Sequoia National Park
Overview
Sequoia National Park offers a glimpse into life on an inhuman scale. This awe-inspiring landscape testifies to nature's incredible diversity, beauty and size. Permanent fixtures of the park include soaring granite peaks, regal sequoia trees, and some of the most dramatic canyons and caverns that the region has to offer. Even the ferns in Sequoia are larger than life. Visitors will not be disappointed by the variety of vistas and activities that the park has to offer.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks lie side by side in the southern Sierra Nevada, east of the San Joaquin Valley. Visitor activities vary by season and elevation, which ranges from 1,370 to 14,494 feet.
Visiting Tips
Because of the extreme elevation range in the parks, weather conditions vary greatly from area to area and day to day. Head to the Sequoia National Park page to double check weather conditions before heading out. Opening and closing dates for facilities and services may change due to weather or other circumstances.
Camping & Lodging
- A variety of lodging choices operate with the park, two of which operate year-round. Choices include modern lodge style rooms and cabin style accommodations that make exploring the park easy and relaxing. Whether you choose to stay in one of four lodges, or venture into backcountry accommodations such as Bearpaw Meadow High Sierra Camp or Pear Lake Ski Hut, Sequoia National Park is sure to provide a comfortable stay for any type of visit. More information can be found here.
- For those seeking to pitch a tent, the park offers a variety of campgrounds throughout the park, and locations range from the foothills, to Kings Canyon, to peaceful sequoia groves. There is a total of 14 campgrounds within the park, 3 of which are open year-round. Most are first-come, first served, with the exception of Potwisha, Buckeye Flats, Lodgepole and Dorst campgrounds, all of which accept reservations. A maximum of 6 people are allowed in standard sites, but group campsites are also available with a reservation. Be aware, most campgrounds fill up on Saturday nights from July through August. More information can be found here.
Food & Drink
Restaurants
- Year-Round Options
- Grant Grove Village: Restaurant, market (limited selection in winter months), post office*
- Montecito-Sequoia Lodge: Restaurant Late Spring into Fall Options:
- Lodgepole Village: Snack bar, deli and market
- Wolverton Meadows: All you can eat barbecue (Summer-only, Friday - Sunday, dinner only)
- Cedar Grove Vilage: Restaurant and market
- Mineral King: Silver City Resort- a small restaurant on private land
*Closed until 2017, being reconstructed.
Other Activities
There are hundreds of miles of trails that are suitable for day-hiking, and provide visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves deep in the wilderness, experience wildlife, and wander through sequoia groves. Trails exist for every experience level, from beginners to experienced hikers, and paved paths make excursions in wheelchairs or strollers easily accessible.
With so many great trails, you may decide to extend your stay overnight. The designated wilderness within the park provides the perfect place for overnight backpacking trips for those wishing to engage more closely with the natural landscape. Please see the recommended list of activities from the NPS here.
Recommended Routes in Sequoia National Park - 7
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Lakes Trail
12.2 mi 19.7 km • 2,792' Up 851.1 m Up • 2,792' Down 850.85 m Down
Congress Trail
1.9 mi 3.0 km • 350' Up 106.6 m Up • 314' Down 95.62 m Down
Alta Peak
13.4 mi 21.6 km • 3,898' Up 1188.01 m Up • 3,897' Down 1187.87 m Down
Mineral King Loop
25.6 mi 41.3 km • 9,101' Up 2773.89 m Up • 9,091' Down 2771.03 m Down
Giant Forest Loop Trail
7.5 mi 12.0 km • 972' Up 296.24 m Up • 952' Down 290.23 m Down
Sequoia National Park Running
- 672 Miles 1,081 Kilometers of Trail
- 7 Recommended Routes
- 12 Gems
- 17 Easy Trails
- 78 Intermediate Trails
- 48 Difficult Trails
Areas Within Sequoia National Park
Weather Averages
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Trails in Sequoia National Park - 136
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2.0
mi
3.2
km
#1Moro Rock Trail
Three Rivers, CA
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Three Rivers, CA | 46 | ||
1.9
mi
3.1
km
#2Tokopah Falls Trail
Three Rivers, CA
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Three Rivers, CA | 47 | ||
66.5
mi
107.0
km
#3High Sierra Trail
Three Rivers, CA
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Three Rivers, CA | 22 | ||
0.6
mi
1.0
km
#4Mt Whitney - The Chute
Lone Pine, CA
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Lone Pine, CA | 4 | ||
3.1
mi
5.0
km
#5Little Baldy/Dorst
Three Rivers, CA
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Three Rivers, CA | 8 | ||
2.6
mi
4.2
km
#6Mount Langley Army Pass Route
Lone Pine, CA
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Lone Pine, CA | 9 | ||
1.5
mi
2.3
km
#7Crystal Lakes
Three Rivers, CA
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Three Rivers, CA | 3 | ||
0.7
mi
1.1
km
#8Big Trees Trail
Three Rivers, CA
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Three Rivers, CA | 17 | ||
1.4
mi
2.2
km
#9Eagle Lake Trail
Three Rivers, CA
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Three Rivers, CA | 6 | ||
182.8
mi
294.3
km
#10PCT: Crabtree Meadow to Tuolumne Meadow (Yosemite)
Lone Pine, CA
|
Lone Pine, CA | 2 |
Photos of Sequoia National Park - 404
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