First time for us four at Sequoia NP and we loved our experience in Crystal Cave. The staff overall…read moreloved what they do and you can tell. Right from the get go the staff welcomes your group and is telling you instructions to take care of yourself, your group and the caves/park. They greet you with enthusiasm and you learn so much. Please arrive on time! For parking there's quite a bit of spaces. There's restroom nearby so you can go before heading out. You can bring your backpack onto the trail but can't bring it inside the cave. So you can either bring it and leave it on the floor outside the cave or in your car. The trail can be a little challenging for some but very doable. Can be a little challenging for some children and some older adults. This also includes for the caves.The staff are there to watch for your safety but they do warn you about your surroundings. The cave is very cool to explore but there will be some tight spaces you will navigate through. So I don't recommend bringing a stroller and make sure your kids are able to walk and stay near. They will definitely enjoy the cool nature stuff inside! There's a gift shop stand near the entrance of the trail. You can buy nice souvenirs, snacks, and support! Overall we loved our tour and we would comeback again for this. Thank you to all the staff of Crystal Cave for all that you do and taking care of this natural beauty.

We made reservations to see the crystal cave and arrived early. They were able to move up our time…read morewhich was really nice since there's not much to do around there. Once it was time to hike down they made some general announcements and we met the guide at entrance of the cave. It was nice to have someone tell us the history of the cave and guide us through. The 20 minute hike down and up wasn't too bad and was completely doable for my 6 year old son. Overall, it was a unique experience and I'm glad we made the stop during our Sequoia trip!

The General Grant Tree Trail is a must go place for all visitors to the national park. It is…read morewell-paved, not too incline. you will first see the Fallen Monarch which is a fallen sequoia tree so huge that you can walk thru it like a tunnel, it's very photoworthy. Continue walking and you will see Centennial Stump and Gamlin Cabin (closed for repair), then you come to the General Grant Tree, it's huge and if you walk around the tree, you will see the huge fire scar on the tree trunk. Michigan tree is further down the trail, overall this is an interesting trail, don't miss it when you visit the national park Fun fact: General Grant Tree is world second-largest tree by volume, it is also known as the Nation's Christmas Tree.

We visited on Jul 4, 2025 ... Happy Independence Day,…read moreAmerica! The General Grant Tree is located in Grant Grove in the Kings Canyon National Park. You will need to enter the gate of Kings Canyon National Park or Sequoia National Park to see it. Once inside either of these National Parks, you can traverse to the other without going through another entry gate. We arrived at the gate to Kings Canyon National Park by 8:38 in the morning. I highly suggest arriving as early as possible to avoid slow-moving traffic and potential line of stopped vehicles on the road with a prolonged wait time at the gate. We stopped in at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center & Grant Grove Village for a potty break and to check out souvenirs and information there. There's also a restaurant here if you need sustenance for your day. If you need Wi-Fi, you can connect here. Otherwise, reception is spotty at best out in the park! There are so many majestic Sequoia Trees to enjoy! This park is home to a famous tree named General Grant. We came to take in its grandeur! This is the second largest tree in the world by volume! By viewing this tree, I've now seen the world's widest-known Sequoia! After viewing this tree, we went over to Sequoia National Park to see the largest tree which is the General Sherman Tree. General Grant Trail is completely paved and is accessible by wheelchair. There is a parking area there as well. There are information signs pointing out things of interest. The signs are in English & Spanish and also include Braille. Things to see while taking the leisurely stroll around the approximately 0.5-mile loop General Grant Trail are - *General Grant Tree: a) named after General Ulysses S. Grant in 1867. b) In 1926, then President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed it the National Christmas Tree. Instead of taking the tree to a Christmas celebration, it is brought to the tree. A wreath is placed at its' base every second Sunday in December during the "Trek to the Tree". c) It was also named a Living Shrine in memory of the men and women of the Armed Forces who fought & died to keep this Nation free ... by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. It's the only living shrine in America! *Centennial Stump - the tree was cut in 1875. Part of it was sent to PA. *Gamlin Cabin - built in 1872 by the Gamlin brothers, who lived there until 1878. This park was established as General Grant National Park in 1890. The cabin was turned into a store and later became the first Park Ranger's quarters. It was inducted into the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. *Fallen Monarch - The trunk was hollowed by a fire and is on its' side. You are able to walk through it and get a sense of how massive these trees really are! There's a large hole (skylight) at what is now the top. Fun Facts: The Fallen Monarch was once used as a Saloon! It was also used as a stable for the horses of the Cavalry that guarded the park. FYI: Dogs are not allowed on the General Grant Trail. The General Grant Tree was way less busy than the quite congested General Sherman Tree.

