tour, we suggest you buy one tour per car for the best experience. In Sequoia except for periodic road construction I find the roads fine. Thank you for signing up for email alerts! Any suggestion for planning an out west trip would be appreciated. Travel Bloggers Influencer Network #TBIN, What to Pack for Winter in Sequoia National Park, Holiday Volunteering in Los Angeles with Kids, Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide For Outdoor Kids For 2022, 7 Unique Things to Do at Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco, 13 Affordable But Spectacular Things To Do In Page Arizona, Ultimate Guide to the Best Hiking in Los Angeles (2023), Yosemite in Winter: Everything You Need to Know to Visit Californias Most Popular Park (2023), Hiking the John Muir Trail: Everything You Need to Know for 2023. 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. A Visit from a Rainbow at Cort Cottage Almanac from the Edge, Hobie Heart :: Take A Wander, Take A Breath Get Out of Your Chair. Going further into Kings Canyon National Park will add about an hour or so to your drive time. Either way, this is a fabulous area to visit, another massive tree whose scale is hard to even comprehend with a variety of beautiful trails to explore. Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes Experience astonishing views at this commanding overlook as you exit Sequoia National Park. Visit our. Stairs, [] view from my back yard of Moro Rock with rainbow on 9-20-11 [], [] that was tougher had 3 people on it. Winter in Sequoia NP is a completely different story, with temperatures near freezing and lots of snow. But youre not in King Canyon National Park yetfirst, youll pay a visit to the General Grant Tree, the second largest in the world. Grab supplies at the Lodgepole Market, or dine at The Peaks . Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Refund Policy. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. In normal years I might suggest staying inside the park so you can avoid driving on the windy curvy roads every day, however during COVID I highly recommend staying outside of the park where you have more flexibility in cooking your meals and keeping socially distant. On my bucket list to do, but I would also like to include some other stops on the way like the Wyoming, Utah and Montana countryside. There are two areas within the park for snow play and sledding depending which side of the park you are on. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. The only highway runs through the 2 parks. 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