As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six week road trip. I…read morehave a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and truly experience it. On this trip, we visited 14 national parks, and Kings Canyon National Park quickly became one of my favorites. We stayed five days between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, which gave us plenty of time to explore both at a relaxed pace. Staying in the middle made it easy to enjoy everything the area has to offer. Kings Canyon is simply breathtaking. The drive into the canyon reminded me very much of Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park. Around every curve, another spectacular view appears. Towering granite cliffs rise dramatically above the canyon, while the Kings River rushes below with crystal clear water, waterfalls, cascades, and rapids. It is one of those roads where you constantly want to pull over just to admire the scenery. Yes, the giant sequoias are magnificent, but Kings Canyon offers something different. The combination of the massive granite walls, the river carving its way through the valley, lush forests, and peaceful meadows creates an entirely different experience from neighboring Sequoia. The two parks complement each other beautifully. We were fortunate to drive into the canyon on a Sunday morning before the crowds arrived, making the experience even more enjoyable. The traffic was light, and we were able to stop often, take our time, and truly appreciate the beauty around us. The following day we returned, only to discover road construction and long delays, so we definitely felt lucky with our timing. One thing I would encourage visitors to do is not stop at Sequoia National Park alone. Many people come to see the giant trees and then leave, missing one of the most spectacular drives in California. Kings Canyon deserves just as much attention. In my opinion, the two parks should always be visited together. Whether you come for the towering sequoias, the dramatic granite peaks, the roaring river, or the incredible scenic drive, Kings Canyon National Park delivers an unforgettable experience. It is peaceful, majestic, and one of those places that reminds you just how extraordinary our national parks truly are.

I've been to Sequoia once, long time ago, and I just recently found out there's another side of the…read morepark where you can see beautiful mountains, waterfalls, and rivers. We came during Memorial Day weekend, and thank God the entrance was free. Surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded even though it was a long weekend. We didn't get the chance to explore all the scenery because the wait at the restaurant inside the park was super long -- around 2 hours or so. We still managed to do a short hike at General Grant Grove and explored Boyden Cavern afterward. That ended up being the highlight of our short trip. I highly recommend the cave tour -- it was absolutely beautiful inside, and the history behind it was fascinating. We'll definitely be coming back next time for camping!

If you haven't seen the largest tree(s) on earth, you are missing out, get your hiking boots on…read morecome witness some of the most beautiful trees and landscape to be found. Parking can be a beyotch, especially when the main lot is closed, but stay patient and people are coming and going constantly, but whatever you do... DO NOT PARK on the road itself. Don't do it. You can do small short hikes around the grove or during winter you can strap on some snow shoes, or crampons, based on conditions, and you can get further out into the grove or park itself. I just be prepared for whatever you're planning on doing that will guarantee you have a successful outing

Visited the General Sherman Tree at Sequoia National Park and overall it was a good experience, but…read morethere are definitely a few things to be aware of. The tree itself is truly impressive and worth seeing at least once--it's amazing to stand in front of something that massive and historic. That said, expect large crowds and long lines, especially during peak times. It can take a while just to get close enough for photos. Parking was also a challenge during our visit. Spots fill up quickly, so you may need to circle around or wait. We started from the top parking lot, and while going down is manageable, the hike back up is pretty exhausting, so be prepared for that. One downside was the restroom condition--they were quite dirty and looked like they hadn't been maintained well that day. Also, just a heads-up: not everyone we encountered was friendly, so patience helps in crowded areas. Despite these issues, it was still a memorable visit. Just plan ahead, bring water, and be ready for a bit of a workout.

Parking at the General Sherman Tree Parking Lot, then took The Congress Trail, you will first see…read moreMcKinley Tree, it's the center of the trail, which you can go to Lincoln and the the rest of the giant trees in the Congress Trail. It's about 1 mi to The President (third largest sequoia in the world, after General Sherman and General Grant). The Chief Sequoia is located a few steps from "The President", then further down the trail, you will see The House, The Senate (group features 7-8 giant sequoias clustered together). The whole loop is about 3 miles. Quite easy trail, with few easy incline.

This hike was much longer than I thought. But WOAH! The amazing Sequoias that you can see here are…read morejust priceless. If you have the time definitely try it.

I recently visited Moro Rock, and it was honestly one of the most breathtaking experiences I've had…read morein Sequoia National Park. The hike itself is short but definitely a workout, the stairs are steep, and you'll feel it, especially if you're not used to higher elevations. That said, every step is worth it. As you climb, the views just keep getting better, and once you reach the top, it's absolutely stunning. You get a panoramic view of the Sierra Nevada mountains, deep valleys, and endless forest -- it really puts into perspective how massive and beautiful nature is. One thing to keep in mind: it can get crowded, especially during peak hours, and the stairs are narrow, so you may have to wait at certain points. Also, if you're afraid of heights, some sections might feel a bit intense since there are steep drop-offs, although there are railings for safety. Overall, Moro Rock is a must-visit if you're in the park. It's a relatively quick hike with a huge payoff, and definitely one of the highlights of the trip. Highly recommend going early in the morning or around sunset for the best experience.

