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Sequoia National Park is one of those places that makes you feel wonderfully small. Home to the world’s largest trees, the park is filled with towering sequoias, rushing waterfalls, peaceful meadows, scenic mountain overlooks, and an incredible variety of wildlife. Our family spotted bears, bobcats, deer, and even rattlesnakes while exploring its trails—and every day brought a new adventure.
This three-day itinerary covers our favorite hikes and must-see attractions, including Tokopah Falls, the General Sherman Tree, Congress Trail, Crystal Cave, Crescent Meadow, and Moro Rock. You’ll also find helpful information about entrance fees, lodging, dining, transportation, and what to know before you go. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning to explore more, this guide will help you experience the best of Sequoia National Park.
Entrance Fee:
$35 for a 7-day vehicle pass
*This park does not accept cash.
Another option, especially if you plan on visiting California’s other national parks, is an America the Beautiful Pass. It covers the entrance fees for over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including all national parks.
If you have a 4th grader in your crew, check out Every Kid Outdoors for a free National Park Pass instead!
Lodging:
Inside the park, there is one lodge, Wuksachi Lodge. You can reserve here: Wuksachi Lodge.
There are also 6 campgrounds available within the park.
Potwisha Campground – year-round, reservations required
Buckeye Flat – year-round, does not take reservations
Lodgepole – typically open May through November, reservations required (LOVE this one!)
Dorst Creek – typically open May through November, reservations required
Cold Springs – typically open May through October, reservations required
Atwell Mill – typically open May through October, reservations required
Campground reservations can be made here: Camping in Sequoia National Park.
Kings Canyon National Park also has 8 campgrounds and 2 lodges. Kings Canyon is just to the north of Sequoia National Park.
For lodging options outside the park, check out Three Rivers, CA. It is just outside the park and has both hotels and plenty of VRBO options.
Dining:
Sequoia National Park has several on-site dining options. You can find the first two at the Wuksachi Lodge. The Wuksachi Lodge has The Peaks Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the Wuksachi Pizza Deck, which serves lunch and dinner. The Peaks Restaurant requires dinner reservations. You can make reservations here: The Peaks Restaurant. The next option inside the park is the Lodgepole Grill, Market, and Snack Bar. The grill serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We ate at the grill twice on our last visit, and it was perfect for a quick lunch.
Kings Canyon, just north of Sequoia National Park, also has dining options in both the Grant Grove and Cedar Grove areas of the park.
If you are staying in Three Rivers, our personal recommendations include Sierra Subs and Salads, The Gateway, and our personal favorite, Tony’s Taverna.
Know Before You Go:
- Crystal Cave Tours typically run from May through November, and tickets must be purchased in advance. Purchase tickets here: Crystal Cave Tours.
- Please review wildlife safety before heading out. We saw SO much wildlife on the trails- bear, bobcats, and rattlesnakes joined us on many of our hikes. In the meadows, keep your eyes peeled for bears in the long grass. They are easy to miss!
- There is a FREE shuttle that runs throughout most of the park. Hours and days vary by season. Check the current schedules and routes here: Sequoia National Park Shuttle. Park at the Lodgepole Campground to utilize the shuttle.
- I recommend downloading an AllTrails map for trails on this itinerary. (Want to check out AllTrails+? Use this link for a discount- AllTrails+.)
- Please remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.
3 DAY ITINERARY
Day 1
Tokopah Falls
Distance: 4 miles round trip
Trail Route: Out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 600+ ft
Trail Access: Take Generals Highway to Lodgepole. Take Lodgepole Road back to the campground. Just before the bridge, across from the campground restrooms, are two small parking lots. Walk across the bridge, and the trailhead is on your right immediately on the other side.
