We visited Crystal Cave on Monday, June 8, 2026, and had a fantastic experience. Our guide, AJ, was…read morefabulous--knowledgeable, engaging, and made the tour both fun and informative. The walk down to the cave is about a half-mile and fairly steep, but it's absolutely worth it. The beautiful waterfall along the trail was an unexpected highlight and made the hike even more enjoyable. Crystal Cave itself is amazing and well worth the visit. The formations are incredible, and the tour provides fascinating insight into the cave's history and geology. The ticket price is very reasonable, and knowing that the proceeds help support conservation and educational programs makes it even better. I highly recommend Crystal Cave to anyone visiting the area! Maybe you'll be lucky snd AJ will be your guide too!

Crystal Cave was closed for 4 years for renovations and reopened last season. We made reservations…read morefor this year as soon as they opened the roster. My boyfriend is very interested in exploring different caves & caverns and I thought this would be a fun weekend getaway for us. There is a long trail down to the mouth of the cave, the decent is not too bad, but it is quite a trek back up. The trail is about half a mile to the cave opening and half a mile back up. When you check in for your tour (tickets are not sold at the cave and must be purchased in advance) they go over some safety information and tour information. The staff has you cleanse the soles of your shoes prior to heading down to the cave to help prevent white nose syndrome to the bats that inhabit the cave. On the trail down there are many beautiful sights including waterfalls. I would recommend stopping at the sights on the way back up when breaks from the steep trail will be needed. The trail back up is not the most difficult we have endured, but it is up there on the list due to the steepness of the path. There is a large area at the mouth of the cave for the tour group to gather with the guide who is waiting at the gate for you. No items besides cameras and plastic water bottles are permitted within the cave and must be left outside the gate during your 50 minute cave tour. There is a large gate that the guide will unlock and you will walk through to enter the cave. The gate is a huge spiderweb with a large spider in the center, it was really wicked. Crystal Cave has crystal clear water running through it, you could see the marble that is natural there that the water has washed out over the years, as well as many stalagmites & stalactites, cave bacon, cave popcorn and many other interesting formations that have taken hundreds of thousands of years to form. Among the many caverns & caves we have toured this one was very different with the marble and flowing water within. Shirley was our tour guide, and though she was new she was so passionate and knowledgeable about the cave!

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.

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.

My first time visiting…read more If you love nature, you will love this park. It's just breathtaking and deserves to be seen. I only spent a few hours there as I drove from San Francisco, which is about 4.5 hours. $35 a car. One thing I didn't like, when paying to get in, the Ranger asked if I was a legal resident. He asked that because he said it's $100 for a non-resident. Trump at his finest because the Ranger said it was an Executive Order. There are so many beautiful sites. Definitely worth visiting. Oh, I almost forgot. They have gas stations, and when I saw the price, I filled my tank. $6.19 for regular.

I haven't been to Sequoia National Park in 15 years, and the last time we were here we were on the…read moreother side of the park. This time we entered through the Visalia side and planned to see Crystal Cave & go for the Stargazing experience in the evening. Sequoia is a beautiful park. We spent all day in the park. Our Cave tour was at 3pm and our Stargazing was at the lodge at 9pm. They had a separate line at the entrance for guests who prepurchase or had NP passes which was nice and cut down entrance times. Though we only visited a small section of the park on this trip it was all beautiful. We drove around, visited Crystal Cave (advanced tickets required), The General Sherman Tree, Stargazing Night Talk at the Lodge, as well as the general store. We saw some of the biggest trees we have ever encountered. Walked many different trails, saw a beautiful sunset, and spent an hour watching stars with an astronomer who pointed out many constellations and provided insight on them. Overall it was an incredible experience, and I can't wait to be able to explore more at a later date.

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

Glad we stopped here for a look see during our overnight stay...it was a perfect way to wind down…read moreafter a long drive from Redondo Beach. The sunset was just an hour away so we had time to explore the area, walk to the river, enjoy the sound of the rushing water and snap photos of pretty scenery. You could easily spend a couple hours here picnicking, frolicking in the river or walking the area stopping every once in a while to gaze at the wildflowers and wilderness around you. Parking is easy (don't forget to pay the nominal fee) and DO bring a flashlight if you plan on staying past sunset...it's dark in them thar hills, canyons, wherever you are. Lovely to enjoy the silence, snap some photos and enjoy the sunset.

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

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.

Really nice park with plenty of amenities. Stopped by here to eat our sandwiches we picked up in…read moreBishop. Wind was calm here, unlike at Division Creek up the road. There's a Creek running through and plenty of shade, along with numerous picnic tables on both sides of the creek. They also have grills in a bunch of locations, so grilling is an option if you bringyourown charcoal. There is also a large playground, a half size basketball court, and a couple of locations for horseshoes. Parking appears adequate and there is spillover parking to the South in 2 locations. You can even walk to the museum through the back trail. Definitely worth a stop to soak up some history and just calm.

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 :-)

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 :)!

Very beautiful and calming. Sometimes being with nature helps you realize that our lives need to be…read moremore laid back.

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!

My kids had fun! Staff were very nice helpful, doesn't give attitude, very friendly. Every single…read moreone of them. From the front desk where you pay to the people that's working on the rides. Price very reasonable and place is very clean! We will be coming back.