It's just scary on all of these highways (including parts of Sequoia) because many places have no guard rails and the roads aren't very wide. Continuing southward, the highway enters Giant Forest. Though kids dont specifically need hiking boots, I found that my little ones survived the long hikes and rock scrambling with quality shoes. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. The 1.7-mile (2.7 km) trail to the water is a gentle and scenic route, passing along the Kaweah River. So once you've filled your belly, follow Lodgepole Road down to the Tokopah trailhead. The Giant Forest Museum should be your first stop with kids to learn about the history of Sequoia National Park. This self-guided driving tour takes you through enormous, ancient groves at Sequoia National Park. The Generals' Highway connects Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Driving: The drive to Sequoia National Park from Los Angeles is about 5 hours without traffic. On weekends and holidays, the road is closed to private vehicles and the only way to get here is via the shuttle. Distance: 365 mi/587 km Its beautiful, quiet and the perfect place to socially distance! Uncover more about the formation of this landscape at another excellent overlook. The John Muir Lodge is the only hotel on the Kings Canyon side of the park. Rentals of chains are available in Three Rivers if you are arriving from that area. Embark on a popular hike which leads to a truly impressive wilderness waterfall. and I was able to hike 3-7 miles a day in them. Not only is the General Sherman massive in size, it will also be the tree with a crowd of people standing around it. From there, youll head north toward the Marble Falls trail, learning about the park and the giant sequoias along the way. Hello do you need a wilderness permit to hike to Moro Rock? Vehicles that exceed lengths limits cannot navigate tight curves without crossing the double yellow line. It is 275 feet tall (almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty) and has been growing for 2,300 to 2,700 years. The highway is notoriously steep, narrow, winding, and difficult to drive, especially its southern section from Hospital Rock to Giant Forest within Sequoia National Park. This one is paved and well traveled so no hesitation driving after dark. See the impressive sequoias which serve as an unofficial "gateway" into the national park. Not much of a hiker, but your article and pictures are inspiring me to go for it, Your email address will not be published. how to cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge. We saw so many birds and even a family of bears twice! It's a heck of a lot better than driving through Lion's Trail or taking the road up to Johnsondale. There is a brewery and a pizza place so it looks to be a decent place to stay a few nights. Thank you for your continued support. It is a beautiful drive, but dont expect the wide, awe-inspiring panoramas you would see at Yosemite or Yellowstone. Gasoline is available at two locations within the surrounding Sequoia National Forest at Hume Lake and Stony Creek. Stairs, [] view from my back yard of Moro Rock with rainbow on 9-20-11 [], [] that was tougher had 3 people on it. Everyone should attempt this trek while they are in Sequoia National Park. To continue using online map services, turn off the "avoid tolls" feature for the most direct and safe route to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. In Fresno, take exit 128 onto CA-180 W. Merge onto CA-180 E. Continue to the Big Stump entrance of Kings Canyon National Park. As Sequoia National Park's sister park, Kings Canyon (which is adjacent to Sequoia) is also all about big treesbut it's still an entirely separate and . We stayed in Visalia at a Holiday Inn Express, which is about an hour drive from Sequoia National Park. All tours are valid for a lifetime. It is 50 miles long, starting at the Hume Lake Ranger District (located west of Kings Canyon, outside of the park) to Cedar Grove. 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. Then youll reach Kings Canyon Overlook, a breathtaking first look at the canyon from afar. Have you been to see the giants of Sequoia National Park in winter? I wouldnt think you would have any problems getting from park to park, with the exception of traveling from Yosemite to Death Valley (depending on the route and the order you plan to visit the parks). With an area of 629 square miles of forest in the Sierra Nevada region of California, Sequoia National Park is adjoined by Kings Canyon National Park to the north/northeast, with the eastern boundary being at Mount Whitney (the highest mountain in the lower 48 states at 14,949 feet). Explore a trail frequented by black bears and learn why they're not nearly as scary as they might sound. Time: 6 hours, 30 minutes Visit General Sherman. It actually is climbable and has [], [] https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/moro-rock-sequoia/ []. If You EnjoyedThis Post, Sign Up To Receive Posts By Email or. Long, winding, stomach churning road with a few nice vistas. 