Pet Friendly: No
Restroom at Trailhead: Yes
Start your time at Sequoia National Park with one of my all-time favorite trails. This entire trail is just incredible. You’ll follow the rushing water of the Marble Fork Kaweah River as you wind your way through shady forests, serene meadows, and peaceful streams, with views of the massive Watchtower Peak coming in and out of view along the way. Just before reaching the 1,200-ft falls, you will even maneuver through a fun boulder field- it is not technically difficult. Once you reach the impressive Tokopah Falls, soak in the 360 degree views of the valley, mountains, and water that will surround you. I could have easily stayed in this spot forever. We even had fog roll in through the trees, which only added to the dreamy atmosphere of this fantastic spot. Once you are done soaking in the views, retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
Giant Forest Museum
This is a must-stop on your first day in the park. This small museum is packed with information about the area’s landscape, especially the park’s main showstoppers: its massive sequoia trees. Exhibits, displays, and videos provide essential information about the sequoias and the park’s history. Rangers are available to answer questions, and a small gift shop is also on-site. The museum is open daily at 9 am, with closing times varying by season.
Big Trees Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles round trip
Trail Route: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 100+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the large lot across from the Giant Forest Museum via Generals Highway.
Pet Friendly: No
Restroom at Trailhead: Yes
When you exit the Giant Forest Museum, you’ll be greeted by the towering Sentinel Tree. From there, take the path to your right and head onto the Big Trees Trail. This trail is a loop that can be hiked in either direction and is relatively flat throughout. You will need to cross Generals Highway to loop around Round Meadow, so please use caution when crossing the road or if little ones are running ahead. Despite the proximity to the road, we saw a ton of wildlife on this trail—lots of deer and even a bear enjoying an evening snack in the meadow. This trail is beautiful all day, but if you are looking to escape the crowds and spot some of the park’s wonderful wildlife, I recommend making this an end-of-day hike.
Day 2
General Sherman Tree/ Congress Trail
Distance: 4 miles round trip
Trail Route: Loop with secondary loop to the General Sherman Tree.
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 600+ ft
Trail Access: General Sherman Tree Parking Lot via Wolverton Road.
Pet Friendly: No
Restroom at Trailhead: Yes
If you only have time for one trail in Sequoia National Park, I recommend this one. The trees along it are among the most impressive in the entire park. We visited in May, and it had actually snowed that morning, which only added to the magic of these magnificent giants.
This trail is a loop with a short secondary loop leading to the base of the General Sherman Tree. We turned right onto the General Sherman Tree Trail and completed that small loop first, then returned to the Congress Trail Loop and followed it counterclockwise. The trail climbs and descends throughout, so I think you could hike the loop in either direction. There is not a benefit to doing it one way or the other. You will pass quite a few trail junctions along the way because the Congress Trail intersects with multiple other trails. There are also many ways to lengthen or shorten the hike. I highly recommend using an AllTrails map, and if you have time, walking the entire 4-mile loop. The Congress Group (the Senate and the House) is breathtaking, and it lies at the farthest point of the loop.
Crystal Cave Tour
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
- Entrance Fee: $22/adult, $11/child
- The parking area for the Cave Tours is about 12 miles from the General Sherman Tree Trailhead. Because the roads are narrow, winding and quite rough, plan on allowing more than an hour to reach the check-in parking lot.
- Tours typically run daily, May through November.
- Tickets MUST be purchased in advance @ sequoiaparksconservancy. Tickets are NOT sold at the parking area or at the cave entrance and often sell out. Please plan ahead so you don’t make the long drive only to discover that tickets aren’t available at the entrance. Several people did this even though there were warnings online and on a large sign at the cave road entrance.
- Vehicles over 22 feet or towed trailers are not allowed on the cave road.
- The cave stays at 50 degrees year- round, so you may want to bring layers during the summer months.
- Backpacks and strollers are not permitted.
- Wear closed- toed shoes with good traction.
- You may want to bring water for the return hike. The trail to and from the cave entrance is 1 mile round- trip. Although the return route is paved, it is very steep and may not be suitable for everyone, so be sure to know your limits.