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 Sequoia National Park was one of the absolute highlights. The drive into the park is spectacular. Climbing from the valley into the Sierra Nevada, the scenery changes with every curve of the road until suddenly you find yourself surrounded by forests of giant sequoias. It is an unforgettable entrance and sets the stage for everything that follows. We stayed between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and dedicated five full days to exploring both. It was the perfect amount of time because every day brought new trails, new views, and another reason to stop in amazement. Of course, we visited the famous groves, including General Sherman, the largest tree on Earth by volume. Even though these areas are popular, we purposely visited before schools were out for the summer and avoided weekends, so the crowds were very manageable. Even so, my favorite hikes were the quieter ones, where there were fewer people and it felt like I had the forest almost to myself. There is something deeply humbling about standing among these giants. Some of these trees have been alive for more than 2,000 years. They were already ancient long before our country even existed. I found myself slowing down, placing my hand on their massive trunks, sitting quietly, and simply absorbing the peace of the forest. Whether or not trees have energy is up to each person to decide, but I certainly left feeling calmer, smaller, and full of wonder. Beyond the giant sequoias, the park offers spectacular granite cliffs, rushing rivers, alpine meadows, waterfalls, and an incredible variety of wildlife. Every trail seemed to reveal something different, making each hike feel like its own adventure. Sequoia National Park is more than just a place to check off a list. It is a place to slow down, look up, breathe deeply, and remember just how extraordinary nature can be. If you have the time, don't rush through it. Spend several days exploring both Sequoia and neighboring Kings Canyon. The giant trees may be the stars of the park, but the entire landscape is magnificent. This is one of those parks that stays with you long after you leave.

A day of driving down Highway 180. Found scenic turnouts, a beautiful river, Boyden Cavern, lovely…read moreplants, scenic views and of course giant sequoia trees! Boyden Cavern has a super steep walkway entrance. So for those of you with any physical issues it could be a huge problem. (We didn't go inside this trip) The view of the river from this area is lovely. They also have a gift shop with various treasures and bathroom stalls near the parking lot. This part of the road is only open part of the year. From late April to mid November depending on the snow fall level. Definitely bring your own water, snacks and a bag lunch. Can't beat the view!

What a nice area to cool down and relax. My 8 year old daughter loved it. We went twice on our 5…read moreday stay there while visiting the Sequioa park. Water was perfect.

This place was literally such a gem for me and my family…read more My husband,brother, and I fished off some rocks, while our kids and my mom played by the large rocks a little further from the water . We packed lunches and ate by the water which was relaxing

Mist Falls Trail is an absolute gem! The view was breathtaking, making every step of the hike worth…read moreit. Despite the hot weather, the trail is well-shaded by trees, which kept the route constantly cool and comfortable. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a beautiful nature walk, Mist Falls Trail is a must-visit. Highly recommended! It is at an incline going up most of the way so be prepared!

Terrible. Really tough hike. If you hate yourself you'll love this hike. And if you thought you…read morecould reward yourself with food the park sells think again but the food is atrocious. Got a good tan though would come back

Grab a sandwich and a soda, and break up your drive to or from Mammoth. The park is clean, has…read morepublic restrooms, a little pond and tables to picnic on.

Excellent spot to take a break, let my dogs out and walk the beautiful grounds. Lots of grass,…read morebeautiful trees and plants, stream with two bridges. Plus on the west end of park there is a one mile trail. Just a pleasant spot.

This is the best place that you could possibly go where the best place to take your children to any…read morecamp I went from the time I was extremely young till the time. I am 56 now and my parents used to go to the marriage retreat every year for over 50 years. It is the most beautiful place you could ever want to be and you just feel this wonderful spirit of God all around you

The lake was absolutely beautiful and everyone was so nice. The amount of hard work the staff put…read moreinto this camp is incredible. The staff that works in the pondy kitchen are amazing. And the food was great. Love to come visit again sometime soon. Highly recommended this to people needing fresh air, great community and a great view.

Legendary park, lots of great memories made at this part from playing basketball on the courts to…read morefootball games in the green grass, the sanctuary seating area makes it a well environment to relax.

