Sequoia National Park
- WD - Home
- Oct 24
- 3 min read
Sequoia National Park Travel Guide
Step into Sequoia National Park and you'll be awestruck by the giants that live here, ancient trees so wide you can drive a car through their trunks and so tall they vanish into the sky. The Sierra Nevada air is cool and fragrant with pine, and the sound of woodpeckers tapping echoes through cathedral-like groves. Home to the famous General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth, Sequoia pairs with neighboring Kings Canyon to create a world of wilderness, caves, and peaks that leave you humbled and inspired. This is a place where you can experience the sheer majesty of nature.
Sequoia is where giants breathe, trees older than empires, taller than skyscrapers, and rooted in silence that humbles you.
How to Get There
Most visitors approach Sequoia through California's Central Valley. The closest gateway town is Visalia, located about an hour from the Ash Mountain entrance; however, Three Rivers is the true doorstep community. The Generals Highway winds through groves of towering sequoias, connecting Sequoia to Kings Canyon.
The nearest major airport is Fresno Yosemite International (FAT, 1.5 hrs). Los Angeles (LAX, 5 hrs) and San Francisco (SFO, 5 hrs) are larger hubs that pair well with a California road trip. Driving is essential, roads are narrow, winding, and stunning, but public transport is minimal. In summer, a seasonal shuttle runs from Visalia into the park.
Nearest Airports: FAT (1.5 hrs), LAX (5 hrs), SFO (5 hrs)
By Car: Access via Generals Highway, Hwy 198 from Visalia
Other Options: Seasonal Sequoia Shuttle from Visalia
Pairings: Kings Canyon NP, Yosemite NP
Know Before You Go
Sequoia's elevation ranges from 1,300 feet at the foothills to 14,491 feet at Mount Whitney, resulting in rapid shifts in weather conditions. Summer can be hot in lower elevations, while snow lingers into late spring in higher elevations. Black bears are common, bear-proof storage is required at all campgrounds. The park also charges $35 per vehicle for entry, which covers both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Entry Fee: $35 per vehicle (valid for both Sequoia & Kings Canyon)
Altitude: Prepare for elevation shifts
Wildlife: Bears—use lockers for food
Permits: Required for overnight backcountry, Mt. Whitney summit via Inyo
Best Time to Visit
Summer is the peak season, marked by warm weather, open roads, and access to higher trails. Spring brings roaring waterfalls from snowmelt, while fall delivers fewer crowds and golden foliage. Winter transforms the groves into snowy wonderlands, perfect for snowshoeing under giants.
Summer: Best access to high elevations
Spring: Waterfalls, wildflowers, cooler temps
Fall: Quieter, crisp air, beautiful colors
Winter: Snow play, snowshoeing, fewer visitors
Best Things to Do
General Sherman Tree: The largest tree on Earth by volume
Moro Rock: Stair climb to sweeping Sierra views
Crystal Cave: Marble cavern tours (seasonal)
Tokopah Falls: 1,200-foot cascade on a moderate hike
Giant Forest Museum: History of the park and its trees
Best Hikes
Congress Trail (2 miles, easy): Meander through some of the largest sequoias
Tokopah Falls (4 miles, moderate): Gorgeous waterfall trail
Alta Peak (14 miles, strenuous): Panoramic alpine views
Big Trees Trail (1 mile, easy): Family-friendly loop around Round Meadow
Places to Stay
Within the park, Wuksachi Lodge offers modern accommodations nestled among lush trees. Campers can choose from multiple campgrounds, although reservations are highly recommended during the summer. Three Rivers and Visalia provide more hotels and B&Bs.
In Park: Wuksachi Lodge, Lodgepole Campground, Dorst Creek Campground
Nearby: Hotels in Three Rivers & Visalia
Glamping: Sequoia High Sierra Camp (luxury tents)
Places to Eat
Dining inside the park is limited to lodge restaurants and seasonal snack bars. Three Rivers offers the most variety—try Ol' Buckaroo for BBQ or River View Grill & Bar for riverside dining.
In Park: Wuksachi Lodge Dining Room
Nearby: Ol' Buckaroo, River View Grill & Bar (Three Rivers)
