Located along the boundary of California’s Central Valley and the High Sierra, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offer plenty of two-for-one value. Not only does one vehicle pass get you into both national parks, but a trip here provides a wide range of ways to play and even challenge yourself. Whether you want to bask in the shade of the enormous sequoias or explore rugged canyons and peaks, here are seven ways to make the most of the parks.
See the world’s biggest living thing
Standing 275 feet tall and 36 feet in diameter, the General Sherman Tree is the biggest tree on the planet in terms of sheer volume. See it by walking the Congress Trail in the Giant Forest, then experience more big trees along the Trail of 100 Giants and in the Grant Grove—home of the 267-foot General Grant, nicknamed the “Nation’s Christmas Tree.”
Drive through the Tunnel Log
In 1937, a 275-foot sequoia fell across the road in Sequoia National Park and rather than move the fallen giant, a tunnel was cut through it. Today the Tunnel Log in Giant Forest has become a destination unto itself. If your vehicle is less than 8 feet high you can drive through, but taller vehicles must take the nearby bypass.
Try your hand at fly-fishing
Cast a line for a variety of trout—rainbow, golden, brook, and brown—along the South Fork Kings River or the tributaries of the Kaweah River. Bass Lake–based Sierra Fly Fisher will set you up with gear and lessons for either a half-day or full-day excursion.
Explore the Crystal Cave
One of the region’s true marvels is Crystal Cave, a marble cave lined with giant stalactites, but you can only visit it by taking one of the tours through the Sequoia Parks Conservancy. While the tour itself is just under an hour, seeing the cave takes most of an afternoon, thanks to a steep hike to get there. Book your tour at least a few days ahead of time and pack a jacket—temperatures are typically 50 degrees inside. (Note: The cave was shut down in 2022 and 2023 due to road closures, but it is expected to reopen in 2024.) For more options, check out these guided tours in Sequoia & Kings Canyon.
Ride a horse through the forest
Hiking isn’t the only way to explore the terrain at Sequoia & Kings Canyon. Take a guided horseback ride along the Kings River with Cedar Grove Pack Station or ride among the sequoias with Grant Grove Stables, which offers one- and two-hour horseback riding trips.
Tackle two massive peaks
Sequoia National Park, along with Inyo National Forest, is the home of 14,494-foot Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous U.S. Making an ascent requires a permit, but you can also take in the views or do shorter hikes from the Whitney Portal near Lone Pine, east of the national parks. Another option: Take on the 6,725-foot granite dome Moro Rock, which you can achieve either through a rigorous 16-mile round trip or by a much easier 350-step stairway to its apex. Either way, at the top you can see both the San Joaquin Valley and the peaks of the Great Western Divide.
Catch a minor league ballgame
The town of Visalia makes an easy and affordable base camp for exploring Sequoia & Kings Canyon. Stroll the walkable downtown, check out the local craft breweries, and then see a game at Valley Strong Ballpark, home of the single-A Visalia Rawhide.