I love this little neighborhood park! It is nice and open to the community. It has a basketball…read morecourt, playground, an open field, a baseball backstop, and a wide cemented path that surrounds the entire area. I love to walk the path when the weather is good. This park is very family friendly and I am delighted to live near it :-)

Voilà, home to the famous Mt Whitney! + Also, lots other…read morecools hikes and sceneries in the area. Oh, so blessed to be living in CA. - Downside is it's prob far away from your home, so prep for a +5hr car trip~ - Desert-y terrain. Almost nothing out there. Everything so far apart. . Stock up well on snacks, drinks, supplies before you head out.

Located in California's beautiful Eastern Sierra, the Inyo National Forest offers clean air,…read morecrystal blue skies, mountain lakes and streams, challenging trails, high mountain peaks, and beautiful views. With over two million acres, the Inyo National Forest is home to many natural wonders, including Mt. Whitney, Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes Basin, and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, as well as seven Congressionally-designated Wildernesses, comprising over 650,000 acres of land. This is a 3 nights 4days backpacking trip totaling 22.5 miles in the Ansel Adams WIlderness and the setting is amazing. We started at Agnews Meadow to John Muir Trail looping back thru Pacific Crest Trail. John Muir Trail Section: The John Muir Wilderness is massive in length - over 100 miles at its longest point. It covers the central/south portion of the Sierra Nevada range, on both the west and east side. The west side offers access from California's Central Valley and has many small towns and camper facilities. The east side is steep, very steep, and is accessible from the Owens Valley. Named after the father of environmentalism and champion of the national park system, this Wilderness has everything the Sierra Nevada has to offer -- lakes, meadows, streams, mountain peaks, forests and more. The John Muir Trail travels about 53 miles in the John Muir Wilderness. In terms of the John Muir Trail, this Wilderness essentially covers the area between National Parks/Monuments. The mid-point for the Trail lies here. Typically, it is at (or near) Edison or Florence Lakes that the through hiker will take a brief break and re-supply. The John Muir Wilderness also affords the hiker spots to soak their feet in hot springs, grab a warm meal, and "traverse" from "easy" east side access points to west side access points for the trail. As the trail begins a long set of switchbacks, one of the most panoramic views along the entire John Muir Trail is gained. Between the trees one can see the Minarets, Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak. Summer is an excellent time to see wildflowers along the trail. At higher elevations, even in late Summer the wildflowers are blooming due to the late snow melt. The order of the Lakes as we hiked in is as follows: Shadow Lake, Clarice Lake, Garnett Lake, Ruby Lake, Emerald Lake, Badger Lake and Thousand Islands. I can not choose which lake to mention as my favorite. They're all breathtaking. But Garnett Lake and Thousand Island stays in my mind the most. Ruby Lake is mysterious looking and Shadow Lake is rewarding in a sense since this is the first lake you will see after the final push in a difficult steep switchback leading to it. Mosquitoes are abundant during summer here that makes it not my favorite :( but it is beautiful nevertheless. As you ascend to over 9500 feet mosquitoes get lesser and you're back in a cooler condition. There are definitely snow on the trail and in some areas more than others as we started on the JMT above 9600 feet. One section between Ruby Lake and Garnett Lake the whole1000 feet of trail was covered in snow. I would recommend a trekking pole and crampons for faster crossing. You could definitely do it without but the snow will slow you down. Some areas are as deep as 5 feet of soft snow. Clarice Lake at 9600 was about 80% frozen. We took a break here and listened to the frogs complain :) The trail from Clarice Lake to Garnett Lake was covered with snow. I decided to throw my pack down and follow it by sliding down the hill on my behind. It was fun! The majestic beauty of both the Minarets, Banner Peak(12,936 ft) and Mt Ritter (13,143 ft) is the backdrop on most of my pictures of Shadow Lake. Awesome! Lots of wild flowers on the way down thru the PCT. Had a semi encounter with a bear on the trail. We heard him but never got to see him from about 20 feet from us. Hope this review will somehow encourage Yelpers to explore Ansel Adams Wilderness! Enjoy my pictures. I walked uphill to 10,1000 feet and and a total of 22.5 miles to snap them :)!

Great park in the heart of Mammoth Village. This public park has obstacles and a very well laid…read moreout park for children to play. We came here after having breakfast at Mammoth Coffee Roasting only 1 minute away. Wonderful place to enjoy especially when the weather is beautiful which is just about 80% of the year in sunny California. 5 stars and two thumbs up!

Nice park near town center. Cool rock climbing wall, huge recreation center and lots of trails next…read moreto the creek. Playground for the kids and some doggie bag stations throughout.