DAY OF THE TOUR:
Once you arrive at the parking lot, use the restrooms, then head to the ranger booth to check in. From there, you’ll receive a quick orientation. Next, you will complete a hydrogen peroxide shoe soak to help prevent the spread of White-nose Syndrome for our furry, winged friends inside the cave. Finally, you’ll be ready to make your way down the steep but beautiful path to the cave, enjoying mountain and waterfall views along the way.
The ranger leading the tour will meet you at the cave entrance. From there, you’ll pass through the infamous spider gate and begin the tour. Our tour was fantastic, and the ranger was incredibly knowledgeable—he has been working in the cave since the 80s! We took our 9-, 11-, and 12-year-olds, and they did great, so I would definitely say it is kid-friendly. You’ll spend about an hour in the cave as you loop and squeeze through the various rooms. Once you loop back to the entrance, you’ll say goodbye to the ranger and begin the steep climb back up to the parking lot.
Day 3
On weekends during the summer months, Crescent Meadow Road is closed to private vehicles. To access this area of the park, you must park in the large lot across from the Giant Forest Museum and take the free ROUTE 2 shuttle (gray). Pick-up is right in front of the Giant Forest Museum. If the Giant Forest Museum Lot is full, park in the Lodgepole Campground Lot and take Route 1 (green) to Route 2 (gray).
Crescent Meadow Loop
Distance: 1.3 miles round trip
Trail Route: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 100+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the lot at the very end of Crescent Meadow Road.
Pet Friendly: No
Restroom at Trailhead: Yes
You can hike this lovely loop trail in either direction. The dirt path winds through the soaring sequoias and circles a vibrant green meadow. On the north side of the meadow, make sure to visit Chimney Tree—walk inside and look up to understand how this tree got its name. Expect to see plenty of wildlife, especially bears; on our last trip, we spotted a mama bear with her cubs near the meadow’s edge.
If you have the time, consider extending your hike with a side trip to Tharp’s Log. This will add an additional 0.6 miles to your hike. Tharp’s Log is a cabin built right into a fallen sequoia tree.
Moro Rock
Distance: 0.5 miles round trip
Trail Route: Out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 100+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the Moro Rock parking lot via Moro Rock Loop.
Pet Friendly: No
Restroom at Trailhead: Yes
When heading down from Crescent Meadow, veer onto Moro Rock Loop from Crescent Meadow Road and park in the Moro Rock Lot. This trailhead is also a shuttle stop on Route 2 (gray) if you are visiting on the weekend. This trail is short but steep, with more stairs than “trail”- 300+ stairs. The entire trail is narrow, so if you visit on a busy day, you will need to pack your patience, as it’s a slow climb to the top. There is very little space for others to let you pass. Also, while there is a railing most of the way up, it is still very open. Use caution if you are bringing little ones or are afraid of heights. If you are able to make it to the top, the views are STUNNING. Well worth the trek up, or, in my knees’ case, the trek back down.
Hanging Rock Trail
Distance: 0.3 miles round trip
Trail Route: Out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 70+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the Hanging Rock Lot via Moro Rock Loop.
Pet Friendly: No
Restroom at Trailhead: No
The Hanging Rock trail is situated a bit further along the Moro Rock Loop. It offers a brief walk with scenic views comparable to Moro Rock, but it tends to be less crowded. From this trail, you also enjoy excellent views of Moro Rock itself, making it a perfect spot for a last glance at the breathtaking scenery of Sequoia National Park.
As with any National Park, Sequoia has plenty to see along its scenic drives. Below are a few stops I recommend as you drive between the trails above over the three days.
Crescent Meadow Road:
- Tunnel Log
- Parker Group
- Buttress Tree
- Auto Log/Colonel Young Tree
- Booker T. Washington Tree
Generals Highway:
- Tunnel Rock
- Hospital Rock
- Amphitheater Point
- Vista Point
- The Four Guardsmen
- Kings Canyon Overlook
Have an incredible adventure!
Looking for another California National Park itinerary? Check out my Death Valley National Park post!
Check out all of our crew’s hiking gear and apparel below!
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