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. The park newspaper says that the trail is a bit scary in some sections when the trail is icy and covered in snow, but overall this 3.74 mile trail is beautiful to hike in the winter. Plus, take in jaw-dropping views of Kings Canyon with the Sequoia National Park Tour! P.O. If the Generals Highway is closed, visitors will need to make a choice in where they want to enter the park. During the summer months, expect to share the views with lots of people. USA ROAD TRIPS: Planning your next big adventure in the USA? Las Vegas The Generals Highway is the main (and only) paved road running through Sequoia National Park from the north to south entrances. Tunnel Log is a passageway that was carved into a fallen sequoia tree. Witness the giant sequoias in all their majesty, including General Sherman, the most massive living thing on the planet. The earlier you get here, the more you can do crowd-free. 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. Up next on the Sequoia National Park, youll find one of the parks main attractions: the General Sherman Tree. Take the bus from Fresno Bus Station to Visalia. Hi, I am looking for a road trip from San Jose, CA for about 4 days during Feb 20- Feb 24. To get to Sequoia National Park from Kings Canyon, drive south past Grant Grove and follow the signs for Sequoia National Park. This self-guided driving tour takes you through enormous, ancient groves at Sequoia National Park. Otherwise you will have to drive to Grants Grove in Kings Canyon NP to the next restaurant (25 miles north of Wuksachi). We have not used it, so I dont know how it lines up with our itinerary, but for $10 it sounds like a good deal if you like to learn more about what you are seeing. As you stroll around this behemoth, youll learn some fun facts about it, including how it got its peculiar name. We found so many creeks and swimming holes while adventuring around the national park and I was glad the kids had dry clothes to change into. No visit to Sequoia National Park in winter or summer is complete without stopping by to say hello to General Sherman. While Moro Rock, one of the most famous hikes in the park is closed during winter, you can still hike along the road in search of Auto Log and Tunnel Log. https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=RSYX2YS9K7J9G Roads here are steep, winding, and narrow. A true international family a Texan bred Mom, Irish bred Dad and a son born in India exploring the world one trip at a time. You can also learn more about the national parks and get a FREE printable checklist in our US National Parks Checklist. Here is an affiliate link to Booking.com to look at properties in Three Rivers. The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is Highway 180. Death Valley National Park (West Entrance) Follow these recommendations for your safety, and the safety of others: Downshift Since travel times to the two areas are increased during winter it is advised to pick a section for each day of your visit. North of this spot the road deteriorates significantly. If you only do one hike in Sequoia in winter, the Congress Trail should be the one you do. The best time to visit Sequoia National Park is June through August, when the weather is the most stable. We skipped Crystal Cave. To the south, explore the Giant Forest Museum, Visitor Center and Moro Rock. The drive from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park is about 4 hours heading north past Bakersfield via the I-5 northbound. As you can tell from our number, the trail is not well signposted along the way. Getting here: On weekdays, you can drive directly to Moro Rock on Crescent Meadow Road, but parking is limited. Something like everyone must be off Moro Rock by sunset or 8pm or whatever? If you suffer from motion sickness, make sure you take your Dramamine or anti-nausea medication before starting this drive. Driving in Sequoia National Park in Winter, 7 Things to Do in Sequoia National Park in Winter. When you are ready to return to Visalia after your park visit, take the 2:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. departure from the park and catch the 6:30 p.m. V-LINE to Fresno. Three Rivers, Layers, layers, layers is what everyone always says for any winter destination and Sequoia is no different. One of the best drives in the NPS. Thanks again! Eshom Road is rugged and may not be passable, especially during storms or when snow is melting. Self-Guided Driving & Walking ToursAn audio guide, map, and tour book all in one! Our self-guided driving audio tours will work in any car via an aux cable or Bluetooth. problems. Here are a few places we recommend in Three Rivers: Another option in Three Rivers if you cannot find an Airbnb rental is the Comfort Inn. The kids will be tired from a long day of adventure, anyway. Play in the Snow or Go Sledding. Roads become steep and you may be increasing speed without realizing it. Expect to drive an additional 1-2 hours up winding mountain roads to arrive at the most popular Sequoia National Park attractions. For maps, detailed descriptions and driving itineraries, see the National Park Service's Sequoia & Kings Canyon website, and navigate to its Summer Drives and Viewpoints pages. Wrapped in the gorgeous trees of