This is a must see for first time Sequoia National Park visitors. There are like 700 steps up, and…read morewith only 2-3 spots one person pass at a time. The view is great especially when you can see some snow at the mountains. I would recommend this place if you are not able to fit in any other site seeing spots. Next, Tharp's Cabin is a very nice ADA accessible trail that I recommend seeing, very unique and wonderful close up views of sequoias and the meadow. The views on this easy trail fit the monumental national park vibes. Bird sounds and more remote and expensive. I would not recommend Lodge Pole trail to waterfall unless touching the river water is exciting to you or plan to sit and picnic by the river water on a hot day. The trail is similar to the Vernal Falls at Yosemite but views are meh when comparing the two. Memorial Day 2026 had shuttle waiting times of 40 mins per shuttle. The park was not equipped for the extra visitors so normally shuttles stop at 6pm but were still running when we got on the last shuttle at 7-7:30pm. The signs should change from the shuttle every 15 minutes to up to an hour on busy holidays. I felt bad for the people at the back of the line as they were announcing that they were going to start ending them. Certain parking lots or lodge locations had flushable toilets, but in the more remote trail head locations they were out houses. The Moro rock and crescent trailhead outhouses had wasps flying inside and outside the bathrooms May 2026 , so I would not recommend using those bathroom locations and plan to go before or after at a different place. The Big Tree Museum, lodgepole, The famous tree place, and some others had flushable toilets and some other bigger locations scattered around the park.

An absolute must! I…read morecan't stop talking about how much I enjoyed this scenic viewpoint! The hike requires you to hike up 350 steps which is approximately 0.25 miles and 350 steps down which is approximately 0.25 miles down which is 0.50 miles! I saw children and senior citizens hiking up the trail. Hiking sticks were not necessary! You can definitely go at your own pace. There are parts of the stairs where you would need to let people go first. Otherwise, wonderful trail!! Parking can be challenging. Many cars parked along the side of the road. There are many more trails to choose from if this particular trail was too short. Definitely add it to your hiking list if you are visiting sequoia national park.

Parking is hard at the trailhead. there are lot of cars parking along the road. there is shuttle…read morebus available but I'm not sure about the frequency. Moro Rock Trail is not a difficult trail with 350 steps up a huge granite dome, some part of the steps are very narrow. There are several tiny spots for people to stop and rest. The view is stunning along the hike.

Stopped by here back in 2021 and absolutely loved the trees, its an easy loop, beautiful meadows,…read morelarge trees, large rocks and on the drive up there gorgeous views where you can pull up and see the hills Overall great spot, loved it

Big Trees Trailhead is next to Giant Forest Museum. An easy…read moreloop trail around beautiful meadow, the trail path is mostly paved. There are several information boards along the trail giving you great knowledge about the tress and the meadow. Overall, it is a tranquil and awesome view with meadows and trees.

We had an amazing time with Kaweah Whitewater Rafting! The entire experience was well organized,…read moreexciting, and a lot of fun. A special thank you to our guide, Gera, who was absolutely fantastic. He kept things fun and entertaining while making sure everyone felt safe and comfortable on the river. His energy, humor, and expertise made the trip even better. The rapids were a blast, and the scenery was beautiful. I highly recommend Kaweah Whitewater Rafting, and if you get Gera as your guide, you're in for a great time!

If you have never been rafting before, all I can say is please find a way to talk yourself into…read moresigning up for an afternoon with Kaweah Whitewater Adventures! We had a party of four first timers, My mom, myself, and my two boys (14 & 10) and we did the afternoon adventure. EVERYONE had an absolute blast. It was the highlight of our trip and one of the most fun things we have done in years. This really is an adventure. You will be bouncing all over the raft and working in sync as a team to line yourself up for the best past through wild waters. The guides are amazing at keeping everyone locked in and also sharing the beauty of the river. I cannot recommend this excursion enough! Some details on the family option: You drive in to their supervised lot, park your vehicle, and after 30 min of putting on gear and going through instructions you jump in the rafts and go down river for about 4 miles to the lake where you are picked up by a bus and brought back to the lot. The whole trip took about 2.5 hours but I would expect some variance. There were two spots in the run where you can jump in the water and swim around for a bit. One parting thought is that if you are in the area and you see the river you may think you have an idea of what it looks like, but I was truly taken aback by the beauty of the scenery from the perspective of the winding path of the river. You really do get to see a view that is just as unique and special as any park trail.

6$ gets you admission to the dog friendly park and the museum but the museum does not allow dogs?…read moreMaybe could have mentioned that on the way in? Muesum staff was flippant and extremely rude when we attempted to enter with our disabled pug being carried in a backpack. It was over 100 degrees outside, no way we could leave her in the car. Park is covered in goose poop and the pond is a toilet bowl. Facilities were a disgrace. Totally not worth 6$, will not be back!

Visited on a sunny afternoon, and learned a lot about the history of the town of Visalia and Tulare…read moreCounty from the museum. No food, no drinks, no problem just leave them at the counter before you enter. The buildings were nice and air conditioned, so we stayed for awhile comfortably. The park was clean, and the geese were pretty aggressive, so if you bring your own picnic food, make sure you don't look away for too long!