Sequoia & Kings Canyon

In Sequoia National Park visit Mineral King, a beautiful valley at 7,500 feet. This area can be used as a basecamp for day hikes to lakes and alpine wonderlands.

Camping in Mineral King (Sequoia and Kings Canyon) for off the beaten path trip idea page

A tour through Crystal Cave will give you an inside look at the complex world that lies beneath our feet. Spend time with a guide and learn about the unique geologic features and animal creatures found within the cave.

The Tokopah Falls Trail is great place to see the “classic” Sierra Nevada landscape. Sheer granite cliffs, a dense conifer forest, and a rushing river create a peaceful mountain scene.

A stone and concrete stairway leads to the top of Moro Rock, a granite dome that towers over the Generals Highway. From the top, enjoy sweeping views of the hills below and the wilderness to the east.

The General Sherman Tree is a must-see while visiting the Giant Forest. It is the largest tree in the world.

Park wildlife are often seen along the Big Trees Trail, an easy and accessible path that starts at Giant Forest Museum and takes you around a meadow lined with mature sequoias.

There is no better way to explore the Giant Forest than by going out on the trails. Try a stroll on the Congress Trail, a 2-mile (3.2-km) loop that starts from the General Sherman Tree and takes you into the heart of a sequoia grove.

The Crescent Meadow Trail is an ideal place for photography and a relaxing walk. Follow the flat, 1.5-mile (2.4-km) loop trail around Crescent Meadow, where bright green vegetation contrasts with the red bark of giant sequoias.

Since 1935, people have been driving through Tunnel Log. You too can join in on the novelty of driving through a fallen Sequoia.

Before you investigate the area, stop here at the Giant Forest Museum to learn about giant sequoias and area history.

Sitting at 7,250 feet (2,160 m) above sea level, snow transforms Wolverton Meadow into a winter wonderland. This is a great place for people of all ages and abilities to play in the snow.

For skiers with more experience, the Trail of the Sequoias is a great opportunity to find some solitude among the big trees.

Our popular ranger-guided snowshoe walks are a great way to explore snowy trails. Snowshoe programs are usually offered from December through March, as long as there is at least 8 inches of snow on the ground.

Enjoy an up-close experience walking around the big trees, including the largest tree on Earth.

With easy access from Giant Forest Museum, this trail goes along the Moro Rock – Crescent Meadow Road. This gentle sloping trail will take you by dozens of sequoia trees, including the famous Tunnel Log. At the end of the trail, enjoy the serenity of Crescent Meadow.

There is no better way to see the snow covered Giant Forest than to get out on the trails and walk around. Whether you rent snowshoes or bring your own, snowshoeing around a sequoia grove is a fun experience for people who are well-prepared.

In winter, you must be prepared for snowy or icy mountain roads and cold temperatures. Tire chains can be required on any park road at any time from fall through late spring.

Head out on the Wuksachi Trail to Lodgepole for a walk through fir forests, meadows, and creeks. Venture into the wilderness by connecting to the Twin Lakes Trail for Cahoon Meadow, or continue to Lodgepole, where you can catch the Purple Route 2 shuttle back to Wuksachi Lodge (summer only).

Take the Grey Route 2 shuttle for incredible views at Moro Rock before picnicking by Crescent Meadow, the largest meadow in the Giant Forest.

Explore the Giant Forest on your way to the General Sherman Tree! Take the 2.8 mile Lodgepole-Sherman Tree Trail from the Lodgepole Campground, then catch the Green Route 1 shuttle back to the parking lot.

Keep your eyes and ears open for wildlife as you hike along the Tokopah Falls and Crescent Meadow in Sequoia's Giant Forest.

Discover the parks with an expert! Learn more at an all ages ranger program.

Become a Junior Ranger!

Gather around a picnic at these spots from Giant Forest to Grant Grove.

Take a hike to a sequoia grove that is tucked away from the road. Muir Grove provides a quiet experience among these giant trees. If you find other sequoia groves to be a bit crowded, take a walk to experience Muir Grove.

Take a short hike to Tokopah Fall in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Take a quiet backpacking trip along the Garfield Trail to the remote Garfield Grove in Sequoia National Park

Are you looking for the perfect spot for sunset? Head to Sunset Rock in the Giant Forest. This less trafficked trail is a great option for escaping the crowds and enjoying the colorful sunset.

Hike on a lesser-known trail in Sequoia National Park. The Little Baldy trail takes you through a mixed-conifer forest to the top of a granite dome. Once there, you can take in a 360-degree panoramic view.

Visit Cedar Grove, in the heart of Kings Canyon. Once there, take a hike through a forested ravine to a shady glen and a small cascading waterfall called Sheep Creek Cascade. You’ll also see views of the Monarch Divide.

Would you like to hike, but don’t have a lot of time? Head to Buena Vista Peak, which is only a 1-mile hike to a spectacular viewpoint. You’ll be rewarded with views of Redwood Canyon and the Kings Canyon high country.

Take a short hike to little-known viewpoint, called Eagle View. This vista is just as spectacular as Moro Rock, but with fewer people. Enjoy the bird's-eye view of the Sequoia Kings Wilderness and the High Sierra.

Explore this little-known dirt road in Kings Canyon National Park: the River Road in Cedar Grove. The traffic on the road is light, so it is good for biking, walking, running, or walking your dog. And it's a great place to escape the busier spots in the park.

Explore Paradise Canyon in the Foothills of Sequoia National Park. This gentle trail parallels Paradise Creek, taking you past waterfalls and pools.