California, my little family bonded while we conquered fears, explored new lands and learned so much about the state we call home. Take in the views of one of the largest redwood groves in the entire world. Uncover the history of the Native tribes who lived in this region long before anyone else arrived. I also saw plenty of wildlife like deer and golden eagles. Visit our Guide to the National Parks to learn more about the parks, with important travel planning tips, sample itineraries, advice on when to go, where to stay, and more. Take US-50 E/CA-99 S towards Fresno. This is a large area perfect for running around in the snow as well as large hills for sledding. Curves and switchbacks often lead to surprise wildlife encounters. This shuttle connects Moro Rock, the Giant Forest Museum, and the General Sherman tree for free. National Park, CA 93262, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Temporary Closures -, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park Scenic Drives. NOTE: During winter, parking is very limited within the park. On the second Sunday of December, you can Trek to the Tree, an annual Christmas celebration in the park. Planning a visit to the US national parks? When you come to the 4 Guardsmen, 4 giant sequoias that split the road, you know you have entered a new world. They stop at Lodgepole, General Sherman, and the Giant Forest Museum. It takes about 30 minutes of driving round trip to get to this point and enjoy the view. In order to submit a comment to this post, please write this code along with your comment: c37d82d7d1a146ac1c278da8de72a3ca. Learn how your comment data is processed. Moro Rock rises 6,725 feet above sea level, but you climb only the last 300 feet. Find out why some mountain peaks in the park are "bald" as you pass this popular hiking trail. Note that navigation systems may not give accurate directions to the park. Hiking Poles: I really enjoyed having my lightweight hiking poles with us during the trip. There is a 2-mile leisurely walk (Crescent Meadow Loop) through alpine forests and a meadow filled with wildflowers during the summer months. This tree is actually a national shrine as well! From the world's largest trees to a gorge deeper than the Grand Canyon - adventure awaits in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. We then go to General Sherman tree trail, afterwards, we drove along the General highway to the Kings Canyon national park, there are some overlooks in the Kings canyon portions. Know about new tour launches, get exclusive access to sales and much more. Take CA-198 E to the Ash Mountain entrance of Sequoia National Park. This is also the starting point for the Congress Trail mentioned above. If you are visiting during winter you have to be prepared for both sunny, clear days as well as cloudy, overcast snowy days. Weather in Sequoia National Park in Winter. There are many giant sequoias here, but finding the General Sherman is easy. In Sacramento, take CA-99S. Along the way, you can stop at the Grant Grove Restaurant (Kings Canyon) or at the Lodgepole Deli (Sequoia) for lunch. Cheers, Julie. Its a nice view but it is skippable if you just want to move on to the more popular sites. Next up is Sequoia National Park. There is an additional fee to tour this cave. Grab supplies at the Lodgepole Market, or dine at The Peaks . The weather in Sequoia National Park is what youd expect at such high elevations: mild summers with highs in the 70s and low 80s, while the evenings get colder in the 50s. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. It is a 0.75-mile walk one way and should take about 15 minutes to get there. The two-lane road has numerous scenic pullouts and hiking trails including Junction View, Yucca Point, Grizzly Falls, Don Cecil View, Hotel Creek Overlook, Canyon View, and Roaring River Falls, before reaching Roads End. Having binoculars made the experience even more exciting for the kids. Consider taking the free shuttle from the Giant Forest Museum. Read all of our articles about California in our California Travel Guide and about the USA in our United States Travel Guide. Food may also be available about 15 miles north at the Stoney Creek Lodge on the Sequoia National Forest. Travel time from Vegas: seven hours. In summer months the trail is a concrete path, but during the winter it is covered in snow so it is much easier to lose your way once you get off the highly traveled areas by General Sherman. Next time just head to Visalia or Fresno and go from there, much easier. Buy now, travel whenevercoupon code on the next screen. But youre not in King Canyon National Park yetfirst, youll pay a visit to the General Grant Tree, the second largest in the world. In less than 10 miles, the road loses more than 3,000 feet in elevation, and the air temperature rises substantially. Drink plenty of water the day before your visit and stay well hydrated while there too. The drive back down at night was much better for me bc I was not on scary side and couldn't see the drop offs nearly as well. GetYourGuide offers an audio tour of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. There are two main sections to Kings Canyon: General Grant Grove and Cedar Grove/Zumwalt Meadows. The drive from Grant Grove to Zumwalt Meadows on this road is 30 miles long and takes between 45 minutes and an hour. Experience astonishing views at this commanding overlook as you exit Sequoia National Park. Yesterday, 2-9-16, was the clearest and most pristine day we can remember where we live about 20 miles SE of Fresno. The General Sherman Tree is the worlds largest tree, by volume. 