Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are often overshadowed by their famous neighbor Yosemite, but they hold wonders all their own. Sequoia is home to the General Sherman Tree—the largest living thing on Earth by volume—and groves of ancient giants that make humans feel appropriately small. Kings Canyon plunges deeper than the Grand Canyon in places, carved by glaciers and time into one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Sierra Nevada.
Together, these adjacent parks offer everything from easy strolls among sequoias to multi-day backcountry expeditions. It's where superlatives become reality: the biggest, the deepest, the most awe-inspiring.
Giant Sequoia Hikes
General Sherman Tree Trail
- Distance: 1.0 mile round trip
- Difficulty: Easy
A paved trail leads to the General Sherman Tree—275 feet tall, 36 feet in diameter at the base, and estimated at 2,200 years old. It's the largest single-stem tree on Earth. The short walk doesn't prepare you for the impact of standing before it.
Congress Trail
- Distance: 2.0 miles loop
- Difficulty: Easy
Extending from General Sherman, this loop passes more giants: the President, the Chief Sequoyah, and the Senate Group. The concentration of massive trees here is staggering.
Giant Forest Loop
- Distance: 6.0 miles loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
A longer loop through the Giant Forest, connecting multiple groves and providing a deeper immersion in sequoia country. Fewer crowds than the main trails.
Crescent Meadow
- Distance: 1.6 miles loop
- Difficulty: Easy
John Muir called Crescent Meadow "the gem of the Sierra." This easy loop circles the flower-filled meadow, passing Tharp's Log—a fallen sequoia that served as a cabin.
Kings Canyon Hikes
Mist Falls Trail
- Distance: 8.0 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 600 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
The most popular hike in Kings Canyon follows the South Fork Kings River to a powerful waterfall cascading over granite. The approach reveals the canyon's dramatic scale.
Zumwalt Meadow
- Distance: 1.5 miles loop
- Difficulty: Easy
A flat loop through a beautiful meadow surrounded by towering granite walls. Perfect for those wanting canyon scenery without major effort.
Rae Lakes Loop (Backpacking)
- Distance: 42 miles loop
- Difficulty: Very Strenuous
The classic Kings Canyon backpacking trip passes through stunning alpine lake basins and over Glen Pass at 11,978 feet. Allow 4-5 days minimum. Permits required.
More Great Trails
Moro Rock
- Distance: 0.5 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Moderate (stairs)
Climb 400 steps to the top of a granite dome for panoramic views of the Great Western Divide. Not for those with fear of heights—the exposure is significant.
Tokopah Falls
- Distance: 3.4 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Easy
A pleasant walk through the Marble Fork canyon to a 1,200-foot cascade. Best in spring and early summer when water is flowing.
High Sierra Trail
This legendary 72-mile trail crosses the Sierra from Crescent Meadow to Mount Whitney. It's one of the great American backpacking routes, typically completed in 6-8 days.
Practical Information
Getting There
The parks are about 4-5 hours from Los Angeles, 3-4 hours from San Francisco. Access is via Highway 180 (Kings Canyon) or Highway 198 (Sequoia).
When to Visit
- Spring: Waterfalls at peak; some roads may be closed
- Summer: Full access; crowded; afternoon thunderstorms possible
- Fall: Fewer crowds; pleasant temperatures
- Winter: Many roads close; sequoia snow scenery spectacular
Fees
$35 per vehicle for 7 days (covers both parks).
Lodging
- Several campgrounds (reservations recommended)
- Lodges at Wuksachi and Grant Grove
- Towns of Three Rivers and Fresno for additional options
Quick Reference
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Sherman | 1.0 mi | Easy | Largest tree |
| Congress Trail | 2.0 mi | Easy | Many giants |
| Mist Falls | 8.0 mi | Moderate | Waterfall |
| Moro Rock | 0.5 mi | Moderate | Views |
Sequoia and Kings Canyon offer experiences found nowhere else: walking among the largest trees on Earth, gazing into the deepest canyon in North America, and discovering corners of the Sierra Nevada that most visitors never see. These parks deserve the same reverence as Yosemite—and reward those who make the journey.