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. Tour guides lead groups through each room in the cave, explaining the history and geology of the magnificent formations. Stroll a lovely meadow trail and hear how it got its name. Snow tires and/or snow chains are required from November to March regardless of the current weather and state of the roads. Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes 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. When planning the order of the parks, just pay attention to which roads are open, to get you to Death Valley. The only vehicular entrance into Kings Canyon is at the west side of the park near General Grant Grove. 93271, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. No gas in the Parks Dont worry; there are stairs! I would say yes, but hopefully you have an experienced driver. This is one of the few trails open at Sequoia National Park in winter and is beautiful! This is the most epic of the trails in Sequoia offering amazing groves of sequoia trees, nature, tranquility and beauty. You definitely need a full tank of gas and your own water before heading out. Moro Rock is a massive hike 400 steps, to be exact with steep elevation, but the trek is worth the awe-inspiring views including the High Sierra and Great Western Divide. Scale stone steps to reach one of the greatest vistas in the entire park. This portion is quite winding, but it's ok as long as you follow the rules not over-speed. Walk the General Sherman Trail, a short walking trail that wanders through this grove of giant trees. Fortunately park planners had the forethought to create wonderfully scenic drives through them, with evocative names like the Generals Highway and the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. The great thing about Sequoia is you can see so much of the greatness of the park from this road. Your Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks tour begins at the southern end of Sequoia National Park, near the visitor center. As the road goes through national parks and monuments, the highway is primarily maintained by the federal government instead of a California State Highway controlled by Caltrans.It is named after two of the largest and most famous Giant Sequoia trees, the General Sherman and General Grant trees. We also have detailed guides about how to hike Upper Yosemite Falls and the Mist and Muir Trails. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Its a half-mile hike down on a paved road to the spot and people line up to take pictures in front, although its nearly impossible to capture the giant tree in one photo! One of the first questions I am asked about visiting Sequoia National Park in winter is where to stay. Wuksachi Lodge is the only hotel located within the Sequoia National Park area. Although summer is the best time to . While some adults might find this trail boring, kids LOVE it. During our visit, the shuttle drove right past Tunnel Log so we could only see it on a drive-by. Take exit 96 onto CA-198 E towards Visalia. | Hobie Surf Shop l BLOG, Climbing Moro Rock, Sequoia National Park | The Wherever Writer, Red Rock Canyon to Zion, and back again | AlpineMonkeys, West Coast road trip: the USA's true beauty - Live Recklessly, A guide to visiting Sequoia National Park - Road Trippin' The States, Sequoia National Park, CA Town Traveller, https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/moro-rock-sequoia/, Crescent Meadow Loop to Chimney Tree and Tharps Log in Sequoia National Park, Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park. Lots of overlooks to enjoy the amazing scenery: sequoia groves or sheer canyons. Overall, we had the best time at Sequoia National Park. We took the tram to base of Moro Rock first thing in the morning. From Zumwalt Meadows, travel back along the Scenic Byway. All individual tours come with lifetime validity. Although guide books will tell you there is no gasoline in the park, the National Forest Service operates Sony Creek Lodge on Generals Highway, about midway between Grant Grove and Wuksachi and there is gasoline, a restaurant and store there. The canyon also features some great hikes for those in the mood. To get to the top, you will climb 400 steps (0.6 miles round trip) to the summit of a granite dome. For visitors arriving on the Kings Canyon side of the park, head to Big Stump for sledding. Fill gas tanks there are no gas stations within the park. In addition, there are also big trees to visit and snow play areas available on both sides of the park. Beyond them is the Giant Forest Museum, where youll find a short hiking trail through some of the parks enormous residents. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Three Rivers, 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.